Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to wear this to a royal garden party?

86 replies

Cloglover · 09/02/2020 12:42

Hello! Just need a bit of sartorial advice.

I am not someone who dresses up, I work in a very informal place and live in jeans and comfy boots. I don't want to feel uncomfortable but I don't want to look out of place.

I feel I need to add, I'm not into the royal family, but I accepted the invite as I was just plain old curious.

I bought this dress the other day in a charity shop for a fiver and was wondering if it would be suitable to wear?

Would I need to wear tights?

Would wearing flat clarks style softbed sandles be a complete nono?

Aibu to wear this to a royal garden party?
OP posts:
iem0128 · 09/02/2020 13:52

No royal behaviour in royal party, so no worries!

JosefKeller · 09/02/2020 13:56

It's beautiful, wedges would be great for any ground, so a big yes.
Especially if you are not used to heels at all.

You don't have to wear tights, it's 2020, no need if they are uncomfortable.

It's a big no on MN, but I would shave (or wax) my legs personally Grin

maddiemookins16mum · 09/02/2020 13:58

Lovely, with proper sandals though 😊

mrsBtheparker · 09/02/2020 14:01

Don't do what a friend did, she wore 4 inch heels and spent most of the afternoor aerating the lawn and trying to get out of it.

mencken · 09/02/2020 14:04

bit scary that women who know they will spend the afternoon standing on grass think spike heels are a good idea...

make like a man, wear shoes that don't hurt. Have a lovely time!

SpringFan · 09/02/2020 14:05

I've been to a Garden Party , dress is fine, I would go for wedges too. Tights would depend on the weather and possibly a wrap or cardi in case it is chilly. Good shout about the bag with shoulder strap.
The grounds are gorgeous and worth a look around.
Also went to an investiture and the pictures are wonderful.

Franticterrapin · 09/02/2020 14:11

I love this dress, I wore it to a wedding! I think hair up is good with the neckline. Enjoy yourself :)

longearedbat · 09/02/2020 14:12

I've been to several. The first time I made the mistake of wearing spiky heels and sank in the lawn. I also spent a fortune on fancy clothes. It was a complete waste of time doing that. Having seen what others wore, the next few times I just wore a simple skirt, shirt and jacket that were comfy, and more importantly, were already in my wardrobe. I also wore flat shoes so that I could walk round the gardens for a nosy (being a keen gardener). Honestly, as long as you are clean and presentable, there is absolutely no need to dress up. You don't need a hat either.

SerenDippitty · 09/02/2020 14:15

I think the rules do stipulate no bare legs. I wouldn’t go bare legged to a formal event anyway.

mantarays · 09/02/2020 14:17

SerenDippitty

Me neither. The Queen wouldn’t, and it’s her party.

JosefKeller · 09/02/2020 14:22

My legs are fine, I wouldn't wear a mini skirt, but I wouldn't wear tights. I don't wear tights even to formal events, I don't need them.

The Queen is 93, respectfully I am not! I might need tights at that age, who knows.

PurBal · 09/02/2020 14:24

Please wear closed toe shoes. Dress is nice. Doesn't matter how much it cost you!

PurBal · 09/02/2020 14:25

And as someone who loves hats: I use any opportunity to wear one. I'm going to a non royal garden party, lots of people will be in jeans too, hats a go!

chickpea1234 · 09/02/2020 14:29

I have been to one of these. That dress is perfect - consider a headpiece or hat also. You should be able to find something not too expensive in M&S or maybe a charity shop also. You will be on grass lots so wear shoes that doesn't sink into grass like a wedge heel.

mantarays · 09/02/2020 14:33

JosefKeller

The choice of tights isn’t about how good or ‘bad’ your legs are. By all means wear them or don’t as you please, but the formality of this occasion makes them more appropriate in my opinion.

AgeShallNotWitherHer · 09/02/2020 14:36

Tights, yes, open sandals and bare feet no. Wedges or kitten heels yes, shoulder bag and wrap/jacket/cardi yes.
Lucky you! And I love that dress!

StarbucksSmarterSister · 09/02/2020 14:37

It's fine. You will get guidance with the invite.

When I went, I saw a woman wearing leggings and a long shirt. God knows how she got in, we wondered if she'd climbed over the wall! Grin

FurrySlipperBoots · 09/02/2020 14:37

It's a bit harsh that they're so stingy with chairs and refreshments! Aren't those 2 basic things that any hosts makes sure there are plenty of?

Isithometimeyet0987 · 09/02/2020 14:47

I’ve been to two royal garden parties. That dress is lovely and perfect for one. Definitely wear tights! Also wedges or block heels (small heels!) because of the grass.

ConferencePear · 09/02/2020 14:48

I went to one of these, but it was time time ago.I had a list of acceptable clothing and was asked to wear white gloves although I can't really imagine they still ask for that. Even so I would wear tights. It was a very interesting experience.

Bluerussian · 09/02/2020 14:48

Absolutely lovely dress but definitely nice shoes, bag and tights.

You'll look lovely! Have a great time.

Jux · 09/02/2020 15:01

Will you be walking on lawn? You have to think about the surface so nothing that sinks in or that needs nice flat pavement to stay balanced on. Also, if it has rained a fair bit, if you're on grass you could sink in a bit and get really dirty shoes. It all depends on that.

I think you'd look perfectly lovely in that dress with the original flats you suggested anyway. But I'm not a fashion queen. What sort of shoes does Kate wear in those informal garden shots she did with her boy?

thenightsky · 09/02/2020 15:12

I went to a Buckingham Palace garden party 25 years ago. It was a blistering hot day and I was 35 weeks pregnant. I though I was going to die from the heat and starvation. No bugger would give me a seat and I only got one tiny miserable sandwich as it was a push and shove free-for-all. There's not enough chairs or food. I wish I'd taken a pack up in my handbag to be honest!

Wear flats or wedges (flats were fashionable luckily 25 years ago). The lawn is like deep lush camomile plants that you sink into.

I hired a lovely posh maternity dress and hat. I did not wear tights as it was 30c hot.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 09/02/2020 15:27

I went to quite a few of these but not for the last 30 years. I never found them stingy with the food. You can keep going back for more! Possibly better to eat near beginning as less people do. FYI the Queen comes out after everyone has arrived and the band plays National Anthem as she appears on the terrace. You are all expected to stop talking and eating and stand. It is quite hard to hear and notice if you are halfway down the lawn (not near band)and surrounded by people. We once got told off by one of the catering staff because my mother was replying to someone.

LaurieMarlow · 09/02/2020 15:28

There’s nothing wrong with bare legs at a garden party (with a knee length or below skirt).

What the queen does is neither here nor there. She’s 93 and was never exactly a fashion icon anyway.