Best dresses for the mother of the bride (or groom) | members only

DRAW ATTENTION TO YOUR WAISTLINE WITH FIT-AND-FLARE SILHOUETTES OR BELTED STYLES. A navy shirtwaist gown such as the ALEX EVENINGS PORTRAIT COLLAR STRETCH TAFFETA DRESS WITH HIGH LOW HEM AND

TIE BELT IN NAVY ($219, alexevenings.com) is an elegant option for a formal affair. Knee-length A-line styles, such as DONNA KARAN NEW YORK WOMEN’S JEWEL-NECK SLEEVELESS A-LINE DRESS IN

SNOW PETAL ($124, macys.com) and the AQUA PANELED MIDI DRESS IN GREEN ($118, bloomingdales.com), are classics. A flowy wrap dress such as the NOCTURNE ASYMMETRIC FLOUNCE DRESS IN BLUE ($209,

nordstrom.com), or a belted caftan like the NICOBLU CAPRI LONG TUNIC DRESS IN SHALIMAR TURQUOISE ($298, nicoblu.com) in aquatic shades of blue, are perfect for beach weddings and can be

worn with flat sandals or even bare feet! (From left) Aidan Mattox Embroidered V-Neck Sleeveless Pleated Mesh Bodice Column Dress in Tropez Blue; AQUA Pleated Gown in Navy; Dress the

Population Corey Chiffon Fit & Flare Cocktail Dress in Peacock Blue; Kiyonna Plus-Size Starry Sequined Lace Cocktail Dress in Onyx. AARP (Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s)

TAKE THE PLUNGE TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR CLEAVAGE — BUT DON’T DIVE TOO DEEP! Subtle sexiness is the message you want to send. A structured column gown with a deep V-neck, such as the AIDAN MATTOX

EMBROIDERED V-NECK SLEEVELESS PLEATED MESH BODICE COLUMN DRESS IN TROPEZ BLUE ($450, dillards.com), conveys a regal air for an elegant evening affair. Ditto a draped gown in a muted metallic

such as the BETSY & ADAM PETITE MELANIE FOIL KNIT V-NECK LONG SLEEVE FLOOR LENGTH DRESS ($320, betsyandadam.com). For weddings followed by a cocktail party, a long-sleeve sheath dress

with a deep V-neckline in rich burgundy, such as the ZARA DRAPED MIDI DRESS IN MAROON ($60, zara.com/us), draws the eye to your décolletage and neck (dangling gold earrings would go

nicely!). An empire-waist black dress scattered with sequins, like this KIYONNA PLUS-SIZE STARRY SEQUINED LACE COCKTAIL DRESS IN ONYX ($188, macys.com), also puts the focus where you want it

— and requires little in the way of jewelry. Maybe a delicate bangle bracelet? And some leg-lengthening but comfortable heels! A flowy jewel-tone dress, such as the DRESS THE POPULATION

COREY CHIFFON FIT & FLARE COCKTAIL DRESS IN PEACOCK BLUE ($198, nordstrom.com), the Mac Duggal LONG FLARE SLEEVE PLEATED DRESS IN BERRY ($435, macduggal.com), or the AQUA PLEATED GOWN IN

NAVY ($128, bloomingdales.com), works for daytime celebrations, cocktail hours and/or beach weddings, depending on how you accessorize it.  For daytime, keep the jewelry small and subtle.

Feel free to add a little glitz for cocktails, such as a sparkly necklace or drop earrings. For beach locations, add metallic flat sandals and perhaps a broad-brimmed hat. (From left) City

Chic Plus Size Estelle Dress in Navy; Lauren Ralph Lauren Georgette Cape Gown in Navy; Collection Ruffle-Trim Midi Dress in Crinkled Cupro in Blushed Peach; JS Collections Seraphina

One-Shoulder Organza Gown in Violet Rose. AARP (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, J. Crew, Nordstrom) EMPHASIZE YOUR LOVELY ARMS! Whether it’s with a cape gown such as LAUREN RALPH LAUREN’S GEORGETTE

CAPE GOWN IN NAVY ($265, bloomingdales.com) or a one-shoulder style such as the elegant JS COLLECTIONS SERAPHINA ONE-SHOULDER ORGANZA GOWN IN VIOLET ROSE ($298, nordstrom.com) for an

evening event, you can’t go wrong. Other options include a slinky sheath in a pretty color, such as the MARINA RINALDI PERSONA CREPE DRESS IN CORNFLOWER BLUE ($385, marinarinaldi.com), or an

arm-exposing fit-and-flare style, such as the CITY CHIC PLUS SIZE ESTELLE DRESS IN NAVY ($199, macys.com), for an afternoon event. For a wedding at the beach, go for a pastel tank dress,

like the EILEEN FISHER PETITE SLEEVELESS CRINKLED SILK MIDI DRESS IN BELLFLOWER ($328, neimanmarcus.com), or this delicious peach beauty, the J.CREW COLLECTION RUFFLE-TRIM MIDI DRESS IN

CRINKLED CUPRO IN BLUSHED PEACH ($160, jcrew.com). Your accessories should be bracelets and/or small stud or drop earrings. No necklace necessary. (From left) Lauren Ralph Lauren Metallic

Sleeveless Side Slit Dress in Champagne/Silver; BHLDN Hallie One Shoulder Stretch Crepe Maxi Gown in Pistachio; Francine Dress in Ivory/Silver Floral Jacquard. AARP (Macy’s, Anthropologie,

Ann Mashburn) LET YOUR LEGS LEAD THE WAY WITH ABOVE-THE-KNEE STYLES WITH SLEEVES — OR LONG GOWNS WITH DRAMATIC SLITS. Your key accessory: sexy shoes or sandals! Metallic fabrics such as the

ANN MASHBURN FRANCINE DRESS IN IVORY/SILVER FLORAL JACQUARD ($495, shopmashburn.com) or the champagne/silver combination in the LAUREN RALPH LAUREN METALLIC SLEEVELESS SIDE SLIT DRESS IN

CHAMPAGNE/SILVER ($265, macys.com) are most suitable for evening weddings. A hot pink kimono-sleeve dress like the TRINA TURK DAIQUIRI DRESS IN LILLIKOI ($265, trinaturk.com) is a lovely

choice for a garden or beach setting.  A burgundy A-line chemise with a pretty scalloped hem and sleeve detail such as the TARA JARMON RUODA RED SHIFT DRESS ($256, halsbrook.com) has an

understated elegance for daytime — and can be dressed up for cocktail hour with dangling earrings and/or a delicate bracelet. A one-shoulder slit gown in a stretchy fabric such as BHLDN

HALLIE ONE SHOULDER STRETCH CREPE MAXI GOWN IN PISTACHIO ($220, anthropologie.com) pairs beautifully with gold or silver flat sandals for a beach wedding.