Outfit for country barbecue

[KatharineHilbery]

We are about to move from London to the country and a family we don’t know have very kindly invited us to a barbecue just after we arrive.
I have absolutely no idea what to wear. I want to fit in but without looking try-hard or parodic If that makes sense. Worst case scenario is looking like Lynda Snell circa 1988.

Well I live in the country and BBQ a lot and absolutely anything goes. Just had one tonight and it is now cold.

So I would say jeans, jumper, warm coat. Everybody here wears "country boots" toggi type.

I suppose it depends on where exactly you are going. Is it like a garden BBQ or more like here a farm BBQ where it is really chilly. DH was baling today so he just came late and had his work clothes on. he would normally change though.

Either way take a coat.

It’s a garden barbecue at lunchtime.
That’s really helpful - I was thinking floaty midi dress and nice sandals, but that does sound like total overkill. Toggi boots? - will google.

Yes I think I'm right in saying dubarry were the original country boots and toggi etc then brought out versions. Dubarry remain popular but very expensive. People all seem to wear them here anyway.

Garden BBQ may be fine for a dress, such a mix really here. Maybe see what the weather is going to do as well. We will BBQ in the rain so maybe not the best idea for a dress.

Ask the host, I wouldn't think twice and would happily say oh everyone will wear X or y for this.

I'm sure nobody will mind at all what you wear and will just be wanting to welcome you but I know that worry.

One of the first country shows I went to everyone told me jeans and top fine, which it was. They didn't tell me lots of people then popped home and got changed and evening was quite dressy for a shed type affair! So I was out on that one but at least I was warm...

Thank you - of course you’re right. I’m terrified of turning up in a townie’s idea of what people in the country wear. I might hold back on the boots - which do look fab! - until I’ve got the lifestyle to go with them (hopefully not too long).

I think it depends what type of countryside you’re moving to. If it’s very rural farming community for example, the advice above is fine. If it’s a country town or well to do village, I would stick to closer to what you’d wear in London. I’m in a market town still close to London, probably considered “country” by most Londoners, and I don’t notice any difference between how people dress here or in London. I have family in villages all over the east mids, and they are a bit more casual but not much. If it was an impromptu bbq, I’d expect fairly casual. However what you’ve described if an event planned in advance, so I’d imagine people will be making a bit more effort. I think floaty dress sounds fine.

I always wear weather appropriate clothes for any outdoor activity. I hate being cold and/or wet.

At the moment a dress and sandals would be far too chilly.

It’s in a small village quite a long way from London (definitely no commuters) but probably not primarily a farming community.
Floaty dress, blazer, ankle boots?

Is it floaty dress weather?

Layering will be my friend.