Dressing For A Royal Garden Party

Dressing For A Royal Garden Party

It is with the utmost privilege and delight that one receives an invitation to a Royal Garden Party. Each year, a select assembly of just over 30,000 individuals is bestowed the honour of attending one of up to three garden parties hosted at the resplendent Buckingham Palace, in addition to a singular affair held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Perpetuating a cherished tradition inaugurated by Queen Victoria in the 1860s, these garden parties serve as a means of acknowledging and celebrating those who have profoundly enriched the vitality and spirit of their communities. Such distinguished individuals are typically nominated by the Lord Lieutenant - the sovereign's personal emissary in each county - alongside the military services or local government. Naturally, the presence of a companion is warmly welcomed.

Now convened in the afternoon and spanning approximately three hours, these gatherings were once dubbed 'breakfasts' and reserved exclusively for the aristocracy. Historically, they also provided an occasion for debutantes to be presented at Court, a practice that ceased upon Queen Elizabeth II's ascension. The event is heralded and concluded by the national anthem, during which Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla engage with their guests, who are encouraged to dress befitting the occasion. According to the Royal website, gentlemen are advised to don morning dress or lounge suits, whilst ladies are expected to grace the event in day dresses, adorned with hats or fascinators. National dress and uniforms are also deemed appropriate.

Given that an invitation to a Royal Garden Party is likely a singular event in one’s lifetime, we wholeheartedly recommend that gentlemen commemorate the occasion with the timeless elegance of a morning suit. As these festivities transpire at the zenith of summer, selecting a morning coat of suitable weight is paramount to ensure comfort throughout the afternoon. Our Black Chesham morning coat, the lightest in our collection, is exquisitely fashioned from a luxuriantly soft and breathable wool, endowed with exceptional moisture-wicking properties. This may be paired with our cashmere stripe trousers - available in two subtly distinct high-waisted designs - or the equally refined grey herringbone trousers. Complete the ensemble with a pastel double-breasted waistcoat and a tie in a striking hue, crafting a sophisticated silhouette worthy of royalty.

For ladies, the Royal Garden Party presents a splendid opportunity to revel in refined elegance. The dress code stipulates 'day dresses,' a term that permits considerable interpretation yet unequivocally excludes provocative, abbreviated styles. Our silk shantung dress silhouettes are an impeccable choice, striking an exquisite balance between glamour and poise. Tailored with a slender silhouette, they harmonise beautifully with our collection of silk coats.


For those inclined toward a more vivacious aesthetic, our array of dynamic floral dresses with circle skirts offers an ideal solution for such distinguished garden soirées. Comfort and elegance need not be mutually exclusive, which is why lightweight silks and linen fabrics are superlative selections. Linen, in particular, boasts remarkable breathability - a quality we have harnessed extensively in this season’s coat collection. Coats that conclude at the knee are especially versatile, lending themselves effortlessly to styling with dresses of commensurate length. As for hats and fascinators, we are delighted to offer our expertise in selecting the perfect adornment. Our esteemed millinery associates craft an array of breath-taking styles, and we warmly invite you to seek their counsel during your next visit to our Pall Mall boutique.

 

 

Older Post Newer Post

Frieze London 2025 - A Cheat Sheet

Frieze London 2025 - A Cheat Sheet

Here's your TLDR cheat sheet on what to see at this year's Frieze Art Fair, which started today in Regent's Park, London.

Read more
Ladies Who Frieze

Ladies Who Frieze

The art world turns its attention to London this week for Frieze 2025, so we’ve curated our boldest, most colourful pieces to make a splash...

Read more
Spark Them Up: Cigarette Trousers

Spark Them Up: Cigarette Trousers

With a beautifully feminine silhouette, our Cigarette trousers take a tailored approach to eveningwear glamour.

Read more
Mastering Elegance: A Guide to Favourbrook Shirts

Mastering Elegance: A Guide to Favourbrook Shirts

With an eclectic offering of formal shirts and smart-casual options, our shirt collection this season is a smorgasbord of tailored exceptionalism.

Read more
How To Dress For A Winter Wedding

How To Dress For A Winter Wedding

Winter weddings are a wonderful opportunity to explore rich fabrics such as wool and silk velvet, so we have compiled the ultimate style guide for both gents...

Read more
The Grey Flannel Suit Is Back

The Grey Flannel Suit Is Back

The grey flannel suit is back in the Favourbrook collection, cut with a modern silhouette in our beautiful Dunster wool. 

Read more
The Golden Bee: Favourbrook's Timeless Emblem Turns 20

The Golden Bee: Favourbrook's Timeless Emblem Turns 20

Discover Favourbrook’s golden bee motif, celebrating 20 years. Rooted in Napoleonic grandeur, it adorns velvet waistcoats, ties, and bold eveningwear, blending heritage with modern elegance....

Read more
Autumn's Snowdrop

Autumn's Snowdrop

A stunning new fabric for autumn, 'Snowdrop' is a beautifully patterned silk velvet cloth that we've fashioned into three elegant and versatile jackets.

Read more
The Velvet Gilet: A Casually Sartorial Layer

The Velvet Gilet: A Casually Sartorial Layer

The word 'gilet' today conjures up images of shiny padded sleeveless jackets but the garment's origins are very much sartorial, which is why we have...

Read more
Autumn Opulence: Favourbrook's Women's Waistcoats for Evening Allure

Autumn Opulence: Favourbrook's Women's Waistcoats for Evening Allure

Seductively sartorial, the ladies' waistcoat has become a stunning black tie alternative...

Read more
A World Of Waistcoats

A World Of Waistcoats

Read our guide to discover how you should be wearing our waistcoats through the busy autumn and winter period.

Read more
It's Officially Velvet Season

It's Officially Velvet Season

With the arrival of autumn and the end of the year coming into sight, formal occasions begin to come thick and fast, from galas to...

Read more