What to Wear to Afternoon Tea in London

Wondering what to wear to afternoon tea in London? Let’s talk dresses, shoes, dress codes, and why you definitely don’t need to pack a fascinator.

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Planning for an afternoon tea in London?

Afternoon tea is a quintessential London experience. That said, it can feel surprisingly intimidating when you're planning your trip. What do you wear? Do you need to dress up? Are jeans allowed? Do you need a...hat?

My first afternoon tea in London was at The Goring on our honeymoon. It was the height of summer, and I wore a casual shift dress with flats and a scarf. I felt completely comfortable and appropriately dressed. I've had afternoon tea in London several times since, and my general advice is pretty simple: look polished, but don't overdo it. Unless the particular hotel you're visiting has a more formal dress code, you don't need a special "afternoon tea outfit." A nice dress, trousers and a blouse, or a skirt and sweater will generally fit right in.
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If you're still figuring out the rest of your suitcase, start with my complete guide to what to wear in London.

What do you wear to afternoon tea in London?

For most afternoon teas in London, I recommend aiming for a polished smart-casual outfit.

For women, that could mean:

• A casual or midi dress with flats
• Tailored trousers with a blouse or sweater
• A skirt with a blouse or sweater
• A simple dress with a cardigan or jacket
• Nice trousers with a blazer and flats or loafers

While I find myself normally giving lectures about Americans being 'too casually dressed' in Europe, in this case my advice is probably the opposite. You absolutely do not need to wear heels. You really and truly don't need a hat. You don't need gloves (obviously I'm just joking now. But don't even think about it.). And you certainly don't need to dress as though you're attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
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That said, afternoon tea is one of the occasions on a London trip when I think it's fun to dress a little more nicely. You're likely visiting a beautiful hotel or restaurant, and you'll probably take photos. I wouldn't arrive in the clothes I wore to work out or in something I'd throw on for a long flight. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle: polished, comfortable, and appropriate for the particular venue.

My first afternoon tea in London

The Goring is a beautiful, traditional London hotel near Buckingham Palace and a longtime favorite of the Royal Family (Kate stayed there the night before her wedding to Prince William), so it was a pretty fabulous place to have our first afternoon tea.
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What struck me at the time was that the room wasn't filled exclusively with tourists having their "London afternoon tea experience." There were certainly visitors like us, but there were also chic Londoners who appeared to be meeting for business or simply having tea. I think that's a useful thing to keep in mind when you're planning what to wear. Look around a beautiful London hotel at tea time, and you'll see people wearing nice clothes, not necessarily special "afternoon tea clothes."

Tea at The Goring Hotel

The author in action at The Goring

Easy afternoon tea outfit ideas

You probably already own something you can wear to afternoon tea in London. I would especially resist buying an overly formal dress that you'll only wear for tea if it doesn't make sense with the rest of your London wardrobe.

A Dress + Flats
This is probably my favorite combination, particularly in spring and summer. A simple day dress or midi dress feels special enough for afternoon tea without being overly formal. Add ballet flats, loafers, or another polished flat shoe, and you're done.
It's also easy to incorporate into a London sightseeing wardrobe, so you don't necessarily need to return to your hotel and completely change before tea.

Trousers + a Blouse
A pair of tailored trousers and a pretty blouse is another easy option, particularly if dresses aren't your thing. Add loafers, flats, or a low heel and, in cooler weather, a blazer or cardigan.

A Skirt + Sweater or Blouse
A midi skirt with a sweater or blouse works beautifully for afternoon tea and can easily be worn elsewhere during your trip. Add tights, boots, or a coat during the colder months.

A Dress + Jacket
For spring and fall, I love the idea of a simple dress with a jacket or cardigan. A trench coat works perfectly over the top while you're out exploring London.

Again, none of this needs to be particularly elaborate. Think "nice lunch at a beautiful hotel," rather than "formal event."

What shoes should wear to afternoon tea?

Please don't feel like you need to wear heels to afternoon tea. London is a walking city, and there's a good chance you'll be doing something before or after your reservation. There's no prize for limping back to your hotel because you thought afternoon tea required pumps.

