What to Wear to Afternoon Tea
Written by Artemis Clo
Wondering what to wear to afternoon tea? Think smart, pretty and easy to sit in for two hours, because that is exactly what you'll be doing. It sits somewhere between lunch with friends and a family celebration, and the outfits that work best feel like a little occasion without trying too hard.
What to wear to afternoon tea: the dress code
Most afternoon teas ask for smart casual, and many grand hotels spell it out: no sportswear, no trainers, sometimes no ripped denim. Village tearooms are more relaxed, but you'll still feel more at home a notch above your everyday clothes. If you're not sure, check the venue's website or ask when you book. Our guide to the smart-casual dress code explains the middle ground in more detail.
The easiest answer is a midi dress. It looks polished, it moves well when you sit and stand, and it does the work of a whole outfit on its own. A wrap V-neck midi dress with puff sleeves feels right at a hotel table, and a geometric print midi shirt dress is a lovely choice for a garden tearoom. Browse our dresses for more shapes that drape rather than cling.
What to leave at home
Very little is truly off limits, but a few things tend to feel wrong at a laid tea table. Gym wear and running trainers, obviously. Anything you'd wear to the beach. Very short hemlines, which ride up once you sit on a low sofa. And a huge, structured bag that needs its own chair. Beyond that, wear what makes you feel like you've made a little effort. That is really all afternoon tea asks.
If it's a celebration, such as a birthday, a reunion or a mother and daughter outing, you can go one step dressier: a dress with a bit of lace or embroidery, a heel you love, a brighter lipstick. Nobody has ever been made to feel overdressed for afternoon tea.
Dresses to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Wrap V-Neck Midi Dress with Puff Sleeves
Geometric Print Midi Shirt Dress
A-Line Dress with Embroidered Sheer Sleeves
Pieces that suit the occasion
Comfort matters more than you'd think. Afternoon tea is a long, seated affair, with cake. Look for an easy waist, a skirt with a bit of movement and sleeves you can forget about.
- A midi or day dress in a soft print or a solid colour. Wrap and shirt-dress shapes are the easiest to wear seated.
- A pretty blouse with a midi skirt. A notch neck blouse with petal sleeves over a pleated midi skirt with an elasticated waist is as comfortable as it is put-together.
- Smart trousers and a blouse, if dresses aren't your thing. Choose a softly printed blouse and well-cut trousers, and add a pair of earrings.
- A little detail for a special occasion, such as an A-line dress with embroidered sheer sleeves for a birthday or an anniversary.
Our skirts and blouses give you plenty of mix-and-match options. One thing to avoid: anything very tight at the waist. You'll want room for that second scone.
Shoes and finishing touches
You won't walk far at afternoon tea, but you may well walk to it, through a town centre or along a hotel corridor that seems to go on forever. A low heel or a polished flat is ideal. Colour-block penny loafers add a bit of personality to a plain dress, and cut-out Mary Janes with a block heel look pretty with a midi hem. Have a look through our shoes for comfortable pairs you can wear for hours.
Then the details. A neat handbag that sits on your lap or by your chair, rather than a big tote. A printed scarf to add colour to a plain outfit. A pair of earrings or a brooch. That's quite enough; the cake stand is the star of the show.
One practical tip: think about colour and print near your lap. Pale linen napkins and clotted cream are not always friends. A soft print forgives the odd crumb far better than plain cream or white, which is worth knowing if you're the one pouring.
Afternoon tea outfits through the seasons
Spring and summer
Lighter fabrics, pastel or floral prints and short or elbow-length sleeves. Bring a light cardigan or a cropped jacket, as tea rooms can be air-conditioned and garden terraces turn cool when the sun goes in.
Autumn and winter
Swap the summer dress for a knitted midi dress or a skirt and fine jumper, with opaque tights. Ankle boots work well with a midi hem; square-toe suede-look boots are smart enough for a hotel and practical for the walk there. Choose a coat you're happy to hand over at the door, and layers you can take off, because the room will be warm once the tea arrives.
If your afternoon tea turns into an evening out, our guides on what to wear to the theatre and what to wear to Sunday lunch have more easy outfit ideas. Enjoy the scones.
Next, from our shoes
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Colour-Block Penny Loafers, Low Heel
Orthopaedic Cut-Out Mary Janes with Block Heel
Square-Toe Suede-Look Boots, Contrast Toe Cap
Your questions, answered
Can I wear jeans to afternoon tea?
In a relaxed tearoom, smart dark jeans with a pretty blouse and polished shoes are usually fine. Grander hotels often ask guests to avoid denim and sportswear, so check the venue's website or ask when you book.
Do I need to wear a hat to afternoon tea?
No. Hats are not expected at afternoon tea unless it is part of a themed event or follows a day at the races or a wedding. A scarf or a pretty pair of earrings does the same job without the fuss.
How long does afternoon tea usually last?
Most venues serve afternoon tea between about two and five o'clock, often in set sittings of around an hour and a half to two hours. That is a long time to sit, so choose a waistband and a hem that feel as good at the end as they did when you arrived.
Is afternoon tea a good occasion for a new dress?
It is a lovely excuse, but wear it around the house for an hour first. You will be sitting for a good while, so check that the waist and the hem are comfortable seated, not just standing in front of the mirror.
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