what should I wear to afternoon tea at the ritz?

[MeanMrsMustard]

Going for work Christmas outing at the Ritz in two weeks. There is quite a group of us - big mix in ages and styles.
I really have no idea what to wear. The website says no jeans, but i'm guessing it doesnt have to be too formal. I have an ability to make most things look scruffy, so most of my clothes either give in to this fact, or try and go against it but are quite eveningy.

What do you think is the ideal outfit?

I have these trousers black velvet (never worn before) and numerous smart shoes. Would they be ok? what type of top? aghhh!

Thank you!

go for a nice dress, i went in trousers and felt underdressed

This is very flattering and if you use promo code apology20 it costs £76

Agree with uptheamp. I saw a women turned away for dressing too casually. I would opt for a nice dress.

I went to afternoon tea at the ritz with a group of girls, young and old, we had a mixture of dresses, trousers, blazers of sequin vests, I wore black trousers with a lovely halterneck top and dressed it up with nice jewellery. we were going site seeing after so wanted a bit of comfort as well. I think you would have to be really casual to get turned away. The staff know that most people are going there for a treat and they were really lovely to us and very welcoming. Have a lovely time.

Just wanted to say how wonderful! Hope you have a lovely time. Am

Thank you Ruffello, I am looking forward to it!

Thanks for the tips everyone. So I guess it unlikely i'll look too smart going by what uptheamp and hdoodle say! I have a plainish but smart black dress and a sequin top that I will try on later. (Am sick at the moment - feeling very unritz like.) The good thing about it being a christmas outing is that you can get away with extra glam during the day!

That dress is lovely, Hyva, and would probably sout me, but Ive spent too much on clothes recently!

I have a very smart long coat from lk bennet that hopefully will get me through the door!

Hyva, I wish I'd seen your post on Tuesday - have been looking at that dress and have now missed the promo

I went and wore heeled knee boots, opaques and a jersey dress and scarf. I also wore a smart wool coat. Enjoy.

The Ritz is the only afternoon tea left in London for which men have to wear a jacket, shirt & tie so definitely a dress or very smart skirt/blouse combo. Have a great time, I seem to remember taking a lot of photos of the super posh loos (sad).

Agree - a comfortable, non-Per Una-ish dress or a skirt. Or smart trousers would work if you dressed them up with a blazer, scarf, some nice jewellery and very good shoes.

Am jealous - enjoy those teeny tiny sandwiches and remember to steal some 'Ritz Loo Paper' as a little memento.

I watched the Claridges programme last night. They showed the afternoon tea & most people seemed to have made an effort to dress up a bit. A nice dress would be perfect. What a lovely treat.