In bloom: What to wear to a garden party
From sunshine-ready florals to romantic pastels, here’s all the style inspiration you need for your next garden party
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There’s nowhere like London in the summer – especially if you happen to find yourself invited to one of the capital’s elegant garden parties. While music festivals and picnics in the park are great for a casual day in the sun, for a more regal affair à la Buckingham Palace’s famous soirees, nothing beats a garden party. Imagine sun-soaked lawns, fresh florals and delectable feasts served on fabulous tablescapes – you can almost hear the Bridgerton theme playing in the background. Boasting royal roots, garden parties are truly glamorous affairs, so it stands to reason that your outfit should follow suit. Read on for our curated edit of the best breezy frocks, romantic florals, chic wedge sandals and cheerful jewellery so you know exactly what to wear to a garden party this summer.
Summer dresses
There’s no denying the easy, polished flair of an elegant summer dress for a garden party, especially one rendered in bright seasonal hues. Despite that over-quoted line from The Devil Wears Prada, florals are a great failsafe for summer. Farm Rio and Charo Ruiz play with vibrant floral and nature-inspired printed dresses – the former adorned on a pretty pink backdrop with a feminine sweetheart neckline, the latter accompanied by beautiful butterflies on an eye-catching strapless blue silhouette.
Elsewhere, Celia B’s floral dress features voluminous puffy sleeves for an elegant but show-stopping style, while Posse’s Paloma dress is covered in a polka dot print for a touch of vintage glamour (and keeps up with the trend of the season).
Not one for prints? You simply can’t go wrong with a crisp white hued design, whether maxi or mini. Tove’s longline cotton-poplin dress is effortlessly glam, flattering with its panelled waist and perfect for accessorising, while Delia Wade’s broderie anglaise dress is short, chic and complete with a giant bow for bonus style points.
Matchy co ords
Co ord sets are as effortlessly chic as it gets. While we adore tailored separates in classic black and navy hues for work, there’s no better time to let loose with bolder choices than at a garden party. Zimmermann’s dopamine-inducing prints are an obvious choice – we love this palm-patterned blouse and shorts combo, finished with wooden buttons and beads for a playful edge. Alternatively, La DoubleJ’s floral cotton tunic and miniskirt are a perfect match for strappy sandals and will work well for a smart-casual event.
Luxe layers
As they say, you can plan a pretty picnic but you can’t predict the weather, so it pays to be prepared for windy evenings and temperature drops come sunset. But that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice on style. Opt for a smart blazer to add a sophisticated touch – Posse's cropped linen jacket is perfectly on theme, while Joseph's seashell-hued silk blend style features a pleated texture to pull over any outfit.
For a more relaxed approach, consider Oscar de la Renta’s peony-embroidered cardigan or Pierre-Louis' vibrant patchwork jacket. Both will add an extra layer of warmth and style in an instant, trust us.
Happy feet
Flip-flops and flat sandals are great for casual summer events, but for garden parties, heels just feel more appropriate. Put your chicest foot forward in Loeffler Randall’s raffia platform sandals, or add a pop of colour with Penelope Chilver’s pink espadrilles.
Heels really not your thing? Ballet flats are a great formal alternative – and we can think of few designs better suited for garden party style than this Ferragamo woven pair or Dear Frances' barely-there mesh studded ones.
Colourful jewellery
Jewellery is the icing on the cake of any outfit, so make sure to add a bit of sparkle to your garden party style. Sticking to the floral theme is a good starting point. Annoushka’s Tulips collection features an array of designs inspired by the delicate blooms. Our favourite? This 14ct yellow gold chain adorned with a handcrafted yellow gold and malachite tulip charm. Elsewhere, Jennifer Behr’s baby pink flower power earrings feature sparkling crystals to really make you shine. Alternatively, stick to the classics – Mejuri’s diamond tennis bracelet is primed for stacking while Monica Vinader’s verdant green ring is great for adding a pop of colour.
Read more: What to pack for a weekend in the country
