Tea parties are special events that are always a fun time to attend. From the small finger foods to the pots of tea and bright pastel colors, tea parties are often thought of as a way to relax and gather with friends. This type of gathering has a long history originating from England.
If you’ve been invited to a tea party recently and aren’t sure what to wear, our article is here to help you out. Below, we give you details on what to expect at a tea party and how to dress to make a stylish impact at your next tea party.
What to Expect at a Tea Party
Tea parties were first recorded several centuries ago, around 1662 when Catherine of Braganza, hosted a tea party following her marriage to King Charles II in England. This was the first recorded tea party, and these events were historically reserved for royalty or those with more wealth.
This tradition persisted until something between the 19th and 20th centuries when tea parties became more common for members of the public. This transition is partly credited to the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, and her invention of the afternoon tea tradition around 1840.
Afternoon tea was initially created to bridge the gap between the lunch and dinner meals. It quickly caught on in popularity as the rise of industrialization in England drew mealtimes further apart. Historically, men and women would both attend tea parties or garden parties, and men would drink coffee while women helped themselves to tea.
Much like the tea parties of today, the first tea parties featured tiered arrangements of sandwiches, sweets, teas, and accompaniments. Rules of etiquette surrounding tea parties were much stricter during the creation of these events, though this has greatly relaxed over the years.
At a tea party today, you can expect a relaxed, social atmosphere and an assortment of foods ranging from savory to sweet. Tea is still the most common drink at tea parties, but recent iterations of the event may offer coffee or non-caffeinated beverages as needed.
Tea parties today still follow certain dress codes, and you will likely be expected to adhere to these as you select your outfit and get ready to attend – we elaborate more on that below.
Common Tea Party Themes
Tea parties have several common themes that you might encounter. We give you a brief overview of the most popular tea party themes below along with our recommendations for how the dress code changes at each of these themes.
Garden Party
The garden party is one of the most common tea party themes, and it’s often considered the most casual and social. Garden parties take place outdoors in gardens or underneath covered balconies or spaces surrounded by lots of natural greenery.
Pastel colors are common for garden parties and the dress code tends to be a bit more relaxed. You can expect to see lots of spring or summery dresses and skirts at a garden party. You’ll find colors and patterns that embrace natural colors and the beauty of the gardens, and sun hats if the weather is expected to be warm.
High Tea
While many individuals may think of high tea as formal, the dress code is not quite as strict as you would expect. High tea is a more substantial version of the tea party, as it mimics the tradition of afternoon tea. It’s meant to fill the gap between lunch and dinner, and while the offerings are still light, there might be more choice.
Dress codes for high tea are semi-casual, and you’re expected to dress presentably while not looking too formal. Longer dresses, long-sleeved items, and more modest dresses, blouses, or two-piece outfits fit well with high tea. Make sure you pay attention to whether or not your high tea is indoors or outdoors to plan the best outfit.
Vintage
Vintage tea parties embrace romantic notions of the past, and there are many different eras that a vintage tea party may cover. Most commonly, the 1920s and 1950s are utilized as themes for vintage tea parties, though the Victorian era is another popular choice.
Dress codes aren’t very strictly formal, but you will most likely be expected to dress according to the era of the vintage tea party.
Formal
Formal tea parties require a little more glam. You will typically need to utilize semi-formal or formal cocktail dresses and long gowns, depending on the venue and dress code requirements.
Formal tea parties are more of a special affair compared to the casual garden party. You may expect more extravagant tea and food offerings in addition to more upscale indoor and outdoor venues. Colors for formal tea parties may also be more refined and less likely to have lots of bright hues, pastels, or busy patterns.
The Tea Party Dress Code
Fortunately for many of us, tea party dress codes are quite flexible, and you won’t need to worry too much about what you are wearing.
There are varying levels of formality depending on the type of tea party you are attending and the venue where the tea party is being held. You can generally expect summer or spring dresses, longer flowing gowns or more formal vintage gowns, and two-piece skirt and blouse or pant and blouse sets to be appropriate.
Bright, bold colors and pastel colors are both appropriate depending on the general theme of the tea party. You may want to wear patterns that embrace nature at both outdoor and indoor tea parties. Hats are common accessories at tea parties, as are more formal items such as jewelry and gloves.
