Mother’s Day is this weekend! Once you have your present taken care of the question remains: What do I wear to Mother’s Day brunch? When I was in New York last week, I picked up the perfect dress for the special occasion. It fits all five of my tips on what to wear when toasting mom on her special day…

1. Bring on the happy.
Stick with colors and prints that will make mom smile. I went bold with a hot pink dress. You can also do pastels for a softer look. Florals are also a great choice for Mother’s Day. Plus, they’re extra on trend this season!

2. Keep it ladylike.
I like to go with more conservative outfits. Nothing too low on top and nothing too short on bottom. I did a below-the-knee length dress with flare so I could comfortably hang out at the house without having to change after our morning mimosas.

3. Stick with stretch.
Speaking of mimosas, you don’t want to feel constricted. There’s nothing more annoying than a poking zipper telling you not to indulge in banana pancakes. What I really like about this dress is that even though it’s fitted, the fabric gives. You cold also go with a jersey material, which has plenty of stretch.

4. Add a layer.
Ever since I can remember my mother always has reminded me to bring something in case I get cold. For Mother’s Day, I don’t want to forget! Depending on where you live, you can do a cardigan, a wrap, a blazer or even a light spring coat, like my lace trench that I can’t stop wearing.

5. Play with accessories.
Have fun with your jewelry. I did mixed metals but you also inject an extra pop of color with some bright stones (for extra brownie points, bring mom a little sparkle, too!). When it comes to shoes, it all depends on where you’re going. If you’re driving to a restaurant, it’s fine to do simple heels like mine. But if you know you’ll be outdoors or walking, I’d stick to a wedge.

I hope my tips help you when you’re figuring out what to wear. I’ll be heading down to San Diego to spend the weekend with my mom. This year she asked for a live What To Wear styling session as she gears up for a high school reunion. So we’ll be doing some major shopping before brunch! Happy Mother’s Day!

Photos by Falcon Griffith

Dress: Maggy London
Jacket: Bebe
Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Claire Artistides
Ring: Stella & Dot
Bag: Lauren Merkin (on sale!)
Shoes: Steve Madden