Choosing the perfect mother of the bride dress is an exciting but potentially stressful endeavor. The mother of the bride plays an important role on the wedding day, and her attire should complement the bride’s dress without upstaging it. When it comes to color, mothers today have many more options than the traditional navy blue or steel gray. The most popular colors tend to be in the neutral palette, but bolder hues like jewel tones can also work beautifully. So what is the most popular color choice for modern mother of the bride dresses? Let’s take a closer look at the leading contenders.
Most Popular Neutral Tones
For many mothers, sticking with a neutral hue is the safest choice. These softer, muted shades complement most skin tones and are unlikely to clash with the bridal party’s attire. Here are some of today’s most fashionable neutral shades for mother of the bride dresses:
Champagne
A warm, golden beige, champagne is increasingly the most popular neutral hue seen on mother of the bride dresses. It pairs well with ivory, blush pink, gold, and other common wedding colors. Champagne flatters a wide variety of skin tones. It also photographs beautifully in both indoor and outdoor lighting.
Silver Gray
While darker charcoal grays were once the norm, today’s silver gray mother of the bride dresses have a more elegant, luminous sheen. Paired with mauve, blush, and blue tones, this cool neutral works with a palette of wedding colors. It’s especially popular for winter and black-tie weddings.
Dusty Pink
Move over blush—today’s trending bridal hue is dusty pink, and mother of the bride dresses follow suit. A soft, muted shade that flatters most complexions, dusty pink reads as a neutral and pairs beautifully with ivory or metallic bridal gowns.
Ivory
For a coordinated look, some mothers opt to match the bridal party with an ivory mother of the bride dress. This can be stunning, but take care not to clash with the bride’s gown. Separate your dress with added embellishments, textural fabric differences, or darker trimmings.
Popular Bold Hues
While many mothers prefer muted, neutral tones, selecting a colorful mother of the bride dress is also an option. Vibrant jewel tones and rich shades can really pop for a creative, confident look. Here are some eye-catching color options:
Royal Blue
From sapphire to cobalt, royal blue mother of the bride dresses are a classic yet fun choice. The bold blue flatters most skin tones and pairs beautifully with metallics like rose gold. Use navy as a neutral alternative.
Emerald Green
Green is an unexpectedly gorgeous color for mother of the bride dresses. Deeper emerald and forest greens speak to the current affinity for jewel tones. Pair with pinks, whites, silvers, and golds for an elegant mother of the bride look.
Wine Red
For fall and winter weddings, a striking wine red mother of the bride dress shines. As abold alternative to black, the rich hue looks stunning with ivory, blush, and cooler metallic shades. Keep the look sophisticated with minimal embellishments.
Metallic Shades
Metallic dresses allow mothers to stand out while complementing the bridal party. Popular metallic shades include champagne gold, rose gold, and silver. Look for dresses with subtle metallic sheens rather than an overly sparkly disco ball effect.
Color Compatibility Factors
When selecting a mother of the bride dress color, consider these factors for determining the best hue for the wedding’s color scheme:
Skin Tone
Choose a color that flatters your skin’s undertones. Warm olive and yellow undertones suit champagne, peach, and richer shades. Cool pink and blue undertones are complemented by cooler hues like silver gray and blue.
Hair Color
Lighter hair colors tend to look best with lighter, brighter shades. Darker brunette or red hair pops against deeper jewel tones and darker neutrals. Gray hair looks stunning in metallic champagne, silver, and steel blue.
Eye Color
Certain dress colors can really accentuate eye color. Blue and green eyes shine against warm beige, champagne, ivory, and peach. Brown eyes look rich with emerald green, deeper blues, and purple. Hazel and gray eyes stand out with slate blue, plum, and cool pinks.
Wedding Colors
Aim for a color that complements the bridesmaids’ dresses and the color scheme. Connect your look through shared neutrals or complementary shades. Discuss colors with the bride to determine the best fit.
