FASHION TRENDS / Mar 29, 2024
SIPPING PRETTY: FIVE SOPHISTICATED OUTFITS FOR TEA PARTIES
Tea parties are so much fun. Whether you scored an invite—or you're planning one yourself—they're an excellent opportunity to enjoy good food, drinks, and company.
They're also a great excuse to dress up in a cute outfit! But what exactly is a "tea party outfit?" We're bringing in our style experts to break down the dress code and kick off your search with five tea party outfit ideas.
5 Tea Party Outfit Ideas
While most tea parties are held during the day and request smart casual attire, tea party outfits will still vary depending on the type of tea party. Below, find options for high tea events, bridal showers, and more.
1. Mauve lace A-line dress
Get the look: GS2375 Lace Illusion Top A-line Short Dress with Beaded Waist
Mauve is always a great color choice for tea party outfits. It works year-round and looks amazing on any skin tone. You can also rock this color at wedding events. In other words, a mauve dress is definitely a good investment.
If you're researching high-tea party dress code, you'll notice that many style experts recommend modest necklines and hemlines. We love that this tea party outfit offers a high neckline, while still bringing eye-catching beauty through the delicate lace!
The short length and A-line silhouette of this number check off the boxes for tea party attire. A shorter length immediately brings a more casual vibe — great for smart casual dress codes. A-line silhouettes are flowy and more modest, which is appropriate for daytime events.
2. Blue strapless dress with applique
Get the look: GS1995 3D Floral Applique Embellished Glitter Mesh Sweetheart Short Dress
Love the strapless trend? You're in luck! It's perfect for tea party outfits, too! Strapless dresses are very chic, which is just the vibe for tea parties. If the event is outdoors, it also keeps you cool and helps you avoid tan lines. Stay stylish, comfy, and bronzed all at once!
We love that this tea party dress idea ties together many feminine details. The floral applique is soft and delicate. And sweetheart necklines are ultra romantic. They're shaped like a heart, after all.
For garden tea parties, the applique will look gorgeous against the greenery and flowers. Our style recommendation? Opt for block heels or sandals — so you can walk comfortably on the grass!
3. White and blue A-line dress with embroidery
Get the look: GL3208 Embroidery Bead Tied Shoulder Mesh A-line Long Dress
Some garden parties will lean toward more formal attire. If that's the case, we recommend exploring calf or ankle-length hemlines. Longer hemlines are an easy way to make your tea party outfit dressier.
We recommend airy fabrics and light colors to ensure you're not overdressed. This white and blue mesh A-line dress is a great example.
Airy fabrics, like mesh, tulle, and chiffon, are popular for tea party dresses because they create a whimsical vibe. Your skirt can have gorgeous layers and ruffles without adding heaviness to your dress.
Pastels, whites, and other light neutral colors are ideal shades for long tea party dresses. They bring a playful, carefree feel to your outfit. Plus, if the event is outdoors in the summer, you'll stay much cooler.
If you're looking for a tea party bridal shower outfit specifically—and you're not the bride—we recommend avoiding white!
4. Green mesh A-line dress with applique
Get the look: GL3227 Glitter Jewel Sheer Bodice Off Shoulder Mesh A-line Long Dress
This long mesh A-line dress is a great tea party outfit idea if you're off to a fancier bridal shower and are not the bride. It's green—so you're in the clear!
Green is a fabulous color choice for tea parties year-round. You can opt for lighter shades in the spring and summer and rock darker shades in the fall and winter. If your event is in a garden, a green dress will photograph beautifully against foliage and flowers.
Want to take your garden tea party a step further? Look for colorful floral appliques. Here, the pink appliques really pop against the green mesh fabric, doesn't it? It creates a unique look and texture.
For tea parties, we embrace all the girly details. Off-the-shoulder sleeves are so simple yet so romantic.
5. Blue chiffon A-line dress with applique
Get the look: GL3018 Floral 3D Applique and Embroidery Embellished Bodice A-Line Chiffon Dress
While winter tea parties are less frequent, they do happen. Looking for a winter tea party outfit? Take a look at this dark blue chiffon dress.
Many of our style tips above still apply—after all, most winter tea parties will still be during the day and allow smart casual attire. So, loose silhouettes and floral embroidery are both great ideas for your winter tea party outfit.
However, when it comes to color choice, we recommend richer or darker hues. You can also try on dresses with long sleeves and heavier fabrics because staying cool is less of a concern (Unless you're enjoying a winter tea party in Hawaii. In that case, we're jealous!).
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