Chelsea Flower Show in September. What should I wear?

[Labradabradorable]

DH and I are ( hopefully!) off to Chelsea this Autumn for a belated anniversary celebration. Then for dinner at Ottolenghi. I’d love to buy a special outfit for the occasion but am at a bit of a loss. I would rather avoid the explosion in a florist look, but would like something lovely. I’m 43 and size 12. I think I look good in richer colours. Budget up to £300 for an outfit. If it rains, I’ll wear a red Hobbs trench over said outfit.

Any ideas would be very welcomed. 🙂

What about this blue maxi dress

Whatever you do, wear or take with you very, very comfy shoes. It's a lot of walking on sometimes uneven ground!

I like that dress

I was just going to say comfy footwear as lots of standing and walking around and potentially sinking into the grass

I go to Chelsea most years (or at least I used to). It broadly divides into people who look like they just came in from gardening and people who treat it as a fancy day out! I may be slightly the wrong person to comment as I fall into the former category and usually wear jeans and hiking boots.

The most important thing is shoes. There is a gigantic amount of walking and a lot of it is over uneven ground. Next there is virtually no cover in the outdoor area and the pavilion and flower arranging tent get jam packed the minute there is a drop of rain so check the forecasts and take an umbrella in case you can’t get in during a downpour.

In terms of clothes, I’d dress for the weather as you’ll be outside for much of the day. I’d avoid a maxi due to potential for a wet hem to be dragging round your ankles. Given that it is in September this year, maybe a trouser suit in a bright colour with brogues or loafers?

Oh and I should say that it is either massively dusty or muddy (depending on weather) so I would avoid white trainers.

Thank you. I liked the idea of a trouser suit but can’t find a thing. Clearly they aren’t as fashionable as when I bought my last one in 2006.

Thanks for the walking tip. I’ll look for some lightweight brogues as they feel smart but also comfy. Clark’s used to do nice ones.

It can get very stuffy in the marquees, so take light layers that can be removed when you’re inside and then added if there’s a downpour. Nothing too chunky as you might end up carrying coats/cardigans around with you all day if it’s warm, so things you can stuff in a backpack work well.

Style-wise, I do personally like to dress up in the floral explosion style , because I’m a professional gardener and wear practical khaki and steel toe capped boots most days, and it makes a nice change. But if that’s not your thing it’s fine - there is a lot of variety in what people wear. Some dress up, some don’t. A lot go for bright colours, which is lovely.

Are you staying the night in London in a hotel? It’s quite a long day if you’re going out for drinks/dinner straight after the flower show. I recommend a glass of Pimms early on.

Just resurrecting this one as I spotted a lovely trouser suit in Hobbs. Comes in fuschia or a dark jade. Not ideal with the red trench, but lovely suits.

Yes, hoping to find a hotel nearby. Will head back there for a shower and drinks before heading out to dinner.

I love the idea of a fuchsia trouser suit! Would do for work too. Will look that one up right now.

If you can change after the flower show I would as you’ll probably want to wear something clean after traipsing round the gardens all day.

Something like this that you could dress up for evening and wear with trainers during the day.

www.johnlewis.com/mango-sleeveless-bow-jumpsuit-green/p5541825

I'm also attending the flower show in September. No help to you though as I'm on here looking for inspiration on what to wear as well!

I like that green jump suit but it's out of stock on line and I wouldn't know what to wear jacket wise or what colour shoes.

I'll happily post any finds whilst I continue searching as we are the same size wise as well.

I'm quite liking this top to go under a military blazer with trousers (not sure what kind?) and vans (again, not sure what colour if the blazer and trousers were black.

www.next.co.uk/style/st871079/M40834#M40834

I'm still looking at jumpsuits though purely for comfort.