Sandhya Garg — Style Guide · Updated September 2026
Afternoon Tea Dress Code:
What to Wear in 2026
Top 10 Dos & Don'ts · What to Wear by Venue · Fall 2026 Trends · Best Tea in the USA & UK · By Sandhya Garg, Project Runway designer
Quick Answer
The afternoon tea dress code is smart casual to garden-party elegant. Wear a floral or printed midi, a wrap dress, or a pretty mini with a small heel, and add a hat or fascinator at grand hotel teas. Leave jeans, trainers and sportswear at home: The Ritz London bans them for everyone.
- Dress code: smart casual at most tearooms, dressier at grand hotels.
- The easy win: a printed or floral midi dress, a light layer and a small heel.
- Never: jeans, trainers or sportswear. At The Ritz, men also need a jacket and tie.
- Hats: optional almost everywhere, and very much back in fashion this season.
- Color: pastels are classic, but fall 2026 runways made rich florals and color-blocking just as right.
Afternoon tea began in the 1840s with Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, who needed something to carry her from lunch to a fashionably late dinner. What started as a private snack of tea, bread and butter became a social ritual in drawing rooms, hotel lobbies and gardens across Britain, and nearly two centuries later it is still one of the few meals where everyone at the table notices what you are wearing.
I trained at London College of Fashion and worked at Alexander McQueen and Liberty London before I ever competed on Project Runway, so I have taken tea in London as a student, as a designer and as a guest who overthought her outfit. This guide is everything I have learned since: the dos and don'ts, what to wear at each kind of venue, what the fall 2026 runways are saying, and the best places to go in the USA and the UK. I also point you to the dresses from my newest collection that I would wear myself, all in sizes XS to 3XL. You can see every one in my afternoon tea and high tea edit.
In This Guide
- Top 10 afternoon tea dress code dos & don'ts
- What to wear by venue: hotel, garden, tearoom, bridal shower, winter
- One dress, four afternoon teas
- Shop: 12 designer afternoon tea dresses (XS–3XL)
- What's in fashion for afternoon tea: fall 2026 & Resort 2027
- Top 10 afternoon tea spots in the USA
- Top 10 afternoon tea spots in the UK
- Top 10 luxury afternoon tea brands
- Top 10 hat & fascinator designers
- FAQ: afternoon tea dress code answered
Top 10 Afternoon Tea Dress Code Dos & Don'ts
If you only read one section, make it this one. These are the afternoon tea dress code rules I follow, and the mistakes I see most often at the tea table.
✅ The Top 10 Dos
01 · Wear a floral or printed midi dress
This is the afternoon tea uniform for a reason. A midi hem sits beautifully when you are seated for two hours, it works in every venue from a village tearoom to the Palm Court, and a good print says you made an effort without shouting it. My Queen wrap midi in pink and purple is the dress I reach for first.
02 · Choose color you love, and let it be joyful
Blush, sage, lavender, butter yellow and powder blue are the classic tea palette, and they glow against white linen and bone china. But you do not have to stay pale. In autumn and winter, a deep floral or a jewel-toned print looks just as right, and it is far more memorable than grey.
03 · Add a hat or fascinator at formal venues
A hat is rarely required, but at a grand hotel tea it is warmly received, and it tells the room you understand the occasion. Keep it proportionate to the room. A small percher or a sculpted fascinator works indoors; save the wide brim for garden teas.
04 · Wear smart shoes with a modest heel
Kitten heels, block heels, low court shoes and pretty ballet flats all work. A 2 to 5 cm heel gives you posture without making the walk from the car a trial. Keep them clean and polished; scuffed shoes undo an otherwise lovely outfit faster than anything.
05 · Choose fabric that holds its shape
You will sit for two to three hours, so fabric matters. Cotton poplin, jacquard and good silk blends stay crisp from the first sandwich to the last scone. Cheap synthetics crease, cling and pill under pressure, and they feel hot under hotel lighting.
