A modest lace dress with a polished shape, made for a long wedding day
If you are looking for a lace tea length mother of the bride dress for summer, this one covers the basics well. It has full sleeves, a V-neck that sits at a sensible depth, and a skirt that falls to the calf. It also has a scalloped lace hem that gives the bottom edge some detail.
The dress is all-over lace embroidery with a flowing A-line skirt. The waist is cut out slightly and finished with a drawstring tie, so you can cinch it as much or as little as you like. Down the front is a single-breasted row of buttons, and each lantern sleeve ends in a buttoned cuff.
The photos show a beige or champagne shade. That is a soft neutral that is clearly not white, which matters if you are dressing for a wedding. The listing offers green, apricot, pink, red and blue. Please pick your color from the options on the page, and check it against the wedding palette before you order.
It is a spring and autumn style by design. The lace looks light enough to wear in summer too, though we can't promise how it feels in high heat, because the listing doesn't give details on weight or lining.
Why it works for the mother of the bride
Dressing for your child's wedding comes with a few quiet rules. You want to look put together, be comfortable for many hours, and stay clear of the bride's white. This dress was not designed for one specific role, but its details fit those needs.
Coverage without heaviness
The full-length lantern sleeves and the V-neck give you arm and shoulder coverage without a jacket. The sleeves have a gentle gathered shape and finish at buttoned cuffs, so they stay neat and don't slide up your arm. If the ceremony is in a church or a place of worship, you are covered. If the reception is outdoors in the evening, you may not need a wrap.
The neckline is a V, which many people find flattering because it lengthens the neck. It is closed with buttons down the front, so you can decide how much to leave open. We would button it comfortably, and check the neckline in a mirror before the day.
A waist you can adjust
The drawstring tie sits at a cut-out waist. This helps if you want definition, and it lets you fine-tune the fit through the middle. The fabric is non-stretch, so a tie that can be loosened or tightened is useful on a long day with a seated dinner.
The skirt flows from the waist in an A-line shape. That means it skims over the hips instead of clinging, and it moves when you walk or dance. Where the hem lands depends on your height. In the photos it falls to the calf, which is the classic tea length area. The specs list the length as ankle-length, so very petite shoppers should expect a longer hem than shown, and taller shoppers a shorter one.
Fabric and feel
The material is lace, made of polyester, and the specs list the composition as synthetic fiber. The embroidery is tatting-style, which is a decorative lace technique. The photos show a dense, even embroidered pattern all over the bodice, sleeves and skirt, finishing in scallops at the hem.
The fabric has no stretch. That is normal for embroidered lace, but it means the dress will not forgive a size that is too small. Give yourself room through the bust, upper arms and shoulders, since the sleeves are full length and fitted at the cuff.
We haven't been given the fabric weight, any fabric percentages, or whether the dress has a lining, so we won't guess. If this matters to you, send us a message before you order and we will check what we can. The chemical safety listing for this dress states none under high-concern chemicals.
Care instructions
No care label details were supplied with the listing, so follow the label sewn into your dress if there is one. As a general approach for polyester lace:
- Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent, or use a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag.
- Do not wring or twist the lace. Press the water out gently.
- Hang to dry, away from direct heat.
- If it needs smoothing, use a steamer held a little away from the fabric, or a low iron with a pressing cloth over the lace.
- Store on a padded hanger, or folded loosely with tissue, so the scalloped hem doesn't crease.
Test any method on a hidden spot first, such as an inside seam.
Size guide
The dress is offered in sizes M, L, XL and XXL, in a regular fit.
How to measure
Our size chart is not published for this item, so please measure yourself and compare your numbers with the chart shown above if one appears on your page. Use a soft tape measure and wear light clothing.
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level across your back.
- Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the navel. The drawstring gives you some adjustment here.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
- Arm length: With your arm slightly bent, measure from the top of your shoulder to your wrist. The sleeves are full length, so this matters.
- Height: Measure yourself barefoot against a wall. Then hold the tape from your shoulder down to where you want the hem to land.
Write the numbers down so you can compare them with the chart.
Which size should I choose?
Because the fabric doesn't stretch and all sales are final, we suggest a careful approach.
