The 15 Best Places to Buy Stylish Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses

Your child's wedding day may very well be one of the most important days of your life, which often comes with feelings of excitement and pressure. Sure, all eyes will be on the couple and what they're wearing, but it's also impossible not to notice what the mother has on. As the mother of the bride, you'll be in countless photos, you'll have to mingle with almost every guest in attendance, and you may even have the spotlight placed on you while walking down the aisle or participating in a special dance. So finding a mother-of-the-bride dress that is beautiful and stands out is important for getting through the day in true style.

Since mother-of-the-bride dresses tend to be more formal than other guest and family member attire, you'll typically want to look for a floor-length gown (unless the wedding has a casual dress code). Luckily, plenty of stores sell dresses specifically with the mother of the bride in mind, so if you're unsure where to begin your search, here are the best retailers to shop and find dresses that feel special enough for such a big day.

Nordstrom

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Nordstrom is a great starting point as it has a dress section dedicated to mother-of-the-bride dresses. They sell formal gowns and versatile cocktail dresses for all types of weddings, some priced as low as under $100. While you can probably find something in the mother-of-the-bride category, the retailer provides thousands of other dress options on the site for you to peruse.

Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: Unlimited

Anthropologie

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Check out Anthropologie's mother-of-the-bride section for a perfectly curated selection of elegant and chic gowns. The curation is small but versatile, with classic and simple looks that many moms will love. The site sells designer names, but many pieces come from their bridal brand, BHLDN, at prices that are typically a few hundred dollars or less.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $100 | Return Policy: Free within 30 days

Amazon

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Consider perusing Amazon's vast luxury clothing curation for a standout mother-of-the-bride dress. With brands like Oscar de la Renta, Siliva Tchersassi, and Sergio Hudson to choose from, this selection provides the formal, quality dresses that you'd pick up from your typical luxury department store but with the ease of your typical Amazon order (think Prime shipping options and free returns!).

Shipping Cost: Free with Amazon Prime | Return Policy: Free returns within 30 days

Betsy & Adam

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You'll find Betsy & Adam dresses in department stores like Macy's, but they also have their own website with an entire section dedicated to moms. The brand sells standard, petite, and plus-size gowns in silhouettes ranging from floor-length to shorter looks, and each style feels classic and traditional without being too conservative or frumpy. We also love how Betsey & Adam is fairly affordable, with most pieces priced at around $250.

Shipping Cost: Free standard ground shipping within the U.S. | Return Policy: Free within 14 days of delivery date

Saks Fifth Avenue

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For more high-end options and big-name designer gowns, peruse Saks Fifth Avenue. The luxury department store features stylish gowns by names like Prabal Gurung, Oscar de la Renta, and Marchesa, as well as plenty of other well-established brands and newcomers. Many dresses cost a few thousand dollars, but there also are plenty of options between $500 and $1,000—all of which are beautiful and unique investment pieces.

Shipping Cost: $10 standard shipping for orders under $100 | Return Policy: Free within 14 days

Tadashi Shoji

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Tadashi Shoji makes gorgeous, fun, and flirty gowns that never feel too over-the-top. They're ideal for moms who want to wear something stylish and fashion-forward while maintaining a traditional mother-of-the-bride look. You'll find shorter cocktail dresses that are great for a more casual ceremony and stunning gowns in unique colorways boasting different textures and designs.

Shipping Cost: Free | Return Policy: Within 15 days of delivery; 20% restocking fee for 4+ items

Sachin & Babi

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Sachin & Babi is the designer brand to consider for unique and whimsical gowns that still feel chic and sophisticated. You'll find one-of-a-kind options in bright colors, traditional silhouettes in gorgeous hues and patterns, and fun details like oversized bows and belts. No matter the wedding's season, venue, or dress code, this designer has a dress you'll fall in love with.

Shipping Cost: $6 | Return Policy: Free up to 14 days after delivery

Adrianna Papell

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With a large selection of both trendy and classic dresses at fairly affordable prices, Adrianna Papell is a go-to for beautiful mother-of-the-bride dresses. You'll find solid color pieces that are versatile and simple, as well as lots of colorful floral patterns and more modern options like formal jumpsuits. You can find Adrianna Papell dresses in department stores like Macy's or directly on the brand's website.