06 · Keep accessories refined
A small structured bag, pearl or floral earrings and perhaps a silk scarf are all you need. The tea service is the centerpiece of the table, so let your accessories frame your outfit rather than compete with the three-tier stand.
07 · Bring a light layer for hotel tearooms
Hotel lounges are often air-conditioned. A lightweight jacket, a wrap or a fine cardigan adds polish and practicality. An embroidered jacket like my Fleur tapestry jacket turns a simple dress into a whole look.
08 · Try a coordinated set
A matching blouse and skirt in one print reads as more considered than a basic dress and is just as easy to wear. Florals, soft checks and tonal prints all work.
09 · Check the venue dress code before you book
Grand hotels publish their rules, and they are stricter than most people expect. The Ritz London asks gentlemen for a jacket and tie and bans jeans and sportswear for everyone, according to its own afternoon tea FAQ. Knowing the code in advance means you arrive relaxed.
10 · Wear something that makes you feel wonderful
Afternoon tea is a celebration of slowing down. The best outfit is the one that makes you sit a little straighter and smile a little wider. Dress for the moment, not only for the rules.
❌ The Top 10 Don'ts
01 · Don't wear jeans or denim
Even dark, tailored jeans are out at a formal hotel tea. The Ritz excludes them outright for ladies and gentlemen. At a casual café tea you might get away with it, but smart trousers are always the safer choice.
02 · Don't wear trainers or sports shoes
Athletic shoes are banned at most formal tea venues, and even expensive designer sneakers read as too casual. The only exception is a very relaxed garden tea or an independent tearoom where anything goes.
03 · Don't wear athleisure
Leggings, yoga pants and sports tops are not right for any afternoon tea. Even at a casual tearoom, the occasion asks for one step above everyday comfort. If in doubt, a printed dress always works.
04 · Don't choose very revealing outfits
Micro-minis, plunging necklines and bare midriffs feel out of place at a daytime tea, especially in a hotel. A midi or knee-length dress with a pretty neckline is sophisticated and comfortable to sit in.
05 · Don't wear a hat that blocks the view
In a tightly set hotel lounge, a very wide brim gets in everyone's way. Keep big hats for outdoor garden teas and choose something smaller indoors.
06 · Don't over-accessorize
One focal point is enough: a fascinator, a statement earring or a beautiful bag. Stack everything at once and the look turns busy.
07 · Don't wear heavy perfume
Afternoon tea is built around delicate flavors and aromas. A strong scent overwhelms the tea for you and everyone at your table. Choose something light, or skip it.
08 · Don't wear white to a bridal shower tea
If the tea celebrates a bride, leave white, ivory and champagne to her. Pastels, florals and bright prints are all better choices for guests.
09 · Don't wear rubber flip-flops or slides
They are too informal for any indoor tea. Leather or woven flat sandals are fine at a casual outdoor tea, but a dressier shoe is always safer.
10 · Don't leave your phone on the table
Take your photographs of the three-tier stand, then put the phone away. Afternoon tea is about conversation and being present, and a phone on the table says you are half somewhere else.
What to Wear by Afternoon Tea Venue
The same dress can be perfect at one tea and slightly wrong at another. Here is how I adjust for each setting.
Grand hotel tea (The Ritz, Claridge's, The Plaza, Baccarat)
Code: smart to classic daytime elegant
This is where a printed midi or a tailored dress really earns its place. Add a light jacket or wrap, a fascinator if you like, kitten heels or court shoes and a small structured bag. No jeans, no trainers, no sportswear. My Queen wrap dress and the Sophie bell-sleeve midi were both made for rooms like these.
Garden party tea
Code: garden party to semi-formal
Outdoors, go longer and bolder. A floral or printed maxi, a wide-brimmed straw hat and flat sandals or low wedges that won't sink into the lawn. A crisp cotton maxi like the pink poplin fit and flare moves beautifully in a breeze. Browse more in my garden party dresses.
