There’s an unspoken dress code at the Chelsea Flower Show. Can you guess what this is? Florals, botanicals, botanical prints and earthy colors are all allowed (for men and women) at an event where literal dressing up is now as enjoyable and an integral part of the scene as precious foxgloves and sodas.
The Chelsea Flower Show has been held annually since 1912; but the Royal Horticultural Society never dictated to its visitors what they should wear. Rather, this trend stemmed from the audience; Chelsea offers the perfect Nice Day Out for dressing up and catching up with friends (and taking plenty of social media photos of your outfits against a beautiful backdrop while you’re at it) while you check out the competition.
“You have to pay homage to Chelsea and wear flowers,” confirms Margaux Garnish, 40, who attended Tuesday in a vintage linen Mulberry dress. A salad shop owner from the Isle of Wight says she planned her look a few weeks ago and was determined to wear it whatever the weather. “I like to pick my favorite flower every year,” says Bella Roberts, 48; this year Dolce & Gabbana is in sunflowers.
It was the Princess of Wales who sparked the dressing trend in recent years; When she first attended the show in 2016, she set the tone from the moment she arrived wearing her greens with a Catherine Walker coat. She was preceded in death by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth wore hats with floral patterns or garish colors and flowers.
Earlier this year, Dame Joan Collins walked through the door and wore a large, lovely fleur-de-lis brooch. Single Show presenter Alex Jones in purple violet pattern. Dame Mary Berry arrived in a pink paisley outfit, while Baroness Floella Benjamin wore painterly carnations.
“Be prepared, because the temperature is unpredictable,” says Samantha Cameron, wearing a floral-print dress and linen blazer from her own brand, Cefinn. “There’s nothing stylish about being overheated, and no one can have fun when it’s damp and cold. If the weather is treacherous, standoffs can be a nifty problem solver.
Comfort is a very important issue in this event. While it’s fun to play around with the day’s theme and wear something interesting, there’s a lot of walking to be done. Nice flat shoes and low heels are recommended over heels. Remember, this isn’t a race day, so there’s no need for anything glamorous; But for real protection from the sun, a straw-brimmed hat might be a good decision. It is very important to check the weather before you go.
Even if you don’t attend the actual event this year, there’s inspiration to be had for garden parties, picnics and summer party celebrations. Accessories are an easy way for anyone to add a spring flair to their outfit, whether it’s in Chelsea or at a friend’s barbecue in Chichester. Even if the rest of your outfit is linen trousers and a nice blouse, adding one of Lulu Guinness’ new bird’s nest or rose basket bags will be a guaranteed way to start a conversation.
“It’s wonderful to see some of my flower baskets lined up next to real flowers,” says Guinness (last year, Jones toted another of her quirky designs, a greenhouse-shaped handbag). “They are like works of art and I enjoy designing them. “I have always loved flowers, they are the biggest mood changer for me.”
Creativity is naturally prevalent here, and you’ll see plenty of artists and designers searching for ideas in the crowd.
“I try to go every year because I think it’s a great source of inspiration for my design,” says Cameron. “Flowers have very specific colors and textures that are unique and the same qualities I love in fabrics.”
Last year’s event inspired shoe designer Penelope Chilvers to design a new “Chelsea Floral” cotton pique print that debuted for this year’s show. After a day of wandering around the gardens, she used vintage-style plimsolls that can be thrown into the washing machine.
This year, for the first time, Chilvers will host a pop-up shop at the flower fair grounds, selling its popular espadrilles and shoes alongside classic gardening retailers. Who wouldn’t want to pick up a pair of shiny jute wedges after browsing, or wear them straight out if they had originally made an uncomfortable shoe choice for the event?
“They’re very colorful and perfect for garden parties spent mostly on soft green lawns,” says Chilvers.
Most importantly, he adds: “They don’t sink into the grass.”
What to wear…
Italian linen jacket, £320, Jigsaw; Ellie dress, £170, Hill House House; Valenciana espadrilles, £129, Penelope Chilvers
Wide-brimmed hat, £45, john lewis; Lyra shirt dress, £375, Cefinn; Bird’s nest bag, £345, Lulu Guinness