Mother of the Bride Dressing Your Plus Sized Figure

Its one of the most memorable occasions a mother can be a part of, the day their son or daughter walk down the aisle to bond themselves with their soul-mate. As mother of the bride or groom, the role you play is going to be as important as any other member in the wedding party even more so depending on the formality of the event and the traditions being observed. So it's important to consider not just the ceremony, but how you, the Mother, should dress not only to compliment the happy couple, but to compliment your fuller figure or plus size shape.



Traditions and Etiquette

For your child's wedding, it's important to consider how you will be dressing. The mother of the bride and groom will usually find out from either groom or bride the details of the wedding party's dress. These details may include the season in which the event will be observed, the color scheme, formal or informal and themes. The bride may even have a very specific idea of what she would like both mother's to be wearing when they walk down the aisle. Be considerate and make sure to communicate so that you can avoid a clash of color or style. Other key notes to remember is to try and avoid matching the color of your dress with the bridesmaid or the other mother, and avoid ivory or white colors as that may be viewed as discourteous to the bride herself.



Preparation and Planning

Once the details on style and color schemes have been hashed out, you'll need to schedule some time to find what dress is going to be right for you. Its recommend to go at least four to five months before the wedding. If that's possible, to provide enough time for fittings and any custom work. This will also allow you some time to discuss those details with the shop owner or clerk, who may have a good idea of what will work best for your figure and coloring. Though there are some things and rules of thumbs to consider going into the process.



Define Your Attributes

Always consider your best attribute and your natural shape, full figured women will find it's not as hard as they may think. For instance, pear shapes it's often the line of the shoulder and neck, or for apple shapes the length of the legs and ankles. We'll get a little more in depth, but once you've determine your shape and best attribute, finding what fits becomes a lot more simpler.



Apple Shape

If you find yourself to be what is called an 'apple' shape, you're generally going to be thicker around your midsection, with smaller hips and legs. You'll find that emphasizing the curve of your breast or the line of your shoulders with raised or fitted waists will help to de-emphasize a wider tummy section. Breaking up the line of your torso can also be achieved by two piece outfits such as a fitted jacket or blazer over a tunic blouse and long skirt. Do try to avoid anything informal such as button up sweaters over your dress, unless the bride has said it's alright. The key is always to try to draw that invisible line for your top and bottom half, to provide the illusion of a more broken up or defined top, middle and bottom portions.



Pear Shape

Mothers who find that their weight more centered on their hips and thighs are usually defined as pear shapes. These shapes can be challenging because the idea is to draw the eye upwards away from the wider part of a heavier bottom. Try doing this by playing up the neckline of your dress or blouse. Scoop or cowl necks work wonderful to provide a bit of emphasis on the shoulders and neck. Extra bead work around the neckline can also add a little bit of a sophisticated touch, while continuing to pull to eye upwards. The skirt of the dress or ensemble should have a slightly dropped waistline to sit just below the natural waist, and it's recommended that the shape of the skirt retain a faint a-line quality.



Hour Glass Figure

For those of us with a full figure in the classic hour glass shape, you'll find your shoulders and bust are fuller, with a clearly defined waistline that moves in and full to proportionate hips and thighs. This is a classic figure and should be treated with respect, so embrace these curves when searching for the perfect dress for your son or daughters special day. Look for bodices with wrapped waists or ruching beneath the bust line to define or slenderize the ribcage and sides. Your skirt should be a-line, one of the most flattering shapes a skirt can have for any figure. Avoid baggy tops or empire waists; these can often detract from the naturally feminine shape Mother Nature has already given you.



Dressed for a Celebration



On their special day, as the Mother you want to look your best. Trying to find that dress does not have to add to the stress that inevitably mounts and grows leading up to the wedding day. Taking a few important rules concerning your gorgeous, fully developed plush shape and a few deep breaths when trying on your choices, will help you to distress the tension from finding a Mother of the Bride/ Groom gown. Then as your walking down the aisle, as your watching them state their vows and introducing your newly extended family, you can focus on the important things and know you've dressed your best for the occasion.