All these answers are just what I expected. I have been mother of groom 3 times, and am sure I got it right. The reason I posted this I am on a fashion blog that is very weird. I am just there for entertainment..But those on there are drop dead serious. So someone posted photos of her bright red sleeveless sheath dress she was wearing as MOG. Comments were how wonderful she looked, and one that said how proud her son will be of a mother who looks so stylish. I was going to post something like did you check with MOB or bride to see if this was appropriate, but I have posted some of my thoughts on there, and mostly got either ignored or politely reprimanded , so I don't post. I figure someone who is bold enough to wear something like that as MOG will be immune to any negative comments anyhow. If she is really blowing it with brides family then I would certainly side with them. One good thing now with all the photo editing, etc. software she can be xxxed out of the family photos.

Well, I survived the wedding and my dress turned out to be perfect for the crowd and venue. I think I only posted it on JTL’s funeral attire thread so here it is. INC on sale $70, and it’s even less now. I’m not a gazelle so it was just above my knees. Wore a longish mixed medal pendant. Flared sleeves are super cute. I actually like this dress and will wear it again

I actually ordered four dresses, all from Macy's. They were all not too bad though I thought two of them made me look more matronly so I'm returning them. I may keep the other one that I liked just as you say to have it on hand if needed. The other one is less formal. Other dress Today I ordered three pairs of shoes to try - two navy and one pewter metallic. I just couldn't bring myself to buy caucasian flesh tone shoes. So maybe by the end of next week I'll have everything and know for sure if I can proceed to buy the blingy hand bag. I have been on an unprecedented shopping spree, starting with my tropical vacation attire. I think it has something to do with my previous post about delaying things you would enjoy when you could just do them before it's too late to enjoy them. When I bought the four dresses I also bought DH seven sport coats - all these things on sale. He wears a sport coat just about every day of his life and hasn't bought a new one in 10-15 years. So it was going to be a shop at home experience for us - try all these things at home and then return the stuff we didn't want to the local Macy's. He kept six of the sport coats - clearly a lifetime supply for a 61 year old. This bizarre purchase apparently triggered the fraud alarms. First I found out my Macy's card had been cancelled for lack of use. Then my Visa card was rejected. Finally I was able to make the purchase with AmEx - a card I only obtained recently. Then the next day I get a call from Macy's that my purchase was on hold until I called - apparently another fraud check. Finally after trying and failing to buy the stuff online, spending thirty minutes buying by phone and then another verification call the next day my shipment was on the way. Still easier than trying to find anything I want in a local store and I don't know if I could even get DH inside a clothing store any more.

Annie, you are right... and that was my thinking in ordering it even after I discovered that the daisy dress now fits. However, where it is a little too big now is in the bodice.. for a surplice dress that means some gaping. At my current weight, i can tack it or pin it... but as I lose more weight (knock on wood), i imagine I will lose more through the bust and back which could make the gapping more than a pin can manage. IDK. I do have wide shoulders and a large rib cage -- meaning the bones, not the fat on top lol.. so it may not be too bad. I think the waist/hips etc will be fine and very adaptable-- though the waist and tie are sewn in vs an elastic band. This is part of what makes it attractive IMO.. it looks more presentable AND it cinches in more than an expandable elastic band. I tried it on yesterday "as I was".. hair in a ponytail, slippers and (ahem) no bra. I thought it looked flattering and nice even then. I will try it on this weekend with proper undergarments and shoes and see what I think. It isn't terribly expensive so if it looks great when done up, I will likely keep it. I think it could work for a lot of occasions ... and since my weight loss is slow/steady, I would imagine it would work for awhile without alterations-- but weight loss is a funny thing. You can't always predict what will change. (Also, I will continue to watch to see if the smaller size comes back in stock) Thanks all for your thoughts, encouragement and recommendations!