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?

I love that you get to do these thigns. we would alwasy goto London but my husabnd wouldn't ever liek to eat out on nice places so I never ever got to dress up and go out feeling nice .

I was in Tesco the other day and they had some really lovely cardigans with sparkly bows instead of buttons. That with a pair of nice trousers would be a fabulous tea outfit

I think it would be good if you started your own thread for support then.

thank you. I will try to work out how to do this! I didn't mean to hijack someone else thread

It’s only been more in recent years as my partner enjoys this kind of thing. It actually took some getting used to believe it or not! Now I enjoy it, but I used to get a bit bored at first. I’d prefer to wander around a nice garden, art gallery or museum.
Could you perhaps dress up a bit and go out and about locally yourself?

Last one I went to I think I wore a Boden dress and felt totally appropriate.

we both love art and museums so we spent all our time there. I loved that too. its nly after my breakdwon which took everything that I realised that id not doen some things that I would have loved to do to celebrate thigns. its n me becasue I never invited we did it. I dont know how much it fed into my breakdwon not doing thigns I wanted to do .I honestly dont know. there were a lot fo other issues like being extremely frugal which probably played into this too.

I like @VanCleefArpels 's idea of bows. Not too OTT though. This from Reiss is rather lovely in cream or black.

https://www.reiss.com/style/su766485/h57219

Or this cashmere one.

https://www.lilysilk.com/uk/product/drop-shoulder-cashmere-cardigan-with-pearl-button.html

If you like that pink cardigan (which is beautiful if ridiculously expensive!), there are a few angora-mix ones around.

https://mintvelvet.com/products/pink-multi-button-cardigan

@Whentostarthrt - Mint Velvet have some amazing sparkly stuff in that isn’t overtly Christmas/OTT. You’ll be sitting down so your top IMO is the most important part. Satin skirt with a thinner cardigan would be lovely.

Have fun! It sounds a lovely treat.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc146691369
Tesco have some really lovely stuff in at the moment, gorgeous tops with big velvet bows,lightweight " shaggy " jackets and lots of sequins.

Avoid anything with a tight waistband

End of November, I would definitely wear something with a bit of sparkle. Love sparkly, special clothes and this is a special occasion. Mind you, I don’t keep things for ‘best’ otherwise all those gorgeous clothes never get worn enough! How you style things makes all the difference - a dress with kitten heels and cashmere cardi looks very different if styled with boots and jacket. Enjoy the lovely experience - love an afternoon tea!

How horribly cold. Brrrrr.

you are a kind soul x

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Embellished-Jumper-with-Cashmere/p/A16764?swatch=Black&shopping=true&cm_mmc=Google--UK_ALL_GO_TWC_ALL_SmartPLA_Daywear_All_PLA_PMax---_-&ProGrpCode=AY694&PromoCode=AY694&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign=UK_ALL_GO_TWC_ALL_SmartPLA_Daywear_All_PLA_PMax&utm_medium=Shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20388104133&gbraid=0AAAAAD9VSyOlaSYPQFgCaIWz0utBWTwbo&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5uDIBhDAARIsAOxj0CGk791VHpdmzXcGMIun_4HrPg4bOMm5kxdnzE1Igdw_nc_c-YJn1a4aAttpEALw_wcB

something like this with a long satin skirt?

Oh some lovely suggestions, thanks. That pink cardigan from Mint Velvet is perfect- but sold out in my size 😩. Will have to do some internet stalking to see if I can hunt it down. I love the ones with little bows too. So far I’m thinking satin skirt with a little cardi, or midi shirt dress with a fancy belt, which is my fail-safe option but dull. What shoes? I have ankle or knee length pointy or round toe boots (did say I had plenty 😂), but not many shoes. I’ll need to do a fair bit of walking but could pop a change of footwear in a bag.

@LucyLoo1972 it sounds like you’ve had a rough time, I’m so sorry. You don’t need your husband’s permission to wear nice clothes or go to nice places. I hope you can find something lovely for yourself (but also, if you start a thread in Relationships, you’ll get some great advice there).

ah thank you kind soul. its been beyond bleak! I lost everythign in a breakdwon. Your outfit sounds like it will be absolutely amazing!

I think pointy boots sounds liek they would be perfect with your outfit. if you need to buy shoes you can walk in then ive become a huge fan of Viviaia shoes. was sceptical at first but they are the comfiest shoes I have ever had. you can buy cute little Mary Janes that are so light oyu can pop them in your bag.

and I will try to work out how to start a thread thank you x

I'm sorry that you're unwell and hope that you are receiving professional help for your psychosis.

The reason I've been to quite a few is that they are popular with other people! When I've had visitors from outside London/overseas they like the idea of tea at The Ritz, Harrods, etc. Also various colleague/friend celebrations have often been of the tea variety - when I'd rather have lunch or cocktails!

But you know Lucy, please don't fret about not having done these things - concentrate on getting well first; the hotels and fancy restaurants will always be there 😊

oh thank you. I have been having a lot of help. it was eight years ago. It wasn't a regular psychosis becasue it was all rooted in real events that I was encountering in my work as an academic researching a sensitive subject. so they never gave me antipsychotic medication which I dont know if it was the right thing or not.

Ah that makes sense why you have been so much then - I had American visitors once and took them for it in my hometown at a nice restaurant.

I know I should never have been bothered too much by these things - I let it get to me that my husabnd didnt treat me to things like this when I should have known he loved me anyway. I feel I let my emotions destroy every thing. thanks for your kindness

Love an afternoon tea in London! I think the satin skirt with cardi idea sounds great, boots would work, have you got any sock boots?
Another look I'm loving at the moment is a silky or satin blouse. I've got a lovely green one with pearl buttons. I've been wearing with jeans but could work work a velvet or chiffon skirt

Yes I have sock boots! I also have a couple of pretty silk blouses which I usually wear with jeans. I’ll try them again with my faux leather skirt and my satin one, but for some reason I don’t think the combination of textures works for me. Don’t have a velvet skirt but I could have a look for one to try.

I managed to find the pink Mint Velvet cardigan in stock at Next 😁 - hopefully it will arrive on time. I have a beautiful coat in wine/ burgundy (more deep pink than brown) which I think will work with the pink cardi? My skirt is black though and am wondering if it will look too heavy against the light pink.

I’m loving all the suggestions, thank you! I actually do have some nice clothes as I’ve been trying to buy more mindfully over the past couple of years, but really appreciate ideas on how to wear them in different ways!

This thread has made me want two things - a fluffy little cardigan and a printed, 90s style, velvet dress. Not to be worn together!

I’m going for afternoon tea at the end of November. If it’s dry, I’ve got some suede over the knee boots that I could pair with a velvet midi dress, but as they’re both black, I fear it could be too witchy.

Otherwise I’ve got a couple of knee length silky dresses, but I’m not sure about the boots with those. I’d usually opt for block heeled suede ankle boots, but my much loved pair have died and I’ve not yet managed to find a replacement.