12 Chic Mother of the Bride Dresses to Keep You Cool at Summer Weddings

If you think shopping for the perfect wedding dress that meets your vision and keeps you cool in the summer heat is hard on brides, imagine how mothers of the brides feel. 

It used to be that the mother of the bride’s dress options were limited to a few (albeit stale) styles. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. In 2025, bridal designers will go to much greater lengths to offer mamas both flattering and seasonally-appropriate choices. After all, their daughter saying “I do” is a special day for them, too. Still, shopping for summer mother of the bride dresses can be just as challenging a feat as finding a summer bridal gown, so we’re here to offer any moms in the market guidance on their mission. 

Before we delve into dress inspiration, there are three things to keep in mind when making such an important purchase. The first is dress style: Do you want your mother-of-the-bride dress to follow current trends, or is your style preference more timeless? The second is the season. Summer weddings can be easy-breezy or brutally hot; make sure your dress is made from cool fabrics and its design features cater to possibly uncomfortable weather conditions. 

The third and most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress is your unique, personal style. Trends come and go, but your daughter only gets married once. Find a dress you love, and you’ll look as good as you feel in it.

Now, onto some mother of the bride dress options for summer 2025.

A Mock-Neck Moment

Amina Muaddi in Paris is July 2023.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

There’s something undeniably sophisticated about mock-necklines, and that emittance of elegance is what has secured them as a timeless style in the top and dress categories. They’re especially popular in the bridal space because they give gowns a more streamlined feel from neck to toe, therefore giving the illusion of an elongated neck and torso. Sleeveless mock-necks are especially great options for mothers of the bride who prefer to lean conservative without feeling too stuffy.

A One-Shoulder Statement

Anna Dello Russo in Paris in March 2025.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

You won’t regret warming up to the cold shoulder style for your mother of the bride’s dress when your child’s nuptials take place in the summer. First of all, less fabric means more ventilation, which is a bonus if your little girl is saying “I do” somewhere hot and humid. Second, one-shoulder styles offer more chest support and coverage than straps or sleeveless options, and offer a subtle kind of sexiness that makes a statement. It may be their day, but you’re allowed your moment, too, mama.

A Waistline That Wows

Passerby seen in Paris in January 2024.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Embellished waistlines are a bridal fashion trend for summer 2025, but why should brides be the only members of the party to partake in the fun? Note, when we talk about waist enhancements, we’re not referring to belts (though a statement belt is an option, if that’s your style); we’re envisioning pop-out ruffles, exaggerated empires, and even crafty, but tasteful cutouts. The look is playful and somewhat daring; a motif that isn’t often associated with mother of the bride dresses – that is, until now.

Have Fun With Fringe

Christine Würfel–Stauss in Paris is July 2025.

Edward Berthelot/WireImage

Fringe tends to go in and out of style, but it’s also uniquely timeless in that, even if the masses aren’t embracing the choppy threads, someone is. Frill adds thrill to an otherwise bare-boned frock, but fringe can also be literally, as well as figuratively, cool if the threads make your hemline more flowy. However, the style is closely associated with the western aesthetic, so if that vibe doesn’t align with your daughter’s theme, opt for subtle fringe embellishments over full-frilled skirts.

Embrace The Butter Yellow Trend

Camila Coelho in Paris in September 2023.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Summer 2025 has fully embraced the soft, sun-kissed hue as its color of the season, and we concur. It’s a happy shade fit for a happy day! But, if you’re side-eyeing the pale yellow hue, skeptically wondering if you can pull off what is normally an intimidating color, listen to this: Butter yellow is considered a beige parallel. In other words, it’s essentially neutral, and you can go as pale as you like to fit your comfort level.

Be Your Daughter’s Something Bold

Olga Ferrara in New York City in September 2024.

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Just because you don’t want to take up too much of the spotlight doesn’t mean your mother-of-the-bride’s dress shouldn’t make a statement all on its own. You can do this simply by going bold with your color choice. Opt for something trendy, like the aforementioned butter yellow, or make moody plum your moment, or forgo what’s “in” and pick a gown in your favorite hue. Bonus points for adventurous prints, but note that large/chunkier patterns photograph better than small chaotic ones.

A Touch (Or More) of Tulle

Sherien Boni in Paris in January 2025.

Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

Anytime Carrie Bradshaw returns to our televisions, all we can see in our peripheral vision is SJP in a white tulle skirt and pink bodysuit getting splashed by puddle water in midtown Manhattan. The seconds-long clip in the original series’ introduction is iconic, but not as iconic as that ensemble. Consider a touch (or more) of tulle for your summer mother of the bride dress for a playful statement guests won’t soon forget.

Coy In A Cape

Iris Mittenaere in Paris in January 2025.

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

Outerwear is an afterthought in the summer, but hot days can turn into cool nights, and that’s where cape sleeves come in. If the wedding festivities are taking place outdoors (specifically the reception and/or afterparty), a cape dress can offer the mother of the bride extra warmth. But beyond their functionality, cape dresses are effortlessly chic, with flowing layers that look less “super hero” and more “modern glamour.”

An Elegant Two-Piece

Heart Evangelista in Paris in January 2025.

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

A matching two-piece set can serve as an alternative to the traditional mother of the bride dress. One of the main benefits of investing in a two-piece ensemble is that you can get your measurements just right, top and bottom, so you can feel more secure moving through the day. Plus, the versatility of a two-piece is unmatched; you can mix and match, opt for a multi-color look, and experiment with embellishments wherever you see fit. There’s also more opportunity to optimize airflow with a two-piece that breaks up at the torso, rather than a streamlined gown that covers your entire body. Ergo, it’s a solid summer mother-of-the-bride dress option. 

Stay Cool In a Halter

Leonie Hanne in Milan in September 2023.

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Nothing says “summer” quite like a halter neckline, Mama! The style is literally and figuratively cool: It’s a signature look from the 90s, aka the fashion era that seemingly never goes out of style, and you can opt for a lower or higher neckline depending on your style preference. Another bonus is that halters are generally open-back tops, a perfect fit to combat summer heat and any unwanted sweat.

Sparkle In Something Sequined

Zarina Yeva in Paris in July 2025.

Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

While we understand it’s your daughter’s day to shine, Mom, you, too, deserve a little sparkle on this special occasion! Sequined gowns run the gamut; you can go full-glittery glam or opt for a mother of the bride dress that keeps its glitz a bit more subtle. What’s more: Sequined dresses tend to do the heavy lifting when it comes to making a statement, so you can keep your accessories minimal, saving you time getting dressed and money in the long run.

A Classy Cutout

Liya Kebede in Paris in July 2023.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Cutouts were the moment in the early 2020s, and we’re seeing them trickle back into fashion this season. But even if they weren’t considered “trendy,” when you’re hosting, mingling, dancing, and posing for pictures under the summer sun for literal hours, you take ventilation where you can get it. Of course, you want to lean into classier cutout styles for your daughter’s big day, so opt for mother of the bride dresses in which the cutouts are more decorative than they are daring.