Though all eyes will be on the bride at the wedding, it's important that the mother of the bride looks good too. You should pick out a dress for the occasion that is both stylish and age appropriate. Also take into consideration the wedding style, time of day and colors.

Choose a Dress Together

Several months prior to the wedding, talk with your daughter about the style of dress she prefers that you wear. You don't want to wear anything too matronly, but you also don't want anything too slinky or inappropriate for your age.

If your daughter lives in a different city, coordinate by email, exchanging photographs of the types of dresses that you find flattering. Most major wedding retailers have online websites where you can view their collection of mother-of-the-bride dresses. However, your dress doesn't need to be specifically designed for a mother of the bride. You can oftentimes find suitable dresses online at major department stores and other apparel websites.

Tips for Selecting a Dress

For a daytime wedding, a knee-length dress is appropriate, while a floor-length gown is suited for evening.

Don't wear white or off-white. Those colors are reserved for the bride on her special day.

Don't select a dress that is too glitzy, shiny or bold. Though you want to look good, you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself.

Don't select anything too tight or too low-cut. Even if you are a young, hip mom, on your daughter's wedding day you are just that - a mom.

Consider your body type. A dress with a puffy skirt may not be flattering to petite women, while a body-hugging design isn't the best for full-figured ladies. A dress with a slightly A-line skirt works well for most women.

Head to the Mall

Get together with your daughter for a day of shopping. Go out to brunch and enjoy some time together and then head to the malls and boutiques. At each store, select two or three dresses off the rack that you both like. If you are having trouble coming to an agreement, be a little flexible. At the very least, you can try on some of the dresses that your daughter likes. After all, it might look better on you than it does on the rack.

Don't rush into your decision. Since formal wear isn't easy to return, don't make a hasty decision about your dress. If you find a dress that you like, ask the sales associate to hold it for you for a couple days. Write down the information about the dress. When you get home, you can search the Internet to see if you can find a better deal on the same dress.

Once you and your daughter have decided on the ideal mother-of-the-bride dress for you, make your final purchase. Double check with the store about their return policy and be sure to keep your receipts. If the dress needs alterations, the shop where you purchase the dress may be able to provide them for little cost.

Now that you have found the perfect dress, you can continue helping your daughter with other wedding preparations. But don't forget, you also need shoes! Another great excuse for a day of shopping!