Venue Style
Consider the wedding venue when planning colors. Bold jewel tones suit ballroom events, while muted neutrals fit nicely into garden settings. Metallic sheens look gorgeous in historic buildings, while nautical inspiration calls for navy blue.
Time of Day
Dress color can also be determined by time of day. Matte neutral metallics or blush tones work for daytime. Save the deeper jewel tones and shimmering fabrics for nighttime formal affairs.
Season
Look to seasonally aligned colors and fabrics when choosing the mother of the bride dress hue. Light and bright for spring, muted for summer, rich for fall, cool and metallic for winter.
Most Flattering Silhouettes
The silhouette and cut of the mother of the bride dress also impacts how color looks and fits. Here are some popular dress shapes with versatile, flattering lines:
A-Line Dress
An A-line dress nip in at the waist then flare out to the knees in a softly draped skirt. This universally flattering shape works well for moms who want to show off their waistline while masking problem areas around the hips and thighs.
Wrap Dress
Wrap dresses cinch in at waist for a slimming effect while hiding tummy issues. The V-neck is modest while still stylish. Jersey knits lend comfort while tailored fabrics add polish. This iconic shape flatters most figures.
Sheath Dress
For a modern, form-fitting look, the sheath dress hugs the torso then falls straight from hip to hem. Versatile and chic, it can be dressed up with embellishments or worn sleek and simple. The sheath flatters athletic to curvy figures.
Ballgown Dress
A voluminous A-line skirt makes the ballgown dress stunning and romantic. Jewel-toned satin fabrics work beautifully with this regal, formal shape. It suits both slim and plus size figures.
Tea-Length Dress
Hitting around the mid-calf, a tea-length hemline offers vintage charm. Full circle and A-line skirts shape a universally flattering silhouette. The length also shows off shoes in a subtle way.
Fabric & Texture Options
Fabric choice also impacts how color looks and dresses feel. Here are some top options for mother of the bride dresses:
Luxurious Satin
Satin is universally flattering with its subtle sheen. It drapes well on the body and photographs beautifully. Matte satin suits muted tones, while lustrous suits bold shades.
Light Chiffon
Billowy chiffon makes stunning overlays and skirts. The lightweight fabric moves gracefully and works for dresses in soft pastels and bright colors alike. Layers create dimension.
Flowy Jersey
Matte jersey provides comfortable flexibility and stretch. The soft, draped look works for wrap dresses and slim sheaths. Jersey suits muted earth tones and deep jewel shades.
Elegant Crepe
Crepe is a refined option for mother of the bride dresses. The fabric drapes cleanly and has slight texture for visual interest. Crepe suits jackets, pleated skirts, and sleeve details.
Luxe Velvet
Plush velvet offers richness perfect for formal weddings. The tactile fabric looks opulent in emerald, sapphire, burgundy, and metallic hues. Use it minimally in accents if velvet feels too bold.
| Color | Best Skin Tones | Fabrics | Pairings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champagne | Fair, olive | Satin, chiffon | Ivory, blush, rose gold |
| Silver Gray | Fair, darker | Jersey, crepe | Plum, blush, blue |
| Dusty Pink | Fair, olive | Chiffon, satin | Ivory, gold, silver |
| Royal Blue | Fair, darker | Satin, velvet | Rose gold, silver, navy |
| Emerald Green | Fair, olive | Satin, jersey | Ivory, pink, gold |
Conclusion
When it comes to the perfect color for mother of the bride dresses, today’s top choice is the versatile neutral champagne. Muted pinks, stately grays, and elegant ivory remain go-to neutral options. For a splash of color, emerald green and sapphire blue lead the deeper jewel tone trend.
Keep the wedding’s color scheme, venue, season, and timeline in mind. Select a flattering silhouette like A-line, wrap dress, or sheath. Pair your color with luxe fabrics like satin, chiffon, and jersey. Most importantly, choose a mother of the bride dress in a color and style you feel confident and beautiful wearing. The mother of the bride sets the tone, so let your inner glow shine through!