Dressed-to-a-Tea

La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality is hosting a Tea Blog-a-Thon from March 16 until May 31. She has a different theme for each week and you may participate as much or as little as you like. The theme for the fifth week, April 13 - April 19, is Dressed-to-a-Tea: "Share ideas for dressing up for afternoon tea. Is your favorite tea-time outfit a silk caftan, flannel jammies, or a dress with proper hat and gloves? Do you enjoy wearing tea prints to tea? Or do you prefer something more elegant? Lace and ruffles? A feathered hat? Long pink gloves? Satins and silks? Cotton comfort? Jeans and a t-shirt you say? That's okay --- share it all here. Pictures of you in tea-time costume are welcome!"


Generally at home on a day by day basis, I drink tea in whatever I happen to be wearing at the time. For example, last Friday evening my mother and I had tea in the living room as we listened to music. I served it on a brass tray with a napkin in lovely Royal Worcester "Evesham" teacups and saucers. We were simply dressed in our normal at home wear, but the time spent was quite pleasant and lovely.

For the Dressed-to-a-Tea post I checked for things in my closet which I feel are suitable for a tea party -- clothes that are feminine, attractive and comfortable.

This spring-like two-piece outfit is one I’ve worn to luncheons and would wear to a tea as well.

The top is white with floral and ribbon design.

The matching floral skirt is a full circle with a gathered waist and is quite feminine. I always feel festive when I wear it.
Accessories would include a vintage floral handkerchief in colors to coordinate with the colors in the dress. My choice for a brooch -- a gilt spray with green stone to pick up the green in the fabric. A straw hat [with a long white scarf to cover the black ribbon], a straw purse and heeled sandals would complete the outfit.

A second outfit would pair a beige blouse with a black silk skirt. This might be for a late day or early evening tea. The sleeveless blouse has three sets of inverted pleats to the hem, which would be worn over the skirt.


The silk skirt is black covered in ivory bows.

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Accessories would include a lovely vintage handkerchief in a soft pastel with black embroidered birds. Two small brooches include a gilt romantic couple on a black ground, and an enameled Sarah Coventry heart pin. [I could not find it easily, but I would also wear a narrow black belt over the blouse.] This hat is in felt, but I like the cutout design which makes it feminine and elegant.


Black pumps and a small black bag would complete the outfit.

I feel that either of the two ensembles would be comfortable and suitable for a tea event.

Please visit La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality for links to other participants in the Tea Blog-a-Thon.