21 Outfit Ideas to Steep in Style for High Tea, Afternoon Tea, & Tea Parties
- Image credit: @summer.lele
- By Lisa Flood
- Published On 07 09 25
- In Party
Tea parties are special and the relaxed social atmosphere with an assortment of food ranges from savory to sweet are our way to have fun with friends. The first-ever recorded tea party was held by Catherine of Braganza in 1662 and was reserved only for royalty. While the afternoon tea party setup was created by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford in 1840 to fill the gap between morning and evening tea.
There are several factors to consider when choosing an outfit for a tea party. Take note of the venue, theme, your personal preferences, sitting hours, and socializing. The theme may range from casual to sophisticated allowing a great variety of outfits. For a summer tea party, the lightweight, breezy, and feminine cotton, linen, and chiffon fabrics.
Always pay attention to the venue, whether the high-tea party is indoor or outdoor. Pastel colors are more common in Garden tea parties and the dress code is a bit relaxed. High tea is the substantial version of a casual tea party and the dress code is semi-casual, inclining more towards modest, two-piece outfits.
Formal tea parties are more glamorous, where you should wear formal or semi-formal cocktail dresses. The outfit colors for such parties should be more refined including formal accessories.
Vintage tea parties are inspired by the Victorian era and the dress code isn’t strictly formal. You just need to get dressed like an era of vintage tea party.
Unlike a casual tea party, a high tea calls for an elegant outfit that creates a blend of timeless sophistication and polished appearance, giving you a classy and refined look.
But that’s all ifs and buts. To give you a helping hand, here are some truly excellent (if I do say so myself) ideas for tea party outfits to recreate them.
Modern & Classy Tea Party Outfits To Style
Black strapless top + White mini skirt with belt + White shoulder bag + Black sunglasses + Gold hoop earrings
Pairing a black strapless top with a white mini skirt is a great way to balance your look for a tea party. The simplicity of these pieces allows them to be mixed and matched with other items in your summer wardrobe. The contrast of black and white ensures your outfit remains timeless and versatile, while the belt detail adds a touch of structure.
Beige sleeveless ribbed top + White pleated mini skirt + White knee-high boots + White tote bag
While you might not typically choose knee-high boots for warmer weather, they can be a great choice for a summer tea party, especially when paired with a breezy, pleated mini skirt. Opting for a sleeveless ribbed top helps to keep the look light and airy, making it perfect for the season. The white tote bag ties everything together, ensuring you stay stylish and practical.
Blue jersey sweatshirt + Beige wide-leg trousers + Leopard print sneakers + Quilted white crossbody bag
If ease and style are what you’re after, then you’ll find it hard to beat the combination of a jersey sweatshirt and a wide-leg trouser. The black sunglasses not only protect your eyes but also complete your outfit with a balanced, polished finish.
Floral off-the-shoulder dress in pastel colors + White bow hair accessory + White shoes
Yes, off-the-shoulder dresses are a great option for a summer tea party! Opt for a floral style in pastel colors like pink, yellow, or green, which will keep your look fresh and vibrant. A white bow hair accessory adds a delicate touch, while white shoes complete the ensemble with a clean finish. In fact, take inspiration from this get-up and embrace the playful, yet elegant vibe for your next tea party.
White collared shirt + Black vest + Brown mini skirt + White loafers with socks + Brown handbag + Gold bracelets + Round sunglasses
If mini skirts are more your thing, a well-fitted brown mini skirt will be comfortable to sit in during your tea party. Keep things polished up top by pairing it with a white collared shirt and a black vest; you can always choose these neutral tones as they easily mix and match with other pieces in your wardrobe.
White linen blouse + White linen maxi skirt + White blazer + Large gold earrings + Beige woven handbag
A white blazer is a great way to elevate any outfit, especially if you opt for a linen set like a blouse and maxi skirt. You’ll love how this combination feels light and breezy while still looking polished. Pairing it with large gold earrings and a beige woven handbag adds just the right amount of texture and interest. This is definitely a look you’ll want to recreate for your next summer tea party.
White oversized blazer + White satin tank top + Beige lace maxi skirt + White kitten heels + Coffee brown cltuch
A white satin top is a simple yet elegant option to wear with a white lace maxi skirt. It’s also incredibly versatile, with the ability to look casual with white sandals as well as dressed up with heels.
Black sleeveless top + White maxi skirt + Black shoulder bag + Gold earrings + Black sunglasses
Timeless and effortlessly elegant, a black sleeveless top and gold earrings is a stylish yet classic combo to wear with your white maxi skirt in summer. You’ll find that the black shoulder bag and sunglasses add just the right touch to complete your look for a tea party.
