Buckingham Palace garden party, plus-size apple shape. Help!

[goingtostealatoiletroll]

I'm in the very lucky position to be invited to one of the King's garden parties in the summer and I'm already panicking about what to wear.

I am a UK size 22-24, with an apple shaped body thanks to a hormone condition. I have a B-belly with a distinct upper bit and lower bit, and not much of a waist. Big boobs, much smaller legs by proportion.

I don't often have cause to dress up and have no idea where to even start looking. Most of my clothes come from ASOS, Primark and supermarkets...

I will also need to wear flats and have extra, extra wide feet, so could do with some tips on the kind of shoes that would be appropriate to wear. And where the hell do people buy fascinators/ hats??

Thanks!

@BlackBeltInOrigami is it a choice of queuing for food or trying to get close to Royalty?

My friend went to a garden party at Buckingham Palace last year. She got so fed up with ordering dresses and returning that that she ended up booking a free session with a personal shopper at the nearest John Lewis. Before the appointment the personal shopper rang and asked about the event, preferred colours/styles etc and budget. When my friend arrived there were several lovely options ready and waiting for her and she ended up buying one of the outfits.
I know she'd highly recommend trying to see if there is something similar local to you.

I really am not sure where this "compulsory hats / fascinators" thing comes from.
Its not true.
I went as part of an organisation that sent people every year, several times a year and still does.

Watching the Royals pretending to eat has its amusement.
Eating what you can and exploring the Gardens is DEFINTELY the best bit.

Nobody sees what others are wearing.

I wasn’t in the meet the Royals line, just a guest. An extremely hungry guest 😆

SHEIN has amazing clothes for plus sizes - and yes I’m aware many people don’t shop there for worry over labor etc but the same clothes appear in high street stores or supermarkets so I won’t pay more for things made by the same people.

the stuff arrives within a week usually and they have everything from bags to fascinates to jewelry etc and shoes.

or maybe see if torrid ships from us to uk? I go there a lot for my
shoes as they do wide fitting and they
often have nice dresses.

I think this last line is good advice op. It’s fun to dress up but if it gets to the point of feeling stressed it’s time to stop worrying as people who don’t know you really don’t notice you much. Just go and have fun - and explore the gardens is great advice!

I really am not sure where this "compulsory hats / fascinators" thing comes from.

From the page on garden parties on royal.uk, the official Royal family website: women wear day dress, usually with hats or fascinators.

The page hasn't been updated since the death of the Queen; if anything, I should think it's more relaxed now.

Elsewhere on the website, it says while people may wish to bow or curtsey when they meet a member of the royal family, it isn't required. If you do, a bow of the head or a bob is all that's necessary.

I did not wear a hat.
Prince Andrew tried to engage me in conversation.
I walked away and took silly pictures from the terrace.
watching the queues waiting to talk to the late Queen, Kate and William and the legend that is Princess Anne

@goingtostealatoiletroll I am also going this year and cant wait!
I was at a royal garden party last year in NI and bought a trouser suit but chickened out and wore a dress I had with the suit jacket. On the day I was sorry I didnt wear the suit as loads of others did so def wearing it this time.

I think they advise to have shoulders covered at the garden party x

www.hobbs.com/product/caversham-floral-silk-dress/0125-5333-3793L00-BLUE-MULTI.html#gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6LH7-fSojAMVxJZQBh2tZy4_EAAYASAAEgIyUfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-IqnLCrlMzwQwO2rwNBWjL-e&gad_source=1&utm_term=hobbs%20occasion%20dresses&utm_content=135352452668&utm_campaign=14504394902&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&cq_plt=gp&cq_net=g&cq_plac=&cq_term=hobbs%20occasion%20dresses&cq_cmp=14504394902&cq_src=google_ads&cgid=clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0125-5333-3793L00-BLUE-MULTI&pos=5

No style advice, but be warned the year I went wasn't that warm. Us women stole our mens jackets, especially while walking around the top right garden area on the gravel paths.

There isn't much seating, something else people moaned about, so think about your shoe choice.
My friends neighbour went to a party a few weeks after us & the grass was a mud pit.

