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Is this hat suitable for kings garden party

48 replies

MCari · 18/04/2025 07:12

I wonder if people out there can help I am so lucky to be invited as a guest to my sister to the Kings Garden Party. I am concerned that this hat is not formal enough and if it would stand out as being too informal, and would love to ask this wonderful community what they think. My dress is navy with large flowers and a navy chiffon wrap. Thank you all so much

Is this hat suitable for kings garden party
OP posts:
Katrinawaves · 18/04/2025 07:15

It’s lovely. There will be a range of styles of hats and fascinators and some people won’t wear any. This will be at the more informal end definitely but it will be absolutely fine. (Based on what I saw when we went last year)

Hope you have a fantastic time!

ErrolTheDragon · 18/04/2025 07:23

I’ve never been to such an event but it strikes me as perfect for a garden party. The type of thing worn to e.g. church weddings would imo be too formal for a garden party, but this one has more style than a regular ‘straw hat’.

bananaramaisdabomb · 18/04/2025 07:48

That hat is beautiful, I want it!!!!

faerietales · 18/04/2025 07:51

I would say it’s a bit too informal based on what people wore when my parents went a few years ago.

HugelyExpensiveCrystalDuck · 18/04/2025 07:56

I think it’s perfect.

Keepthecat · 18/04/2025 07:57

It's beautiful and i think entirely appropriate.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 18/04/2025 07:58

I think if you Google pictures of BP garden parties you'll see what hats people are wearing.

One of my friends is going to one this summer. She hates hats so was thinking of going without one but has decided on a fascinator instead.

I love that hat.

Powderblue1 · 18/04/2025 08:00

I think it’s lovely and perfect for an English tea party vibe.

I’m going too but my dress is busy so I’ve decided against a hat at all. I did actually wear my dress to a friends wedding years ago with a fascinator and when I look at the pics I always think it would have looked better without.

bruffin · 18/04/2025 08:01

faerietales · 18/04/2025 07:51

I would say it’s a bit too informal based on what people wore when my parents went a few years ago.

I have been and there is such a range of clothing. That hat is lovely and would be perfect.

zzplea · 18/04/2025 08:01

I think the flowers make it look more informal, a bit village fete. Which isn't necessarily bad, as long as it goes with the dress.

PensionPuzzle · 18/04/2025 08:34

I went to one a few years back and I think the rule was you HAD to wear a hat or fascinator, so if you now don't have to I would say that the hats that are worn are likely to be less formal, if that makes sense?

I think your hat would be lovely as long as the rest of your outfit is quite sharp/formal as I imagine it will be, it's not like you're going to be wafting round in a kaftan and flipflops 😂

Fashionforfuntimes · 18/04/2025 09:02

This would look great with a basket bag! Love them for things like a garden party … anyone have a favourite?

crumblingschools · 18/04/2025 09:05

Hats are optional this year

TennesseeStella · 18/04/2025 09:09

It's fine for a picnic but not a palace party. The flowers make it look scruffy IMO. If you could remove the flowers and put a smart ribbon on instead that might look better.

LoafofSellotape · 18/04/2025 09:13

Lovely hat,really nice shape but I'd lose the flowers .

Echobelly · 18/04/2025 09:14

Yes, I think it would be fine - it's a lovely hat.

ErrolTheDragon · 18/04/2025 09:22

Flowers on a hat are entirely appropriate for a garden party, surely?

ErrolTheDragon · 18/04/2025 09:30

Fashionforfuntimes · 18/04/2025 09:28

Maybe would look nice with this, saw it in M&S a week or so ago!

Hm… that would work at other occasions but maybe erring a bit too much on ‘beach bag’ for this one?

GeorgianaM · 18/04/2025 09:39

Charlotte Carson wore a very casual style hat last year -

www.look-uk.org/a-royally-good-time-celebrating-at-the-kings-garden-party/

Fashionforfuntimes · 18/04/2025 09:45

I think a basket bag is quite a sleek look now…they are more formal than you think …

Is this hat suitable for kings garden party
BigHeartyTruffle · 18/04/2025 09:48

It’s gorgeous! I went last year and wore a straw hat and didn’t feel even slightly out of place. There is quite a range of interpretation of “formal dress”, I was probably at the less formal end but found it didn’t really matter. There are so many people there that no one person really sticks out apart from the people in super elaborate uniforms or national dress, mayors with chains, lord Lieutenants etc. The outfit spotting was definitely the highlight of the day for me, otherwise it is lovely to be there but also a little on the boring side.

AdaColeman · 18/04/2025 10:20

It's a nice hat, I don't think that it's too informal for a Palace garden party, it has quite a Summer Garden Party look.
If it was my hat, I'd probably redo the flowers, change the straw band for something brighter to match my dress.

Preciousssssss · 18/04/2025 10:43

The idea is ok - but the flowers on yours do look a bit scruffy and faded. I would do as a pp suggests and replace them - either with some new ribbon that ties in with your outfit or simply with fresher looking floral adornment.

I also suspect you’ll want something more substantial than a chiffon wrap, unless the forecast is for absolutely boiling weather.

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