Lounge Wear - ladies may wear hats?

[JammyDodgersandPeas]

I'd love some advice on this dress code please!

I'm accompanying DH to an awards ceremony, he's getting a big award for his voluntary work. It's at a beautiful church in Central London and then a drinks reception, in March so goodness knows what the weather will be doing. To complicate matters further we'll be on the bus/tube so need to think about footwear.

Any advice on what "lounge Wear, ladies may wear hats" means gratefully appreciated!

If I said I thought this was going to be about an invite to a pyjama party and you were looking for a wee Willie winkie style hat, you would understand that I have no idea what that dress code means at all

Does it not say lounge suits, ie a normal suit for a man, and ladies may wear hats = bit mother of the bride-ish dress or dress and coat?

I assume it means lounge suits not lounge wear, which would be weird

Cashmere PJs and a wee willie winkie knitted hat! #noidea!

Or you could rock up in a panda onesie with a straw hat atop?

As the PP, it means Lounge Suits and that women may wear hats (think K-Midd / MOB style).

Lounge suits and hats sounds sooooo dull compared to Lounge wear and hats #disappointed 😂

Look at any picture of a royal couple where the chap is wearing a standard two piece suit and tie (as opposed to a more formal morning suit/dinner jacket). The woman will almost certainly be wearing something appropriate for your needs (if not your style, shape, age and budget).

A bit Royal Family going to church at Christmas.

This is what happens when the work experience person does the invitations and no one proof reads. My house is cold so I wear a tasteful sparkly woolly hat with my many layers of “loungewear”, it would be suitable for an awards ceremony on a chilly March day. It was from Aldi.

@LellyMcKelly what she said. Channel posh wedding attire. Go to Hobbs and get a nice dress and possibly a jacket-ty thing or cardie. Nice big thick pashmina/shawl will be good too. You don't have to wear a hat. There'll be a coat check so wear comfy shoes on the tube and change into petty ones round the corner. Sounds fun!

Lounge suits for men is a suit with or without a tie. Similar to business attire but less formal.

I think it means cocktail dress with long sleeves

I think it's because it's in a church.
Traditionally women are supposed to cover their heads when in church and men are supposed to take off their hat.
Nowadays women are allowed to keep their head uncovered but men are still expected to take off their hats indoors. I think it was clarity that women are ok to wear hats to the event/indoors

Haha, it does say Lounge Suit not Lounge Wear! Sorry, totally sleep deprived! I could absolutely rock the pj's and bobble hat look though 😂

Thanks v much for the suggestions. Am early 30s and fairly petite, so will aim for Doc rather than MOB I think.

I've got a really nice skirt I'd love to wear, will have to look for some photos of her Royal Kateness for inspiration.

Thanks again