Invited to an Engagement Party? Dresses, Heels and Earrings for the Guest
An engagement party guest outfit in colour: satin and velvet dresses from Alessandra Rich, Reiss, Galvan and Stella McCartney, with evening heels, a small bag and earrings.
Weddings & Occasions /
Mother of the Bride: What to Wear to an Autumn or Winter Wedding
The dresses, coats, shoes and bags we would choose for the mother of the bride this autumn and winter, from Jenny Packham, Carolina Herrera, Victoria Beckham and more.
By Taiwo AdedayoEvery piece here has been chosen by our editors. We may earn a commission on some products.
The mother of the bride is in almost every photograph of the day, from the ceremony to the last dance, so the outfit has to look right all day and feel comfortable all night. These are the pieces we would choose for an autumn or winter wedding, from £374 to £2,255, all in stock now.
Colour, with a sleeve 
Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham’s Ursa is crepe in a shade called Chilli Red, with fluttering cape-effect sleeves and bursts of crystals along the neckline, cut to the midi. £516.
The Jupiter is navy crepe, and its cape sleeves are embellished with crystals arranged as twinkling stars. £630.
Blue for a winter wedding 
Alex Perry and Carolina Herrera
Alex Perry’s Vander is vivid blue satin-crepe with cascading cape-effect sleeves that move as you walk, a V-neck and padded shoulders. £585.
Carolina Herrera’s is bright blue silk-crepon with a romantic floral print, floaty sleeves and ruffles down the skirt. £806.
Burgundy 
Victoria Beckham and Safiyaa
Victoria Beckham’s Bela is burgundy, draped and gathered at the waist. £990.
Safiyaa’s Rella is burgundy crepe cut to look like a pencil skirt and peplum top, trimmed in satin at the neck and waist. £374.
The detail 
Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta’s pink wool-blend crepe dress has guipure-lace cherries framing its asymmetric midi hem, darts through the bodice and a slim belt at the waist. £1,317.
The coat 
Max Mara
In autumn and winter the coat is in the photographs too. Max Mara’s cape coat is sand cashmere with buttons and short sleeves, easy over a dress with a sleeve. £2,255. The belted coat in beige is the classic, £2,045.
Shoes and a bag 
Aquazzura, Self-Portrait, Saint Laurent
A long day asks for a lower heel. Aquazzura’s Artiste is a black pointed-toe slingback on a 55mm heel with a wavy trim, £539, or 85mm in suede, £450.
Self-Portrait’s black satin clutch has a crystal-embellished bow clasp, £460. Saint Laurent’s small Cassandre chain clutch in lambskin goes from hand to shoulder, £1,037.
The rules worth keeping
Leave white, ivory and cream to the bride. Ask her about the colours of the day before you buy, and whether the other mother has chosen already. A sleeve, a cape or a coat matters in a church and in November. And choose a heel you can stand in for the photographs and dance in after dinner.
Watch: mother of the bride dresses
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