Flats, loafers, ballet flats, low heels, and dressier sandals can all work depending on the season and the particular venue. Boots can also work nicely during fall and winter.

Sneakers are where I would pay closer attention to the dress code. Some London hotels are perfectly happy with clean, polished sneakers, while more formal venues may specifically prohibit athletic shoes or trainers.
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If you're planning to wear sneakers, check the current dress code for your particular afternoon tea before you go. For more help choosing shoes that can handle the rest of your sightseeing, check out my guide to the best comfortable shoes for walking in Europe.

Do London afternoon teas have dress codes?

There is no single dress code for afternoon tea in London. What you can wear depends on where you're having tea, and the rules vary more than you might expect. For example, Fortnum & Mason does not currently enforce a dress code in any of its restaurants, including the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

The Goring, where I had my first London afternoon tea, is somewhere in the middle. The hotel encourages guests to dress for the occasion and specifically asks guests not to wear sportswear, athletic trainers, shorts, or ripped jeans.

And then there's The Ritz, which is considerably more formal. Men are required to wear a jacket and tie for afternoon tea, and neither men nor women may wear jeans or sportswear. If you're trying to fit all of your London attire into a carry-on, The Ritz might not be calling your name.

That's a pretty wide range for three of London's best-known afternoon teas!

The lesson isn't that you need to memorize a complicated set of London tea rules. It's actually the opposite: check the dress code for the specific afternoon tea you've booked rather than inventing a stricter one in your head.
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And, of course, dress codes can change. Check your hotel's current policy before your trip, particularly if you're hoping to wear jeans or sneakers.

What NOT to wear to afternoon tea in London

Again, the actual dress code at your particular hotel should be your guide. But in general, I'd avoid:

• Workout clothes, athleisure, leggings, or sweatshirts
• Flip-flops
• Very distressed or ripped clothing
• Very casual sightseeing clothes
• Anything specifically prohibited by your venue
• An elaborate hat, gloves, pearls, and an outfit that makes it look like you're off on a date with the Mad Hatter

What should men wear to afternoon tea in London?

For many afternoon teas, trousers or chinos with a collared shirt, polo, or sweater will work well. A sport coat or blazer can dress things up without requiring a suit.

Again, this is an area where checking your particular hotel's dress code matters. Some more formal London hotels have specific jacket requirements for men. As we saw above, The Ritz actually requires gentlemen to wear a jacket and tie for afternoon tea.
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If you're traveling as a couple, check the rules for both of you before you pack. There's nothing worse than discovering the night before your reservation that the outfit you planned doesn't meet the hotel's dress code.

A few practical tips for planning your afternoon tea in London

• Book ahead. If you have your heart set on one of London's best-known afternoon teas, make a reservation well in advance.
• Check the dress code when you book. Don't wait until you're already in London to discover that something you packed isn't allowed.
• Plan around the rest of your day. If you're sightseeing in the morning and having afternoon tea at 3:00, you probably don't want to return all the way to your hotel just to change. Dresses, trousers, loafers, and comfortable flats can look polished enough for tea without sacrificing an entire day of sightseeing to your outfit.
• Think about where tea fits into your sightseeing. My 3-day London itinerary includes afternoon tea at The Goring as an option on the day you visit Westminster and Buckingham Palace, since you'll already be in the neighborhood.
• Don't eat a giant lunch first. Afternoon tea may sound like a dainty little snack until a three-tiered stand of sandwiches, scones, and pastries appears in front of you.

If you're planning your first London trip, you may also find my tips for first-time visitors to London helpful as you put together the rest of your itinerary.

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope I have helped you figure out what to wear for afternoon tea in London and, perhaps more importantly, convinced you that you don't need to overdo it or bring a second suitcase. Wear something you feel good in, check the dress code before you go, and enjoy the excuse to sit down for a few hours over sandwiches, scones, and tea in a beautiful London hotel. And please, leave the fascinator at home.
For more help packing, head to my complete London packing and outfit guide.

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