What to wear-London afternoon tea

[Whentostarthrt]

Have been invited to a 40th birthday afternoon tea in a posh London hotel (not the Ritz!) in late November. I’m feeling it will be a little bit too early to go full Christmas glitz - what would you wear to give a nod to it being nearly Christmas without looking like you’ve jumped the gun a bit?

A brushed cashmere jumper or cardigan, like this:

Lisa Yang pink

Plus footwear from here:

Le Monde Beryl

If I needed a new skirt I’d probably find something in

& Other Stories

or

Zara.

Oh I love that cardi- it’s beautiful! Sadly above my budget but I like the vibe so might try for something similar. What would you pair it with?

Actually I have a lovely Sézane cardi (Othello) with sparkly buttons - would that work?

Have a look at the new & Other Stories collection:

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/

I’m not sure ‘something sparkly’ is compulsory for afternoon tea … (Though perfectly nice.)

Have you got a lovely cost and boots? I’d want those and then a dress underneath. I don’t think I’d do sparkles in the daytime, personally.

Yes, I have (many 😂) lovely coats and boots, so am sorted on that front! Was only thinking sparkles as it’s close-ish to Christmas and I love feeling festive, but obviously it will still only be December. Have some nice if slightly boring midi dresses which will probably work, but I don’t get out much so love planning outfits and getting inspiration from others!

Well, if it had to be a dress, I’m wearing this one. (Festive enough for you? Look at the back.)

Carven dress

Wow, what a dress!! Budget aside, I’m a bit short to pull off something like that but I bet it would look incredible if you were the right size/shape!!

Obviously I meant November in previous post, can’t edit for some reason 🙄

I don't think you need to do anything really glitzy for tea - afraid that looks like trying too hard. I've had a few posh teas and most women are fairly understated in dresses (I was there mainly in summer) . If I was buying anything new I'd maybe buy a cashmere cardigan with sparkly buttons or a blouse/shirt that was a bit fancy. I tend to wear smart trousers or midi dresses for posh restaurants.

Only on Mumsnet do people suggest £600 cardigans and £1500 dresses, like that's a completely normal amount to spend on an item on clothing for most people.

Blimmin’ heck! The OP wants to have some fun imagining perfect outfits! Why so sour?

Is the word ‘inspiration’ genuinely beyond comprehension these days?

Haha, yes don’t worry, I’m not intending to go full on sequinned gown 😂. I probably have something in my wardrobe that will be perfectly suitable and low key enough for London/daytime, but I do enjoy seeing what others would wear and perhaps getting inspiration for something I own that I hadn’t considered! As I said, I don’t get out much so planning the outfit is half the fun and part of the whole experience for me.

I was out in London last weekend, there were sequins everywhere, particularly navy I noticed. The Christmas lights are on, that’s my cue to wear sparkles. Inspired by what I saw I’ve bought a navy sequin skirt from French Connection and plan to wear it with my navy velvet blazer for an upcoming party. I might get a much cheaper version of that gorgeous pink cardigan above that I’ve seen in New Look and wear it with navy sock boots for a more casual 😂 look.

Tallulah and hope have some lovely dresses. id get one from them if I was going. this whole thread is making me so sad becasue I would have loved to do this as a celebration but my husband is so tight he never even takes me out fro dinner. I had a total breakdown eight years ago and lost everythign and I had published books and was an academic.

id find a nice midid dress

If you’re going to be wearing either skirt or trousers this top works well.

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/alpaca-blend-knitted-top-light-pink-1217076016/

It also comes in red and burgundy if you’re after that Christmas look but don’t want to be too full on.

How about a satin maxi skirt, with some sort of embellished jumper (eg fancy buttons) and boots?

How about velvet - love a velvet blazer

I think they're just taking the piss.

I've been to more London hotel teas than I care to remember - it's not my favourite meal as am a low-carber!

I think a pre-Xmas sparkly cardi is fine for any venue in late November.

I would have loved to go to one so much and never had. my husabnd is so tight and would never take me and now ive had the most.horrifc breakdwon with psychosis so im just not me anymore at all and wouldn't be Abel to go. How have you been to so many?

Some great ideas here, thank you! I have a satin skirt and a lovely cardi with sparkly buttons, so might try them together tomorrow and see if it works! Suspect the cardi might be a bit too bulky though. Also have a faux leather midi skirt that I keep putting on and taking off again as can’t work out what to pair it with - am not very good with skirts and tops. I do have a lovely but very simple black shirt dress which will work if I add a nice belt - it’s just a bit boring!

I do love velvet - I have a navy velvet mini dress which is gorgeous (but might be a bit small for me). Will add to my try-on list tomorrow!

@LucyLoo1972 -I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I do hope life gets better for you soon .

thank you. I cant see a way forward honestly and I blame myself for it all

I would definitely wear sparkles if it’s something you enjoy wearing. Anything goes in London. I’ve been for tea at the Ritz and it’s really more of tourist thing and people wear all sorts!
I go out most weekends for nice dinners and lunches in London, sometimes in Mayfair. I do try to dress up a little. I also enjoy observing what others have on and many people wear jeans and trainers, even in Michelin starred places (not at the Ritz though as there is a dress code).
I normally wear a nice quality coat, suede or leather knee length boots, nice bag in suede or leather and then a wool mini skirt and polo, a jumper dress with belt, midi leather skirt with a polo and nice gold jewellery, a satin blouse with velvet trousers. A mix of these generally.