The Surprisingly Stylish History of Mother’s Day (and Why It’s the Perfect Excuse to Dress Up)

In the UK, Mother’s Day (or Mothering Sunday if you’re a traditionalist) is often associated with bountiful bouquets, Sunday roasts, and last-minute cards purchased in mild panic. But the history of this day is far richer, stranger, and frankly more entertaining than most people realise.

 

In fact, its origins make it the perfect excuse for a little dressing up, whether you’re celebrating your mum, being celebrated, or simply enjoying the occasion as the “mum friend” — like me!

 

Let’s take a stylish stroll through time and rediscover the origins of Mother's Day in Britain and beyond.

 

Mothering Sunday — A Homecoming Tradition

Image credit: Retrokimmers

 

Mothering Sunday dates back to the 16th century, when people returned to their “mother church” (aka the church they were baptised in) for a special service during Lent. 

 

Back then, many young people were sent off to work as domestic servants or apprentices, often living far from their families from the tender age of 10. Mothering Sunday (held on the fourth Sunday of Lent) became one of the few days they were given time off to travel home.

 

And if you were finally returning home after months of scrubbing floors or tending fires? You didn’t arrive looking like you’d just done the washing up. It was traditional for those making the pilgrimage to show their parents how grown up they were and how they were doing well.

 

People would wear their best clothes, walk home with friends, and bring small gifts, often a simnel cake, a fruit cake with marzipan associated with the day and wildflowers plucked from hedgerows.

 

Even in the 1500s, Mothering Sunday had a clear vibe: a family reunion, good food, and a bit of style.

 

A Break From Lenten Rules

A modern take on the traitional simnel cake 

image credit: Wikipedia

Another reason Mothering Sunday felt special was the timing.

 

During Lent, many Christians gave up rich foods like butter, eggs, or sugar (hence pancake day, but that’s another story…) Mothering Sunday was something of a cheat day where people could enjoy special cakes, lavish meals and serving up their best fashion looks.

 

The traditional food was the celebratory simnel cake. A rich dense fruit cake layered with marzipan and crowned with eleven balls representing the apostles, minus Judas for obvious reasons. Servants and apprentices would bake or buy one to carry home, making it one of the earliest "gift foods" in British tradition.

 

In a world where both food and clothing were practical and repetitive, any excuse to dress or eat well was a genuine event.

 

The American Influence That Revived the Tradition

Anna Jarvis's traditional caronations on an American Mother's Day card

Image credit: Wikipedia 

By the late 19th century, the tradition of Mothering Sunday had started to fizzle out in Britain.

 

Then along came an American campaign led by Anna Jarvis, who founded Mother’s Day in the United States in 1908 to honour her own mother.

 

Her idea spread quickly across the world. In the UK, instead of copying the American date in May, people revived the traditional Mothering Sunday and merged it with the newer celebration of mothers. So despite Mother's Day having the same name in both America and Britain, they have totally separate origins and traditions. 

 

The mishmash of these two traditions have given us the flavour of the day we celebrate today. 

 

Ironically, Anna Jarvis ended up campaigning against the rampant commercialism of the day she created, perhaps a nod to the more simple sentiments of the older British Mothering Sunday. 

 

 

Why Mother’s Day Is the Perfect Day to Dress Up

The Shirt Company's Abigail Shirt 

 

Once you know the history, it makes sense that the day naturally lends itself to a bit of glamour. After all, in the 1500s, it was literally a “Sunday best” day where returning home in your finery was the event of the day.

 

Clothing has always been a central part of any meaningful celebration and, as Mother’s Day lands just as the UK starts shaking off winter’s chill, it’s the perfect moment to bring out Spring favourites in brighter colours and more light weight fabrics. 

 

Bonus Mother’s Day Facts

Mother's Day stamps from around the world 

Image Credit: Wikipedia

 

1. A movable feast

Because it’s tied to Lent, Mothering Sunday moves around the calendar and is on a different date each year.

 

2. Simnel cake always has 11 marzipan balls

Simnel cakes have been around since at least Medieval times and nobody really knows where the name comes from. It's thought to have something to do with the Latin simila, which means "fine flour." 

 

3. Carnations were the classic Mother’s Day flower
In the US tradition started by Anna Jarvis, carnations were the go-to flower. They were chosen as they were Anna Jarvis's mum's favourite. 

 

4. A global affair

Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 150 countries today

 

5. Restaurant rush hour

Over 50% of UK consumers choose to dine out for Mother's Day, making it one of the busiest and most profitable days for restaurants.