What To Wear To A Garden Party This Season

As the days get warmer and the evenings seem to stretch on forever, outdoor occasions start to fill up our calendars again. Garden parties are a wonderful part of summer, with sunshine, blooming flowers and quality time spent with loved ones. From evening drinks after work to summer weddings, it’s important to choose an outfit that balances comfort and style. Read on for our style guide on what to wear to a garden party….

What is Garden Party Attire?

Traditionally garden parties were high-society events where everyone dressed to impress - and modern garden parties are no exception! Garden party attire for women should be both stylish and comfortable. Although summertime offers the perfect opportunity to wear floaty dresses, British weather can be unpredictable and it’s important that your outfit can carry you through the day and into the cooler evening.

Some stylish garden party outfits include:

• Maxi dresses A loose-fitting maxi dress is the ultimate choice for a summer party. Choose bold colours and prints, like our beautiful Deborah silk-blend maxi dress, or white or cream options if you prefer neutrals. When it comes to footwear, we all know that stilettos don’t mix well with lawns. Steer away from pointy heels and instead go for wedge sandals or an elegant pair of flats. Sling a denim jacket over your shoulders, or opt for a fitted blazer, if the weather takes a turn for the colder.

• Midi dresses If you’re petite, a midi dress is another great option. Our beautiful Jem dress in a beautiful silky satin with a hammered finish and a smudgy yellow floral print and a floaty, fluted midi-length skirt.. Let this dress’s bright colours shine by pairing it with nude heels and simple accessories like pearl earrings or a silver pendant.

• Wide-leg trousers If dresses aren’t your style, a pair of flowing, wide-leg trousers make a good alternative garden party outfit staple. For a minimalist style, this cream cotton pair is sleek and smart, but light enough to wear in hot weather. Pair yours with a simple silk cami or a cotton T-shirt and don’t be afraid to go big with the accessories - we love these crystal and pearl spray earrings. When the sun goes down, drape a cardigan or shawl in soft hues over the top. Floaty culottes are a great choice for cloudy weather, too.

What to Wear to a Summer Day Garden Party

Summer day garden parties mean sunshine, ice-cold drinks and good food. On particularly hot days, it’s key to choose lightweight and breathable fabrics that will keep you cool when out in the sun. Summer garden party attire for women includes cotton, linen, silk and satin dresses and trousers.

Elevate your outfit with accessories that keep you cool in the sun. For example, a sun hat exudes vintage charm and old-time glamour. Go for a wide-brimmed, floppy style to keep your face in the shade. A straw visor is a fun take on a classic style and also offers plenty of protection from the sun’s rays. Make your look unique by tying a colourful silk scarf or ribbon around it. On sweltering days, keep jewellery to a minimum, but at cooler events, a string of pearls or a dainty gold necklace stack adds an elegant finishing touch.

The ultimate accessory for any summer look is a pair of sunglasses. Go bold with bright acetate styles or choose statement black for summer sophistication. The most popular summertime accessory for a reason, you can also use sunglasses to sweep hair out of your face, or tuck them into the front of your dress.

Finally, every summer party outfit needs a beautiful bag to go with it. Our Lainey bag is both classic and contemporary, perfect for any summer occasion. In your handbag, don’t forget the essentials: makeup, lip balm, insect repellent and lots of sun cream.

What To Wear To An Evening Garden Party

Evening garden parties can be just as glamorous as daytime ones. Picture fairy lights and lanterns in the trees, classical music and the soft glow of a campfire. For summer garden soirées, the art of layering will come in handy, helping you to stay warm on chilly evenings.

In the evening, you can get away with longer sleeves. Our beautiful vintage sophie dress features a front ruffle and long sleeves. Wear it with block heels and a clutch for evening garden parties.

In cooler weather, add a jacket for warmth, like our Charlotte jacket. Its boxy, cropped shape goes particularly well over a floaty dress. There’s even a matching crop top and skirt! For smarter events, a sharp blazer or tuxedo jacket can be worn with any outfit. Alternatively, a cropped cardigan or knit sits neatly on the waist and can be worn over a dress or a skirt. For a classic look, wrap a scarf or shawl around your shoulders, like our cream Sutton scarf in silky-soft wool.

What To Wear To A Garden Party Wedding

In spring and summer, lots of people choose to have a wedding garden party for their special occasion. Think delicious canapés, flutes of champagne and flowing conversation. Make sure you’re looking your best with our wedding garden party outfit ideas.

Weddings are usually formal occasions, so choosing a dress style that is sophisticated and stylish is key. However, themed garden party weddings like barn dances or festivals are very popular and call for a more relaxed ‘fit.

Outdoor wedding guest outfits include light and airy maxi dresses, tea dresses and sun dresses. If you love bold patterns, choose floral or animal prints. If block colours are more your style, light up any occasion with a brightly coloured dress like our Josephine one-shouldered pleated dress. This statement dress goes well with gold heels and jewellery.

For petite women, our floral Lucy sun dress is the perfect wedding garden party outfit. Crafted from super-soft cotton and with slim straps, staying cool is a breeze, while the Fifties-inspired full skirt adheres to the formal brief. Wear with espadrilles, chunky heels or sandals and accessorise with a cute clutch, like our gold Dolly clutch.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some top tips for dressing stylishly and appropriately at all types of garden parties, from barn dances to weddings. Whatever the occasion, express yourself through your attire by embracing your individual style and enjoy each delicious canapé and every drink sipped in the sunshine. But remember to prioritise comfort - after all, you never know when the weather will change!