Can you help me find a dress for the Buckingham Palace Garden Party?

[Paintingtheroseswhite]

Yes I know, get me. It was totally out of the blue and I'm still a bit shocked.

Anyway, dressy dresses aren't something I'd normally wear and I don't want to end up looking like a mother of the bride in something I can't get wear out of afterwards.

It's in May so could be any weather.

I'm 44, 5'2 and generally a size 12 but have 34FF boobs and a bit of a tummy but decent legs. Bit of an hourglass figure-wise.

I had my colors done a bit ago and came out well in strong colours in the reds, oranges, yellows, browns (and bizarrely lime green). Can't do pastels at all.

My budget realistically is probably about £100?

Any help greatly appreciated

Sorrel, did you see the Queen?

Only from very far away. She was a little spec of duck egg blue . TBH, I'm from Windsor and also ex-forces so have met HM (and others) a few times so I wasn't too bothered. I only went for the sandwiches (which are superb).

Golden rule of garden parties is no stilettos.

I think the orange dress is lovely and it won't look silly if it's warm or cold weather. Congratulations on your invitation by the way!

Thanks Sorrel - dd wants to meet the Queen. Haven't got an invite in any case, but just wondering what the chances would be! She's only 4!

I think you have to be invited to meet her and from what I could see it was diplomats, VIP etc. all of whom were in the royal tent. There are no under 18s at the garden parties anyway AFAIK.

Definitely wedge shoes - I went a few years ago in July and it was the first day when there had been no rain at all - ground was very soft (those earlier in the week I felt sorry for as the rain was unforgiving).

I wore a teal blue fit/flare style dress from Monsoon that I had bought for a friends wedding in the may.

The tea and sandwiches was all on lawned area in garden .

Sorry I would not do a facinator they can look a bit naff . I'd go for a Hatinator at the very least.

Hats are very fashionable again - if you're on Instagram look at the Cotswold Hat Club Instagram for inspiration . They rent them out but yes they are expensive .

You can easily buy hats on eBay .

Also you can look online and see photos from previous garden parties to see what people wore .

It's not hard to find a none mother of the bride hat , hats are becoming very very popular again.

www.thecotswoldhatclub.co.uk/

Check out here for inspiration

• non

Sorry slightly hungover 🤣 .

The tulip dress previously suggested is gorgeous. I would find something you can wear with a light jacket, as you never know what the weather will do. Wedges are a good idea!

I went a couple of years ago and it seemed some people hadn't even looked at the dress code which comes with the invite. It specified "day dresses" so sleeveless is fine, strapless is not but some women still wore them. One woman was wearing leggings and a scruffy jacket, I was a bit surprised she got in, to be honest.

Just wear a pretty dress with a jacket and you'll be fine.

Oh and don't expect much food. Sandwiches were tiny - we ate afterwards as we were starving.

The dress posted by Loved is good.

Leggings, goodness me Starbucks.

Mind you, it is quite an expensive trip. I live about as far away as it is possible to be from London without being invited to the Holyrood Garden Party.

The rail travel and hotel (realistically this is the option because of the timings involved) will be pretty expensive. I can imagine for some people it is just too much of a stretch, buying an outfit on the top of that might be a step too far.

That said, leggings, good grief.

At least there was food, at investitures there is no food or drink. Nothing at all.