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!

Oops m.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-fabric-headpiece-wedding-special-occasion-casual-hats-1-piece_p5027490.html

@bringonsummer2022

The food is SO Nice and really fancy. I remember helping the chef put jam on the scones then cream. Then a manager came round and said it was wrong, so we had to very carefully precisely slice off the thin layer of jam not leaving a trace to be seen under the new layer of cream, which, at Buckingham Palace anyway, must go on first. Have a bag you can sling over your shoulder easily so your hands are free to eat 😂

So the Palace is cream first, then jam?

Is this going to be the last word in the MN scone wars – or a fresh new battlefront?

Find a good quality outfit hire place and hire your whole outfit except shoes. Bear in mind to not wear anything that will sink into the lawn - keep heels wide and solid, or go for wedge heels. No bare toes, legs (wear tights), shoulders or upper arms. A fascinator is acceptable headwear for ladies.
Be warned, there will be a massive queue to get in to Buck House so keep everything smart but comfortable and make sure your handbag is big enough to accommodate your ID and your invitation without crushing it. Any photos should be taken discreetly (or not at all).
And there's definitely no smoking anywhere within the grounds of the palace. Staff will have you out if you spark up.
There will be information sent to you nearer the time about what to expect and what is expected.
Have a tour of the gardens, which are beautiful and if you have your phone, do take a few pics there but be aware of security issues arising (only take pics of yourselves and the plants, not the cameras or boundaries).
Remember to relax and enjoy yourselves. It's a fantastic experience to be enjoyed

@HeyDiddleDee

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!

Yes I was going to say I'd dress as if it was a wedding. But with flat shoes!

I'd go for wedges to add a bit of hight and be able to walk on the grass.

The thought of a hat would terrify me though.

@awesomekilick

Oops m.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-fabric-headpiece-wedding-special-occasion-casual-hats-1-piece_p5027490.html

Nice hat! So glad you're embracing the occasion

I was going to recommend Light in the Box for a hat but I see you're already there.

(I have this one - really easy to wear, loads of colours.
m.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-feather-polyester-headpiece-wedding-special-occasion-casual-fascinators-1-piece_p5508390.html?prm=1-2.3.5.11#header_anchor)

I got tights from snag for a recent wedding - My legs are def chubby at size 18/20 but what was great was they were soft and comfy and no cutting off circulation and plenty of bum room.

I understand there are roolz they do actually send you and generally its Day Dress rather than pants.

Am waiting for my invite due soon :-) Would be good to get ANOTHER occasion out of my new frock and sensible shoes lol

Oh and the Snag tights also cater for height as well as width. My shoes came from pavers and were really quite comfy given I don't do heels either. The other possibility is a light ankle boot which may be more comfy,

Dress wise I found a small boutique in our town that caters for the Mother of the bride type of clothes and I have a floral with navy background dress and matching small jacket with same as dress fabric trim etc. I spent around 150 on the outfit plus around 40 on the fascinator then 50 on shoes so whilst not cheap not extortionate either. I am not one for fancy names and v much trousers and top at home with flats

I'd see if they do that hat in a vivid pink, picking out the pink on the dress. (You can buy a DVD of the day, with lots of sweeping shots of the garden. It's much easier to enjoy watching the video and spotting where you were if you have a bright coloured hat!)

Great stuff! Dress tick. Tights and a pink hat ... tick. Wellies tick

There always used to be a side gate that avoided the worst of the queue to get in - a while since I've been to one but it would be worth finding out if that was still the case.

Yes I've been too - definitely a hat and best gear . Some gorgeous outfits when I went . Best bit is nosing round the garden - wonderful! Nice sarnies too :))

@YellowLemonz

https://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

That dress is gorgeous. With accessories you could look a million dollars

shoes that work well with a dress are wedges, in theory small heals spike through the grass.

@awesomekilick - I think that Hobbs dress from John Lewis is great - really nice - I would wear it with ballet pumps or low wedges & it looks like you could untie the neck bow thing to make it look a bit different for other wearings - which I think it could do.

How thrilling. I'm so envious.

Enjoy!

Don’t wear a hat

I think we wore trousers and a hat is certainly not needed. Have fun. The Queen Victoria sponge is still mentioned with an air of reverence in the household.

Another tip is to go in through one of the garden gates to avoid queues and you can leave through the front.

It was about 10 years ago when I went and everyone wore a hat - perhaps it's changed a bit based on previous posters advice . Hope you have a great time whatever you decide!

Baffled by those suggesting a jumpsuit. I wouldn’t think that was suitable at all. I went, many years ago, and there was a dress code.

No one actually cares what you are wearing. I bought a hat in a charity shop when I went! Much harder for the men - DH and DS had to hire morning dress and top hats. Buy a dress you will wear again. It sounds as if a maxi with a jacket might suit and don’t wear heels if you are not used to them as you will want to walk round the gardens. Unless you have been pre-selected you won’t meet the Royals and we didn’t even bother to line up to see them. We saw them from a distance. We did see some celebrities though as we were walking around. Just relax and enjoy it. We were fortunate in being able to take our two DC as they fell between the ages of 18-21 and we just regarded it as family day out, like being at a wedding all together.

@Snowiscold

Baffled by those suggesting a jumpsuit. I wouldn’t think that was suitable at all. I went, many years ago, and there was a dress code.

No idea there was a dress code tbh! Assumed as smart as you can be 😂

Aw @awesomekilick, I can see this is all very stressful for you so maybe you should stay at home and I'll take your mum for you. I'm very good with other people's mothers. And I'll bring you back some cake. What do you think?

Dress not jumpsuit. Very comfortable shoes. There's a lot of queuing to get in. Try to join a queue to go through the front entrance, quicker to get in via the rear entrance but entering through the front gates is very special. Enjoy it, it's a lovely day.

Wear comfy shoes (lots of walking and standing) and a hat.

They aren’t that fussy. I went in classy goth gear.