Casual tearoom or café
Code: smart casual
A sundress, a printed shirt dress, or a pretty blouse with tailored trousers. The code is relaxed, but it is still afternoon tea, so make an effort. My Versailles shirt dress with flat sandals is exactly right here.
Bridal shower or hen party tea
Code: garden party, festive
This is the moment for your most romantic outfit: pink, lavender, blush, embroidery, the works. A fascinator is practically expected. Avoid white, which belongs to the bride. For more ideas, read my guide to what to wear to a bridal shower or browse the bridal shower guest dresses.
Fall and winter tea
Code: smart, with richer color and texture
From October on, festive teas fill up fast. Claridge's runs its festive afternoon tea from 3 November to 3 January. Swap sheer pastels for deeper prints, add a jacket or long sleeves, and let texture do the work. The Duchess kaftan in red and pink, with a jacket over it, is my favorite cold-weather tea look. My fall layering edit has more.
One Dress, Four Afternoon Teas
Quality over quantity is how I design, and it is how I would shop for tea too. One great printed dress, styled four ways, will carry you through a whole year of invitations. Here is how I would wear my Queen wrap midi, a pink and purple print with a wrap waist you can adjust to your own shape.
At The Ritz or The Plaza: nude or blush court shoes with a 5 cm heel, pearl drop earrings, a small top-handle bag and a neat fascinator in a deep berry to pick up the purple in the print.
At a garden tea: woven flat sandals, a wide straw hat with a ribbon in the same pink, and gold hoops. Push the sleeves up and let the skirt move.
At a bridal shower: strappy block heels, a floral clutch and your happiest lipstick. Pink on pink is joyful, never too much.
At a November tea: add an embroidered jacket like the Fleur, sheer tights and a closed heel. The print carries into winter without looking out of season.
Shop the edit · Part one
Six Dresses I'd Wear to Afternoon Tea
From my newest collection. Original prints, sizes XS to 3XL.
What's In Fashion for Afternoon Tea This Season (Fall 2026 & Resort 2027)
Every season I read the runway reports with one question in mind: what does this mean for the woman getting dressed on Saturday? The fall 2026 shows and the Resort 2027 collections are unusually good news for anyone who loves the afternoon tea dress code. They are all about romance, color and dressing up for the pleasure of it. Here is what matters.
1. Maximalism is back, and neutrals are resting
Who What Wear called autumn/winter 2026 "a lesson in maximalism", with color clashing, print and texture everywhere. Vogue singled out color-blocking as "a welcome respite from a sea of black and white". I have been saying this for years. Color starts a conversation in a way that black never will, and a tea table is the perfect stage for it. The Carolina maxi runs pink into cobalt on a diagonal, which is exactly the kind of confident color this season rewards.
2. Florals get deeper, and embroidery takes the lead
Harper's Bazaar named "Night Bloom" dark florals and a "Vintage Revival" of soft ruffles and embroidered details among its fall 2026 trends. Marie Claire put it simply: "Romantic florals still work for fall." Who What Wear's "Bloom Service" trend pointed to floral embroidery and brocade at Erdem, Dries Van Noten, Etro and Givenchy. Embroidery is the craft I grew up with. My mother and aunts hand embroidered in India, and I still think a hand-stitched flower is the most beautiful thing you can put on a dress. The Marie mini and the Marquis off-shoulder maxi both carry it.
3. Hats are back, on the runway and at the table
For fall 2026, Vogue put hats among its standout accessory trends, with Hermès, Yohji Yamamoto and Stephen Jones for Givenchy all sending them out. Its advice: "don't leave home without your hat". Who What Wear agrees that "headwear has officially gone mainstream". Afternoon tea has always welcomed a hat, so this is the easiest trend of the season to wear. Scroll down for the ten milliners I would buy from.
