A tea party is a fantastic reason to get dressed up! If you've been invited to take tea, your invitation will probably say whether it's a formal or semi-formal event so you'll have some idea of what to wear. There are lots of stylish options that will make you feel comfortable while you look your best.

3

Choose a skirt and flowy blouse.

  1. Pair a skirt with a blouse for a sweet, comfortable look. This is a great example of a semi-casual outfit that works really well for tea parties. Choose a skirt that's at least knee-length—like a snug-fitting pencil skirt or flared full skirt. Then, wear a top that you can tuck into the skirt so your outfit looks polished.[3]
    • For example, wear a blouse with billowy sleeves and tuck it into a colorful pencil skirt. Finish the look with kitten heels or sandals.
    • To make a retro tea party outfit, wear a short-sleeved shirt with a cashmere cardigan and a full skirt.
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4

Pick out clothes with soft colors or floral patterns.

  1. Reach for pale colors, fun patterns, or clothing with ruffles. Instead of dressing in bold patterns or edgy prints, choose soft, timeless looks. You might find a tea-length dress with a pale blue polka dot pattern, a light pink dress with a ruffled hem, or a soft plaid suit, for instance.[4]
    • In general, skip the color black for a tea party, which can look way too formal or serious. Remember, you want light, bright, fun colors!
    • Choose light, flowy dresses made from cotton, linen, or a synthetic blend for spring and summer teas. Save heavier dresses made with velvet, chenille, or tweed for cool weather teas.
6

Style tailored pants with a blouse or collared shirt.

  1. Opt for stylish pants to create a comfortable tea time look. Dress pants or slacks are totally fine for men or women to wear as long as they're tailored to fit you perfectly. Wear a stylish blouse or shirt with the pants and consider throwing on a light blazer to make your outfit look really put together.[6]
    • For example, you could wear navy slacks with a crisp, white or pale blue collared shirt, and leather shoes. To give the look a more feminine feel, choose a blouse with a floral print and choose kitten-heeled shoes.
    • Skip the jeans, shorts, and T-shirts since these are way too casual for most tea parties.
9

Choose a hat that reflects your personal style.

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Complete your outfit with jewelry.

  1. Choose simple, elegant accessories that don't overwhelm your outfit. Accentuate your outfit without going overboard—pick one statement jewelry piece like a cocktail ring, classic watch, or a sparkly brooch, but keep the rest of your jewelry simple. If you're wearing a suit, reach for classic cuff links.[11]
    • For example, if you're wearing a simple tea-length dress with sandals, classic pearl stud earrings are perfect. If you're dressing up for a more formal tea, you might wear diamond studs and a simple gold necklace.
    • Dressing up for a children's tea party? Break out the tiaras, feather boas, and long strands of beaded necklaces!
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How should I accessorize a men's suit?
    Nejla Renee
    Nejla Renee
    Fashion Stylist
    Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style.
    Nejla Renee
    Fashion Stylist
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Shoes, socks, ties, and belts are all accessories. They should all coordinate with each other and the suit color. For instance, if you're wearing brown shoes, you should have a matching brown suit. The socks should compliment that and the tie should coordinate.
  • Question
    Would a red dress be appropriate?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you could wear a red dress.
  • Question
    Do I wear long or short gloves to a tea party?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Long gloves would be fine for any time of day. Short gloves would be fine as well but for hotter days. Long gloves are essential for tea parties which are extremely formal.
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  1. http://www.cuisinenoirmag.com/etiquette/tea-party-etiquette
  2. Nejla Renee. Fashion Stylist & Image Consultant. Expert Interview. 18 May 2020.

About This Article

Nejla Renee
Co-authored by:
Fashion Stylist
This article was co-authored by Nejla Renee and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Nejla Renee is a fashion stylist, image consultant, and personal shopper based in New York, New York. With over seven years of experience, Nejla specializes in helping people enhance their positive attributes and express their identities through style. Nejla holds a BS in Marketing and Finance from Northeastern University and worked in finance prior to starting her own business. Nejla combines her business experience with her personal creativity, passion, keen eye for detail, innate sense of style, and strong understanding of fit and proportion to help her clients create peace and acceptance around their style. This article has been viewed 516,900 times.
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Co-authors: 23
Updated: November 22, 2021
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Article SummaryX

To dress for a tea party, try wearing a dress in a floral pattern with a length that falls midway between the knees and the ankles. Alternatively, you can pair a skirt that falls at or just below the knee with a sweater set for a sweet, classic look. Next, choose a dressy pair of shoes that compliment your outfit such as sandals, wedges, or heels. If you’d like, complete your look with an elaborate wide-brimmed hat or a flower in your hair. You can also put on a pair of white gloves if the party is a formal event. For more tips, like how to dress your child for a tea party, read on!

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