What do you wear for afternoon tea at the ritz (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear for afternoon tea at the ritz? ›

In all other areas of the hotel (The Ritz Restaurant breakfast service, The Rivoli Bar, The Long Gallery, and the Cigar Lounge), smart casual attire is required. Please note that shorts, trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel's restaurants or bars.

To attend tea at The Ritz gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie, but when it comes to ladies the rules are less straightforward. No trainers, shorts, sportswear or jeans are allowed but that leaves you with multiple options.

The Ritz London has a dress code in different areas of the hotel as follows: Gentlemen are required to wear smart attire, including a jacket and tie (jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen) for afternoon tea in The Palm Court, and for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant and Terrace.

Most afternoon tea venues have a relaxed smart/casual dress code, so there are many different ways you can dress for afternoon tea. You could opt for a relaxed and easy look with a dress or skirt and shirt combination, or you can go slightly more formal with a trouser suit look.

Afternoon Tea is a formal occasion and unless stated otherwise the standard dress code for Afternoon Tea is 'semi-formal' or 'smart casual'. This means instead of sportswear and trainers, ensure to opt for trousers, smart jeans, or alternatively a dress.

Some teaware like fancy mugs or a cool tea pot will be appreciated and will fit the theme. Ornaments and flowers are also good gift options too. If it's a smaller or more casual event though, it can be nice to bring some food or drinks to help the host out.

Casual elegant | We recommend gentlemen to wear long trousers, jeans (in good condition), casual suits or shorts (casual yet polished), shirt (short or long sleeve), polo, and shoes; while for ladies it is recommended long trousers, dress, blouse or shirt, skirt, and sandals.

You'll book a timed slot and have the table for just under two hours. Afternoon tea is served daily between 11.30am and 7.30pm.

Beachwear, sports attire, casual shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops are not allowed. Formal elegant | For Gentlemen, it is required to wear long pants, shirt and dress shoes; co*cktail dress, long trousers, skirt, blouse, and elegant sandals for the Ladies.

Smart casual includes items like blazers, sports jackets, dresses, sweaters, trousers, khakis, skirts, blouses, button-down shirts, polos, dress shoes, boots, heels, flats, scarves and jewelry.

What is afternoon dress for ladies? ›

Though these have all the appearance of evening dresses, they are called Afternoon Dresses, which meant they would have been worn for late afternoon or early evening occasions that would have been less formal than an evening event requiring full dress. They are therefore classified as Half Dress.

What to have for tea. There aren't any rules when it comes to the food, but a standard afternoon tea menu comprises a tier of sandwiches, a tier of cakes and one of scones or teacakes. But you could also throw in pastries, petit*-fours or biscuits.

Most venues have a relaxed 'smart casual' dress code these days, so there is no need for men to wear a jacket and tie (unless otherwise specified) - trousers or smart jeans, collared shirt and clean/un-scuffed shoes are acceptable.

Afternoon tea is usually a more traditional tea served with sandwiches, scones, and perhaps an assortment of cakes. Royal tea is a less used term but usually suggests the tea will be paired with champagne to mark extra special occasions.

Black is a completely acceptable option for high tea styling.

TEA-TIME TIPS

Allow 3-4 sandwiches per person. But don't prepare them too early as they will either go soggy or dry out.

Five finger sandwiches are traditionally served for afternoon tea in England: ham and mustard, cucumber, egg and cress, smoked salmon and coronation chicken.

A hostess gift isn't generally expected for a tea party, but if you choose to bring one, keep it simple. The hostess will appreciate some flavored loose tea, a new tea ball, or a candle. Wrap it or place it in a gift bag and hand it to her as soon as you arrive.

The most well-known measure taken by the Ritz Carlton is called the "2000$ rule". According to that rule every employee of the hotel is allowed to spend up to 2000$ to rescue the guest experience without having to ask any manager.

Tipping in hotels is fairly common but who you choose to tip will depend on the establishment and the type of staff you encounter. In high-end hotels like The Ritz, Claridge's, or The Dorchester, many people choose to tip the porter for fetching their luggage. This is not expected, so use your discretion.

Do you have to wear a tie for tea at the Ritz? ›

While considering what to wear to Afternoon Tea, note that at The Ritz we have a formal dress code, with gentleman required to wear a jacket and tie. Ultimately, whether you prefer one lump or two, or cream first or jam, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Morning Tea – 3-5 pieces. Lunch - 8-10 pieces. Afternoon Tea – 3-5 pieces. Dinner 8-10 pieces.

Our Afternoon Tea bookings should be booked at least four months in advance due to its popularity. You must have booked and taken your experience before your voucher expires.

Traditionally, Afternoon Tea is served around 4 pm. It was not created to replace dinner but rather to fill the gap between an early lunch and a late dinner. Small sandwiches, scones, biscuits, and tea were typically on small ornamental three-tier serving trays.

The Ritz London has a dress code in different areas of the hotel as follows: Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen) for afternoon tea in The Palm Court, and for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant and The Ritz Room.

In all other areas of the hotel (The Ritz Restaurant breakfast service, The Rivoli Bar, The Long Gallery, and the Cigar Lounge), smart casual attire is required. Please note that shorts, trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel's restaurants or bars.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

All PPE equipment issued to Ritz staff is Government approved. Wearing a mask is optional when entering the hotel.