4. Dressing up for its own sake
ELLE described fall 2026 as fashion's fairy-tale era, with puffed sleeves, A-line skirts, embroidered details and romantic headpieces, and a spirit of "dressing up for dressing up's sake". That phrase is afternoon tea in a sentence. There is no business to be done over scones. You dress up because the occasion deserves it and because it feels wonderful. Bell sleeves like the ones on my Sophie midi fit this mood perfectly.
5. Pastels for Resort 2027: butter yellow, pink and lavender
Looking ahead, WWD reported Resort 2027 collections in butter yellow, pink, lavender and pistachio, several of them inspired by travel. Those are the classic afternoon tea colors, refreshed. If you are planning a spring tea or a winter escape somewhere warm, my butter yellow poplin maxi and its pink sister are the pieces I would pack.
6. Rosettes, frills and romantic detail
Vogue noticed that at Resort 2027 "rosettes bloomed wantonly", with pastel and saturated colors paired in surprising ways and drop waists and blooming skirts making a comeback. Take the idea to tea in small doses: a scalloped hem, a floral strap, a bow at the waist. The handmade floral tassels on the straps of my Antonia maxi are my version.
From the Designer
"Afternoon tea is the one meal where everyone at the table really looks at what you are wearing. I design for exactly that moment."
Sandhya Garg · Project Runway Season 13
Shop the edit · Part two
Six More for Garden Teas & Fall Teas
Longer lengths, deeper color and one jacket to layer over everything. Not sure of your size? See the size chart.
Top 10 Afternoon Tea Spots in the USA
New York has the country's deepest bench of afternoon teas, so most of my picks are there. Prices change often, so please check before you book. For city-by-city picks in Los Angeles, Boston, Florida, Texas and Chicago, read my guide to what to wear for afternoon tea in the US.
01. Baccarat Hotel, Grand Salon — New York
Midtown · Prince of Wales tea from $149
Tea surrounded by glittering Baccarat crystal is as glamorous as it sounds. The current Prince of Wales menu includes a mini Maine lobster roll with caviar alongside the classic sandwiches, scones and pastries. Wear your most polished midi here. Visit the tea page →
02. Waldorf Astoria, Yoshoku — New York
Park Avenue · from about $135
The Waldorf reopened in July 2025 after a reported $2 billion renovation, and its afternoon tea now lives at Yoshoku, with a Japanese-influenced menu and teas from Kettl. A fresh, modern take on the ritual. Visit the tea page →
03. The Plaza, Palm Court — New York
Fifth Avenue · from about $118
The stained-glass ceiling of the Palm Court is one of the most photographed rooms in New York. The Eloise tea is famous with children, and the adult service is just as lovely. Book well ahead for weekends and holidays. Visit the tea page →
04. Mandarin Oriental, MO Lounge — New York
Columbus Circle · from about $135
Daily afternoon tea on the 35th floor with views over Central Park. Sunlight pours through floor-to-ceiling windows, so wear color; it looks spectacular in that light. Visit the tea page →
05. The St. Regis, Astor Court — New York
Fifth Avenue · from about $125
Astor Court continues the St. Regis tea tradition under a soaring, hand-painted ceiling. Afterwards, look in on the famous Old King Cole mural in the hotel's King Cole Bar. Visit the tea page →
06. The Russian Tea Room — New York
Midtown · from $145, with a glass of champagne
Opened in 1927 by former members of the Russian Imperial Ballet, and steps from Carnegie Hall. The red-and-gold room is pure old-world glamour, which makes it a perfect pre-concert tea. Visit the tea page →
07. Lady Mendl's Tea Salon — New York
Gramercy · five-course tea from $117
Tucked into a Gramercy Park brownstone, Lady Mendl's serves a five-course tea that feels like a Victorian drawing room. A favorite of those in the know. Visit the tea page →
08. The Whitby Hotel — New York
Midtown, West 56th Street
Kit Kemp's colorful interiors make The Whitby a joy for anyone who loves print and pattern. Tea is served at The Whitby Bar, a short walk from Fifth Avenue. Visit the tea page →
09. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel — New York
Upper East Side · from $95
The Carlyle opened in 1930, and its daily tea in The Gallery comes with scones, Devonshire cream and preserves. Refined, quiet and very Upper East Side. Visit the tea page →
10. Bergdorf Goodman, BG Restaurant — New York
Fifth Avenue, 7th floor · from $75
Tea on the seventh floor of America's most famous department store, with Central Park views. It is one of the best-value luxury teas in the city, and you can shop before and after.
