Mother of the Groom Dresses 2026: 8 Rules and Best Colours

The best mother of the groom dresses follow three rules: avoid white and ivory, coordinate with the mother of the bride rather than match her, and dress to the wedding’s dress code. Navy, plum, burgundy, sapphire and soft aqua are the safest colours. Coveti carries options from Roksanda, Safiyaa, Emilia Wickstead, Jenny Packham and more.

The role has its own etiquette, and most of it comes down to courtesy. You are a host family, so you want to look polished in photographs, sit comfortably through a long day and complement the wider party without drawing focus from the couple. This guide covers the rules, the colours that work by season, the right length for each dress code and the tailoring options for anyone who would rather not wear a dress at all.

What is the etiquette for mother of the groom dresses?

Ask the couple about the dress code and colour scheme first, let the mother of the bride share her choice, then pick a dress that complements hers.

Traditional etiquette gives the mother of the bride the first choice of outfit. Once she has chosen, the mother of the groom picks something in a similar formality and length, in a colour that sits well beside hers. The aim is harmony across the photographs, never a matching pair.

The 8 rules worth following

1. Never wear white, ivory and cream. Those shades belong to the bride.
2. Do not match the bridesmaids exactly. A deeper tone of the wedding colour is a graceful nod.
3. Match the formality of the mother of the bride. If she wears floor length, you should too.
4. Dress to the code on the invitation. Black tie means a gown; a daytime ceremony suits a midi with sleeves.
5. Check the venue. Many religious ceremonies ask for covered shoulders, so a sleeve, a cape and a jacket are all useful.
6. Plan for a long day. Choose a fabric that will not crush and shoes you can stand in.
7. Think about the hat. At a formal British day wedding, a hat suits the role; keep it in proportion to the dress.
8. Ask before choosing black. Black is now common at evening weddings, but some families still see it as mourning.

How is the mother of the groom outfit different from the mother of the bride?

The rules are almost identical; the difference is order and coordination, since the mother of the bride usually chooses first.

Both mothers are hosts, both appear in the formal photographs and both should avoid white. The mother of the groom traditionally waits to hear what the mother of the bride will wear, then picks a complementary colour and the same length. If the two families have different traditions, a simple conversation early on avoids any awkwardness. For the other side of the aisle, see our edit of mother of the bride dresses.

What colours should the mother of the groom wear?

Navy, plum, burgundy, wine, sapphire, deep green and soft aqua are the most reliable choices, because they flatter, photograph well and stay clear of the bride.

Colours to avoid

Avoid white, ivory, cream and very pale champagne, which can read as bridal in photographs. Avoid the exact bridesmaid shade. Be careful with head-to-toe red at a daytime ceremony, since it pulls the eye, and ask the couple before wearing black. Heavily sequinned fabrics can also compete with the bride, so save them for an evening reception.

What should the mother of the groom wear to a black tie wedding?

A floor-length gown in a deep, rich colour, ideally with a sleeve and a cape for cover during the ceremony.

Black tie is the most common formal code for evening weddings. Roksanda’s Sami Dress in Deep Burgundy is a relaxed satin column with a round neckline, a slim keyhole and wide fluid sleeves, so the arms are covered without any extra layer. The Kami Dress in Light Aqua is a bias-cut silk satin column with wide draped sleeves, a lighter choice for summer. The Syla Dress in Burgundy is a structured floor-length column in sheer cloque, fully lined, with short sleeves and draping at the hip.

Beyond Roksanda, the Carolina Herrera Sofia Gown in Plum brings a deep plum to the evening, and Simkhai’s Izel Satin Cape Gown in Midnight adds a cape for cover. The Huishan Zhang Mckenzie Gown in Mulberry Tulle works for a romantic evening wedding. Our guides to black tie optional and formal dresses cover the codes in more depth.

What should the mother of the groom wear to a daytime wedding?

A midi dress with a sleeve, in a clear colour, worn with a hat at a formal British ceremony.

Midi lengths suit church ceremonies, town halls and garden receptions. Roksanda’s Kova Dress in Aquamarine has a V-neckline, cap sleeves and a pleated tea-length skirt that stays full, and the house cut it for day parties and warm-weather occasions. The Rova Dress in Wine pairs a cap sleeve and a notched neckline with a dramatically full skirt, and works from autumn into spring.

