[Alska]

Help please! My son's outdoor wedding is in Florida in March in Orlando, 5pm, semi-formal with bridesmaids wearing long black dresses. Black & white with yellow accents are the wedding colors. MOB is Asian and very "Audrey Hepburnish" in how she dresses according to bride, so she says MOB will wear gray, square neckline, nothing glittery or shiny, not even silver - just gray. Not sure if MOB will be long or short or tea length, but I doubt it will be flashy or ornate in any way.

I'm MOG and trying to decide on color, length and formality. I've read NOT to be same color as MOB, but others say OK if in same color family. Bride is not picky, says gray would be fine, or even black, suggested looking and Black/White market, and maybe yellow accent like purse or shoes. But I don't want to wear black when bridesmaids are wearing black.

So, could I wear eggplant or plum or a different shade of gray - maybe something in a dark or light gray shatung or maybe with a little lace or silky/shinier fabric? Or is that too formal, since MOB will be so simple, understated? I am tall with blonde hair, heavier on bottom than top, so probably looking for A-line or something long, but not too form-fitting in hips/thighs. My taste tends to be classic, but elegant. And I don't look good in pastels as am fair skinned.

Planning to shop at Dillards, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and maybe Saks & Nieman outlets.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[Makeup Expert]

Try to find out exactly the shade of gray MOB will be wearing, and wear a different shade of gray with yellow accents, like a flower. Maybe darker shade of gray, like Charcoal Gray. Try to also find out about the length of her dress, as the formality of your outfits should be similar. Eggplant seems out of place with these colors, but you can try powder blue, or light blue, which will go well with all the other colors. Enjoy the wedding!

[Etiquette Now]

Great advice. Also, please remember not to dress more formally than the MOB and yours should be conservative--no cleavage.

[Alska]

Terrific input and advice, thank you. MOB has not purchased hers yet, but bride says it will be knee-length in a non-metallic, non-shiny grey fabric, very classic styling, nothing fancy.

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

You really should wait for her to buy her dress, just in case she changes her mind. We've had posts from past mothers who have been in that situation and then have to try to return the dress. it's best to wait.

[Panache by Erin]

I agree with Wedding Queen. You should wait for the MOB to purchase her dress so you'll know how to proceed. Good luck!!