If your measurements fall between two sizes, choose the larger one. The drawstring waist lets you take in the middle, and a skirt that is a little roomy is easier to live with than a bodice that is too tight. Embroidered lace also tends to look better when it isn't pulled across the bust or upper arms.
If you plan to wear a supportive bra, shapewear or a slip, take your measurements with those on. Do the same if you want to layer a camisole under the lace.
If you are unsure, write to us with your bust, waist, hip and height measurements, and we will tell you what we can about the sizing before you order. This is the best way to avoid a fit problem, since we cannot take returns or exchanges for size.
How to style it
The dress already has a lot going on in the lace, so keep everything else quiet.
Shoes. A block heel or a low wedge works well on grass and in venues with cobblestones. A closed-toe pump or a simple flat sandal also suits the length. Keep the shoe color neutral or close to the dress.
Jewelry. Small earrings and a fine bracelet are enough. The V-neck has room for a thin pendant, but the lace is busy, so a long necklace may compete with the buttons.
Bag and wrap. A small clutch in a matching or metallic tone is plenty. For a cooler evening, a pashmina or a light cardigan in a neutral shade goes over the sleeves without crushing them.
Hair. A low chignon, soft waves or a pinned-back style shows off the neckline. If you plan to wear a fascinator or hat, keep the shape small.
Color. If you choose the default beige look shown in the photos, check with the bride that it won't be mistaken for ivory next to her dress. If you pick one of the listed colors, such as green, pink or blue, you can pick up a shade from the wedding flowers or bridesmaids.
Where else you can wear it
A good mother of the bride dress should get a second life. This one can do that.
- Weddings as a guest. The same details that suit the mother of the bride work for an aunt, a sister or a close friend. Avoid white or cream.
- Birthday dinners and anniversaries. The title calls it a party and birthday dress, and the lace and sleeves are right for a sit-down meal.
- Garden parties and luncheons. The flowy skirt and tea length hem look good outdoors.
- Church services and holiday gatherings. The coverage makes it a calm choice for family occasions in spring and autumn.
- Showers and graduations. If you are hosting or attending, it is dressy without being formal.
Shipping to the US is free, and orders arrive in 7 to 14 business days. All sales are final, with no returns or exchanges for fit or change of mind. If your item arrives damaged, defective or is the wrong item, we will replace it or refund you within 14 days of delivery.
Shipping
Free standard shipping to all 50 US states. Orders are made to order and ship from our production partner within 1 to 3 business days, then arrive in about 7 to 14 business days. You get a tracking link by email as soon as your order ships.
All sales are final
All sales are final. Because every item is made to order, we do not accept returns or exchanges for change of mind or fit, so please check the size information before ordering. If your order arrives damaged, defective or not as described, email us within 14 days of delivery with a photo and we will send a replacement or a refund.
Contact us
Email hello@dressdune.com. A real person replies within one business day.
Why shop with Dressdune
We are a dress shop for US customers, and we try to tell you what we know about each dress and what we don't. Prices are in US dollars and free shipping is included, with no surprise fees at checkout. When a detail isn't available, such as a size chart or a fabric weight, we say so instead of filling in the blank.
If you have a question about the dress, write to us before you order. Because sales are final for fit, we would much prefer to answer ten questions than have you unhappy on the day of the wedding.
Frequently asked questions
Is this dress white?
No. The photos show a beige or champagne shade, and the listing offers green, apricot, pink, red and blue. None of these is white, so you are unlikely to compete with the bride.
Is this lace tea length mother of the bride dress for summer lined?
The listing doesn't say, and we don't want to guess. The lace is embroidered all over. If you need to know about lining or sheerness, send us a message and we will check what we can before you order.
Does the dress stretch?
No. The fabric is listed as non-stretch. Choose your size from your measurements, and go up a size if you are between two.
How long is the dress?
In the photos it falls to the calf, in a tea or midi length. The specs list it as ankle-length, so the final length will depend on your height. Measure from your shoulder to where you want the hem to sit and allow for your shoes.
Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
No. All sales are final for fit or change of mind. If the dress arrives damaged, defective or is the wrong item, we will replace it or refund you within 14 days of delivery.
