Bloody hell. Queens garden party help!

[awesomekilick]

My DM has an invite to a queens garden party late May and wants me as her plus one.

What is expected? A frock?? I'm a jeans n sweater mid 50s woman, there is zero of the "S and B" about me. So I turn to you in panic for help.

I have fat calves and ankles. Good shoulders. 5 foot 7 and size 16 (14 on a good day). Hate heels of any description. I must feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible as I'll be inwardly stressed, dealing with my elderly DM and my inner revulsion towards this kind of "do". My DM has no one else to take really. Please help!

I have £££ for the right outfit!!

Omg I would love this!

Nice smart colour jumpsuit, should be warmer then so get some dressy flat sandals.

Yes, you need comfortable shoes!

Also abag with a strap, so you can have both hands free for eating/drinking.

Hats optional, but most women choose to wear them.

Safe choice wouid be a nice dress, probably with jacket, or a summery suit.

When did you last wear a dress, and are there any types you feel comfortable in? Which parts of you do you like best? Any bits you prefer to skim over?

Wide leg trousers or jumpsuit would be my go to. Comfortable flat or low heel shoes too!

When I went we had to wear what they called a 'day dress'
Think I did see some ladies in trouser suits though.

Whatever you do flat shoes or wedges are a must in case it's been raining and the ground is very soft and muddy.
Have a great time and don't look Prince Edward straight in the face and say 'he's very effeminate' like my mum did

I’ve been to one (I’m not stylish so will leave the specific suggestions to others). But yes almost all women wore dress, hat (or some other head gear) and heels. Quite wedding-y vibes.

You are on grass almost all the time so take that into account in shoe choice!

Just to say, I am super envious of you and your mum!

And if you can get to a department store / John Lewis for a personal styling session, that what I recommend.

I had a lovely session at the department store in Kingston and the stylist really listened to all my requests/ definite no’s, but also gently suggested items I hadn’t thought of as well. They should also do the shoes and accessories.

Have fun!

I think they send out a dress code or at least suggestions don't they?

Sounds like a fabulous day out.

HAT?? HAT? Dear Lord.

Having spotted a recommendation elsewhere in snb I trawled and found this on a shop I'd never heard of. It looks tolerable-ish to me. What do you think? But a HAT?

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/jumpsuits-and-playsuits/culotte-jumpsuits/jolie-moi/jolie-moi-bailee-wide-leg-jumpsuit-brown-animal

With this bag (you'll see I'm sticking with one shop!) my "handbag" is a small leather backpack usually, or just pockets.

www.silkfred.com/womens/bags-1/handbags/hello-handbag/olive-green-croc-print-handbag

Yes, it’s dressy and I’d go with a dress over trousers.

My own choice for you would be a dress suit with a dress-length jacket, flats, a frankly enormous hat for fun and a very good and big umbrella in case of rain.

And enjoy the ridiculousness of it!

There’s a lot of standing - would your mum benefit from a wheelchair?

I've been to one. Princess Anne was lovely. Wedding type vibes yes but honestly I don't think a hat is necessary at all. Comfortable shoes and a bag that keeps your hands free and be prepared for cold and or rain tbh.

Oh god dress code is indeed dress and hat for women.

I have been to several. Definitely wedding ish, but formal rather than party style. Lots of lovely bright colours. Many women wear a colourful dress (possibly floral) with coordinating jacket and hat. You will get a dress code. Some people will be in smart uniform or national dress (commonwealth). There’s a lot of standing around (comfy shoes!) and no real shelter, nowhere to put bags either. Last time I took a bigger handbag with room for one of those tiny water proof ponchos and cardigan for the journey home. If it’s hot you may be glad of a hat! I’ve been in a heatwave and torrential rain! Be prepared! Enjoy!

I’ve never been but I have seen many people coming out after the Garden parties, once outside the palace I was shocked at lots of women barefoot and carrying their shoes. I imagine it’s uncomfortable trying to walk on grass in heels.
They all looked lovely and were dressed as if for a wedding or Ascot races.

Most of the people are there as a thank you - lots of sensible, kind volunteers rather than celeb style so you everyone looks happy and proud rather than stylish and fashionable! Lots of guide leader types! Lots of battered old hats from the back of cupboards as well as new ones! It’s not an ascot style event so I think you will look perfect whatever you choose!

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/jolie-moi/jolie-moi-long-animal-print-jersey-maxi-dress-leopard-multi

Similar pattern to the jumpsuit you seen but a maxi dress

Have a great time and don't look Prince Edward straight in the face and say 'he's very effeminate' like my mum did

.

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/fever-london/lewes-collar-dress-colour-navy-and-cream

I also love this.

I went to one and it was v much a dress & hat occasion! Iirc you have to cover your shoulders as well, there were a couple of things in the dress code on that.

While lots of the women were in flowery 'summer garden party' type floaty dresses (as was I ) there were also a few with more striking/bright colour/sharp lines so in terms of style of dress then it's relatively flexible.

If you've got £££ to spend then go to Selfridges or John Lewis and try a personal shopper.

With shoes I got the little plastic tips you can get for heels to avoid sinking into the grass too much!

I’ve been, and wore a shift dress with jacket, small hat and wedge shoes as lots of grass to walk on. I saw lots of women wearing trouser suits and culturally appropriate outfits. The food was fabulous!!

Love those Silkfred dresses! Specially the leopard print.

I went a few years ago. Not really a hat person either so I went for a fascinator. Actually spent a lot of the afternoon hat watching - there were some great ones there, and it is fun to have an excuse to wear something you wouldn't ordinarily. We have a hat hire place near us, so it doesn't have to break the bank. Wish I'd had more fun with a hat.

When you have got over the panic of what to wear, you will find it handy to know that the Queen comes in via the steps from the house, so lurk near the steps for a good view. She then walks along a roped off walkway, but it's hard to get close to that unless you head straight there as soon as you get in the garden. She doesn't leave up the steps however, so if you want to see her on the way out, go off to the left of the building - she slips off down the side.

She doesn't wander around during the garden party, she heads off to the royal enclosure after a brief meet n greet session, so if you want to get a good look at her, choose where to stand at the start or end.

Enjoy

I do like this:

gb.maxmara.com/p-9221262106003-samovar-navy

It leans to the casual so could take dressing up - hat, leather belt, etc, for the day, and then be of use for ever afterwards. I’d say MaxMara was a good bet for someone not usually dressy - so worth looking at the rest of their frocks.

When i went, as few years ago, everyone wore the sort of outfit that made them look the best they could for themselves. There were female athletes in trouser suits, Africans in colourful robes, some very magnificently dressed bishops. I wore a fifties style silk tea dress and a plainish designer hat, both acquired on Ebay for not very much money. You do need shoes that are comfortable to walk and stand in on grass. We had to walk quite a long way from the parking area an although there are chairs to sit on when the royals come out you sort of line up to wait to see if they are going to stop and talk to you. There is a wonderful jolly atmosphere, everyone is very friendly and chatty and the cakes and savouries are wonderful. A group of us were invited through work, which is a charity, and we were treated to lunch out in Knightsbridge beforehand. We came across Nigel Havers in the restaurant, he signed our invites and was as lovely in real life as he comes across on the screen.

Dress below the knees, modest top half, comfortable shoes without a thin heel (grass), jacket and umbrella (this is England) and double check but I think a hat. My friend has been twice and bought per una dresses from M&S