Dress for royal garden party and wedding

[VegQueen]

I’ve been invited as a plus 1 to a garden party at Buckingham palace which is very exciting. I would like to get a new dress for it that I can also wear to a summer wedding I have coming up. Would love any suggestions on what dress to buy.

The dress code for women is day dress

I’m size 14, 5’ 3 and in my early 30s. I would like something that covers my upper arms and not white or black. I don’t want to spend much more than £100

These are my current ones I’ve found that I like the most but not sure either are quite right

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/floral-puff-sleeve-zelda-midi-dress-d250628mlt - worried it might look a bit frumpy on me

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/ester-satin-ruffle-midi-dress-green-1000458024.html?utm_content=brand&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADjtA_HxdOn2bCllyyfGwOPEXylY7&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCQE3_wv7bJmOMkVEOHkYTlNrmcqGVID0MHLu2tr32EK_c8Nas6UIDIaAvtlEALw_wcB - in green or red but not sure about satin for summer

I love this shape but not sure the colour would suit me https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/yellow-puff-sleeve-zola-mini-dress-d250593ylw?queryID=0ea5d6fd5dedd343ab562bb3f4679cbc

I also love Rixo but its out of budget but just as a sense of my style (couldn’t find anything in their sale/on vinted)

Any thought on my options or suggestions for alternatives?

The Nobody’s Child is very appropriate. There was a very nice pair of tan T bar shoes posted the other day. They were next and the heel wouldn’t sink in the grass.

I love the blue / yellow floral dress - think it could look beautiful- I’m just not a fan of the bare back part of it. I don’t like ‘cold shoulders / cut outs’ as a rule and defo not for weddings / formal events.

The Nobody's Child dress is perfect. You could dress it up with some cotton crocheted gloves and a fabulous bag.

As pp has said, choose shoes that won't sink into the grass.

The Nobody’s Child or the Monsoon are both good — though satin can be unforgiving. I love the green dress’s colour.

Thanks everyone - think I will go for the NC floral one then and hope it suits me! I have some low block heel sandals I wear to any summer wedding/event so will stick with those as I am not really much of a shoe person.

But what about a fascinator? I thought it might be fun as otherwise not sure when I’d wear one (rare at weddings amongst my friends) but does it really go with the dress. Was thinking of something light blue

unless the dress code says hats required I wouldn’t bother with a fascinator (actually hate them, especially the silly little 25 quid ones from Marks)

if hats are required, I’d hire one

also, personal preference, avoid a full set shoes/bag/hat colour match

how exciting to have the chance to attend, I’m very green

Have a lovely time. I’ve been and pretty much every woman wore a hat. It’s fun to dress up and the dresses you linked looked fine.

Hat is optional but looking at photos most people have one! I didn’t know you can rent them so I will look into it - the only hats I could see on vinted were giving mother of the bride but I like the ones the younger royals wear.

I am definitely not wearing matching hat, shoes and bag as I’m not buying a new bag or shoes!

If you do want headgear I'd go for a padded/decorated headband (like this) or pillbox or cocktail hat.

Or possible a wide-brimmed boater.

Dont go for the kind of fascinator that looks like it has stuff jumping off it.

Love the first frock, very suitable.
You could look for a hat in charity shops, especially those in the ‘posher end of town’. I wore a charity shop hat to BP garden party!

Oh I love a padded headband so will keep that in mind. I don’t think I could pull off a pillbox hat - I like the sort of flat minimal ones like this https://images.app.goo.gl/D5oYBeDh9j8mBks97

I know of one charity shop near me that does sell hats but if anyone has any suggestions in north or central London, let me know!

I went to a garden party at the Palace in the very hot summer of 2013 and we absolutely roasted. I was glad of my broad-brimmed straw hat. A blue one would set off that dress nicely. I wouldn’t bother with a fascinator.

The Shelter shop at South End Green (near Hampstead Heath Overground) does have lovely hats from time to time.

I like the dess, not sure about the cut out back for Buck House.

Love the dress you have ordered - I’m the same height as you so would love a report back what you think of it! Have a wonderful time at the garden party

I like the idea of a broad brimmed straw hat with that dress. Look at this one OP https://britishretro.co.uk/product/natural-ribbon-50s-style-cartwheel-hat/?attribute_pa_size=one-size&gad_source=4&gbraid=0AAAAADEXC-MisXpmbCeF0l1RdLJ7iw-9H&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt-LU0LHfjAMV3pVQBh2GtSScEAQYAiABEgIz-vD_BwE

I think all three of your choices are excellent ones, OP. Really lovely dresses. I agree with no fascinator. Padded/feature headband is far better.

I really like the first nobody’s child one, with a pale blue broad brimmed minimalist hat it would look fabulous. The cut out back is very understated and not at all inappropriate

Love these dresses! If they don’t suit, you could always rent a Rixo?

I love that hat! Gorgeous

I love the Ester Satin Ruffle Midi Dress Red or Blue.

OP, I have some experience, but I rarely give fashion advice, because I think you should wear what you like and feel comfortable in, but please don't wear red satin to a garden party.
Satin is extremely difficult to wear, even with a flawless, bump free, teenage body. Red satin, in a nightclub with a generous body, might be great, but not at a garden party. I think you'll feel very self-conscious. The green satin is pretty, but also very difficult to wear. Have you had a look at Zara Tindall's fashion choices?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2041889/zara-tindall-blue-white-dress-bahra
Something like that is easy to wear and flattering, and there is an option from Nobody's Child which is a brand you seem to like. (I think it's the best, actually - better than Zara's dress)
And a comfortable wide brimmed straw hat - not one which you can't keep on, or see out from under.

I love the first NC dress, that I think you’ve ordered. My experience with NC has been that I need to size up, but that style looks more forgiving.

I’ve been to a Royal Garden Party and also the palace for the Queens Honours List. All sorts of dresses some with hats and fascinators or bare headed. Your choice of dresses are lovely and I think you should get a hat it really tops off an outfit and makes it feel like a very special occasion. Enjoy yourself, I’d love to go again.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/prod_R04358547

This? Selfridges has a nice selection of dresses in their sale for under £100.