What to wear to afternoon tea in London (northern bumpkin alert)

[notamumyetbutoneday]

We are going to Afternoon tea in the Langham Hotel over Christmas, eek (thats an excited eek)!

What on earth to wear? Dress code is smart casual which is no help at all.

I am 27, size 12, very short, good legs and boobs, massive pot belly. I am naturally quite a 'dressy' person ie wear a lot of dresses but these are usually jumper dresses or work dresses neither of which I think would work here?

Just to make matters more difficult I have a rather small budget- (says quietly) maybe about £40 for a dress? I know thats hardly anything but with Christmas being at the same time I can't really justify anyhting more than that unless i thought I would wear it every week...

Anyway I would love some ideas please!

Thanks

Wear any dress ypu already have. Really.

I would wear one of your dresses you already have too

I would have thought a jumper dress would be fine. Personally I would wear jeans as that's what I am comfortable in and if I am paying the bill I have the right to feel comfortable.

You think so? Even like a jumper dress eg like this one
www.peacocks.co.uk/Womenswear/Dresses/Day_Dresses/DARK_BLUE_COWL_NECK_JUMPER_DRESS_-42281170.html

which i got last week and is actually REALLY nice and hangs lovely. I thought a knitted dress would be too informal id DH is wearing a suit? Although, maybe he doesnt need to wear a suit?

oh lord what happened there? sorry i am so rubbish at links

I would say a jumper dress for afternoon tea during the Christmas period would be fine. Or if you want to buy something new, why not go for a jersey tea dress?

navy from Top Shop You could accessorise to your hearts content with this one and it will give you a waist (which I am assuming is a problem with the way you describe your tum )

would love fab with opaques and heels

another navy

I like your jumper dress. Very nice colour. Why not go for that with opaques?

Knitted dress definitely not too informal. This is the kind of thing DH and I do a fair bit. Yes, he probably would wear a suit but women can get away with something less "stiff" as long as they look stylish

Your DH should be able to get away with shirt and trousers (no jacket and tie ok if smart casual).

Love that jumper dress - might get one myself, what a bargain! You should be fine in that although I wouldn't got OTT with accessories.

That said, if you're keen to treat yourself to something new for such a special occasion what about a tea-dress? You could do nice court shoes to work the full lady look or chunky tights and boots if its really cold - the latter look will be good to get max. wear out of it too.

.....chunky tights???

Some of the hotels won't let you in for tea wearing jeans - I'd go with a wrap dress and boots.

A tea dress.With a chunky cardi and boots, or a tea dress with a long sleeve top on underneath and opaques.

you wont be let in some of the posh nicer hotels for tea wearing jeans.

Peacocks is having a "moment" just now, isn't it ?

Some fab things in there

this is nice, slightly over budget but you could wear it with tights/leggings and jeans, dress it up or down and layer it too.

(never been to a posh hotel for "tea")

I went to afternoon tea at the berkeley hotel a couple of weeks ago and wore a long [quite posh] tunic top, leggings and long boots. However, there were all kinds of different outfits on display (from a table of really scruffy women (no make up, those shoes for hiking that you can swim in, muffin tops etc) to a table of young girls dressed up like they were the off spring of Russian oligarchs) and no one batted an eyelid. Wear something that makes you feel good and like you've made an effort - it is a treat after all - but dont stress about it at all. It will be lovely - have a great time.

Thank you all for your ideas. Tulpe I love the dresses you linked to, especially the last frill one- I think I will be buying that oe anyway! I do tend to seek out wrap styles to minimise my tum.

Scary- yes Peacocks had loads of nice things in at the weekend, jumper dresses galore. Some of them not so flattering on moi though but perfect for taller types.

Go for a dress to be on the safe side, then you will have any dress code covered. The Berkeley is the fashionistas tea spot, so doesn't really have a dress code (lots of variety on display when I was there), however some of the other London hotels do have a dress code . Avoid jeans/trainers and you should be fine though.