Chelsea Flower Show

[RichTea90]

It’s my first time attending Chelsea flower show this year.

has anyone ever been before? Any ideas how to dress for it?

I was thinking a nice floral maxi or midi dress with trainers. I can’t seem to find any nice ones!

Lucky you!

Have to say the Chelsea Flower Show is one place where I would definitely not want to wear a floral print. Would be much too literal. I’d be looking for something that might be a nice foil to all the horticulture on display. If a dress, maybe something like this:

https://www.plumo.com/products/Cahill-Dress-%252d-Indigo.html

Depends on the weather!

If it's piddling down then trainers and anything under a waterproof!

If the sun comes out and it's warm trainers will be too hot. Personally i'd be in the comfiest sandals i own just in case. Secondly i'd be in something which, again, if the sun comes out i won't burn my shoulders in. So a cap sleeve cotton dress or something strappy with a thin shirt as a cover up.

I'd be tempted to go floral, as obvious as it is. It's fun :)

Comfortable! I went last year and the place was heaving and it was roasting. I wore a light chambray dress with trainers.

Dress for comfort and practicality. I've been over 20 times and many times it's been very hot, often it's rained. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. I wear linen trousers and a shirt and either very comfortable sandals or trainers, and a thin raincoat if it's raining. In hot weather good idea to wear a sunhat.

It also makes a difference if you're going because you love gardening or because it's part of the "season" and you're being hosted in one of the hospitality areas and you're going to be spending most of it swigging Pimm's. I'm the former but if you're the latter I'd dress up more.

Start from the feet up. you will be standing, walking and navigating crowds of sharp elbowed enthusiastic gardeners people. So comfortable closed toe shoes are essential. Trainers are the best solution as if it rains it can get very swampy. Carry a cross body bag, or a backpack across your front, which is a decent size and accessible for your phone, a pen and a notebook, I would also take ( or get hold of a free one at the entrance if they have any left) a bag to put brochures and leaflets in. Sometimes they give away fold up plastic macs if it is rainy, and these don’t look wonderful but are easier to use and more social than an umbrella.

If it is likely to be hot a bucket sun hat works well as you can fold it up if you don’t need it, don’t forget sun cream. Otherwise dress for comfort, unless you are going on press day no one will be judging your outfit.

Have a lovely time, I walked past the Hospital last week and the vans were all parked up in the park getting ready for the event. Save going down the commercial shopping bit for last, otherwise you will be carrying purchases around all day, they won’t run out of things for you to buy , trust me.

Go floral dress and smart trainers, like white leather. You have the rest of your life to wear anything else, embrace it in full glory with a beautiful print.

I’d wait until you know the forecast before you decide. It’s fine to wear a floral dress and trainers- very much a preferred option. There will be loads of people on florals. I don’t really do florals, but have worn a patterned dress. Take a jacket or waterproof depending on the weather. Comfy shoes are a must, and I always worry about my ties getting trodden on in sandals in crowds!

If you want another option, I’ve worn a bright linen trouser suit with trainers and a silk top before, which I felt nice in there.

I'd love to go. I'd go full on floral.

Palava Chelsea Flower Show
Palava Wild Flowers

I’ve been a few times :-) Anything goes clothes wise: there are lots of smart folk who drink champagne and lots of gardening folk who are squeezing round the displays. Agree with pp saying dress for what is comfortable and the weather: you’ll be on your feet a lot and if it does rain, there’s not loads of shelter. I’ve done dress and trainers mostly before and that felt about right to me (I want to feel a bit dressed up at Chelsea!). It is rammed so avoiding things like backpacks/keeping any bags small is my only tip. Have a great time: I personally prefer Hampton court as a gardener, but Chelsea is huge fun!

I go most years, every other lady is in a floral maxi dress and white trainers; you’ll be in great company!

Definitely start with your feet!

The show gets rammed and there's next to no seating except in the food concessions, so you'll be on your feet pretty much all day. Supportive trainers or active sandals, or some other shoes you find really, really comfy.

Check weather forecast - there's no respite from either sun or rain, so if either is forecast take a suitable hat (umbrellas are a right royal PITA in crowds that dense).

Clothes - anything goes. I'd usually wear whatever my favourite summer dress is at the time, with - depending on forecast - a thin but warm layer to go over it, plus some sort of jacket (at least showerproof). Smallish bag, but I'd also take in it a squished-down carrier for leaflets/shopping.

Also very useful to take a plastic carrier bag to sit on. As pp have said, seating is very limited and if you take your own lunch or want to sit down and all the few seats are full, you can generally squeeze onto a bit of grass or low wall and sitting on the bag will protect your clothes.

I go every year and comfortable, practical clothes is the priority. Allow for the likelihood of sitting on the ground for lunch or a break. Its crowded, chairs are at a premium.

Check the weather forecast before you go and be sure to take sunscreen either way, very little shelter if its sunny.

I love that dress because it’s floral but not too much. It’s also a lovely shape.

I’m happily sitting at my desk in my Palava cornflower field dress today. And my younger patients have appreciated the ginger cat wandering along the hem 🙂

The cornflower and ginger cat dress is a real beauty.

Thanks all - very helpful suggestions and advice!

it needs to take me from day to night as heading for dinner after. I will be checking the forecast closer to the time.

I love this - https://www.meandem.com/cheesecloth-gathered-sleeve-maxi-dress-white
its a shame they only have it in white but I think it would be awesome under a denim jacket, khaki jacket or some kind of waterproof.

Also lovely:.

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/farm-rio-long-sleeve-v-neck-printed-midi-dress

Standard outfit when I've had a stall has been;

Cropped white or beige linen trousers.
White or beige linen top. Possibly a linen white with red or blue stripes Breton at a pinch.
Red Pashmina.
Beige leather ballet pumps, no embellishments.
White or Beige Panama over either a pale blonde bob or pale blonde, low bun.
On the right arm, an expensive straw bucket bag.
On the left, an older gentleman wearing beige linen trousers, a white linen shirt and a beige Panama.

But you'll have to change your name.

It's always Bunnydarling or Buntydarling.

😂

You forgot the discreet but very nice jewellery. A tennis bracelet, some rings with rocks, a couple of not too thin gold chains, a fairly chunky but still feminine watch.

So true, especially the older men with Panamas, I rarely see them in my day to day life but at Chelsea they're practically compulsory!

I’m going to Chelsea this year with an old uni friend. She now lives in Queens and dresses a bit like Debbie Harry. I reckon she’ll turn a few Panama hats 😆

You mean the Vancleef & Arpels? 😅😂

All of the above plus remember to take antihistamines, even if you've never had hayfever before.

I think the most-worn item so far this year is white jeans - narrow and cropped (or narrow and tucked in to posh boots) seemed the best look today. The longer/wider/more flowing ones had soggy, grubby hems.

But weather forecast is getting drier!

Lots of floral dresses and skirts