What should a 15-year-old wear for a House of Lords visit?

[FashionFails]

I’m hoping someone can help with a bit of outfit advice.

DD is 15, slim, about 5’7”, with long very dark hair. She’s been invited to the House of Lords for a private visit as a sort of “well done, aren’t you brilliant” thing after doing something really lovely at school. We’re obviously very proud of her.

I am also now slightly panicking that she is going to turn up looking a bit too casual.

She is insisting on jeans and trainers, and the only compromise I’ve managed so far is a navy long-sleeved top with buttons down the front, worn with said jeans and trainers.

I do know she is 15. The Lord involved also knows she is 15. I absolutely don’t want her dressed like a 45-year-old barrister.

But would it be nice to dress it up a tiny bit more than jeans and trainers?

She is very stubborn and independent, which I do actually love about her. She very rarely wears skirts or dresses, but she isn’t especially tomboyish either.

Any ideas for outfits, links or pictures would be really helpful, ideally things I could get hold of this weekend.

Or please feel free to tell me I’m overthinking it and she should just go full Beastie Boys for tea at the birthplace of democracy.

Thank you!

Jeans and trainers will be absolutely great. More important that she's comfortable and confident than dressing up. I was in there the other week with work, and there were lots of jeans being worn!

It’s a work environment so ideally not trainers and jeans. I mean there are plenty of visitors to Westminster and the houses who wear all sorts but honestly for a prestigious visit I’d encourage smart for a good first impression. School uniform if she can’t compromise on the jeans and trainers?

She’ll be fine in jeans and trainers, it’s a busy place with people in a range of styles. She won’t look out of place and her feeling comfortable is the important thing

This. Unless she’s been told there’s a specific dress code or to go in school uniform, she’ll be fine in jeans and trainers. Well done your DD!

I recognise I’ve said the total opposite of other posters so far, isn’t that facinating! Good luck to your DD. It’s such an interesting place (IMHO) I’m sure she’ll enjoy her visit whatever she wears!

There’s some nice non-jean but still casual trousers in Uniqlo. DM Mary Janes or similar, and the top she’s already agreed upon.

She needs to go as herself to enjoy it. Well done her btw.

She should wear whatever she feels comfortable in. It’s a workplace, but not her workplace, and it’s supposed to be a reward!

(Clean not holey) jeans and trainers sound fine.

Unless it is an actual school trip, with uniform stipulated, no teen wants to wear school uniform (mine went to a non-uniform school and didn't even possess trousers other than jeans).

Jeans & trainers are fine, I’ve worked on events in parliament/house of lords and worn trainers, it’s a working environment and unless she’s been given a specific dress code what she’s planning to wear is absolutely fine.

They're more concerned about having the correct ID, invitation information and which entrance you arrive at than what you’re wearing.

Jeans and trainers fine. hope she has a nice time!

She'll be fine in casual clothing - having worked there previously, there's no real dress code.

OK thank you every one, I'll stand down the twin set and pearls - thanks to all of course but especially people who have worked there, insights I don't have :)

Maybe I can buy her new trainers and that will be enough to shut me up worrying.

A range of opinions is worth more! thank you

I would totally be you OP! Would she wear some cute Mary Jane type shoes with (reasonably smart) jeans? Those might make the look a lot smarter without being OTT.

If she is representing the school surely school uniform would be the most appropriate attire.

London is so much more casual than anywhere else I've worked - inc events at the Houses of Parliament- she will be fine in clean smart jeans - when my daughter went - at the same age she had some Hollister brown cropped trousers/ jeans and a button up cardi / top - probably trainers but I can't remember tbh

Dear god please don’t send her in school uniform.

As another one familiar with Parliament, jeans and trainers are honestly fine. If she wanted to dress more formally that would also be fine and not stand out, but no one will bat an eyelid at a 15 year old in clean jeans and trainers. I think some new trainers are a great compromise though she’s pulled a blinder there!

She might like to wear something a little better if she is likely to be invited into the tea room. Most invitations end in the tea room. It is the tradition.
But it was 15 years ago since I was there.

I’ve been the guest of a Lord and he invited me to sit on the floor of the chamber (ie. Not the public gallery above, in the few guest seats on the same level as the lords sit) If that’s something she might be offered, then there is a dress code & jeans won’t cut it. Trousers and a jumper or shirt would probably be ok. My husband wore a tie

It’s true lots of people wear jeans if they work for an MP or Lord/Lady (I used to, more than 20 years ago), but they’re not doing the same things as a guest

Tea room was 100% mentioned!

Well, now I checked, definitely "tea". I am unusually intimidated by this all.

I think the trainers would be fine but maybe you could compromise on a pair of wide leg trousers rather than jeans? Then maybe something a bit more structured over the t-shirt, so a blazer of some sort? So this sort of vibe but with trainers and a t-shirt under the blazer?

www.zara.com/uk/en/blazer-with-linen-rolled-up-sleeves-p02753530.html?v1=502565736&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11369331984&gbraid=0AAAAADqbk7ac3Oj3yi6Wosv8fcEx2Bn_c&gclid=CjwKCAjwqazPBhALEiwAOuXqdDZ7cwgCYfS6MdJB2r9ktYBFl9BTrzgE1tmm6Q4C90XXbsVMeOhKYRoCwk4QAvD_BwE

If your DD is only comfortable in jeans and trainers, that is fine. There is a dress code (jackets for men and no sports shoes) in some areas (eg the Peer’s Dining Room or below the bar in the chamber) but not in the tea rooms. The official advice when organising events is that there is no dress code for guests BUT it is advised not to wear jeans, trainers, hoodies or shorts.

I would encourage her to go one level up, a casual summer dress or, at least, black jeans or casual trousers rather than blue denim. Boots or shoes rather than trainers. Jeans and trainers are fine if she really isn’t comfortable in anything else.