Enjoy!

This dress is beautiful 😍

All the ladies in stilettos we saw, all had plastic heel covers on to stop them sinking in www.amazon.co.uk/Protectors-Stiletto-Stoppers-Outdoor-Occasions/dp/B0D66K8ZJW/ref=sr_1_8?crid=154BFRRNGKDCA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Kd7oUZgllGiYgUEVg1gQNGSexX8FypXnfZdKrA7gwKq09AYBIK_8Rwgoqc3hi-nctyHkduBMaAt0z7k2EMGsC8tZi_h9DyQOlap1Yyw4krfqK9zc4OJsi5Gc20sF-zc0PcPYNEKaQubfycaOmb0zd_lidywrxCR7TD53eRLbDC2DOiWKYbEcYaR1_uk4RCLLy-3-QvTJ-wJE5KLi4yiBtBIMO--l1nHuhAzq3MUf8GydvTEMgfjWDdoGXj6maN_QK4Q2NWRvoMdDNDwkO25qpYOuFt0JIh7POixDhygdDeiF1EyG4J9_DCffPPav9u0LmxzkvLC9lQN7TN-uy81AaZdCxpNXtaAtqBl58V_YWYzq3ELt05SF4V7v_L55D411KiouCuMFOboFIkFReoHlHQP8uZ50x0n_SvQPXfyfBNzsyP6pXB5OWwHQJbXtWEU8.PEN8tW3CJRQM1ydC9rO8hsKtOtM0kqEEw3GY5PsvVo0&dib_tag=se&keywords=stiletto+heel+protectors+for+wooden+floors&qid=1743062527&sprefix=Stiletto+hee%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-8

See, if I were at such an occasion, my head would be swivelling like an owl to see what other women were wearing (in an interested/admiring way not in a critical way).

OP doesn't need to worry though as I won't be there!

Yes I suppose my mum would do that too. I’d be looking at the gardens!

Laura Adlington on instagram does dress try ons for occasions sometimes. She finds some lovely dresses.

@sparklystar333

Are you going on 9 May?

I'm going with my son to his Duke of Edinburgh gold award. My son has definitely got some information in the email invitation.
Bit if an issue for me as I haven't worn shoes since lockdown and don't own any. I don't have any dressy clothes either.
I don't want to spend a fortune on things I'll never wear again.
I've settled on a navy v neck linen dress, very plain but I will liven it up with one of my many handbags and some silver jewellery. I'll probably look for some loafer style shoes.
Thinking about it, I have a lovely silver locket which was the last gift I had from my nan. She was a big royal fan and would be tickled pink at the thought of me going, as I'm not really a royal fan.
I googled some pictures and I think because it's primarily an event for young people it looks a bit less formal than the garden parties.

I think navy linen sounds a lovely choice and the notion of your nan’s locket “attending the palace party” is a really wonderful thought.

Yes, that IS a gorgeous dress!
Are you able to rent that one maybe?
I was lucky enough to be invited to the same thing years ago.
I adore all our pomp and ceremony!
& am sure you'll have a fabulous time!
Enjoy! 💐

This is beautiful, but as a plus size Apple shape myself this dress style would be the worst and most unflattering style. I am short as well though so I don’t know if that makes a difference.

I feel only v necks really work for our shape!

I don’t know if you have ever looked on Vinted but it would be good for you to find your outfit All the brands are there even designer I was the same size and shape as you and one thing I never do is reveal my arms ever My arms look like someone else’s legs I hope you find your perfect outfit and you have a magic time

John Lewis is good for a browse online. I like brands love & roses on next and phase 8 for occasion wear. Not sure what sizes go up to.

Absolutely.
I love people watching.
My favourite outfits were some Japanese Ladies in traditional dress, and some really stunning outfits on some African ladies. But I was also admiring all the other ladies like me who had dressed to the nines for such a lovely 'one-off' occasion.
Give me people to watch over plants any day

Yes, I've been to both.

The "Thank you" garden parties are much dressier than the Gold DofE Presentations.

Both really, really lovely days though.

Your outfit sounds perfect, and I love the personal touch of taking Nan with you.