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

[Shockednotshocked]

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!

Are you maybe posting on the wrong thread, there is nothing odd about dressing nicely for a tea with your kids,

It's afternoon tea and I think it is verging on overdressed for that. It's getting well into wedding or Ascot territory.

Outfield: have a look at the Claire Waite Keller satin tops in Uniqlo. I have the navy and the chocolate. They are gorgeous and £35.

They also have elastic waist satin skirts. Pop a Whistles jacket or cropped cardi over and you’d be golden.

PS: have just worn to afternoon tea at the Dorchester and felt fab.

Kitten heels, beige suede Next £38 to finish.

😂😂😂😂

it’s ok. I’ve just seen your suggestions.

Unlike yours mine aren't from a Chinese drop shipping site.

Here's the Trustpilot review, with of course the usual fake 5 star review.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.montleigh.com

I conceded that a more reputable company would be better.

But the style, cut, pattern and price point are appropriate for someone who wants to look “special” in a “castle”.

I just don’t think suggesting £200 to wear this is appropriate.
Not special at all.

You only "conceded" that after I pointed out you'd suggested a scam, drop shipping site purporting to be based in the Netherlands and clearly a front for Chinese tat.

😂😂
I’ll take my £40 drop shipping scam over £200 harassed, moth eaten art teacher any day

I wasn't suggesting the OP buy that I said that was the sort of thing I would wear as I already own dresses from them.

I had earlier suggested Palava tops to go with OP's black skirt which got a "love" acknowledgement from the OP.

What are your shoes like OP?

A wrap dress would look fab with your broad shoulders - trust me!

DVF do some lovely ones - have a look on eBay or Vinted. I’ll share some links

https://www.boden.com/products/women-carla-jersey-wrap-dress-hunter-green-d1484grn

what a bargain! They have your size too!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/287328219689

This is gorgeous but I wouldn’t wear black shoes

Have you looked at Vinted?
You could get a few options for your budget.

Don't know if you're still following this thread.

To go with the black skirt how about something like this blouse or this sleeveless top (which I think is lovely but very sleeveless, so I would be tempted to size up - although that's just my personal preference). You could wear a red cardigan or the Whistles jacket linked early in the thread which is usually available in several colours (I'd probably choose a neutral version for future versatility, but pale pink might work well with the red elements in the decoration on the sleeveless top I've linked). A linen vest top like these would also be nice, although I'm not a 100% convinced on the colours - green or red would be best, I think.

If you want to stick with the black linen top you have, this skirt might be worth considering, although you will probably find most of FF's stuff too fussy. This chocolate brown one with cutout details would be gorgeous with a white top and black jacket, but the other way round would also work. If you're willing to blow most of your budget on a skirt then this print is beautiful.

I think it looks lovely. I wouldn't have known about the provenance but would avoid if as you say, but a similar dress would be very classy.

Not everyone wants to dress down.

I agree it could also be suitable for weddings etc. But that doesn't make it unsuitable for afternoon tea. There is some overlap.

I've a couple of friends and family who had 'older' zero birthdays lately and went to posh hotels for tea.

They wore dresses- some Marks- and others wore smart trousers and tops, the men wore chinos and shirts, nothing really special.

I don't think that is suitable for the OP as there is so much fabric in the skirt it would swamp her and many older women want sleeves.

Just to let you all know, we had an amazing time. We had to change the date went on very hot day so all my worriedls about cardigans and jackets went out the window!

I ended up getting a new dress from nobody's child, a pretty wrap dress as recommended by pp.

The afternoon tea was wonderful, and we wandered the hotel castle and grounds like the princesses we are!

Most pp were dressed more casually although there were a few lovely dresses as well, and we didn't feel out of place at all.

Lovely update @Shockednotshocked
glad you had such a great time 🙂

I’m a fan of a a midi/ maxi shirt dress and espadrille wedges…

D’oh- just seen that you’ve been!!