How to wear a tea dress this summer
Our guide to the dos and don’ts of a seasonal staple that’s as practical as it is stylish
While vintage clothing has long been a feature of fashion’s rich landscape, retro style tends to fall in and out of favour. Little wonder: not everyone wants their outfit to feel like a fancy dress costume.
However, one item that bucks this trend is the tea dress. A wearable flashback to the 1940s, this retro piece sits comfortably among contemporary outfits, looking as relevant today as it has ever done.
Less Call The Midwife and more coveted wardrobe essential, the tea dress is an item with serious staying power. The key to mastering it this summer is to wear it precisely how you want to, ignoring vintage clichés such as T-bar sandals and pintuck curls.
It’s a wholly practical dress – think button front, easy-to-wear length, forgiving loose half sleeve – making it a great match for your favourite pair of trainers and a sloppy cardigan. Of course, it can also be dressed up: a pair of block-heel court shoes will lend a well-chosen tea dress a sense of kooky glamour reminiscent of Miuccia Prada and British designer Erdem.
The joy of this dress lies in its versatility. Wear one at home with flat sandals and you’ll have a garden-ready look that is both effortlessly feminine and practical. Team it with a pair of hiking boots and you’re ready to take on the world.
To choose the right one, bypass anything that’s too fitted. This dress has roots in everyday workwear so works best when it delivers on a practical level. With that in mind, seek out easy-to-wear shapes and fabrics that can withstand the strains of everyday life.
You might also find that veering towards a more neutral palette – muted florals and classic base tones – will allow you to get more out of your tea dress. However, there’s also a lot to be said for a spring dress in a vivacious print, so if lime green is your thing, go for it.