Shipping Cost: Free shipping for orders over $300 | Return Policy: Within 30 days of delivery date; $10 restocking fee + $5 for each additional item

Macy’s

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We love Macy's for its range of affordable and pricier gowns, selling brands like Calvin Klein, Betsey & Adam, Adrianna Papell, and DKNY in any dress style you can imagine. This is another department store with a category dedicated to mother-of-the-bride and groom dresses, making it an ideal search for your wedding day shopping needs.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $25 | Return Policy: Free within 30 days

Camille LaVie

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Camille LaVie sells beautiful, formal gowns that are anything but stuffy. You'll find full-length ballgowns with big tulle skirts, more fitted slinky gowns with slits, and bejeweled options that will glitter all night long. Aside from a few pricier exceptions, most prices remain around a fair $250 price point.

Shipping Cost: Free ground shipping for orders over $200 | Return Policy: No refunds or returns; exchanges within 14 days

David's Bridal

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David's Bridal is a great dress destination for moms on a budget. Focusing primarily on more conservative and traditional mother-of-the-bride dresses, this retailer provides a fabulous range of matching jackets, dress sets, or formal pantsuits. Don't worry, though, they also offer of-the-moment looks, like bodycon short dresses and elegant off-the-shoulder gowns, if that's what you'd prefer.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $120 | Return Policy: Free within 7 days

Bloomingdale's

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If you aren't easily overwhelmed, Bloomingdale's offers a huge assortment of dresses and gowns, from a section dedicated to the mother of the bride and beyond. There's so much versatility here, from formal gowns and big designer names to more affordable and still beautiful pieces. This is a great place to shop if you're looking for a mix of high-end luxury and stylish mid-range ensembles.

Shipping Cost: Free for Loyallist members or on orders over $150 | Return Policy: Free within 90 days

Mac Duggal

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Mac Duggal gowns are made to stand out, so opt for one if you want a more glamorous ensemble for your mother-of-the-bride duties. These dresses do not shy away from glitzy details like beads, sequins, embellishments, and interesting neck- and hemlines, so moms with minimalist tastes may want to look elsewhere. As for pricing, the range falls from about $300 to $900 depending on the extravagance of the dress' details—any of these gowns is an investment piece you'll remember for years to come.

Shipping Cost: Free standard ground shipping; $50 express shipping or international express shipping | Return Policy: Can be returned/exchanged within 14 days of delivery date; $12 label fee

Moda Operandi

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Moda Operandi is your retailer if you want a fabulous mother-of-the-bride dress from none other than one of the coolest designers. Featuring dresses from classics like Bottega Veneta and Ulla Johnson, as well as up-and-coming brands like Coperni and Cult Gaia, you can trust the selection from co-founder and former Vogue editor Lauren Santo Domingo.

Shipping Cost: $10 standard, $20 second day, $30 overnight shipping | Return Policy: Eligible for return up to 28 days after delivery date

Lulus

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If you don't want to spend a lot but still want to dress to impress, Lulus offers hundreds of dresses that cost about $100 or less. Many of the gowns do skew a bit younger and trendier, so if you want a more traditional mother-of-the-bride dress, you may not find it here, yet if you're looking for something stylish and affordable, it's a great place to start.

Shipping Cost: Free on orders over $50 | Return Policy: Within 10 days; $4.99 shipping fee

What to Look for in a Mother-of-the-Bride Dress

• Wedding Formality: When shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress, consider the formality of the wedding. Is it an ultra-fancy black-tie affair, a more casual event without a specific dress code, or something in between? You can find more formal options from floor-length gowns and designer styles at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale's, or less formal dresses from Lulus or Anthropologie.
• Wedding Theme and Season: Consider the wedding's theme, season, and location. For an evening celebration in the fall or winter, a full-length gown in a heavier fabric like velvet or satin with sequin embellishments would be more appropriate than floral numbers made from lightweight fabrics for a warm-weather or beachside celebration.
• Cut and Coverage: Mother-of-the-bride dresses come in various styles, like column gowns, A-line skirts, wrap dresses, drapey numbers, capelets, pique gowns, and knee-length sheaths. Many retailers also offer beautiful plus-size gowns that are both flattering and comfortable. Beyond skirt style and length, consider how much shoulder coverage you want—long sleeves, short sleeves, flutter sleeves, cap sleeves, or off-the-shoulder styles are available, or you can opt for a sleeveless dress with a matching shawl for more flexibility.
  

Why Trust Brides

Madison Barber is a commerce writer at Brides and updated this article in 2024 to ensure each retailer is up to our standards for mother-of-the-bride dresses. Contributing writer Jessica Booth wrote a previous version of this article. She is a freelance writer and formerly served as an editor for seven years. Her work has been featured in Bustle, Romper, Insider, Forbes, Redbook, and Refinery29.