EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear to Afternoon Tea in London (Hotel, Tea Room or Festive Tea)

“Afternoon tea is one of the few times people still dress for the occasion, and that's half the fun. Aim for what you'd wear to a nice lunch with someone you want to impress, then add one finishing touch: good earrings, a silk scarf or polished shoes.”Her take

Is there a dress code for afternoon tea in London?

It depends on the venue. The most traditional luxury hotels often have a smart dress code for their tea rooms, and some are strict, turning away guests in sportswear, trainers, ripped jeans, shorts or baseball caps. The very strictest don't allow jeans of any kind and ask men to wear a jacket and tie. Department store tea rooms, cafés and themed afternoon teas are usually relaxed, and smart-casual is plenty.

Always check the dress code in your booking confirmation or on the venue's website before you go. If in doubt, dress one level smarter than you think you need; nobody feels awkward for being slightly overdressed at afternoon tea.

What to wear to afternoon tea at a luxury hotel

Think polished and elegant rather than party. These combinations work well.

• A knitted or crepe midi dress with opaque tights, heeled ankle boots or block-heel court shoes, and small drop earrings.
• Tailored wide-leg trousers, a silk or satin blouse, a fine cardigan or blazer, and loafers or heeled boots.
• A pleated or satin midi skirt with a fine-knit roll-neck tucked in, a slim belt and knee-high boots.
• A simple wrap dress with a long wool coat, a silk scarf and a small structured handbag.

What to wear to a relaxed or themed afternoon tea

For casual tea rooms, bus tours and themed teas, smart-casual is perfect. Dark jeans with no rips, a pretty knit or blouse, a blazer or cardigan and clean ankle boots or loafers all work. Plain smart trainers are acceptable at many relaxed venues, but not at formal hotels.

If you're going straight from sightseeing, choose outfits that work for both: dark straight trousers, a fine knit, ankle boots that are comfortable to walk in, and a scarf or earrings you can add at the table.

What to wear to a festive or Christmas afternoon tea

From mid-November, many London venues serve festive afternoon teas, and people dress up a little more. Velvet, satin, fine sequin or metallic-thread knits and jewel colours such as forest green, navy, plum and gold look seasonal without being over the top.

Keep one festive element and make the rest simple: a velvet skirt with a plain cream knit, a satin blouse with black trousers, or a dark knitted dress with sparkly earrings. Save full sequin dresses for evening parties.

Coats, bags and shoes

Most hotels and smart tea rooms will take your coat at a cloakroom, so wear an outfit that looks complete without it. A long wool coat over a dress or tailoring looks polished arriving and leaving. Choose a small handbag that can sit on your lap or by your chair, rather than a large tote or backpack that clutters the table.

Wear shoes you can walk in on wet London pavements and from the Tube. Leather ankle boots with a low heel, loafers and block heels are all smart enough. Bring a compact umbrella; arriving soaked is harder to fix than any outfit.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Check the venue's dress code, dress one step smarter than you think, add one festive or finishing touch, and wear shoes that cope with wet pavements.

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