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With the beautiful Australian weather, a garden party is always a lovely way to catch up and celebrate with friends. This does however beg the age-old question of “what to wear to a garden party?”. Never fear, we are here with the ultimate guide to garden party dress codes!
What is a Garden Party?
Now, when we hear the words garden party the first thing that comes to mind is tea in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, but for our everyday lives, we can probably turn the dial back a few notches. Garden parties are often filled with beautiful bouquets, finger food, pretty dresses, and flowing drinks. Going from the late afternoon and into the evening, these soirees are a lovely opportunity to get dressed up and catch up with friends.
What Does the Dress Code Garden Party Mean?
Not all bottles of bubbles are created equal... and neither are garden parties. From a small gathering in your backyard to an outdoor wedding, you may be presented with a garden party dress code. This seemingly simple dress code can take on many meanings depending on the occasion and location. Here are some rules to follow for any garden party.
BB's Top Style Tips for Every Type of Garden Party
1. Pastels – Lovely light and feminine pastel colours are perfect for afternoons in the setting sun surrounded by loved ones and beautiful gardens.
2. Florals – Don’t be afraid to match the garden! Floral prints are a lovely way to look effortlessly pretty for all garden party occasions.
3. Jeans – Massive no, no! While jeans may be great for gardening, you simply should not wear them to a garden party! If you aren’t a fan of dresses, try a pair of flowing silk pants for a more elevated look.
4. Heels – While heels are usually our go-to pairing with a pretty dress, you don’t want to pierce your friend’s lawn. Why not opt for a pair of wedges, dainty flats or strappy sandals instead?
5. Hats - If we had to give a fun fact about the BB team it would be that we are big fans of hats! Wearing a hat is absolutely essential if you are going to be out in the hot Aussie sun. Check out our Sun Safe Edit here for more tips to battle the sun.
What to Wear to a Garden Party?
At BB we fancy ourselves to be party girls, or maybe more correctly these days, garden party girls, therefore it is only right that we have perfected the guide on what to wear to every type of garden party!
Casual Garden Party
We will start with the simplest of occasions, a casual garden party. This may be held with a small group of close friends in a backyard or local park. Think lightweight dress that covers your knees, we love wearing natural fibres as they are ultra-breathable. Keep it classy yet understated to enjoy the day to the full extent.
Cocktail Garden Party
Time to step it up a bit, a cocktail garden party may go closer into the night. This slightly dressier occasion calls for taking your dress to the next level. One of our favourite tips is “the shorter the dress, the fancier the fabric”! Don’t fret about the temperature dropping, you can always add a shawl to your garden party outfit for when it is cold.
Formal Garden Party
What does garden party formal mean? It might sound like a bit of an oxymoron; however, we can guarantee you it is a real dress code. This is your chance to pull out your lace, satin, or chiffon dress and wedges. Don’t be scared to add some bling to your outfit, this will help bring a casual outfit to the next, and more formal level.
Wedding Garden Party
Don’t let the word garden party fool you, an invitation to a garden party themed wedding is not an invitation to show up in casual wear. This is a semi-formal dress code. We recommend wearing a below knee length dress made from a luxurious fabric like silk. Steer clear of stilettos and instead go for a thick block heel or wedge. Elevate your outfit with timeless accessories, or by matching your dress to your partner’s tie.
We hope you are feeling ready to RSVP “YES” to that garden party invite now! After all feeling confident in your outfit is the most important part of the party.
If you are wondering about any other dress codes, check out our guides to the races, tropical holidays, travelling, teacher outfits, and the ever-difficult smart casual dress code.
Leave a comment below with your top tips for dressing for a garden party, we would love to hear from you!
BB xx