Top 10 Afternoon Tea Spots in the UK
London is still the capital of afternoon tea. Prices below are starting prices for a standard tea and change often, so check before you book. For outfit ideas matched to each of these rooms, see my guide to what to wear for afternoon tea in London.
01. The Ritz, Palm Court — London
Piccadilly · from £95 · jacket and tie for men, no jeans or sportswear
The gold standard, and the tea every other tea is measured against. Sittings run from 11.30am to 7.30pm daily in the gilded Palm Court. The dress code is the strictest in London, so dress up and enjoy it. Book weeks in advance. Visit the tea page →
02. Claridge's, the Foyer & Reading Room — London
Mayfair · from £95
Light-filled, Art Deco and timeless. The teas are curated by Henrietta Lovell of the Rare Tea Company and served on Claridge's jade-and-white striped china. Claridge's holds three MICHELIN Keys, and its festive tea is one of London's great winter rituals. Visit the tea page →
03. Fortnum & Mason, The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon — London
Piccadilly · from £84
Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, the salon sits above the most famous tea shop in the world. Buy a tin of your favorite blend on the way out. Visit the tea page →
04. The Savoy, Thames Foyer — London
The Strand · from about £90
The Savoy has served afternoon tea since it opened in 1889, under the glass cupola of the Thames Foyer, often with a pianist playing. Weekend tables go quickly. Visit the tea page →
05. The Berkeley, Goûtea by Cédric Grolet — London
Knightsbridge · £130
Pastry chef Cédric Grolet's Goûtea at The Counter is the most visually spectacular tea in London, with French patisserie that looks like sculpture. The Berkeley holds two MICHELIN Keys. Visit the tea page →
06. The Dorchester, The Promenade — London
Park Lane · from £95
A long, opulent room overlooking Hyde Park, with generous scones and a beautiful patisserie trolley. The choice for a traditional, truly luxurious tea. Visit the tea page →
07. Brown's Hotel, The Drawing Room — London
Mayfair · from £80
Brown's opened in 1837 and is one of London's oldest hotels. The wood-paneled Drawing Room feels like an elegant private home, which makes it quieter and more intimate than the big ballrooms. Visit the tea page →
08. The Connaught, Jean-Georges — London
Mayfair · from about £85
Afternoon tea from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant at The Connaught, a three-MICHELIN-Key hotel in the heart of Mayfair. The window tables are the ones to ask for. Visit the tea page →
09. Royal Albert Hall, Verdi — London
South Kensington · from about £87 · Tuesday to Sunday
Tea is served at Verdi, the Hall's first-floor restaurant, from 2pm to 4.30pm. Pair it with a matinée and you have the perfect London afternoon. Visit the tea page →
10. The Orangery, Kensington Palace — London
Kensington Gardens
Built in 1704 for Queen Anne, the Orangery reopened in May 2024 after a long closure. It is light-filled, architectural and set in the palace gardens: the most beautiful room on this list. Visit the tea page →
Top 10 Luxury Afternoon Tea Brands
The teas served in the world's great tearooms, and the ones worth having at home for your own tea parties.
01. Fortnum & Mason
London · est. 1707 · royal warrant holder
Three centuries of British tea, with royal warrants renewed by King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2024. Royal Blend and the Earl Grey Classic are the icons, and the gift tins are beautiful.