Always double-check with the host of the tea party and take into consideration both the venue and the time of year to ensure that you show up to your tea party in style.
What to Wear to a Tea Party
Knowing what to wear to a tea party can be difficult, which is why we discuss the most common outfits for tea party attendance below to give you some ideas.
Dresses
Dresses are one of the most common outfits for tea parties, though the season and venue for your tea party determines how long your dress is and if you are wearing short or long sleeves. Most garden parties and more casual tea parties encourage summer dresses, flowing and light dresses with floral patterns, and pastel colors.
More bold colors might be an option at vintage tea parties, depending on the era you are dressing for and the formality of the occasion. While vibrant jewel tones or deep reds and blues might be acceptable, vivid, neon, and metallic colors are generally shied away from.
Formal tea parties require a cocktail dress or a full-length gown, though you might be able to wear a maxi dress as long as it is dressed up with more formal accessories.
Two-Piece Outfits
If you aren’t a fan of dresses, two-piece outfits are a great alternative choice. A two-piece outfit might include a skirt and a blouse, or a pair of dress pants and a blouse.
Stay away from jeans and denim, as these are too casual for the tea party dress code. Additionally, you can choose a longer floor-length skirt or a shorter one, but make sure that the skirt doesn’t rise too much above your knee, as this isn’t suitable for a tea party.
Accessories
Accessories are one of the best ways to dress up your tea party outfit and you have plenty of choices when it comes to adding a little extra glam. Hats are one of the most common choices for tea party accessories, though you may also see elbow-length gloves and small clutch purses fairly often.
Jewelry for your outfit should be simple, as large pieces and chunky or incredibly eye-catching items take away from the more relaxed social nature of the tea party. That being said, if your vintage outfit calls for more ornate pieces of jewelry or you find yourself invited to a formal tea party at an upscale venue, don’t be afraid to glam up your outfit.
Shoes
Shoes for your tea party outfit should easily compliment it, while not being too over the top. You can wear ballet flats, small heels, or even a nice pair of sandals in the case of a casual garden tea party. More formal occasions might require a higher pair of heels or a pair of shoes that is slightly more glamorous.
What Do Men Wear to a Tea Party?
While tea parties are very common among groups of women gathering with their friends or brides and bridal parties celebrating, men can, and do, attend tea parties.
Dress code requirements for men are similar to women, in that they are typically semi-formal or more casual. Men who are planning to attend a tea party may wear slacks or a suit, or they may pair a nice pair of dress pants with a collared shirt. Ties in fun colors, vests, and dress shoes complete the men’s tea party outfit.
For more formal tea parties, a suit is generally the best option, though men will likely never need to wear a tuxedo at a tea party, as this is considered far too formal. You should also stay away from the colors of black and white, as these are seen as too formal for a tea party in general.
The key to dressing for a tea party is looking nice and presentable without appearing too formal or dressy.
What Can I Not Wear to a Tea Party?
Tea parties aren’t considered the most formal and upscale events, and even formal tea parties tend to have a more relaxed vibe. However, there are certain things that you should not wear to a tea party as they are simply too casual or not suitable for the tea party occasion.
When dressing for a tea party, stay away from jeans and denim, outfits that are figure-hugging or low-cut, and the color black. If you are attending a tea party in celebration of a bride, make sure you also avoid the color white, as this can take away from the bride’s special moment.
Always consult the specific dress code directions for your tea party and ask the organizer for any information if you are confused about what to wear.
Do I Need a Hat for a Tea Party?
Some tea parties request that guests wear hats, while others mark hats as optional. You may be able to incorporate a hat into your outfit at any level of formality, but keep in mind that you should not be wearing your hat while seated at the table for tea. Consult the dress code requirements for further details on whether or not you need to bring a hat.
Finding Your Tea Party Style
Tea parties are fun social occasions that have a long history, and today’s tea parties are generally a more relaxed event than those of the past. If you’ve recently been invited to a tea party, you might be wondering what to wear to ensure you turn up without making a fashion faux pas.
Make sure you have a sense of what type of tea party you are attending and the venue before consulting our recommendations for what to wear to a tea party. Then, you can be sure to find your tea party style.
