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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:
mantarays · 09/02/2020 15:31

She’s 93 and was never exactly a fashion icon anyway.

Appropriate dress isn’t about fashion. Lady Gaga and Rihanna are fashion icons. The Queen dresses ‘appropriately’ for all occasions.

And bare legs at the Palace? Not for me.

But do as you like!

LaurieMarlow · 09/02/2020 15:36

The Queen dresses ‘appropriately’ for all occasions.

Only according to her own rules.

Plenty of people find nude tights inappropriate in the extreme. fashion types mostly. But I don’t personally find the Queen more of an authority on clothes than them.

Tippexy · 09/02/2020 15:36

Why on earth would you wear tights with a summer dress?

Chub rub

No rubbing on shoes

Plus it looks a lot smarter

mantarays · 09/02/2020 15:38

LaurieMarlow

And you can have your own opinions. So can I.

LaurieMarlow · 09/02/2020 15:42

And you can have your own opinions. So can I.

Of course. You do what you want.

I just disagree it’s more appropriate (or looks smarter for that matter).

mantarays · 09/02/2020 15:44

LaurieMarlow

Sorry. I was unnecessarily snotty then. We’re talking about tights. 😂

LaurieMarlow · 09/02/2020 15:47

We’re talking about tights.

Grin
Sagradafamiliar · 09/02/2020 15:49

I know someone who went to a royal garden party wearing a strapless mini dress, full leg and arm tattoos on display, heels and a clutch bag with spiky studs on it.

milliefiori · 09/02/2020 15:57

That dress is lovely. I'd wear it with flesh coloured tights and a low heel or wedge.

HmmIsThisAGoodIdea · 09/02/2020 16:01

It seems like lots of MNers have been to royal garden parties! Just out of curiosity what were the reasons for the events? How was it you ended up getting an invitation? Really interested in everyone's stories! Grin

HmmIsThisAGoodIdea · 09/02/2020 16:03

I'm not trying to score tickets or anything, just to be clear! Grin One of my siblings went to pick up their DofE award there once so my family has been too.

thenightsky · 09/02/2020 16:05

@HmmIsThisAGoodIdea My reason for going was DH's 'services to British Industry'.

HavelockVetinari · 09/02/2020 16:10

Absolutely fine, I went to one a few years ago and there was a mix of styles. Noone in Jean's, but plenty of folk without hats.

VestaTilley · 09/02/2020 16:24

It's very nice OP! I went to a garden party years ago at Buckingham Palace and lots of women had nice dresses on like that. Enjoy - the cakes are fab.

TheWordmeister · 09/02/2020 17:44

The only reason I would wear flesh-coloured tights is if I was old and had varicose veins.

My MIL is going to one in May. She is 84 and has good, non-lumpy legs. She wouldn't consider wearing tights. She is, however, thinking about a hat. I am trying to dissuade her as having been to 2, I think she'll be over-dressed.

dementedma · 09/02/2020 17:44

How have some of you been more than once? We have a strict ruke that our nominees cant have been before. The Lords Lieutenants wont put forward people who have already been to one. It is boring but good for people watching.

raspberryrippleicecream · 09/02/2020 17:56

I went last year. DH was nominated through work.

Tights - make your own mind up, one of the Queen's staff by us was bare legged. Most people seemed to have a hat or fascinator. All kinds of frocks were worn and trousers suits are stated on the invitation as acceptable. Definitely comfy shoes.

It rained when we went. A lot. Stopped for the Queen though!

You can take photos these days.

We went early and were first in the queue for tea accidentally as we were sheltering from the rain!

We had a great time despite the rain, helped we especially love the concert band music played non-stop by the two forces bands.

longearedbat · 09/02/2020 19:27

How have some of you been more than once?
Work for the royal household, simple!

TheWordmeister · 09/02/2020 19:57

Our invitations were work things both times. Nothing to do with lieutenancy afaik.

Original poster
Cloglover · 10/02/2020 01:58

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm quite short so the dress will be much longer than on the gazelle like model in the picture so unless it's very cold I will most probably go tightless. But will deffo see if I can get some wedges and great tips about the strappy bag! X

OP posts:
Onedaylikethi5 · 10/02/2020 07:13

Buckingham Palace lawn is an absolute suntrap, I'd take a hat that will shield your eyes and protect your head if it's looking like a warm day. Speaking from sunburnt experience.

Nanny0gg · 10/02/2020 10:38

There was plenty of food and drink when we went - we had seconds! Yes tiny portions because they're supposed to be bite-sized.

It must depend on the reason for the garden party, but hats/headpieces were definitely worn by virtually every woman at the one I went to a couple of years back.

Fifthtimelucky · 10/02/2020 14:54

Dress is fine. No need for tights. I wore fit flops.

Most women do wear hats or fascinators.

I've been twice and the rules on photos seem to have been relaxed. The first time, I felt a bit guilty taking photos on my phone, but saw a few others doing it so decided I might as well. Second time (last year), everyone was doing it openly.

I'd agree that at there aren't enough chairs for everyone, but I thought there was plenty of food (and it was good).

ticking · 11/02/2020 14:28

@TheWordmeister Yes I'm afraid hats are in the dress code - you have to wear one! (Or at least they were when I went 20 years ago!)

ticking · 11/02/2020 14:30

@TheWordmeister I'm actually wondering if different events have different dress codes, I've been twice, once courtesy of the local Mayor, and once with my Dad and the invite stated "hats required" or somesuch both times.