Royal Garden Party

[Katrinawaves]

I’ve been invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and am looking for a wow outfit for the day. I am told the dress code is posh wedding with hat or fascinator a requirement

Please hit me with some ideas.

I am:

mid fifties
5’7”
size 10, 32E bust, slightly rounded belly
redhead

Budget is flexible but 3 figures all in not 4 please!

posh wedding outfit, fascinator or hat if you like (I know people hate fascinators). Jacket or pashmina in case weather is rubbish, non spike shoes as you’ll sink into the lawn otherwise.

This outfit is lovely https://www.hobbs.com/product/olivia-dress/0124-5285-9845L00-SAGE-GREEN.html#cgid=occasion-clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0124-5285-9845L00-SAGE-GREEN&pos=43

Or this

https://www.hobbs.com/product/carly-floral-midi-dress/0124-5675-9022L00-PALE-BLUE-MULTI.html#cgid=occasion-clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0124-5675-9022L00-PALE-BLUE-MULTI&pos=59

Those are both lovely @Bigearringsbigsmile but very understated. Without the hat I could wear either of them to work! I was hoping for something a bit more special as I understand that it’s unusual to be invited to this kind of thing more than once so would like to really make the most of the experience!

https://www.meandem.com/lantana-flower-print-drawstring-maxi-dress-green-pink-multi

Have a look at The Vampires Wife.

Or, slightly more affordable, Needle and Thread.

Enjoy.

I’d recommend wearing wedges as you will be on grass mainly. Have a great time!

I wore a hired drop waisted blue and white polka dot maternity dress as I was 8 months pg. Wore low wedges and bought a hat from Phase8. All the women were in hats, apart from the ones in National Dress, like saris etc.

When we went, there was a huge assortment of styles from really really expensive, to what looked liked charity shop purchases. I spent a few hundred pounds on my outfit, and wished I hadn't as I never wore it again.

I've just looked back at the photos from when I went and it is very much bold print and or colour, mostly knee length dresses, with jacket and hat. Aside from the many people in uniform, religious attire, or national dress. I don't think you'll go too far wrong in thinking along the 'mother of the bride' kind of line.

It's a fantastic day out, have a lovely time!

Bombshell? I know MNers aren't a fan but I think they are great. I've never owned one but I've got a few friends who have bought one for a MOB/MOG outfit and looked amazing

Watching this with interest as I may be M of the bride before long and I don't want to wear anything too fitted or traditional. Size 10 and also redheaded....

I got a lovely Hope and Ivy dress off vinted with a hat from a local hat shop and a white jacket when I went last year.

It is on grass so wear flats or wedges, there is a lot of standing around. You may also wish to climb on chairs to watch the zoo animals royal family walk in and out.

Food wise, sandwiches and lots of little cakes. No booze, thimbles of tea or lemon squash.

There is no cover if it rains so umbrellas are vital.

https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/race-day-dresses/products/ruffle-cuff-dress-made-with-liberty-soozy-lipsey-silk

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/diane-von-furstenberg-belted-printed-minidress-green-p00798747?pub_name=3852549&pub_type=3852549&chn=aff1&src=cj&cmp=aff_cj_uk&tarea=gb&ptyp=text&pub_id=3852549&CJAID=13462734&CJPID=3852549&CJSID=1438793511&CJEID=c2454070e88411ee811debf60a18b8f8&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate.cj.uk&cjevent=c2454070e88411ee811debf60a18b8f8&AID=13462734&PID=3852549&SID=1438793511

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/diane-von-furstenberg-printed-tie-waist-midi-dress-blue-p00765362?pub_name=3852549&pub_type=3852549&chn=aff1&src=cj&cmp=aff_cj_uk&tarea=gb&ptyp=text&pub_id=3852549&CJAID=13462734&CJPID=3852549&CJSID=1438793890&CJEID=d9ca66e8e88411ee80ef7ec10a18b8f9&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate.cj.uk&cjevent=d9ca66e8e88411ee80ef7ec10a18b8f9&AID=13462734&PID=3852549&SID=1438793890&slink=1

I'd wear something like this
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-petite-bronwyn-midi-floral-silk-dress-green-multi/p111728685

or a little less spendy, this
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su208149/k99756#k99756

Hobbs dress I linked to is also available in standard, non petite sizing.

Also - and last post on matter - have you thought about renting? If it's not the sort of thing you're going to wear again? Somewhere like Girl Meets Dress would hire you something for less than £100.

How about something like this?

I second this, I was so glad I wore them.

The other thing I wish I had be told is the area where the RF walk is roped off with a semi circle of roping in front of the royal tea tent. Those in the know grab a chair and sit on the semi circle and get a good view of all the RF as they walk the last bit.

I like that one a lot. What kind of hat would you put with it though?

Yes I’d be open to renting too but that still takes me back to what would be a good designer or look to go for.

The Hobbs suggestions aren’t really doing it for me unfortunately. The Me and Em dress was lovely but like the Phase 8 one is it the right style to wear with a hat? And if so what would that hat look like?

I'm off to look at Bombshell and Hope and Ivy website now as I don’t know either of those brands. I might be a bit mature for Vampires Wife!

Im no good at hats but how about something like this here?

The idea about wedges above is a good one!

I hired a hat from here. She couriers the hat to you if you don’t live near Newmarket. I wore a Bombshell type navy dress, this hat, electric pink suede shoes with chunky heels and bag.

https://thehatclub.co.uk/

I love that hat!

What do people think of one of the two cornflower blue dresses on this link? Are either suitable? Maybe with the hat linked above?

https://thefoldlondon.com/occasionwear/dresses/