What color do Commanders' Wives wear in the novel?

Commanders' Wives wear sky blue in The Handmaid's Tale. Gilead uses clothing colors to mark women's social roles, and the Wives' blue dresses and cloaks signal their privileged position as the spouses of high-ranking Commanders.

The color also carries a religious association: the novel connects the Wives' blue clothing with traditional artistic depictions of the Virgin Mary. Their status is high within Gilead's female hierarchy, although they remain legally restricted and excluded from political power. A Wife's household status is tied closely to her husband's rank and authority.

Color distinctions are one of the easiest ways to understand Gilead's caste system. Handmaids wear red, Marthas wear green, and Wives wear blue. Unmarried daughters of the ruling class wear white until marriage. Widows generally wear black, so blue identifies a current Commander's Wife rather than every elite woman.