Clothes for a summer party in the garden

Short answer: A garden party starts warm and ends cool, and the difference is bigger than you think. A layer for the evening saves the last few hours, so you can stay seated when others start drifting inside.

The sun sets in the middle of the party

From nine o'clock the temperature drops quickly, and somewhere between ten and eleven the garden turns noticeably cold. It catches people out because the afternoon was so warm. A layer ready on the chair solves it without going inside to look. Soft bamboo sweatpants for women work well for the late part of the evening.

Grass and damp come from below

Dew falls in the evening, and cold feet arrive before the rest of the body notices anything. Bare ankles and sandals in wet grass cool faster than you expect. Switch to shoes instead of sandals after dark and keep a pair of socks in your bag. See the full women's range for soft evening pieces.

Insects find bare skin

After sunset the mosquitoes arrive, and a thin layer with long sleeves works better than spray. It is also warm enough to help once the air cools. Pick something not too dense, so you do not overheat if there is dancing. A bamboo hoodie for women covers both at once.

The afternoon is warm

When the party starts, the sun is high and what you wear should be light and airy. A thin base layer that moves moisture away from the skin feels better than something thick that turns clammy. Think in layers from the start: something light for the afternoon and something warmer close at hand.

Long hours at the table

A summer party often means long meals where you sit still for hours. Tight waistbands and stiff edges make themselves felt after a good dinner. Choose something soft with room at the waist so you stay comfortable the whole way. It also helps if there are garden games or clearing up to do.

Pack a small bag

A bag with an extra layer, a pair of socks and perhaps a thin top takes little space and nearly always gets used. Keep it by your seat so you do not have to go into the house. Many only notice the cold once they are already shivering, so having things ready lets you put them on in good time.

The way home

When the party ends after midnight, it has often turned properly cool. If you cycle home, the wind from the ride makes it feel colder still. Keep the evening layer on, and pull sweatpants over a dress or shorts if that suits you. It may not look festive, but it makes the ride home much nicer.

Choose clothes that can take a little

A garden brings grass stains, spilled wine and damp from the cushions on the garden chairs. Clothes that wash without fuss are easier to relax in. Pick pieces you know and know how to care for. Then you can sit on the grass or a damp bench without thinking about it for the rest of the night.

Frequently asked questions

How much colder does it get

Often eight to ten degrees between seven and eleven. The drop is felt most once the sun is fully down and the dew starts to settle on the grass.

Should I bring a layer

Yes, it nearly always gets used. A soft layer with long sleeves handles both the cold and the mosquitoes in the evening and takes up little room.

What about mosquitoes

Long sleeves work better than most other options. A thin layer keeps mosquitoes off your arms without making you too warm on a summer evening.