What to Wear for a Mother’s Day Brunch or a Valentine’s Dinner

September 19, 2026

A woman wearing the Luna Jody Lace Cocktail Dress In Bordeaux

For a Mother’s Day brunch, wear a midi dress in a light color or a soft floral, or tailored pants with a blouse, and a light jacket. For a Valentine’s dinner, wear a lace dress, an evening jumpsuit or a red top, with a coat for the walk. Valentine’s Day 2027 falls on Sunday, February 14. Mother’s Day 2027 in the US falls on Sunday, May 9. The Jody Lace Cocktail Dress in Bordeaux ($550) and the Jody Lace Jumpsuit in Bordeaux ($550) share the same lace. Choose the dress or the jumpsuit and the look stays the same.

How dressy each day is

Mother’s Day brunch is smart casual, and the venue sets the level. At a neighborhood restaurant, a day dress or pants with a knit is right. At a hotel brunch, a club or an afternoon tea, most women wear a midi dress, a jacket and a low heel. Many restaurants list a dress code on their reservation page.

For a Valentine’s dinner, dress a step above the restaurant. A tasting menu calls for a lace dress or an evening jumpsuit. At a bistro, pants with a red top are enough. February is cold in most of the US, so plan the coat with the outfit.

What to wear for Mother’s Day

The Julia Elegant Midi Dress ($695) has a white bodice that shades into a navy skirt with a floral border. It has short sleeves, a wide belt with a round buckle and a flared midi hem.
The Iris A-Line Midi Dress in Blush Floral ($625) has a high neck, long sleeves and an asymmetrical hem. It suits a mother who likes more coverage on a cool May morning.
The Lola Tailored Blazer in White ($610) is collarless and cropped to the waist, with 3/4 sleeves and a trimmed placket. It ends at the belt of a midi dress, so the waist stays visible.

What to wear for Valentine’s Day

The Jody Lace Cocktail Dress is fitted and knee length, with a lace bodice in deep wine. It has a sheer illusion yoke, short lace sleeves and soft draping at the waist.
The Jody Lace Jumpsuit is sleeveless, with the same lace bodice and illusion yoke. A slim belt sits above wide legs. You can walk after dinner without holding up a hem.
The Donna Off-Shoulder Top in Scarlet Red ($320) is a cross front knit with long fitted sleeves. Its cross front neckline is cut to stay in place through dinner. Wear it with black pants or a dark skirt.
The Alexa Tailored Blazer in Red ($610) has 4 covered buttons, a notched lapel and a cuff that turns back to 3/4. Wear it over a black dress for a dinner straight from work.

More evening pieces are in anniversary and date night outfits. The party pieces for the winter season are in winter party outfits.

What to avoid

For brunch, leave sequins, floor length hems and very high heels for another day. For Valentine’s Day, skip a neckline or a hem that needs adjusting through dinner. Also skip anything too thin for a February walk from the car. On either day, break in new shoes at home first.

Shoes and layers

A block heel or a slingback suits brunch, and a short jacket covers the morning chill. Over a knee length dress, wear a coat that covers the hem. Over a midi, choose a shorter coat so the hem shows below it. The guide to winter date night outfits pairs each coat with a dress.

For a spring brunch outdoors, see garden party and luncheon outfits. Every other event is on the Shop by Occasion page.

A short checklist

Check the restaurant or the tea room for a dress code when you book.
For brunch, choose a light midi or pants and a short jacket.
For Valentine’s Day, choose 1 color and 1 detail, such as red or lace.
Plan the coat with the outfit in February.
Order a week ahead so you have time to try everything on.

Questions about Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day

What should I wear to a Mother’s Day brunch?

Wear a midi dress in a light color or a soft floral, or tailored pants with a blouse. Add a light jacket. Dress a little more for a hotel brunch than for a neighborhood cafe.

What should I wear to a Mother’s Day tea?

Wear a midi dress or a skirt with a blouse, with a low heel. Many hotel tea rooms list a dress code on the booking page.

What is a good Mother’s Day outfit for a mother over 60?

Choose a midi dress with sleeves or a pantsuit with a soft blouse, in a color she likes to be photographed in. A high neck and long sleeves, as on the Iris A-Line Midi Dress, suit a cool spring morning.

What do I wear to a Valentine’s Day dinner?

Dress a step above the restaurant. A lace dress, an evening jumpsuit, or pants with a red top all suit a room with tablecloths. In February, plan a coat for the walk.

Where can I buy an elegant Valentine’s Day dress?

Luna Fashion House makes the Jody Lace Cocktail Dress in Bordeaux, a fitted knee length lace dress with short lace sleeves. More dinner pieces are in its anniversary and date night collection, with free US shipping.

Does Luna ship free, and can I return a piece?

Shipping to any US address is free. Orders ship from California and arrive in 2 to 5 days, and you can return any order within 30 days with no questions asked.