What is garden party attire? Ideas for men and women

What is garden party attire? Ideas for men and women

Garden parties are one of those great occasions that bring people together. They can range from wedding events, casual outdoor gatherings, or a birthday party. If you are planning on attending something like this soon, check out some of these classy garden party attires for both men and women. Shekwoyemi Yakubu, the Head Stylist and Creative Director at The Empress Brand, shares insights on the best colors, fabrics, and outfit choices for garden party settings.

garden party attire
People toasting. Photo: pexels.com, @anthonyshkraba-production (modified by author)
Source: UGC

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The garden party dress code is fairly simple and something that will give you comfort. At times, the garden venue and weather of the day can dictate the type of attire one needs to wear. All in all, this should be a casual day, and your choice of style should not be the focal point.

What is garden party attire?

Garden party attire strikes a balance between sophistication and comfort. These outfits ought to give you the relaxed atmosphere of outdoor events. The key is choosing a stylish, simple, worthwhile outfit for the event.

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How can individuals balance looking elegant and feeling comfortable in garden party attire?

In an interview, Shekwoyemi Yakubu, the Head Stylist and Creative Director at The Empress Brand, defined garden party attire as free, breathable, and colorful, sharing valuable advice on balancing style and comfort in garden party attire. Shekwoyemi said:

How you can strike a balance in this is, first of all, to choose a fabric whose color and pattern flatters your skin, whose texture your skin is comfortable under, and then a design that doesn’t go overboard/isn’t all over the place.

Regarding colors, Shekwoyemi recommends earthy and sky tones such as yellow, brown, green, blue, cream, and nude. The expert also shared a variety of outfits that cater to both casual and formal garden party settings. These include:

  • Sundresses
  • Shorts
  • Strapless playsuits
  • Floral skirts
  • Plain silk skirts and pants
  • Vintage shirts
  • Denim pants

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Shekwoyemi suggests some fabric and fashion trends that are popular for garden parties. She mentioned:

  • Floral fabrics
  • Organzas and organdy
  • Soft cotton laces
  • Linen
  • Shorts

What is appropriate to wear to a garden party?

Outdoor events give you the comfortability to try out various outfit designs. They can include everything from feminine and flirty dresses and skirts to polished jumpsuits and trouser suits. You can also go for jeans or shorts accompanied by sneakers.

Garden part ideas for men

What should a man wear to a garden party? When it comes to choosing what to wear, men usually have little trouble. For such events, its easier for them to pick out something that does not really stress them out. It is important to dress according to how the event is to avoid being the odd one out. Opt for footwear that suits the occasion.

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Loafers, boat shoes, or stylish sneakers are excellent choices for a casual or semi-formal garden party, while leather dress shoes work well for more formal events. Here are some of the best male garden party outfits you can try.

Casual garden party attire

garden party outfit for male
Casual garden party attire. Photo: @highfashionmen on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Most garden part attires call for casual wear where you need to be just you. In such cases, getting an outfit you like can be easy. In most cases, most men would prefer wearing jeans or shorts with loafers or stylish saddles. If the weather forecast is uncertain, or the evenings are cold that time of year, a jacket would be a good idea.

Male formal garden party attire

formal garden party attire for male
Formal garden party attire. Photo: @highfashionmen on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

If it's a more formal occasion, then one needs to look presentable and neat. In this case, men can consider going for lightweight suits of various colours, such as grey, brown or light blue. You can polish the look with leather loafers.

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Semi-formal garden party attire

garden party attire for men
Semi-formal garden party attire for men. Photo: @highfashionmen on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

For a semi-formal setting, you can combine both casual and formal looks to bring out the elegance. Try something like a simply tailored blazer worn on khaki or line trousers.

Female garden party attire

The women's fashion is wide, and there are a variety of outfits that can suit any body type. As the fashion industry evolves daily, more designs are coming up, and you can always choose something you feel is perfect. Here are some great ideas to give you a start on what to wear.