Safiyaa’s Rika Midi Dress in Wine brings deep wine to midi length from a London house that began in made-to-measure. The Alex Perry Long Sleeve Dress in Satin Crepe, Plum covers the arm completely, a good choice for a church service. For a cooler day, Jenny Packham’s Debut Dress in Tourmaline Pink brings colour at midi length. Browse all designer midi dresses for more.

What should the mother of the groom wear by season?

Choose lighter silks and fresh colours for spring and summer, and heavier satins, cloque and velvet in deeper shades for autumn and winter.

For a winter wedding, the Emilia Wickstead Camilla Dress in Green Velvet gives warmth and richness in one piece. For summer, the Roksanda Ida Dress in Rosado is silk satin with architectural drapes through the sleeves and an asymmetric handkerchief hem. Our guide to winter wedding guest dresses has more cold-weather ideas, and plum dresses covers one of the season’s most useful shades.

Can the mother of the groom wear a trouser suit?

Yes. A well-cut trouser suit in a matching colour is as formal as a dress and often more comfortable for a long day.

Choose a jacket and trouser in the same fabric and colour so the look reads as one piece. Roksanda’s Selma Jacket in Navy has a peak lapel, a single button and a loose satin scarf lapel, and it pairs with the Ines Trouser in Navy, a wide, voluminous leg in satin-faced wool with a folded, cuffed hem. Both are cut in navy satin tailoring, so they work as a suit. For a warmer tone, the Isabel Jacket in Burgundy shares the same scarf lapel.

Add a silk top underneath and a hat for a day ceremony. Browse designer wide leg pants and our guide to satin trousers for more options.

How do you choose the right fit and size?

Order your usual size, check the brand’s body chart, and allow time for alterations before the wedding.

Roksanda says it fits true to size, and the model wears a UK 8. On the house chart, a UK 12 is 95cm bust, 75cm waist and 103cm hips; a UK 16 is 105cm, 85cm and 113cm. Coveti lists Roksanda in UK 4 to 18. For US shoppers, US sizes are UK minus four, so a UK 12 is a US 8. Our Roksanda size guide has the full chart and conversions. Every Roksanda piece is specialist dry clean, so plan cleaning around the date.

Which designers make the best mother of the groom dresses?

Roksanda for colour and covered shapes, Safiyaa for structure, Jenny Packham for evening polish and Emilia Wickstead for formal daywear.

The Roksanda collection is especially strong here, because so many pieces carry a sleeve, a cape and a full skirt in deep colours. ME+EM’s Belted Full-Length Dress in Evening Navy is a simpler navy option for a relaxed evening, and the Taller Marmo Grace Cape Dress in Midnight Blue adds a cape in a deep blue. For more ideas by brand, see Safiyaa mother of the bride dresses and Jenny Packham mother of the bride dresses; the same pieces suit the groom’s side. For guests rather than hosts, our burgundy wedding guest dresses edit has more deep-toned picks, and cape dresses covers the most useful shape for a covered ceremony.

Browse all designer evening gowns and designer maxi dresses to compare lengths.

Frequently asked questions

What colour should the mother of the groom wear?

Navy, plum, burgundy, wine, sapphire, deep green and soft aqua are the most reliable colours. They flatter, photograph well and stay clear of the bride.

What colours should the mother of the groom avoid?

Avoid white, ivory, cream and very pale champagne, which can read as bridal. Avoid the exact bridesmaid shade, and ask the couple before wearing black.

Does the mother of the groom have to match the mother of the bride?

No. She should complement the mother of the bride in colour and match her formality and length, but the two outfits should never be identical.

Should the mother of the groom wear a long dress?

Wear a long dress for a black tie wedding and whenever the mother of the bride wears floor length. A midi dress with a sleeve suits most daytime ceremonies.

Can the mother of the groom wear trousers?

Yes. A trouser suit in matching fabric and colour, such as the Roksanda Selma Jacket and Ines Trouser in navy satin tailoring, is as formal as a dress.