Rachel Gilbert for the Mother of the Bride

Rachel Gilbert is one of the labels mothers of the bride ask us for most, and the reason is the construction. A Rachel Gilbert gown has an internal corset with waist tape, so it holds its shape through a ceremony, a long reception and a lot of photographs, and the house cuts capes, sleeves and higher necklines that suit a more covered look. Rachel Gilbert’s own Wedding collection includes a section for the mother of the bride, and Luxury Handbags carries the strongest pieces for the role.

This guide covers what to look for, the styles that work best by dress code, and how to choose a colour that sits well beside the bridal party. Everything is in our Rachel Gilbert edit.

Rachel Gilbert at a glance

• Founded: 2007, in Sydney, Australia, by the designer Rachel Gilbert.
• Known for: eveningwear and bridal, with hand-applied embellishment and an internal corset with waist tape in most gowns and minis.
• Boutiques: Paddington and The Strand in Sydney, and Emporium in Melbourne.
• Sizing: RG 00 to RG 6, which is UK and AU 4 to 18 and US 0 to 14.
• Latest collection: Resort 2027, titled Sejour.
• At Luxury Shoes : more than 190 Rachel Gilbert pieces, shipped worldwide.

What should the mother of the bride look for in a Rachel Gilbert dress?

• Structure inside, not stretch. The internal corset does the shaping, so the dress looks the same at midnight as it did at the ceremony.
• Coverage where you want it. Capes, long sleeves and higher necklines are all part of the house vocabulary.
• A colour that is not the bride’s. Leave ivory and creme to the bride unless she has asked for them.
• Length that matches the dress code. Full length for black tie and evening weddings, midi for daytime and cocktail.

The best Rachel Gilbert gowns for a black tie wedding

For an evening ceremony, a full-length gown in a deep colour is the classic answer. The Sorrento Gown in Wine ($1,995) is our first choice: a straight draped neckline leads into a long cape that falls over the arms and down the back to the floor. It covers the arms without a sleeve and moves well in photographs.

For a sleeve, the Lyon Column Gown ($2,395) is a full-length black column with long sleeves and a square neckline finished in hand-embellished trim. If black feels too stark for a wedding, the Mali Gown in Wine ($1,995) has a draped jersey bodice on gathered straps and comes with a separate floor-length scarf that can be worn over the shoulders during the ceremony and removed for dinner.

From earlier collections, the Dion Cape Gown ($2,363) and the Amara Cape Gown ($2,450) follow the same cape idea, and the Dover Sleeve Gown ($1,928) is a simpler sleeved option.

The best Rachel Gilbert dresses for a daytime wedding

Daytime and cocktail weddings call for a midi. The Brigitte Dress in Cornflower ($1,295) is a fitted midi column in a soft blue, with the bodice draped across the body into a knot at the left shoulder. It is our pick for a garden ceremony.

The Adele Dress in Smoke ($1,895) is a flared midi in a grey with a soft violet tone, with an asymmetric hem and hand-embellished trim around one armhole. The April Dress ($1,895) is the black option, with structured shoulders and a draped overlay that adds coverage across the bodice. The Dover A-Line Dress ($1,200) has short sleeves, a round neckline and a lightly boned corset, and it is the most practical of the four for a long day.

Choosing a colour

Talk to the bride first. Many couples now set a palette for the bridal party, and the mothers often coordinate with it. As a rule:

• Wine and deep red suit autumn and winter weddings and photograph richly. The Sorrento Gown, the Sorrento Column Gown and the Mali Gown all come in wine.
• Blue is the safest daytime colour. The Brigitte Dress in Cornflower is the one to try.
• Smoke and grey are quieter, and they suit a mother who prefers not to stand out.
• Black is fully accepted at an evening wedding, especially with embellishment and a sleeve to soften it.
• Gold is for the mother who wants to make an entrance. The Sinclair Gown in Gold ($4,995) is embellished by hand from a high turtle neckline to the floor.

Avoid ivory, creme and white unless the bride has asked for them. Our guide to Rachel Gilbert dresses by colour goes through every shade we stock.

Fit and comfort for a long day

A mother of the bride stands, sits, hugs and dances for twelve hours, so fit matters more than for almost any other guest. Most Rachel Gilbert dresses are true to size with a form-fitting cut and minimal stretch, and the corset sits at the natural waist. Order to your waist measurement, then have the hem adjusted for the shoes you will wear. Sizes run RG 00 to RG 6, which is UK 4 to UK 18; the full chart is in our Rachel Gilbert size guide.

Leave time for alterations. We suggest ordering eight to ten weeks before the wedding, which allows for delivery and a fitting.

Finishing the look

Keep the accessories to one statement. A pair of Tansy Diamante Stud Earrings ($595) suits a high neckline, and the Sapher Pearl Stud Earring ($595) pairs a faux pearl with cubic zirconia for a softer finish. For a cold evening, the Noah Coat ($1,995), an oversized black faux fur, goes over a gown for the walk between ceremony and reception.

For the wider wedding party, see our Rachel Gilbert bridal guide, which covers the bride, the bridesmaids and the guests.

Shoes and bags

Comfort matters for the mother of the bride. Choose a block heel for a garden ceremony and a slim sandal for an evening reception, and make sure the hem is set to the height of the shoes you will actually wear. A small clutch that holds a phone, a lipstick and tissues is enough; see our clutch bags.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rachel Gilbert make mother of the bride dresses?

Yes. Rachel Gilbert’s Wedding collection includes a section for the mother of the bride, and many of its gowns and midis suit the role, with capes, long sleeves and higher necklines over an internal corset.

What is the best Rachel Gilbert dress for the mother of the bride?

For an evening wedding, the Sorrento Gown in Wine, a full-length gown with a cape over the arms. For a daytime wedding, the Brigitte Dress in Cornflower, a fitted blue midi draped into a knot at the shoulder.

Can the mother of the bride wear black?

Yes, at an evening wedding. Choose a black gown with a sleeve and some embellishment, such as the Lyon Column Gown, and check with the couple if the wedding is during the day.

Which Rachel Gilbert dresses have sleeves?

The Lyon Column Gown has long sleeves, the Dover A-Line Dress and the Dover Sleeve Gown have sleeves, and the Sorrento Gown has a cape that covers the arms.

How far ahead should the mother of the bride order?

Order eight to ten weeks before the wedding. That allows time for delivery and for a hem and fit adjustment.

Does Luxury Handbags ship Rachel Gilbert worldwide?

Yes. Luxury Handbags ships Rachel Gilbert worldwide by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority. Most regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid, as set out on our shipping and returns page.