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Help...what to wear to Chelsea Flower show tomorrow

15 replies

bzzbeebzz · 23/05/2018 13:14

It's going to be a bit drizzly and mild but not hot (~20C).

I am crap at putting outfits together for anything except work (formal/office).

I'm not sure what the Chelsea dress code is but I guess it's smart-casual -ish.

I think I have lots of clothes but no good at creating outfits... :0...really need some help.

OP posts:
brogueish · 23/05/2018 13:38

Whatever you'll feel comfortable in. I've never noticed a dress code at all - it's a complete mix. Perhaps the first day is smarter?

Djangor · 23/05/2018 14:13

If you are guest of corporate entertaining (or part of host team for the same) then smart casual - because of crowds it tends to be hotter than forecast. If not corporate then Thurs is just general public day & very casual - lots of tourists and people in what I think of as dog walking clothes. Wear comfortable shoes - not many places to sit. The marguee is the best bit (in my view), cool on hot days, dry in the wet &, except when the BBC are filming there, not as popular as the show gardens so not so crowded, plus the displays are stunning.

fleuriepeninsula · 23/05/2018 14:21

I was there yesterday for corporate entertainment and lunch attendees were generally between smart casual and dressy. Lots wore flat shoes and summery smart dresses. The tent was very hot so dress accordingly.

Anything goes for general admission but generally people were erring on the smart side of casual. Definitely bring a hat and wear flat shoes, I saw sandals, sneakers, pumps etc. Lots of chinos on both men and women.

viques · 23/05/2018 20:24

no dress code I've ever noticed, though my dd went to the Raymond Blanc pop up last year and said it was very smart!. I would start with your shoes, lots of walking, uneven surfaces, gets very wet underfoot in the wet, very crowded so no heels, no open toes. Trainers are your friend.
clothes: floaty, floral and long looks lovely on the preview days but I practice on the public days doesn't work as when you want to bend over to see something you will get dusty or muddy. I usually wear smartish trousers, say linen or chinos with a loose top. take a cardi if it gets chilly . I also have a fold up Mac, (tres elegant not,) that I got at a previous chelsea as a freebie. Don't take an umbrella, though some eye pokers will, the bastards. Proper gardeners don't mind getting a bit damp.

If you have one take a smallish over shoulder bag with a couple of fold ups to put purchases in ,talking of which avoid the tempting stalls on the way in, head straight for the plants, go to the stalls on the way home, otherwise you are carrying stuff all day.

the band area is good for sitting to eat, there are never enough seats in the food areas. Toilets are well organised, you might have to queue for a few minutes but generally well organised by bossy supervisors.

Have a great day, if it is your first time at chelsea you will be amazed. Even after many years I find it hard to believe the show gardens have not been there for years.

Rathkelter · 23/05/2018 20:35

I saw people there yesterday wearing nice midi, flowy dresses with crisp white trainers. I wish I'd rocked that look instead of heels which I felt frumpy in.
It's a complete mix of everything from the über smart wearing ridiculous heels and linen blazers, to folk in baggy floral tshirts, visors and hiking boots, and everything in between.
I think you should wear comfy shoes for sure.

Levithecat · 23/05/2018 20:53

On members’ days it’s dressy, from tomorrow anything goes. I would prioritise comfort, and something you’d be happy to sit on the floor in. There are usually freebie ponchos if it’s raining.

bzzbeebzz · 23/05/2018 21:34

This is so so helpful - thank you everyone!

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CantChoose · 23/05/2018 21:58

I went today and it’s vry varied, you can wear whatever you want really. There weren’t many people in jeans, mostly dresses for women - though the weather was predicted to be much hotter than it was.

Hope you enjoy it, I wasn’t sure I’d like it but it was fabulous.

bzzbeebzz · 25/05/2018 23:39

Back to say that you were right, people were literally wearing everything and anything and to be honest it wasn’t stylish at all. Comfortable shoes are a must-have and few people in heels looked very out of place.
Pretty sure I’d never go again though, the crowds were way, way too much for me, very hard to see the gardens, lots of extremely slow shuffling about and people bashing into each other. And just massive queues for absolutely everything. Loads of shops/stalls, like a big garden centre in parts. I guess I’d prefer to stroll around a quiet leafy garden (my own!). However the show gardens were amazing, but as you don’t actually walk through them it still feels a bit abstract. Glad we went though as I’ve wanted to go for ages as I do love gardening, but it’s not what I expected.

OP posts:
CantChoose · 26/05/2018 08:25

I'm sorry the crowds spoilt it for you! It wasn't too bad when I went on Wednesday but I think Thursday and Friday are the busiest days. If I go again I might buy an evening ticket, it was much less busy then and I think I could happily skip the shopping bits and just do the show gardens and the middle tent bit...

bzzbeebzz · 26/05/2018 08:40

Yes evening sounds ideal as it surely must quite down by then :)

OP posts:
bzzbeebzz · 26/05/2018 08:40

*quieten

OP posts:
specialsubject · 26/05/2018 09:17

going by the presenters, huge frumpy floral prints. at least you will blend in!

stringbean · 26/05/2018 10:29

OP, given your view of Chelsea (& completely off-thread) I'd really recommend the Hampton Court Flower Show. Loads of space to wander around and look at everything, plenty of space to sit, you can see all the gardens much better (although you still can't walk through them), queues much shorter, huge area of plants for sale - unlike Chelsea. I've done both but go back to HC each year as it's a much nicer experience imo.

brogueish · 26/05/2018 20:02

@bzzbeebzz Yes I know what you mean about the crowds - I went one evening last time and tbh it was still v busy. When you watch it on TV it all looks way more serene!

Thanks @stringbean for the Hampton Court recommendation, that does sound much calmer.

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