An In-Depth Guide To Tea Party Attire

Tea parties are elegant affairs, and what you wear tends to matter. Whether you’re attending a dainty tea party with your friends or a fancy event held in honor of the Queen, you should dress the part! Here’s an in-depth guide to tea party outfit ideas so you can dress to impress.

At a tea party, women typically wear a floral dress or a skirt and blouse combo with nice heels or flats. For a more formal event, a tailored suit or an evening dress is appropriate. For men, smart trousers with a crisp shirt and a blazer or sports coat, or a suit for more formal events, is perfect.

Ruffles, lace, pastels, delicate jewelry, and headpieces are all quintessential tea party details. Hats, gloves, and other accessories can be added for an extra bit of drama. Let’s take a closer look at what to wear for a formal or informal tea party

What Should You Wear to a Tea Party?

Best Friends Tea Party

Tea parties are a great excuse to show off your fancy wardrobe and make a statement. The key is to go for an elegant, polished look.

Think classic silhouettes, delicate fabrics, and subtle accessories. Put together an outfit that shows you’re making an effort but is also comfortable and relaxed.

Women should choose dresses, skirts, or trousers in light or pastel colors. A dress with a modest neckline and a skirt or trousers with a tailored top is the way to go. Pair these pieces with low-heeled shoes, clutches, or handbags and some chic jewelry to complete your look.

Men should opt for a suit or trousers and a crisp shirt, with or without a blazer. Men can also experiment with different materials, patterns, textures, and colors. A pocket square and a pair of dress shoes will finish off the look.

In short, avoid anything too casual or fashion-forward, and steer away from unstructured silhouettes. That said, the major factor that will determine the dress code is the formality of the tea party you’re attending.

Are you going to a formal event or a more casual afternoon tea? Let’s look at your options for both.

Formal Tea Party Looks

For a formal tea party, aim for something slightly dressier and more polished than your typical office attire. However, that doesn’t mean you have to go over the top.

Stick to classy, timeless pieces that will work in any situation. If you’re feeling extra fancy, step up the accessories with a statement hat or a gorgeous pair of earrings. Here are our tips for dressing appropriately for a formal tea party, depending on the weather.

Warm Weather

Warm-weather tea parties are often the most enjoyable and the most fun to dress for. A summary dress, a loose blouse with a skirt, or even a pretty a-line dress will look lovely and keep you cool.

Try to find a dress with delicate fabric to add a luxe touch — think silks, chiffon, and georgette. And make sure the bodice and length of the dress are appropriate for the atmosphere. 

Balance out the dress with a pair of heeled sandals, and add some sparkle with delicate jewelry. Even a nice fascinator or headpiece can make a statement at a formal tea party.

If it’s a particularly formal event like an office tea party or a wedding, you can wear trousers and a blouse for a more polished look. You can also opt for a midi skirt and a formal top and add some drama with statement accessories.

For men, there’s less room to experiment when it comes to formal tea parties in summer. A tailored suit or trousers and a blazer with a crisp shirt, combined with some nice leather shoes, is a classic look that will never fail.

Cold Weather

When the weather is chilly, you can opt for more glamorous, heavier fabrics like velvet, satin, and lace. Then layer up with a coat or jacket, scarf, and tights.

Floor-length dresses will look amazing, or you can choose a midi dress with long sleeves and add some faux fur for extra drama. Finish off with sheer tights and some nice heeled boots or closed-toe pumps. If you’re feeling daring, add a wide-brimmed hat and gloves.

A skirt set or an evening suit with a long jacket is also a good formal option. Winters mean a darker color palette, so you can go for more dramatic colors like navy, black, and maroon.

For men, a tailored wool suit is a classic option for cold weather. Layer up with a sweater or a vest underneath. But if you want to add some personality to your look, try a waistcoat or a velvet blazer. Keep the colors dark, and add a nice scarf and dress shoes if the weather allows.

Casual Tea Party Looks

Family with sparklers having tea party at home

A casual tea party is a more relaxed affair and gives you plenty of room to show off your personal style. It’s the perfect opportunity for some fun prints and brighter colors.

Here’s what you should keep in mind when dressing for a casual tea party:

Warm Weather

A nice sundress is always a good option for showing off your casual style. But there are many other options, like a tube dress, a jumpsuit, or a romper.

If you’re feeling extra daring, wear a maxi skirt with a comfortable top or shorts and a chambray shirt with statement accessories.

Play around with different lengths and materials, and if it’s a sunny day, why not add some color with bright shades?

Look for prints, stripes, or solid colors with interesting details like ruffles or pleats. Pair it with a pair of open-toe sandals or wedges and some fun jewelry, and you’re good to go.

There are also lots of options for men when it comes to casual tea parties. A polo shirt and tailored trousers with some nice loafers are always great.

You can also wear chinos and a shirt paired with some boat shoes or sneakers. Avoid shorts or sneakers, as they look too informal for this type of affair.

Cold Weather

When it’s cold outside, you can still show off your style with a statement coat or jacket. Try to find an interesting piece with lots of details like fur trim, puffy sleeves, or a colorful lining. You can pair it with a dress, skirt, or trouser set. 

Or, if you like straight, sleek cuts, you can try wearing a tailored culotte with a jersey top.

Experiment with different textures like tweed, flannel, corduroy, or velvet. Finish off the look with a pair of heeled booties or ankle boots, and if you’re feeling extra sassy, accessorize with an interesting hat.

Men should opt for thick wool trousers and a heavy flannel shirt for a cozy look. They can also go for tailored jeans with a nice knit top or turtle neck.

Another option for men is to go for a cardigan over a dress shirt and finish off with some nice brogues. Add a statement coat and some nice leather boots if it’s particularly cold outside.

What to Avoid

Having Fun in Office Christmas Party

No matter what type of tea party you’re attending, there are certain items that you should avoid wearing. Some of them are too casual, and others are just inappropriate for the occasion.

Sneakers

Despite the athleisure trend, sneakers are still a no-no for tea parties. They’re just too informal and take away from the sophistication of the event.

Besides, it takes work to pair sneakers with the formal attire often required for a tea party. If you’re looking for comfortable shoes, try loafers or ballet flats.

T-Shirts

Save your t-shirts for casual outings with friends or family. Tea parties, whether formal or casual, require some effort in the clothing department, and a t-shirt doesn’t quite fit in. The exception is for women attending casual tea parties. 

You can wear a dressy t-shirt with a nice skirt or trousers and top it off with a statement coat or jacket. But make sure you check with the host first to make sure it’s appropriate for the event.

Shorts

Shorts are for your summer days at the beach or for a night out with friends, but not for tea parties. Plus, putting together an appropriate party look with shorts is almost impossible.

So, no matter how nice the shorts are or how hot it is outside, avoid wearing them to a tea party.

Jeans

It’s a bit of a grey area when it comes to jeans and tea parties. Though jeans are now considered business casual, they still come off as too casual in many settings. For example, jeans are definitely not appropriate if the tea party is arranged for an official work event, even if you pair them with a nice shirt.

On the other hand, if it’s an afternoon gathering with family and friends, jeans can be okay as long as you pair them with something dressy like a nice shirt or blouse and add some statement accessories.

The Bottom Line

Tea parties are a great way to show off your style and have fun with friends. But it’s important to dress the part and make sure you don’t come off as too casual or inappropriate for the occasion.

Whether it’s a formal or casual affair, make sure you consider the weather, dress code, and the host’s preferences when picking out your outfit. With a little bit effort and creativity, you can always put together an attractive tea party look!

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