A tea party is an experience bursting with elegance and charm. It’s a chance to bond with loved ones over delightful nibbles, sip on soothing teas, and feel totally pampered. Of course, it’s also the perfect excuse to dress up in a beautiful outfit.
Knowing what to wear to a tea party can feel overwhelming, especially since they often have themes that call for different looks. To help, we’ll provide some styling tips below. Whether you’re attending a whimsical garden tea party or having formal tea at a refined hotel, our tips are sure to make it easy to put together the perfect look.
What to Wear to a Tea Party: General Styling Tips
While no two tea parties are alike, there are a few “unspoken” rules that tend to apply. You’ll want to be mindful of these when styling your outfit to avoid any awkward fashion faux pas.
Most tea parties have smart-casual dress codes. This means you’ll want to mix relaxed attire with more refined pieces, like a tailored blazer or an elegant dress.
Speaking of dresses, tea parties traditionally call for tea-length dresses. However, you can still rock another dress silhouette with the right styling, and provided it adheres to the venue’s dress code. You can also consider a sophisticated jumpsuit or pair a light blouse with a smart pleated skirt.
Make sure your outfit doesn’t stray into overly casual territory. Denim jeans, shorts, and sportswear are a no-go. Neutral-hued sandals can work at outdoor tea parties, but avoid sneakers. You should also stay away from tight, figure-hugging looks and low-cut necklines.
Some tea parties also require guests to wear dressy hats or fascinators, particularly those held at formal establishments. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your tea party’s dress code before the day to find out if this is a requirement.
Besides this, be sure to consider the colors of your outfit. Tea parties are all about refinement and elegance, and you’ll want to pick colors that match this vibe rather than clash against it.
Great colors for a tea party include pastels, soft neutrals, and earthy shades. You should also ensure your colors are cohesive with the tea party’s theme — cue our next section.
Common Tea Party Themes
We’ll take a quick look at some of the most popular tea party themes below, covering each theme’s typical dress code and what outfits and colors suit them best.
Formal Tea Party
Formal tea parties put the emphasis on sophistication. They are traditionally held at luxurious hotels and often have strict dress codes in place.
A formal tea party typically calls for a beautiful formal dress, no shorter than midi-length, as well as elegant heels and delicate accessories. You will also often be expected to wear a fascinator.
Steer clear of bold, neon hues and opt for more muted shades like cream, blush pink, and light blue. Dark shades like navy or violet can also work, but you’ll want to avoid wearing pure black.
High Tea Party
Despite what the name may lead you to think, a high tea party is a more casual get-together than a formal tea party. Traditionally, a high tea is served later on in the afternoon, and the food is more substantial, with the tea accompanied by hearty, filling portions instead of dainty pastries.
High tea parties usually still have semi-casual dress codes. However, you can get away with wearing laid-back attire like loose-fitting blouses or maxi dresses. You can also play around with color and choose bright eye-catching hues, like hot pink and spring green.
Vintage Tea Party
Vintage tea parties celebrate the charm of tradition. Guests are encouraged to dress to a time period — often the Victorian era — and enjoy delicate finger foods over fine bone china and polished silver spoons.
At a vintage tea party, it’s important to follow the dress code carefully to ensure you (and other guests) can truly stay immersed in the experience. Vintage tea parties generally lean more formal and encourage modest tea-length dresses. Long gloves and fascinators are also commonplace.
Garden Tea Party
Garden tea parties are known to be fairly relaxed events. They’re typically held outdoors in quiet gardens or parks, giving guests a chance to slow down and take in beautiful natural scenery.
Garden tea parties call for light, pastel hues, playful accessories, and floral patterns. You should also opt for cool, lightweight fabrics that will allow you to look and feel your best under the summer sun.
Pair a flowy chiffon dress with white sandals and a sun hat for an effortlessly chic garden tea party outfit.
Closing Advice on What to Wear to a Tea Party
Now that you have an idea of the “unspoken” rules and common outfits for different tea party themes, it’s time to put your look together.
Speak to the host (or venue) for information about the dress code, treat yourself to a gorgeous new dress, and choose soft, graceful colors that capture the essence of the tea party while accentuating your natural features.
By putting thought and care into your tea party look, you can rest at ease knowing you’ll be dressed in a way that’ll make the day feel even more special.
