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?

I'm also going to a garden party - I wonder if it's the same one! I was planning to wear a fascinator but am now rethinking! Any good suggestions for smart headbands? Or suggestions for comfortable shoes. I live in trainers and boots and hate uncomfy shoes, but also don't want to look out of place.

I honestly had no idea people had such strong opinions on fascinators before I posted this! I had 0 opinion and pretty sure most people I know also had never given them much thought but wow people hate them!

I am wearing the same pair of boring low heeled sandals I wear for all weddings etc. similar to this https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/footwear/shoes/sandals/black-faux-leather-block-heel-sandals/p/915124001?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Designer_Core_Google_DV_m_AGID_126584460436_PRID_9151561&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6ulWgl9lJxZzj886bOlaE3ThQBFn922xpst0EobRDZvKjyCfv1JNVboaAmX7EALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD2UatPF7OTsAh5HSTO7tv6mB0dbM&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiLLABhCEARIsAJYS6ulWgl9lJxZzj886bOlaE3ThQBFn922xpst0EobRDZvKjyCfv1JNVboaAmX7EALw_wcB I have wide feet so my options are limited

I like the Zelda dress, but notice it has a partly bare back, which might not be ok for a royal garden party?

Make sure that you are OK whatever the weather. I went last year and it was freezing cold and absolutely hammering it down nonstop. The other date that we could have chosen to do was dry and really hot. I wore a plain jumpsuit with contrasting shoes/hat (and umbrella) and got loads of compliments. Lots of women wore hats, lots wore fascinators and lots were bare headed so do whatever makes you feel happiest.
The cakes in the tea tent were delicious - enjoy.

I joke when I say thermals and a long winter coat - but I did put a vest on under my dress. (Edinburgh was never likely to be that warm so my dress wasn’t a floaty number). I had also bought a little bolero cardigan to go with it but ended up wearing a thicker blazer. I also remember turning up the heating in the car when we got back to it to try and warm up. It was about 12 C and wet.

Ooh, these look great! Cheap, simple and hopefully quite comfortable but smart enough to get away with. Totally what I’m going for - I have no interest in fancy shoes!

I’m also probably wearing a dress with thin straps so def need something over the top. I could wear a blazer but that feels a bit office wear. Any ideas?

The sickener for us was if we'd picked the other date available the weather was glorious!

Didn’t know you could choose a date, I’m sure I was just given one

We were given two options - possibly because the institution DH was nominated through had more than one slot to nominate people for?

This looks really weird around the boobs.

OP I love the Laura Ashley one you posted from Next website

I finally settled on this dress https://www.monsoon.co.uk/marlene-floral-print-midi-dress-green-1000565075.html?utm_content=brand&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21426431457&gbraid=0AAAAADjtA_GOF0nc3Hkc0laXjRilAA3Ul&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ubABhDIARIsAHMighbaoQ1xjLEasJW9q2Kqbhr8jtXP5W7qqMg1o6H_CbYSiyLK6cEVroEaAmUwEALw_wcB

I have bag and shoes sorted (just stuff I already own) but still so uncertain about the hat… it will be sunny so I think the broad brimmed hat is a good idea but most I’ve looked at look more like they are for the beach/holiday… any suggestions? What colour do you think with the dress?

also as a side note, the green satin dress was gorgeous and definitely not clingy as it was designed to skim the body and was a thick material… just didn’t feel garden party enough to me

Google 'boater hat wedding guest' (if you like boater hats, that is. I think they are very chic)

I have been to the Royal Garden Parties. Everyone dresses up and most ladies wear hats and fascinators. I searched for weeks trying to find the right outfit, it is quite a glam affair! Go early, the queue is very long, it’s usually 2000 invites. Wear comfortable shoes! And enjoy the day the food is wonderful!

I also have an invite to a garden party in BH later this month. It says on invite day dress or trouser suit may be worn.
I attended one last year, not buckingham palace, and had bought a trouser suit but chickened out and wore a dress. When I was there I was really sorry I didnt wear the trouser suit as loads did and they looked great, really bright colours and well assesorized.
Was determined I would wear suit this time but after reading through the thread and no word of suits I’m having second thoughts! Any advice from pp who have been to Buckingham palace? Were there many wearing trouser suits?

I wore a jumpsuit when we went last year. There were some other women in trousers but the majority were in dresses. Wear the trousers suit if you want you won't be the only one.

I don't like the floral dress - it's quite drab imo.

The Monsoon dress in light pink or red/ dark pink would be much more striking. The green isn't great, imo.

I like the butter yellow style but that's a hard colour for many complexions.

Your Monsoon 'Marlene' choice will be lovely - a much nicer print and fresher looking colours. Very lovely!

I would pick out the orange for a hat. Do you have a hat hire place local to you? If you have make an appointment to go and try some on. Great way to get a wow hat without spending a fortune.

If you want to buy a hat fairly cheaply

https://www.petershams.com/products/wide-brim-sinamay-boater-fascinator-hat-base

Something like this in the orange

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1852611860/uk-made-sinamay-wide-down-brim-hat-base

Or this

Personally if you are going to a royal garden party, I would not show a bare back. Your upper arms should be covered and skirt below the knee. I know it sound old fashioned, but that is how it is.

As someone who has been, have a handbag big enough for a brolly, a wrap and lots of plasters. You have to walk ALOT and queue for a long time. Fascinators are fine but if I recall hats are not required, but are allowed. A real mix of hats from cheap and cheerful to super expensive. Food was as you expect fabulous.

Haven’t read the full thread but just came across this. I can’t seem to post the link but John Lewis do rentals really cheap and have a variety of designers.
google John Lewis rentals

may help others if you have already purchased/decided on your dress.

Good dress choice.
On photos online that I saw from this year's garden party, very few were wearing hats.Wear what you feel comfortable with, hat or no hat. I am sure it is up to you.
Enjoy.

Thank you

There was a huge range on display, people in uniform, people in national dress, trousers, skirts, dresses, hat, fascinators, bare heads. As long as you are clean, tidy and smart I don't think you could look out of place. Enjoy.