The summer season is in full swing, meaning garden parties are aplenty. Sunny afternoons, ice-cold champagne, splendid tablescapes and al fresco dining – what could possibly be better?
When it comes to garden party style, many of us tend to favour typically feminine design tropes – think frills, breathable silks and ever-flattering bias cuts.
What do I wear to a garden party?
Honestly? The world is your oyster - which is actually in fact less helpful than if 'garden party' had the same strict parameters as 'black tie'. Light and airy is the best way forward, but this doesn't have to mean the quintessential florals and maxi dresses only (though both are more than acceptable). This year, we've decided to take our cues from some of the celebs who have been nailing summer dressing in 2024, and they've got you covered with looks that are bang on trend, versatile and wholly appropriate for al fresco parties, whether it's in your friend's garden in Dalston or an event in South Kensington with London's glamorous socialites.
Frrom Meghan Markle to Jennifer Lopez, H Fashion shares our A-list fashion muse-inspired garden party outfit ideas:
MORE: How to wear black in summer for maximum chic
READ: The best summer dresses that are perfect for your 2024 holiday
A floral shirt and jeans like... Alexa Chung
Florals for a garden may not be groundbreaking, but Alexa Chung's take on the feminine trend is. This season she wore an embellished shirt from Bode, putting a botanitcal twist on the classic white shirt. Style with light-wash jeans or some floaty white trousers and your favourite pair of sandals.
A Y2K-approved belt like... Rita Ora
Boho fashion has made a triumphant return this season - some have brought a contemporary edge reflective of Chloe's dreamy SS24 collection, and others, like Rita Ora, have championed the style in all its 2000s glory, adding a Sienna Miller and Kate Moss-approved low-slung belt.
A linen two-piece like... Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex has favoured tailored two-pieces over dresses this summer, creating looks that are uniformed, versatile and timeless. The best thing about investing in a good quality minimalistic co-ord set is the unparalleled versatility. Layer the top with a blazer for winter, pair the skirt with a bikini for a beach day, or wear the two together with metallic heels and a matching bag for the ultimate elevated summer outfit, depending on what type of garden party you're heading to.
A collared midi dress like...Jennifer Lopez
JLo has a penchant for feminine midi dresses during the summer, which is handy for garden party inspiration. Last week she shared a photo with her child Max wearing an effortlessly chic collared printed dress from Dior that said 'summer sophistication' without a flower in sight. If you want the look but don't want to spend £2600 like Jennifer, opt for a belted shirt dress with a vibrant pattern to get a similar, sophisticated look.
Polka dots like...Sienna Miller
Classic polka dots have made a triumphant resurgence this summer, and the sheer number of spotty looks at Royal Ascot and Wimbledon alone is enough to tell us it's a style to have on your garden party outfits moodboard. From Sienna Miller in Prada to Lady Amelia Spencer in Holland Cooper, the inspiration from the socialites and celebrities is endless.
A statement maxi skirt like...Zendaya
This summer Zendaya proved the power of a statement maxi skirt and we immediately put one on our wishlists. She paired her patchwork piece with a simple white cropped vest top and white ballerina flats for the ultimate elevated casual look.
A summer slip dress like...Victoria Beckham
Not only has Victoria Beckham created some of the chicest slip dresses of the season, but the silhouette is her go-to for any occasion thanks to is effortless and timeless appeal. Give the classic silhouette a seasonal makeover by opting for airy fabrics like cotton or linen, or perhaps one with a cheerful yet elegant pattern like summer stripes.
Romantic ruffle dress and strappy sandals like... Elsa Hosk
Celeb-adored FANCì Club added another famous face to its roster of fans in the form of ex-Victoria Secret model Elsa Hosk. The model wore a fuchsia sheer asymmetric dress paired with statement floral strappy sandals, looking the picture of free-flowing beauty.
A mini dress and bright tights like...Blake Lively
Tights for summer? Yep, you heard us right. Gossip Girl icon Blake Lively championed summery tights shades this August and we're slightly obsessed in the H Fashion office, particularly as our 'summer' here in London has been questionable, therefore some cheerful hosiery wouldn't go a miss. We love the injection of colour blocking, to create a truly striking look.
Tie-dye silk dress and mules like... Emily Ratajkowski
Emily Ratajkowski opted for a blue and green tie-dye slip dress featuring an abstract pattern with rich blues, greens and a hint of indigo – colours very reminiscent of Van Gogh's The Starry Night.
Emily's exact dress was part of a special collaboration between Marc Jacobs and New York-based painter Loren Erdrich. The printed midi dress is always a great choice for summer, and yet paired with the flattering line of a round-toe mule elevated the ensemble and turned it into our official garden party uniform.
How We Chose:
Trend: I used my fashion expertise to choose pieces that are either on-trend right now or timeless, and similar to the pieces celebrities are wearing right now. Despite this, each piece chosen is from a brand either approved by myself or the H Fashion team.
Budget: I tried to find a mixture of high street and high-end pieces, to appeal to those who want to spend as little as possible, and those who want to make an investment purchase.
Style: I tried to choose an array of pieces from skirts to dresses, tights to belts to help you find whatever you're looking for, regardless of personal taste. Also, I looked to the biggest celebrity fashion icons in the world right now for style inspiration, whose sartorial agendas are loved by editors and fashion fans alike in 2024.
Why you should trust me:
Lauren is Hello! Fashion’s resident digital writer, covering all things fashion and lifestyle - from the latest celebrity trends to bridal fashion, influencer street style to the best pieces to shop this season. You’ll also find her trying out the latest fashion trends every month, interviewing industry moguls for our Fashion Insider series, and finding the chicest things to do in London.
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