20 Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses That Aren't Matronly

It's no secret that moms come in all shapes and sizes, yet it often seems like mother-of-the-bride (and groom) dresses are designed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Most options seem as if they were created to fit a shapeless body type, or they're so demure that they almost look matronly. Luckily, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there are plenty of mom-appropriate styles that are both flattering and stylish. To ensure the most important ladies in your life look and feel gorgeous on the big day, we rounded up some of our favorite mother-of-the-bride dresses that aren't matronly—because that word should be banned from weddings and fashion entirely.

Luckily, all of the dresses we found are appropriate for women of all ages and for any style event. The important thing to remember when choosing a mom-appropriate dress is to be playful with elements like color, silhouette, or pattern, rather than something like length. Necklines are another great fashion detail that moms can have some fun with. But just as you would for any other occasion, you'll want to avoid anything too showy—off-the-shoulder sleeves and deep V-necks are sexy and elegant, so long as they're not too revealing. 

No matter what style direction you're leaning towards, there are plenty of mother-of-the-bride dress options out there that are far from matronly—here is a selection we love right now.