What to Wear to a Garden Party
Written by Artemis Clo
Working out what to wear to a garden party is really a question about the English weather. You want something pretty and summery that still copes with a damp lawn, a sudden breeze and a long afternoon on your feet. Here's how to get it right without overthinking it.
What to wear to a garden party: the dress code
Start with the invitation. Most private garden parties are smart casual or "summer smart", which means a dress or a polished outfit rather than everyday shorts and a T-shirt. Some formal events, often linked to a wedding, a charity or an institution, state a dress code with hats or day dresses. If it's written down, follow it. If it isn't, aim one step smarter than lunch with friends.
The easiest answer is a dress in a light fabric that moves. A floral puff sleeve dress with a shirred waist feels made for a lawn, and a floral wrap maxi dress with puff sleeves and a belt is lovely for a dressier occasion. Florals are the obvious choice, but a clear colour or a spotted print looks just as fresh. Browse our dresses for easy shapes that drape and swish.
Dresses to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Floral Puff Sleeve Dress with Shirred Waist
Floral Wrap Maxi Dress with Puff Sleeves and Belt
Spotted Tiered Midi Dress with Frill Sleeves
Garden party outfit ideas
A few combinations that work well, whatever the size of the garden:
- The midi dress. Midi lengths are the safe bet. They look elegant, stay modest when you sit on a low garden chair, and don't trail on wet grass.
- The tiered or smock dress. Loose and floaty, good for a hot day and long lunches.
- The co-ord. Wide trousers and a matching top are just as summery as a dress, and kinder on a windy day.
- The dressier option. For a wedding-linked party or an event with a dress code, our wedding season edit has longer, more formal shapes.
Whatever you choose, think about the wind. Very light skirts can catch a gust at exactly the wrong moment, and a belt or a wrap shape gives you a little more control. For the same reason, look for a dress you can sit in on a low chair without fiddling, such as a spotted tiered midi dress with frill sleeves. If it's a formal invitation, our guide to wedding dress codes explains what the wording really means.
Colours and prints
Garden parties are one of the few events where colour is positively encouraged. Soft pastels, clear blues and greens, a bold floral or a cheerful spot all feel at home against a lawn and a rose border. If you usually live in navy and black, this is the day to borrow a little colour, even if it's only a printed scarf or a bright bag. The one colour to think twice about is white, if the party is anywhere near a wedding.
Shoes for a garden party
This is where garden parties catch people out. Thin heels sink straight into the lawn, leave you stuck like a tent peg, and come out covered in mud. Flat shoes or a broad heel are far more practical, and they look just as pretty.
- Wedges spread your weight across the grass. Crossover espadrille wedge sandals are a classic summer choice.
- Block heels give height without sinking.
- Smart flat sandals are fine for a relaxed afternoon, and the most comfortable for a long one.
Have a look at our sandals for wedges and low heels that are kind on a lawn. If the ground is likely to be damp, avoid pale fabrics on your shoes, and pack plasters for the walk back to the car.
Hats, bags and layers
A hat is optional at most garden parties, unless the invitation asks for one. On a sunny day it's practical as well as pretty, and a woven hat with a wide brim and band keeps the sun off your face. A neat little bag with a long strap leaves your hands free for a glass and a plate of strawberries. Browse our accessories for the finishing touches.
Then the layer, because this is England. A light cardigan, a cropped jacket or a pretty wrap will see you through the moment the sun drops behind the marquee. Choose something you'll be happy to wear in every photo, not something you'd rather leave on the back of a chair.
If rain is forecast
Choose a dress in a fabric that dries quickly and doesn't crease badly, wear shoes that won't mind a damp lawn, and bring a small umbrella and a light jacket. Darker or busier prints forgive the odd splash far better than pale plains. A garden party that moves indoors halfway through is still a garden party; you just get better access to the cake.
For other summer occasions, our guides on what to wear to the races and what to wear to a country wedding pick up the same themes of lawns, hats and changeable skies.
Next, from our sandals
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Orthopaedic Crossover Espadrille Wedge Sandals
Orthopaedic Cork-Effect Platform Wedge Sandals
Orthopaedic Espadrille Wedges with Ankle Strap
Your questions, answered
Is a maxi dress too formal for a garden party?
Not at all, as long as the fabric is light and the print or colour feels daytime. Just check the hem clears the ground when you walk, or it will collect grass and damp from the lawn.
Can I wear trousers to a garden party?
Yes, unless the invitation says otherwise. Wide, floaty trousers with a pretty blouse, or a matching set, look just as summery as a dress and are easier on a breezy day.
What does day dress mean on a garden party invitation?
Day dress is the formal daytime code: a dress or a skirt suit, usually knee length or longer, often worn with a hat or a fascinator. A smart trouser suit is increasingly accepted too. If the invitation adds details, such as hats or no hats, those always come first.
What should I bring in my bag?
Sunglasses, a small folding umbrella, a light scarf or wrap, and plasters for the walk back to the car. A small crossbody bag keeps your hands free for a glass and a plate.
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