Oversized beige shirt + Black high-waisted pants + Black belt + Black sandals + Beige tote bag + Black sunglasses
Whenever you’re unsure of what top to wear, an easy fashion tip is to style an oversized beige shirt as your top. Just pair it with your black high-waisted pants and black sandals, and you have a look that can easily transition from day to night.
Hot pink satin mini dress with spaghetti straps + Black knee-high boots + White pearl headband + Silver necklace
The look is simple, but so effective and proves that a hot pink satin mini dress never lets you down. Dress it down with black knee-high boots or up with strappy heels; the options are endless!
Gray oversized blazer + Beige satin slip dress + Brown leather handbag + Brown sandals
The oversized blazer on the satin slip dress adds a playful touch to this look, and we’re happy to spotlight any outfit that pairs effortlessly with a brown structered bag and brown sandals.
Blue and white striped puff-sleeve crop top + Beige wide-leg trousers + Brown woven tote bag + Brown heeled sandals + Gold earrings
Puff-sleeve crop tops often act as the base of your summer wardrobe, but when you want to dress up your beige wide-leg trousers for a tea party, opt for more detailed styles like this blue and white striped version. Pair it with brown heeled sandals and a woven tote bag for a look that’s perfect for the occasion.
Olive green off-the-shoulder ribbed top + White wide-leg trousers + Beige mules + Gold necklace
If you’re still looking to up your summer tea party style, I’d recommend going for an olive green off-the-shoulder ribbed top. The combination of the ribbed texture and white wide-leg trousers is currently trending, and after putting this outfit together, you’ll feel on point. Style it with beige mules to keep the focus on the top.
White tank top + Light wash jeans + White oversized shirt + Black woven tote bag + Black sunglasses + Black ballet flats
While you’ll always appreciate a standout accessory, it’s refreshing to know that a black woven tote bag is a key item to own in 2025. Its practicality is what’s most appealing—nothing feels better than carrying everything you need in one stylish piece. Rely on it to bring together your look with the white tank top, light wash jeans, and white oversized shirt for a perfectly balanced tea party outfit.
White t-shirt + Black and white striped shorts + White sneakers + White socks + Black cap + Black handbag
Printed T-shirts never truly go out of style, but they’ve come back in a big way recently. Pair yours with black and white striped shorts and white sneakers for a casual yet put-together look.
White sleeveless buttoned top + White wide-leg trousers + Black sandals + Straw hat with black ribbon + White handbag
Give wide-leg trousers an instant polish with a pair of black sandals. Style your white sleeveless buttoned top with a straw hat featuring a black ribbon—a look that’s both classic and perfect for a summer tea party.
Black and white striped knit set (long-sleeve top and matching shorts) + Black and beige ballet flats + Black quilted handbag
Striped knits always have a timeless appeal. For days when the weather is unpredictable, they offer versatility. You can style your black and white striped knit set as a complete outfit, or casually drape the top over your shoulders for a different look.
White square-neck midi dress + Beige knit cardigan over shoulders + Beige woven handbag + White sandals + Black sunglasses
A white square-neck midi dress is a summer staple, and for an added layer, drape a beige knit cardigan over your shoulders. Complete the look with a beige woven handbag and white sandals. Add black sunglasses to keep it classic for a summer tea party.
White crop top + Gray wide-leg jeans + Gray baseball cap + Black sunglasses + Silver watch
On top of wide-leg jeans being a great way to add a laid-back vibe to your summer look, they also make a crop top feel less revealing. These bottoms can make a crop top less intimidating to wear, especially when paired with accessories like a baseball cap or sunglasses. For a relaxed summer ensemble, pair a white crop top with gray wide-leg jeans and finish with a silver watch.
Blue striped button-up shirt + Navy wide-leg pants + Beige sweater over shoulders + Beige and black ballet flats + White handbag
When it comes to styling a summer tea party outfit, the real magic happens in the details. You don’t need to stick to the usual summer styles or follow the typical dress codes. A few creative choices can completely transform your look. For instance, a striped button-up shirt doesn’t have to be paired with laid-back footwear. Opt for ballet flats just like above, and throw a sweater over your shoulders to elevate the outfit. Ultimately, any look can be tea party-ready if you make it uniquely yours.
Black t-shirt + White mini skirt with belt + Black strappy sandals + Brown shoulder bag + Gold hoop earrings + Round sunglasses
A gorgeous outfit, no doubt.
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