Annabel Croft just proved that frumpy skirt-suits are no longer the outfit du jour for the discerning mother of the bride in 2026. 

The former tennis star, 60 - who previously said she would not be caught dead wearing a 'dress in a stiff fabric with a jacket on top' - was radiant as she attended daughter Lily Coleman's London wedding to Felix McCorquodale this weekend. 

She joins a select group of celebrity mothers who have perfected the art of dressing for their children's weddings - with fashion expert Caroline Baxter saying Annabel's brown Zimmermann dress fit the brief to a tee. 

In addition to the cut, colour, and construction, the reason that Annabel's 'bohemian' gown was such a success was that it stayed true to her style without overshadowing the bride, Caroline said. 

On the other hand, she says US politician Hillary Clinton's $15,000 (£11,000) Oscar de la Renta gown for her daughter Chelsea's 2010 wedding felt excessive.

So, who got it right - and who got it very wrong? Caroline gives her verdict on some of the most famous dresses worn by mothers of the brides and grooms in recent times - from Doria Ragland and Carole Middleton to Victoria Beckham. 

Annabel Croft  

The hero of Annabel's maximalist mother-of-the-bride look for Lily's wedding to Felix was a full-length copper dress from Australian occasionwear label Zimmermann.   

The former Strictly star, who also wore Zimmermann for her elder daughter Amber's wedding in 2024, previously revealed she 'loves floaty fabrics' and a 'romantic' look. 

She previously told The Times: “I have a romantic, feminine look, so that’s what I wanted to go for. I love floaty fabrics. Surely whatever the occasion, you want something that suits your character?”

And Annabel's bohemian, paisley print dress 'felt entirely true to her personal style,' said Caroline. 

Together with brown heels and a complementary pillbox hat, Annabel's ensemble struck the 'right balance between fashion and formality' for an early autumn wedding', the expert added. Verdict: The perfect choice 

Carole Middleton  

Carole Middleton's style is 'timeless' and 'polished', Caroline said. 

Whether it was the ice-blue coat dress she donned for her eldest daughter Kate's wedding to Prince William in 2011 or the blush pink ensemble (both by Catherine Walker) she picked for Pippa's nuptials, Carole was the picture-perfect mother of the bride. 

Analysing her style, Caroline said she appears to favour soft pastels and a traditional silhouette, adding: 'The hemline sits neatly at the knee, complemented by nude hosiery.' 

Verdict: Polished and timeless

Victoria Beckham 

Victoria Beckham was 'never going to be a conventional' mother-of-the-groom, Caroline commented on the singer-turned-designer's unusual dress for now-estranged son Brooklyn's big day. 

For Brooklyn's wedding to Nicola Peltz, Posh Spice wore one of her own designs; a liquid silver metallic number inspired by the Studio 54 era and by the 'reflection of the moonlight on the ocean at night,' said Victoria. 

Showing off the gown on her Instagram page some months after the nuptials, David Beckham's wife explained that it was 'developed using the finest metallic yarn from my favourite mill in Como, Italy'.

Despite the luxurious fabric, the 'proportions feel slightly off', Caroline said. 'It’s too long and lacks the structure needed to make the look feel truly sharp.'

Verdict: Unconventional but missing something

Kate Robbins 

Kate Robbins was a vision at her daughter Emily Atack's wedding to Alistair Garner in Spain last month. 

The 68-year-old mother of the bride picked a cape dress for Emily's big day that was 'spot-on', as the EastEnders star finished the look with silver jewellery and accessories. 

'Kate looks fantastic in berry tones, which bring warmth to her complexion and complement her hair beautifully,' she explained. 'The length is also spot-on.' 

Verdict: Modern and chic

Tana Ramsay 

It was one of 2025's most talked-about weddings, as Gordon and Tana Ramsay's daughter said 'I do' to Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty at Bath Abbey last December. 

Tana turned to close friend Victoria Beckham for her dress, with the 52-year-old choosing an emerald green strapless gown from Posh Spice's label. 

It featured a cowl neck detail, fitted waist and asymmetric hem that worked well, but the colour felt a 'little dull' against Tana's complexion, said Caroline. 

'The overall effect leans towards eveningwear rather than the lighter, more relaxed feel of daytime occasionwear,' she added. 

Verdict: Too dark for a daytime wedding 

Hillary Clinton 

American politician Hillary Clinton pulled out all the stops for her daughter Chelsea's 2010 wedding to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky.

The former US secretary of state picked a dual-toned, off-shoulder Oscar de la Renta gown with floral appliqué details and beadwork for the ceremony in New York. 

Altogether the effect was slightly overwhelming, as Caroline said: Hillary has perhaps got a little carried away. 

'The combination of frills, ruffles and curls feels overworked, when a sleeker, more polished approach would be far more flattering and in keeping with her style.'

Verdict: Slightly over-the-top 

Doria Ragland 

Doria Ragland also wore Oscar de la Renta for her daughter Meghan Markle's royal wedding to Prince Harry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle eight years ago. 

Walking down the stairs alongside the now-King and Queen, Doria's custom look included a mint-green shift dress with white floral embroidery, matching coat and a hat as Meghan wanted a US designer 'represented at her wedding'. 

Speaking to Tatler, the label's former co-creative directors said: 'Meghan was adamant about having an American fashion house represented at the wedding since she's American.  

'She called me directly. I had no idea she was able to do that or had my number - and gave me a 15-minute speech about why it was important to her.

'I assumed it was her own wedding dress but at the end she said: "And would you be interested in making this dream come true for my mother?"

Caroline said Meghan's vision for her mother's dress was realised as she praised the 'effortlessly elegant' ensemble. 

She added: 'The peppermint shade is fresh and flattering, while the structured coat brings just the right amount of polish. 

Verdict: A beautifully judged ensemble.

Princess Anne 

Princess Anne has proved herself the Queen of Royal recycling as she donned the same butter yellow hat for her son Peter Phillips's wedding to Harriet Sperling this summer as she did for her daughter's christening 45 years ago.

The Princess Royal, 76, looked radiant as ever in the tonal ensemble, including a button-up jacket and shawl that paired perfectly with the yellow accents in her floral dress.

Commenting on her look, Caroline declared: 'Princess Anne gets it absolutely right. Her deep understanding of fashion, coupled with her long-standing commitment to re-wearing clothes she has owned for decades, means she knows exactly what works for her. 

'The bright yellow brings a welcome hit of colour, while the textured fringe of her shawl adds just the right flourish.'

Verdict: A royal success