Buckingham Palace Garden Party

[beanebabe]

One has been invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July and one hasn't a clue what one should wear! Has anyone been to one - any tips?

[Velvetee]

How come you got invited? How do you get invited? Are you an OBE, CBE or MBE?

I would wear something summery, but conservative, not too fussy but stylish. I'm sure that doesn't help you at all.

[shylock73]

No, how nace for one. lol

[GK Fanatic]

No stilettos as you'll sink into the grass which won't look good !!!

[beanebabe]

Thank you all for your very useful replies! My other half is in the TA and went into a lottery for tickets to celebrate their 100th Anniversary. We haven't actually got the invitation yet - it's in the post!

[catmando]

It's a good excuse for a new outfit - not that you'll need to be told that! They are very informal affairs but everyone is turned out looking good. You don't dress down to a palace garden party. I'd say, wear what you might wear to a posh, summer, family wedding. Hats for the ladies seem to be the thing, or at least they were when we went to one - some (many) years ago. If you are successful in getting an invite, do accept and have a great time. The gardens are lovely. We were lucky with beautiful weather to crown what was already going to be, for us, a memorable event.
Good luck!

[butterflies]

Go along to a big department store (Binns) which kits you out into an outfit for the occasion and which suits you. They usually do this for mothers of brides etc
Hope you have a lovely day. I'm green with envy

[spudqueen]

My Auntie went to one last summer and wore (as suggested by catmando) a brand new outfit that I would class as 'wedding wear'. In fact she is going to wear it to a wedding she is going to this summer. And yes, she did wear a hat.

[Im a BusyBee]

i went last year, it was a wonderful day. only a very small amount of ladies didnt have a hat of some description. I borrowed one that my friend had for her daughters wedding a couple of weeks before - not a 'hat' as such mainly feathers and net - not very good description sorry! Everyone enjoyed the excuse to get smartly dressed but the outfits varied considerably in style and colour, i guess it depends on each personal taste.I was told there is normally 8,000 people at a garden party. As has been said previously dress as if a wedding but however you would feel comfortable. I would say wear a comfortable pair of shoes though as you will be on your feet for hours. Enjoy your day!

[Naomicorlett]

To busy bee......Your little hat thing of feathers and net is called a fascinator ( isnt that a lovely word). Have a wonderful time beanebabe. Hope the sun shines for you. Above all wear something you feel comfortable in ( maybe not joggers tho) :o)

[slinkycat]

As a lot of the previous answers have said, a summery wedding type outfit would be ideal, a hat is a must, you'll be in the minority if you don't have one, shoes - definately go for low ones, or you'll be like some of the women I saw, either sinking into the lawns or trying to smile while obviously suffering from horrendous blisters!
By the way, have something to eat before you go, the sandwiches and cakes etc are lovely but served in miniature portions, and unless you don't mind looking greedy and piling your plate up you'll be starving by the end of the day!

[donkeyhat45]

I think you have to wear a hat and a summer dress which is not low cut and either a shot jacket or bolero. wedges would be good as you are on grass for 3 hours. I am going on 10th July when is your party? Just hope it doesnt rain as these straw type hats that everyone gets are not rain proof.

[beanebabe]

Hello Donkeyhat - I was surprised to get a reply after so long. We are going on the 10th July as well. Presume you or other half have connections with the TA? Totally stressing over what to wear. Have just bought a dress from Wallis (long, linen, white background with black & brown flowers) and brown shrug cardy and probably a feathery fascinator headress and had thought about wedge shoes. Just pray it's nice weather. Is your OH wearing uniform or are you going as an employer?

[pumpkin5]

We too have at last received our invitation, my husband is also in the TA , think there may be quite a few of us, shame we cant take cameras in! I have bought a pair of shoes but after reading that we'll be on the grass for hours think I may be popping in to town to buy some more suitable ones, I read also about the fascinators but see on our invitation it says hats, do you think we have to wear hats?? Really hope the weather is nice, what happens if it rains?

[beanebabe]

I am desperately trying to complete my outfit. I have a dress and a shrug cardy (although I am stressing about that not being smart enough). I was going to wear a fascinator (even though it says hats). They are so popular at the moment I am sure we wouldn't stand out. At Royal Ascot they said 'substantial' ones were acceptable, I have tried on some of the larger ones and they look at bit daft. If I get it all hopelessly wrong, I'm going to hide behind a bush. As for rain, I'll pack a brolly if necessary and spend a lot of time in the marquees! I think the TA had 1000 tickets, I am not sure if that is the total number that will be there on the day.

[pumpkin5]

What colour is your facinator I'll have to look out for you!! that would be funny wouldnt it? prob see you behind a bush or being frisked by security as you try to get your brolly in!

[beanebabe]

Hi Pumpkin - all sorted, �207 later! My dress is quite long, cream with brown and black flowers and leaves (Neutral Lady Linen Dress from Wallis, it's been reduced to �30 and I paid �35)! I have got a brown shrug cardy to go over the top (worried it's too casual), brown wedge shoes from Hobbs (cost more than rest of outfit) and a cream and brown hat. I was going for a fascinator, but in the end could not find a suitable one. I needed one on a band because my hair is straight and wouldn't hold a comb. My bag is so small it will just about hold a lipstick! Other half is going in the full monty uniform (Blues???). What about you?

[pumpkin5]

Hello again, I have a black and white polka dot dress, its called a Prom dress by Debenhams and it was �110 !!! I looked everywhere for something and ended up with this one,(the most expensive dress I've ever bought but couldnt find anything else that measured up to it) but I had some bargains with accessories so it probably equalled it out. I have a black and white spotted fascinator,and black satin bolero. My husband is wearing army no.2 suit, thats the smart greeny one and so are some of his friends/colleagues, well Look forward to looking out for you !