Sage vs. Dusty Sage: What's the Difference

Sage continues to be a firm favorite for bridesmaid’s dresses. The neutral nature of the color works with many schemes and themes. There are several different shades of sage to consider. From natural, green sage to dusty sage. Each hue offers a slightly different vibe. But what’s the difference?

The key lies in their color tones. Sage is a muted green with gray undertones. It takes inspiration from the sage plant. Sage green is described as earthy and calming. Dusty sage is a more muted, toned down variation. It has further gray or brown undertones. This gives dusty sage an almost ‘dusty’ appearance.

Let’s find out more about what makes the two distinct.

Dictionary Says It All

Sage: grayish-green. It’s a simple definition, but spot on. Regular sage is a muted, silvery green tone. Nature and foliage come to mind. It’s no surprise that sage is especially popular for bohemian weddings.

Dusty Sage: grayish, silvery green. This may sound similar to the above. However, there are subtle differences. Dusty sage verges on even more silvery. Sometimes, dusty sage may also include brown undertones. This interpretation makes it warmer. Either way, it’s a very neutral take on regular sage.

History and Symbolism

Sage: A Historic, Tranquil Shade of Nature

Sage has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Both plant and color are important. In ancient times, sage was valued for its medicinal use. Ancient Egyptians used the herb for rituals. In culinary use, it was said to boost fertility. The Latin root of the word means ‘heal’ or ‘save.’

In indigenous cultures, sage is used in healing rituals. Burning sage is said to cleanse and promote clarity. Today, sage is a popular herb in aromatherapy.

Symbolically, sage is associated with wisdom and nature. The muted color has come to mean serenity. It signifies calmness, balance, and connection with nature. In weddings, it evokes a sense of tranquility. To summarize, sage signifies wisdom, nature, and balance. It’s great for a very natural wedding.

Dusty Sage: Modern with Connotations of Calm and Rebirth

Dusty sage is a more modern color name. Its history lies in interior design, art, and fashion. It likely developed in the 20th century. This is because people sought more nuanced coloring terms.

Like sage, dusty sage is inspired by nature. It takes after dried sage leaves in particular. These tend to be more muted and earthy. Cooler grays may appear, as might notes of brown. The latter will also make this shade warmer.

This hue symbolizes calmness and serenity. Much like sage green, it is associated with calm. Dusty sage has a more muted appearance. This enhances the color’s subtle elegance. Symbolically, it may also mean renewal and growth. Dusty sage is more associated with dried sage. This may suggest new beginnings and rebirth. Dusty sage is a balanced, quite neutral tone which evokes calm.

How to Choose Your Sage

Now you know the differences between the two shades. Which will you choose? The first step is figuring out your wedding theme. Sage green tends to verge on cool and silvery. Dusty sage may appear warmer, with notes of brown. At ChicSew, the dusty sage shade is a little darker. This might make paler sage green more suitable for Spring or Summer. Dusty sage will look better in a Fall or Winter palette.

Soft sage green will contrast nicely with ivory or gold. Dusty sage blends into these colors. Consider your own wedding dress and the decor you want. More neutral, rustic Fall colors will work great with dusty sage. Regular sage’s silver undertones look pretty with softer hues. Consider whether you want your wedding colors to contrast or not.

These colors complement sage green

white, cream, beige, gray, blush pink, lavender, powder blue, terracotta, hot pink, coral, brass/gold, and silver all look great with sage green. The cooler shades blend beautifully. Warmer hues, particularly when darker, give a bigger contrast.

These colors complement dusty sage

warm beige, taupe, ivory, soft gray, dusty pink, muted mauve, pale peach, rust orange, burnt sienna, burgundy, olive green, dark wood, antique gold, and aged silver look great. Dusty sage tends to be warmer and more neutral. Silvery, cool hues will give a bigger contrast. Warm, rich colors blend better.

Why Choose ChicSew Sage Green Bridesmaid Dresses

Whether you’re choosing sage green or dusty sage for your bridesmaid’s dresses, ChicSew offers both. What makes ChicSew an ideal choice? There is a huge range of options, for one. ChicSew offers sizes US0 to US30, and free custom sizing. Not necessarily needing alterations will save money and time.

You might pick soft satin in sage green or dusty sage. Satin works well in any season. Chiffon has less of a sheen than satin. However, it’s soft and breezy for a Summer wedding. Velvet is only available in standard sage. Yet the shimmer and softness work for a Fall or Winter wedding. Sage green jersey is incredibly versatile.

Where Style is Concerned, Here are Some Recommendations:

Elegant One Shoulder Soft Satin Unique Mermaid Dresses

Elegant one shoulder soft satin unique mermaid dresses offer a striking look. The longer the dress, the heavier, but these look great in photos. Soft Satin Square Neckline Maxi dresses are demure and classic.

Elegant Sweetheart Off Shoulder Floor-Length Dresses

Elegant sweetheart off shoulder floor-length dresses in chiffon look soft and pretty. Chiffon dresses are lighter than their satin counterparts. Floor-length gowns will be easier to move around in. Midi length dresses are less formal in style. However, these are even better for dancing and moving about.

Make sure your bridesmaids feel confident. Remember that ChicSew offers a range of sizes. The plus size range includes gorgeous designs such as the Sexy Mermaid Off The Shoulder Sweetheart dress. When in doubt, order some fabric swatches. Consider what suits your theme and your bridesmaids best.

What if you can’t find one dress that suits everyone? ChicSew’s vast range makes it easy to mix and match different styles. You might dress your maid of honor in a unique gown. Or you might even combine shades of sage and different fabrics. The choice is yours.

Before You Go…

Is the difference between sage and dusty sage clear now? Both evoke a sense of nature and tranquility. Sage tends to be more silvery gray. Dusty sage is more neutral but may be more silver OR brownish. At ChicSew, sage is the softer, more silvery shade. Dusty sage is a warmer, slightly darker hue. Both have an interesting history and symbolism. Both work well in natural wedding color schemes. They may be complemented or contrasted by a range of colors. Consider which shade works better with your overall theme. If in doubt, include your bridesmaid in the decision. Or leave a comment below so we can help!