Royal Garden Party help!

[iamme21]

I’m lucky enough to have been invited to a RGP!
My problem is I don’t do dressesd up. So obviously I need a dress, hat etc, it needs to look smart/dressy enough but I also need to feel comfortable and also travel 2 hours on the train in it.
I’m late 40’s, and size 16.Any ideas?
I’ve had a look online but only really at the usual high street places.
I’ve seen a boden dress I quite like, in my sort of colours...

This is the boden dress

That dress is lovely, OP. Do you have a John Lewis anywhere near? You could use their personal shopper service. Debenhams do one as well I think. You don't have to buy but they will be able to point you in the right direction,

I have both JL and Debenhams quite local, I hadn’t thought of trying a personal shopper, thanks

That dress is lovely.
Hats are not mandatory- about half the women at the one I went to bare-headed, but as it was a very hot and sunny day they were seeking the shade of the trees.
My tip is to get the most comfortable shoes you can get. The first-aid tent was doing a roaring trade in dressing blisters and there were many beautifully dressed women walking barefoot, carrying their shoes, with their feet covered in sticking plaster and gauze! And go for block or wedge heels, if not flatties, so you won’t sink into the lawns.

That’s great advice-thank you! I actually have a pair of wedges that would go with that dress.
I was just a bit worried that the dress wouldn’t be smart enough but I’m feeling a bit better about that now.

How tall are you? I think Boden is a good bet - lovely colours etc and I like the dress you mentioned. This one is also lovely - www.johnlewis.com/boden-erica-rainbow-midi-dress-multi/p4891379 - don't know how you feel about long sleeves?

There's a yoga wear online store that I love, and they have all of their clothes photographed on a skinnymalink AND a curvy model so that you can actually see what the clothes look like on a size 16, which should be mandatory for all websites, I think!

I’m 5’5”.
I like that dress, not sure about long sleeves in case it’s a warm day (it’s in May) - sleeves, warm weather and meno flushes is a bit off putting!

I've been to a RGP and would say that dress is smart enough. It's lovely btw.

Thanks so much for that, I have ordered it!