What to wear for afternoon tea at a fancy country house hotel

28 replies

Shockednotshocked · Today 09:47

My adult dcs are taking me out for a treat for afternoon tea in a country house hotel and spa, very fancy, does weddings etc

I don't have anything suitable to wear as I have changed sizes recently and usually wear very casual clothes.

I want to feel special with a new outfit including light jacket or cardigan.

Possibly floral or summery but without being twee or mumsy.
I'm size 16-18, 5"9, have a relatively small head and broad shoulders so don't like excess material around my shoulders and neck (small frills are ok).
I get hot easily so prefer short sleeves and cool materials.

I don't even know where to start. Dress? Skirt and top? Can you suggest some outfits or online shops please.

Budget is around £150 all in (I have shoes).
Thank you!

OP posts:

PhaedraTwo · Today 11:32

With a black taffetta skirt I'd avoid white and want a bright, bold colour

These cardigans are made to wear with full skirted skirts and dresses and as they are coloured black shoes are fine. I'd like and wear your skirt with any of them.

https://palava.co/products/vera-coral-leaping-tigers-cardigan

https://palava.co/products/vera-cream-prancing-ponies-cardigan

https://palava.co/products/vera-cream-butterflies-cardigan

https://palava.co/products/vera-cream-tulips-cardigan

https://palava.co/products/vera-green-edible-flowers-cardigan

Vera Cardigan - Coral Leaping Tigers

The tigers are back in a lovely vibrant coral cardigan. Poised and ready to pounce, these beautiful embroidered big cats bring a touch of the wild—bold, untamed, and always ready to turn heads. About the Style: Classic Vera is knitted in soft organic c...

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Original poster

Shockednotshocked · Today 11:42

PhaedraTwo · Today 11:14

I think people forget that getting dressed up in something new is part of the treat, the enjoyment.

I love the way every time this question comes up the "oh everyone is so casual" crew pitches in. Are they trying to make out it's so routine for them it's no big deal?

I love afternoon tea and live in a city which has an abundance of venues. The cafés at the Royal Academy and the Portrait Gallery do lovely teas and probably aren't particularly dressed up. On the other hand The Dome, The Balmoral and The Signet Library - yes. The venues are grand and beautiful, so why turn up in jeans and trainers?

Thank you. I said it was a country house but having looked it up properly it's actually a castle!
And for me this is a special occasion, it's a treat and fun event with my adult children hosting me.

I guess people saying it is casual are trying to take the pressure off?

OP posts:

PhaedraTwo · Today 13:18

The material is really important. Cotton, linen, some viscose (depending on the designer) and even silk and taffetta can be dressed up and dressed down. It depends how you wear it, what with and the context.

I've got taffetta skirts and dresses which I wear with flat, laced up Lanx and Joseph Cheaney boots and tweed waistcoats or wool cardigans and my hair down and they're casual like that. They're dressier with ballet flats and my hair up.

A polyester occasion dress is almost impossible to make casual.

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