This is Signal vs. Noise, a weblog by 37signals about design, business, experience, simplicity, the web, culture, and more. Established 1999 in Chicago. Follow us on Twitter for more information on our products.

Welcome Matt!

@37singals

At 37 employees yet?

@JF Good work on the DHH firing, now delete these comments to bury the story and we’ll never speak of him again.

Haha. You need to add a FB Like option for Comments.

Actually, we had to create a Chef Hall of Fame so we’d have an excuse to give the MVP award to other people. Matt’s work on Chef has been hugely valuable to us—thanks again!

Congratulations to everyone involved!

It is important to dress appropriately for the season, as well as to tie into the rest of the wedding when you are the Mother of the bride. The type of neckline, length, material and style of your dress or outfit all need to be taken into account when deciding what you desire and what will best suit the day.

In winter it is important to choose an outfit that will keep you warm, while still allowing you to look stylish. This can be done in a number of ways including careful choosing of the type of neckline, length and material as well as style.

Choosing a neckline

Whether you are wearing a dress or a pantsuit, you can afford to go a little daring with the neckline even in the winter if you desire. Wearing a long dress coupled with short sleeves or a revealing neckline will still keep you warm, as will covering up your shoulders with a shawl or a jacket.

Choice of neckline is mostly about what you feel comfortable with. Many different types of neckline are available, with strapless, Sweetheart and spaghetti straps being the most common. A strapless couples very well with a wrap or a jacket, creating a stylish image that is not compromised by the presence of distracting straps.

Another option is square neckline. This is popular on long sleeved dresses, and shows some skin while not being revealing. This is a good option if you are worried about cleavage, or want to ensure you stay warm, as there is not a lot of skin that is uncovered.

For a more unusual look, a dress with an asymmetrical neckline is worth considering. These can be elegant and draw attention to your features. Often, an asymmetrical neckline will consist of a strap over one shoulder, but no mirroring strap over the other.

What length?

Choosing a longer dress style is a good choice during the winter, as it allows you to keep warm even if your arms or shoulders are a little bare. A long dress can be coupled with short sleeves or a more revealing neckline, as the material from the skirt will serve to keep you warm, and the overall appearance is one of elegance and sophistication.

Importance of material choice

Dresses for the mother of the bride can be in any number of materials, such as satin, taffeta, lace and tulle. Choice of material is important in ensuring that you will be both warm and comfortable. Choosing a heavier fabric will work well, however, most winter weddings are inside due to the extremes of winter weather, so a heavy duty fabric is often not necessary. Instead, choosing a that is layered, or either a top or skirt that is, can increase warmth without the need to resort to heavy fabric.

Choosing a style for you

A layered dress or top is a good way of keeping warm in the winter while still retaining an elegant appearance. The extra layers help to trap the heat while they also are flattering.

Embellishments, such as sequins and embroidery as well as the use of jewelry and the type of sleeves can all add to the individuality of your dress/outfit, resulting in the appearance that you desire. Sequins and embroidery can be hand stitched to dresses, creating an individualized look, whether you desire a contemporary or a traditional look.

A final part of your outfit is the shoes. If your shoes are covered by your dress, choose something warm and comfortable. If they are not, consider how they match your dress and how warm they will be.