MIL dress is too casual

[slpnbeauty]

I was looking for advise on how to get my MIL to buy a more formal dress. I put on our invitations "formal attire required". I simply don't want people showing up in shorts or something they would normally wear on a normal or going out day.

When she talks about her outfit, she says it's her "fall back outfit". That she can't find anything she likes. I've gone shopping with her when, I'm looking for things, but she won't try anything on.

FOB and FOG (her husband) are wearing tuxes.

Our wedding is costing us a lot of money and I want it to be elegant. She normally wears skirts and heels everyday. I would like to see her more formal without offending her. How do I do this?

 

[smoof]

From experience, don't worry. I am sure she will find something you are both happy with. She is probably stressing a lot more than you are about what she will wear. My mother and aunt both did the same thing, and both found something they were happy with.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

I hope this is not going to sound harsh as it is not my intention, but you can't really force someone to wear something they don't want to, and there is no point in getting upset with a person you will have to deal with for the rest of your life, kwim?

We had an 8pm wedding with our reception from 9-1am at a country club. My bridesmaids wore long black dresses and my mom had a pretty suit with beading. My MIL wore a flowered dress that someone might wear at an Easter church service. Although it was a bit out of place compared to what everyone else wore, I did not think twice about it and would never bring it up to her.

Since you have shopped together and she does not seem willing to try things on I would let it go. I am sure she will not look inappropriate and while she might not be wearing something you think is right for her it is probably more important to start off your marriage and the combining of families on a positive note, kwim?

I am sure your wedding will be lovely!

 

[Skylersmommy5]

I feel you pain as for my sister's wedding her DMil wore black spandex pants, a tank top, and a button down shirt, while her DH was wearing jeans, a button down long sleeved shirt, bolo tie, Cowboy boots and cowboy hat to a Semi-Formal wedding where both my sister's and my mom wore a long black gown and our stepmom was wearing a long champagne beaded gown that looked like a night gown and our dad in a tux. Believe me even for semi-formal my jaw dropped seeing DBil's parents very under dressed.

Sorry I can't think of a way for you to tell her without offending her. Is there a way you can have your DFi help relay the message without him hurting her feelings, maybe something like "Do you think we can go find something you'll look beautiful in for the wedding?"