Carla Zampatti Mother of the Bride Dresses: What to Wear and How to Choose

Carla Zampatti is one of the most searched labels for mother of the bride dresses in Australia, and the reason is simple: the house cuts tailored, covered and polished clothes that look right in photographs and stay comfortable through a long day. For a day wedding, choose a crepe midi with a cape and a sleeve. For an evening wedding, choose a column gown, and for a modern alternative, a crepe suit. Navy and ivory are the house colours that work best beside a bride.

Key facts

• Best day choice: the Navy Crepe Cape Midi Dress.
• Best evening choice: the Black Crepe Layered Sleeve Gown.
• Best suit: the Ivory Crepe Fitted Waist Jacket with the wide-leg pant, for a mother who does not want to wear a dress.
• Cover-up: the Ivory Satin Cape and the Renaissance Georgette Cascata Wrap.
• Sizes: AU 4 to 16, equal to UK sizes.

How to choose a mother of the bride outfit

Start with the bride. Ask about the colour palette and the formality of the day, and keep clear of white and ivory dresses unless the bride says otherwise. Then think about the day itself: the ceremony, hours of photographs and a dinner. A crepe that holds its shape, a sleeve over the arms, and a hem that sits below the knee will see you through all of it.

Carla Zampatti suits this brief because the house builds its clothes around structure. The crepe is firm and lined, so it does not crease through a ceremony, and most pieces carry a single detail that photographs well.

For a day wedding

The Navy Crepe Cape Midi Dress is the obvious choice. The pencil skirt is polished, the cape covers the arms on one side and the back, and navy sits well beside most bridal palettes. The Black Crepe Drape Peplum Midi Dress works for a city wedding, with short sleeves and a peplum that shapes the waist. Pin the Small Sculptural Petal Brooch at the waist the way the house styles it.

For an evening wedding

Go long. The Black Crepe Layered Sleeve Gown has a high collar and white petal panels over the shoulders, which give a black gown enough light for an evening wedding. The Black Metallic Lace Cap Sleeve Midi Dress is the midi-length alternative, with copper thread in the lace.

A suit instead of a dress

More mothers of the bride now wear a suit, and Carla Zampatti tailoring is made for it. The Navy Crepe Scarf Jacket with the Navy Crepe Low Waist Pant makes a navy suit with a waterfall scarf at the neck. For a summer wedding, the ivory suit only works if the bride is happy with it; ask first.

Covering the shoulders

If the ceremony is in a church, a cape is easier than a jacket. The Ivory Satin Cape drapes over a gown and falls longer at the sides. The Renaissance Georgette Cascata Wrap is printed in sepia on ivory and can be fastened for more coverage.

The edit

1. Navy Crepe Cape Midi Dress

The day wedding dress.

2. Black Crepe Layered Sleeve Gown

The evening gown.

3. Navy Crepe Scarf Jacket

The suit jacket, with a detachable scarf.

4. Black Crepe Drape Peplum Midi Dress

The city wedding dress with a sleeve.

5. Black Metallic Lace Cap Sleeve Midi Dress

The evening midi.

6. Renaissance Georgette Cascata Wrap

The cover-up for a church ceremony.

For a guest rather than the mother of the bride, see our Carla Zampatti wedding guest guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Carla Zampatti good for mother of the bride?

Yes. The house cuts covered, tailored crepe dresses and suits that hold their shape through a long day, and its cape midis and column gowns are popular mother of the bride choices in Australia.

What colour should the mother of the bride wear?

Follow the bride’s palette and avoid white and ivory unless she asks for it. Navy is the safest Carla Zampatti colour; black is fine for an evening wedding.

Can the mother of the bride wear a suit?

Yes. A tailored crepe suit, such as the Navy Crepe Scarf Jacket with the matching low waist pant, is a polished alternative to a dress.

Should the mother of the bride wear a long dress?

Match the formality of the wedding. A midi is right for a day wedding, and a full-length gown suits an evening wedding and a black-tie wedding.

Does Coveti ship Carla Zampatti in time for a wedding?

Coveti ships worldwide by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority from its UAE and Australia hubs. Order early to leave time for any alterations.