02. TWG Tea
Singapore · est. 2008 · 800+ teas
A luxury tea house with more than 800 teas from every tea-growing region, sold in lavish boutiques and elegant tins.
03. Mariage Frères
Paris · est. 1854
The essence of French tea. Marco Polo and Earl Grey French Blue are beloved classics, and the Parisian tea salons are worth a visit in their own right.
04. Harney & Sons
New York · est. 1983 · 300+ blends
America's great family tea company, now in its third generation. It carries Fair Trade Certified teas, and its Historic Royal Palaces collection makes a lovely gift.
05. JING Tea
London · est. 2004
A minimalist, single-origin approach to fine loose-leaf tea, beautifully packaged and ideal for the tea lover who wants to taste the source.
06. Kusmi Tea
Paris · est. 1867
Founded in St Petersburg and now based in Paris, Kusmi is known for colorful tins and flavored blends. The tins alone brighten a tea table.
07. Whittard of Chelsea
UK · est. 1886
A British institution since 1886, with loose-leaf teas, pretty gift sets and tableware.
08. Le Palais des Thés
Paris · est. 1986
Evocative blends like Fleur de Geisha and Paris for Her, sold in lacquered tins. A French alternative to British tradition.
09. Tea Forté
USA · pyramid infusers
Known for silken pyramid infusers and elegant gift boxes, and a favorite for bridal shower and hostess gifts.
10. Rare Tea Company
London · est. 2004
Founded by Henrietta Lovell, who buys directly from the farms she visits and curates the teas at Claridge's. For tea lovers who want the extraordinary.
Top 10 Afternoon Tea Hat & Fascinator Designers
With hats back on the fall 2026 runways, this is the season to invest in one. These are the milliners I admire most, from royal favorites to studio makers.
01. Philip Treacy
London · five-time British Accessory Designer of the Year
The Irish-born milliner Vogue has called "perhaps the greatest living milliner", and Lady Gaga has called him the greatest milliner in the world. He has worked with Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Valentino. His fascinators are architecture for the head.
02. Rachel Trevor-Morgan
London · royal warrant holder, 2014–2022
A milliner for more than 30 years, she held a royal warrant to Queen Elizabeth II. Her work is restrained English elegance, perfect for formal hotel teas.
03. Stephen Jones
London · OBE
Stephen Jones helped make the fascinator a couture piece and has worked with Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano. He is chairman of the British Hat Guild, and his hats appeared with Givenchy on the fall 2026 runway.
04. Jane Taylor
London · Ascot favorite
The Duchess of Edinburgh has worn Jane Taylor's hats since 2009. Her work balances heritage craft with a modern shape, which is exactly what a formal tea needs.
05. Lock & Co. Hatters
St James's, London · est. 1676
The world's oldest hat shop, which dressed Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde. Its women's collection includes fascinators, cocktail hats and wide brims.
06. Vivien Sheriff
Wiltshire
Every hat is made by hand in her Wiltshire studio, with floral embellishment and sculptural shapes that frame the face without overwhelming it. Lovely for garden teas.
07. Lalage Beaumont
London · occasionwear
A fashion and handbag designer whose hat collection is finished by a partner London milliner. Her wide-brimmed styles are made for sunny garden teas.
08. Emily London
London · est. 2014
Founded by Emily Baxendale, with every piece handmade in the London studio. A good choice if you want a fascinator made to match your dress.
09. Laura Cathcart
Shropshire
Timeless, feminine millinery for weddings, races and special occasions: floral crowns, soft perchers and pillbox shapes.
10. Merve Bayindir
London
A rising name known for sculptural, dramatic designs. "Clients are increasingly looking for designs they can wear beyond a single occasion," she has said, and her pieces work for tea, weddings and Ascot alike.