Female casual garden party attire

garden party attire for female
Shorts and skirts attire. Photo: @mungai_eve, @azz_iad on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

When it comes to casual outfits, there are many options to choose from. If it's a girl's out, you can go for simple crop tops and a mini skirt or shorts. Pair them with high boots or simple sneakers.

semi formal garden party attire
Wide-legged trousers and jeans. photo: @azz_iad, @diana_marua on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

If you prefer pants, a jumpsuit or wide-legged trousers paired with a blouse can be a stylish and comfortable option. This is some of the best garden party attire for plus-size and slim girls.

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casual garden party attire for female
Simple yet classy garden party attire. Photo: @azz_iad, @nancyisimeofficial, @iniedo on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

You can also wear short designer dresses made of various fabrics such as Ankara or lace. The goal is to look elegant and simple. Depending on the party you are attending, always dress to kill.

garden party dress
Maxi colourful dresses. Photo: @dorea_chege, @hamisamobetto on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Maxi dresses or A-line silhouettes are also comfortable and stylish choices. Pair them with sandals or espadrilles for a laid-back look.

Formal garden party attire

For a formal party, you need to be as elegant as possible. Formal parties can be black-tie events, galas, weddings with a formal dress code, award ceremonies, and upscale charity events.

You can wear a cocktail dress or a formal gown. Always opt for elegant floral prints or solid pastels, and accessorize with statement jewellery and heels.

formal garden party attire for female
Formal garden party dresses. Photo: @diana_marua, @hamisamobetto, @botswanaweddings on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

For accessories, go for anything that makes you feel comfortable and one that matches your outfit perfectly. You can wear wide-brimmed hats, statement sunglasses, and classy jewellery. A chic clutch or a small crossbody bag can add the finishing touch to your ensemble.

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garden party dress
Formal garden party dress. Photo: @botswanaweddings, @hamisamobetto, @dorea_chege on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Formal garden parties call for a more mature look. Any lady should wear something that is presentable and looks good on her. Maintain simplicity.

Semi-formal garden party attire

If the garden party is semi-formal, you should step up your style game a bit. You can wear a knee-length dress or a dressy skirt and blouse. You can go for maxi dresses for semi-formal parties such as cocktail parties or wedding receptions.

garden party attire
Maxi dresses for a party. Photo: @dorea_chege, @iniedo, @botswanaweddings on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

You can also consider dresses with interesting necklines or sleeve details and pair them with stylish flats or low heels for comfort.

What should a man wear to a garden party?
Denim trouser attire for a garden party. Photo: @iniedo, @hamisamobetto, @azz_iad, @dorea_chege on Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

How about some jeans with boots or sneakers? Always strive to look good in any event you are attending. Match your outfits well to avoid colour clashing.

These are some of the best garden party attire ideas you can choose for your desired occasion. The goal is to be as comfortable as possible, maintain simplicity, and look classy.

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Authors:
Mercy Mbuthia avatar

Mercy Mbuthia (Lifestyle writer) Mercy Mbuthia is a content writer with five years of experience writing on various topics, including biographies, entertainment, and lifestyle. She joined the Legit team in 2019. Mercy earned a Master of Science (Food, Nutrition & Dietetics) from Dedan Kimathi University in 2022. Her articles have appeared on several media sites such as The Health Channel, The Nation, Tekrati, ValiantCEO and Celebrity Leader. In 2023, Mercy finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: mercymmbuthia18@gmail.com

Mary Ugbodaga avatar

Mary Ugbodaga (Lifestyle Journalist) Mary Ugbodaga is a Legit.ng journalist with 7 years of experience in journalism and media communications. She graduated from Covenant University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Mary previously worked as a journalist at TheCable, CNBC AFRICA, Voice of Nigeria, KPMG Nigeria. Email: mary.ugbodaga@corp.legit.ng.