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 floral NC dress you linked is absolutely gorgeous! I think it would be perfect. I would try and get high shoes if you are worried about it being frumpy. Maybe tan strappy sandals.
There is always Rio dresses on Vinted too if you want to take a chance but they are still expensive and you can’t return them if they don’t fit.

The first dress is perfect.
The green one I’m not as keen on and the last one maybe has a little too much skin showing in the back of the dress for a garden party.

Love the first one! Delightful!
id go for a hat that stays on my head to do a job, the others look a little silly (to me ;))

I wore this dress to the royal garden party and my cousin’s wedding. I wore purple but there’s different colours to choose from. P.s. I’d recommend wearing flat or low heel, comfortable shoes at the garden party as you may be standing for hours. There’s a few tables to sit at but they’re quickly taken up by the elderly and disabled. I wore heels and the pain tainted my day. I also wore a shawl to keep myself warm. I hope you have a nice time. https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/feverfish/exclusive-bardot-off-shoulder-frill-midi-dress-teal

Thanks everyone… I received the first NC one today but I actually don’t like the cut out back that much and I know I’d be a bit self conscious adjusting it all day if I wore it. It’s a shame because the dress is lovely from the front.

Some alternatives I found today…
https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/fs-collection/abstract-floral-print-lace-trim-deep-v-neck-angel-sleeve-midi-dress-in-green

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su452896/ad1608?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWLRt8Q_dV2t4e9byDaDVFJ_&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3yno6AVmm-YJ1iyjOa1Lv_3yv4usm001HXFBUEn691sWCYGalJbpf00saAiVhEALw_wcB#AD1608

https://www.very.co.uk/style-cheat-layton-34-sleeve-midi-dress-pink/1601118898.prd?cm_mmc=google--PLA+-+Generic--Women+-+Dresses--PRODUCT_GROUP_p33749889185[AdID]&utm_campaign=Generic_Fashion+Clothing+%26+Footwear+-+Women+-+Dresses&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_term=PRODUCT_GROUP&campaigntype=shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2k1i3MXd4ktgRqUTy8Y7C7it2R6&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3yno6397svJ58StvNqpBXSll0l_iUcshFianC3MDeKuSpcIOZjIFwgCAaAjT6EALw_wcB#sku=sku29012895

I’ve never ordered from Silk Fred or very before (thanks to commenter who recommended a Silk Fred dress) - is the quality ok?

I’m the same sort of height as you and I tend to find a slimmer silhouette suits better, so as to avoid being swamped in a dress.

E.g. something like this, perhaps?

https://www.finerylondon.com/products/marie-red-ditsy-crepe-midi-tea-dress

I do like this shape but it looks a bit casual to me - like something I’d just wear for a meal out rather than a special occasion

I know what you mean about being swamped but the dress I tried today was such a nice shape so I was looking for a similar shape but without cut outs

Fair enough - this one from Crew may fall foul of the same problem, but I’ll link it anyway:

https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-dresses-and-skirts/scarlet-jersey-tea-dress-blue-wwj023/

It’s a shame about the puff sleeve NC dress. I thought it was lovely - apart from the open back section.

My family member is going as her DH’s plus one. She has a fabulous swirly ankle length multicoloured dress. Have you been told to wear a hat, too? No fascinators allowed!

Another idea here:

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/blooming-roses-v-neck-midaxi-erin-bridesmaids-dress-d242869mlt?_gl=11ldk0va_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_JzABhC2ARIsAPe3ynpsZe0FLQG-ApTEYuPM0KppU-iyQD1HAiBzmEhm_9KYuIJDXhip0YoaAoESEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIXvho669tTfpKDprt7JtVKV4

If you're blowing the budget on a fancy hat then Girl in Mind has some very reasonable dresses that cover arms, lots of pretty florals eg this girlinmind.com/collections/christmas-sale/products/kim-frill-mini-dress-pink

I would want to wear something I'd feel genuinely comfortable in. I agree with pps about satin. That tends to show off every bump, lump, line, sweat stain etc...

And suitable shoes (flats, block heels or wedges. Although wedges are rather casual) would be a must (for me).

I personally would not worry about having a matching hat-shoes-bag set as long as your outfit is generally cohesive. It's also possible to match a hatband to the colour of your dress (jacket, shoes, other item of clothing). Most hatmakers will gladly change a ribbon to whatever colour you choose.

next dress is fabulous

Definitely look for comfortable shoes, block heel or wedges or flatties. One of my abiding memories of the BH garden party I went to was the number of women attending the first aid tent for plasters on their blistered feet, and the walk back across Green Park with lots of women carrying their shoes and walking barefoot with plaster-covered feet.

Thanks all for your thoughts… I ordered the next Laura Ashley one but my size wasn’t available so sized up so may just be too much fabric, will see. Then I ordered 3 dresses from monsoon to try too (including the one everyone here hates) as they had an offer on dresses. Hoping one of these 4 is right!!

I still haven’t figured out the hat but want to get the dress first. I do like the straw hat idea, really want to get something I can wear again but not sure what is appropriate.

Also there is 0 chance of me wearing any uncomfortable shoes or buying a matching hat/shoe/bag set so don’t worry everyone!!

I have been to the Queens garden party at Buckingham Palace and think the the Monsoon dress would be most suitable as its a very 'dressy' event. Have a wonderful time.

Where has the rule about no fascinators come from @Cherrysoup? I thought that was the rule for the Royal Enclosure at Ascot but haven't seen anything about that for the Royal Garden Party

There are 2 reasons why I wouldn't wear dresses with a cut out back or back feature. Firstly, cut outs not very smart for that sort of occasion, secondly, you will need to factor in the possibility of wearing a blazer/jacket/wrap/shawl as weather can't be relied on. A back feature or lumpy backed dress won't work with the latter.

Re shoes/sandals - I know several people who attended a garden party there last year. Most opted for wedge sandals or flat pumps/ballerinas/mary janes.One couple wore dresses and trainers combo. If you did opt for the latter, the trainers would need to be clean, new and smart. Very difficult to pull off as a Royal Garden Party look.

But what about a fascinator?

Fascinators are not hats, and they're silly & vulgar.

I was at a one of Her Maj’s garden parties. Floral dresses are generally what they look for. A hat was required. Fascinators were acceptable .

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRMIRAVISCOSEGreenFrosty%20Spruce~Mira-Black-Viscose-Satin-Crepe-Classic-Longsleeve-Pearl-Button-Dress-Frosty%20Spruce

I went to a royal garden party at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Based on that experience I would recommend thermals and a long winter coat…. Kept going back for tea to try and warm up!

I wouldn’t wear a cut out back or backless dress to Buckingham Palace. I would say that was a firm no.