Shop by Occasion
Afternoon Tea Dress Code FAQs
What is the dress code for afternoon tea?
The afternoon tea dress code is smart casual to garden-party elegant. At grand hotels like The Ritz, dress smartly: no jeans, no trainers, no sportswear, and a jacket and tie for men. A floral or printed midi, a wrap dress or a tailored dress with a small heel is right almost everywhere.
Can you wear jeans to afternoon tea?
Not at a formal hotel tea. The Ritz London bans jeans for both women and men, and most grand hotels follow the same spirit. At a casual tearoom or café, smart dark jeans may pass, but tailored trousers or a dress are always the safer, more elegant choice.
Do you have to wear a hat to afternoon tea?
No. A hat or fascinator is not required at most venues, including luxury hotels, but it is warmly welcomed and adds a sense of occasion. Hats were also a key trend on the fall 2026 runways. Choose a small percher or fascinator indoors and save wide brims for garden teas.
What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?
Afternoon tea is a light, elegant meal of finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, traditionally served around 3 to 5pm. High tea began as a heartier working-class evening meal eaten at a high dining table. In the US the two terms are often used interchangeably, but the dress code is the same.
What colors should I wear to afternoon tea?
Soft pastels and florals are the classic choice: blush, sage, lavender, butter yellow and powder blue. Richer prints and jewel tones are just as right in autumn and winter, when the fall 2026 runways favored color-blocking over black and white. Avoid white at a bridal shower tea.
What should I wear to afternoon tea in fall or winter?
Choose a printed midi or maxi in deeper colors, add long sleeves or a jacket, and wear a closed shoe with a modest heel. Texture helps: jacquard, embroidery and heavier cottons look rich in winter light. Festive teas at hotels like Claridge's run from early November to early January.
How do you hold a teacup correctly?
Pinch the handle between your thumb and index finger, with your middle finger supporting it underneath. Don't loop your fingers through the handle or hold the cup with both hands, and keep your little finger down. When seated, leave the saucer on the table; when standing, lift it to chest height.
What is the correct order to eat at afternoon tea?
Start with the savory sandwiches, move on to the scones, and finish with the pastries and cakes, working from savory to sweet. Split the scone by hand rather than cutting it. Cream first or jam first is a friendly Devon-versus-Cornwall debate, so choose whichever you prefer.
Project Runway Designer · Original Prints · XS–3XL
Come to tea in something nobody else is wearing.
Every print in my collection is an original, designed by me and made in limited capsules. Join my email list for 15% off your first order with code SALEFIF%, and be the first to see each new collection.
You Might Also Love
- What to Wear for Afternoon Tea in London
- What to Wear for Afternoon Tea in the US
- What to Wear to a Bridal Shower
- Floral Dresses: How to Tell a Good One From a Forgettable One
- How to Wear Bold Prints, Even If You're Nervous About Them
Sources: Vogue, The 11 Fashion Trends That Define the Fall 2026 Season · Vogue, The Standout Fall 2026 Accessory Trends · Vogue, The Resort 2027 Trends That Matter · Harper's Bazaar, 15 Trends from the Fall 2026 Runways · ELLE, Fashion Has Entered Its Fairy-Tale Era · WWD, Five Key Trends for Contemporary Resort 2027 · Marie Claire, 6 Fall 2026 Dresses to Shop Now · Who What Wear, 17 Key Trends for Autumn/Winter 2026 · The Ritz London, Afternoon Tea FAQs. Venue prices checked in September 2026 on each venue's own site where available.
Before you go
Take 15% off your first dress
If tea is still months away, take the code now and keep it for when the date comes round. My email list sees every new print first — each capsule is a limited run and I don't repeat them.
one use per customer · unsubscribe any time.
Is a black sleeveless dress strictly forbidden to wear to a afternoon tea, coupled with a colored jacket?
Would a Navy dress with some sequins on it be appropriate for afternoon tea?
Leave a comment