Why Joyce Young

Joyce’s gift for colour, fabric, style and detail give the outfits that she creates a very distinctive look that is instantly recognisable as a “Joyce Young” design. Her team of stylists, fitters and seamstresses will make your experience a happy and memorable one from your first appointment to the last fitting and collection of your dress.

Mother Of The Bride And Groom

Outfits for mothers are individually made to measure to ensure a perfect fit. The designs are exclusively sold in Joyce Young shops in Glasgow and London. Unlike other brands you won’t see them in any other stores throughout the country. You will receive honest, experienced advice in a quiet, relaxed, non-pressured environment. At Joyce Young Design Studios the staff listen to you. You won’t be persuaded to buy an outfit unless it is 100% right for you. You are the best advert and 90% of business is through recommendation. You choose your individual outfit from the extensive collection of sample styles in your choice of fabric and colour. Your outfit is then made to your measurements by experts in the purpose built studio unit in Glasgow. Petite or plus it will fit you perfectly. Bespoke hats complete your perfect outfit along with matching bags and shoes.

Nominated every year and multiple winners of the prestigious VOWS AWARDS for best BRIDAL DESIGNER and three times winners of the INDUSTRY AWARD the service has been voted OUTSTANDING by happy customers. Read our wonderful customer testimonials.

Established since 1993, Joyce Young has dressed thousands of delighted brides and mothers and never takes for granted being chosen to take such a key role in your most special day.

Joyce Talks About Her Designing Experience

“A large part of our business is designing outfits for Mothers of the Bride and Groom.

When it comes to designing for the mothers of the brides and grooms there are so many elements that have to be considered to come up with the perfect outfit for each individual.

With over 30 years experience now in helping the Mums find their perfect outfit I really enjoy this challenge. The staff that we employ in both shops are a similar age to the customer so can empathise with her.

I believe that the most flattering outfits are simple and elegant, well cut in best quality fabrics. Classic with a twist, sophisticated and timeless. I choose fabrics from all over the world but they are usually soft and drapey not too stiff and formal. What makes our outfits different is the unique combinations of colour fabric texture and detail.

We have strong business women who are pressed for time and usually know what they don’t want. We find that many women are at the top of their fields in business but when it comes to buying an outfit for a special occasion they become very indecisive. This it where our years of expertise and knowledge about what styles suit certain figures gives our clients the confidence to choose the most flattering outfit.

It also seems that as we get older many of us lose confidence. Mums tend to have been so busy looking after husbands, family and homes while running full time jobs that they very often don’t spend time on themselves. It’s only when a wedding is announced that suddenly the weight which has crept on over the years becomes a huge issue and for the first time for years many women look at themselves critically in the mirror and are unhappy with who is looking back. Many Mums leave it till the last minute to go shopping for their wedding outfit as they are trying or intending to loose weight.

We always advise to come early to discuss design and fabric and place the order so that fabrics and production space can be booked then we book a date for measurements nearer the time which is D day for our ladies who are dieting and gives a good incentive.

Then there are the ladies who are slim confident and elegant and the ladies who are not so slim but exude confidence and diets are not on the agenda.

All our designs are individually made to measure so size isn’t a problem. From petite to plus sizes the outfit will be a perfect fit.

One thing all our Mums have in common is that they are on the run up to a very happy event and although for some it may be a bit stressful for most it is a really happy family time.

We find that most mothers like to consult their daughters or husbands before making the final decision.”

The Made To Measure Process

Firstly choosing made to measure ensures that you will be wearing a perfectly fitting outfit which gives so much more confidence at such an important event. We know from feedback from customers how fantastic they felt knowing that they looked amazing and not having to worry that someone else would be wearing the same outfit. Most ladies are not standard sizes and buying an off the peg outfit from a retailer and having it altered is always a compromise.

When an outfit is made specifically to your proportions it will feel and look very different to one that has been altered as the off the peg garment will have been made for a standard height so if you are smaller or taller it won’t fit from back neck to waist.

Having your outfit individually made for you may be a little more expensive but many consider it well worth it to get the resulting look and confidence it gives. This is an investment piece and most of our designs can be worn over and over again as they don’t look like “typical Mother of the Bride outfits”. Take away the hat and our designs can be worn to dinners, cruises and other special occasions.

Our philosophy is simple, elegant designs well cut in luxurious fabrics, classic with a twist that don’t date. Our previous customers bare testimony to this as they tell us how much wear they have had out of their outfits. Some are still wearing the designs that they bought when we opened 30 years ago and they still look fashionable.

Once you have decided to have a bespoke outfit it is better to start the process rolling. The wedding industry is very seasonal with Spring and Summer being peak periods and therefore we are exceedingly busy making outfits at this time.

Most mothers are trying to lose weight and want to put off looking until they have reached their target. This puts a lot of pressure on them because if they leave looking till near the wedding and then go out and find nothing they like in the retail shops then it may become too late to have an outfit made to measure.

We advise to start looking early, fabric and production time can be booked in advance and a later date for measurements can usually be accommodated then at least you know everything is organised whether or not you reach your target weight. It is always a relief to have your outfit decided on and the longer you can envisage how you will look on the day the more relaxed you will find the run up to the wedding. This not only applies to the bride but also the Mums, especially the Mother of the Bride who usually has a lot on her plate in the weeks before the wedding.

Our Made To Measure Process Explained

First visit to the shop. All the designs (and more) that we show on our website are in our shop to see and try. We may not have all sizes but we can usually give you a good idea of how it will look. Because you are having your outfit individually made for you we can incorporate changes to the design if necessary.

If you choose on this day then your measurements can be taken straight away or a date in the future arranged. Fabric and production time is secured on payment of a 50% deposit.

At the first fitting the outfit is made in a cotton toile (mock up) and pinned to make sure you are happy with the fit and depth of necklines etc.

At the second fit you outfit is cut in your actual fabric without zip or hems and final adjustments are made.

Usually you collect on the 3rd fitting when hat and accessories are also ready and this is when the balance of the payment is due.

We don’t like to quote timescales as some people don’t have 6 months left before the wedding. We always try to accommodate latecomers but sometimes it just may not be possible as production is limited and our exclusive fabrics and laces can take a while to come in. Therefore we advise to come as soon as you can

A large percentage of our Mums travel long distances in the UK. Many come from overseas to our shops in London and Glasgow as our designs are unique and we have won many awards for customer service. Distance doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to looking and feeling extra special on your daughter or son’s wedding day. If you can’t make it into the shop for any reason, we do offer an international service.

Elegance never dates.

Visit Joyce Young on YouTube to see a video of Joyce’s dresses for mothers of the bride/groom.