For women, this means that items such as a classic two-piece suit or corporate dresses can be avoided. To nail the smart casual look, choose items such as: Tops: Neutral or colourful and/or print blouses and shirts, smart cardigans in dressy fabrics such as crepe knit, silk button up shirts or collared shirts.

The casual dress code typically consists of jeans, T-shirts, and cardigans. If you prefer skirts and sneakers, go for them! This is a relaxed and comfortable type of dressing – have some fun!

According to Debretts, jeans can be smart casual, but only on the condition that the event or place you're heading to is a more laid back one. (Jeans would not be welcome at a smart casual wedding, for example.)

What do you eat first at afternoon tea? ›

The correct order to enjoy the food that accompanies afternoon tea is savory to sweet: sandwiches first, then scones, and sweets last. You can use your fingers to eat all three courses. To eat a scone, you simply break it in half with your fingers.

When you put milk into infusing tea you lower the temperature of the water so a proper infusion can't take place. To get the best of your brew in a mug, always make the tea first to your taste and strength and the milk after.”

If you're trying to be elegant, start by wearing classic styles of clothing, like knee-length skirts and tailored button-down shirts, and choosing clothes made from high-quality fabrics, like silk and satin. Never too baggy, never too tight; the clothing of an elegant woman looks like it was made to fit just her.

The go-to outfit is typically a pair of slacks in a neutral color, such as khaki, navy blue, or black. This is worn with a nice dress shirt. If you want, add a cardigan or blazer on top. Examples of a nice dress shirt include collared button-up shirts, crewnecks, ruffled blouses, cashmere sweaters, and vests.

You can look elegant by wearing neutral colors and simple jewelry and makeup. Dress classy by choosing fitted, modest styles and flattering silhouettes. Opt for timeless pieces and expensive-looking materials, like a silk blouse and structured bag. Your garments should be well-maintained without wrinkles or rips.

So what time should you go? People usually have afternoon tea between 3 and 5pm, and 4pm is often cited as the best time for afternoon tea. Many hotels and restaurants offer it from noon until early evening, though, so you don't have to stick to the rules if you want to have it earlier or later.

Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3:30 pm and 5 pm.

Keep your outfit modest.

Tea parties are traditionally somewhat conservative when it comes to the wardrobe. You don't want to show too much skin, so wear a skirt or dress with a knee-length or longer hemline. Choose an outfit with a modest hemline, too.

How do you eat finger sandwiches at afternoon tea? ›

Order of eating

Finger sandwiches served at afternoon tea always have their crusts cut off and are served in small squares, rectangles or triangles – ideal for eating by hand. Next move onto the scones and cakes.

Our High Tea Etiquette Tips:

Never start eating until everyone has been served unless, your host tells you not to wait. A napkin – not serviette, folded along the diagonal and placed on your lap. Avoid picking items from the tower with your fingers, use your fork if servers aren't provided.

Yes, really! The monarch isn't the only royal to enjoy the afternoon pick-me-up, with the likes of Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and the duch*ess of Cornwall all having their own individual preferences. It seems the assumption that the royals sip on Earl Grey and nibble on scones is only partially true!

Afternoon tea is typically served in the mid-afternoon and it was traditionally served on low tables, hence its two names. It involves things like manners, lace, and dainty foods. Historically, afternoon tea was considered to be a ladies' social occasion, and it is more often enjoyed by women than men to this day.

Whilst they both include tea as a beverage, afternoon tea includes delicate pastries, little sandwiches, scones and cakes. Whereas high tea is typically a more wholesome meal of meat, potatoes and vegetables served after a long hard day at work.

Afternoon tea, or high tea as many in the U.S. call it, is an elegant affair. In most cases, you'll be comfortable in country club casual – nice pants and top, or simple dress. But at the poshest hotels the tea dress code is a step above – think better than business casual but not quite Downton Abbey.

In the case of tea ceremony, usually a plain or undecorated kimono is worn. Patterns are acceptable as long as the kimono is not flashy. For men, hakama are worn. White split-toe socks are worn by both men and women, and are taken off and changed out before heading into the tea ceremony room.

A smart pair of jeans for men or women can be included under smart casual. I would avoid wearing anything ripped or that has large logos. You are not a brand. Ideally a more tailored pair would work best and a dark wash or black.

Most venues have a relaxed 'smart casual' dress code these days, so there is no need for men to wear a jacket and tie (unless otherwise specified) - trousers or smart jeans, collared shirt and clean/un-scuffed shoes are acceptable. No sportswear or trainers (sneakers).

Tipping in hotels is fairly common but who you choose to tip will depend on the establishment and the type of staff you encounter. In high-end hotels like The Ritz, Claridge's, or The Dorchester, many people choose to tip the porter for fetching their luggage. This is not expected, so use your discretion.

Is The Ritz afternoon tea bottomless? ›

No it isn't unlimited but they offer more sandwiches and cakes and to be honest you would be hard pushed to come away hungry. over a year ago. over a year ago.

While considering what to wear to Afternoon Tea, note that at The Ritz we have a formal dress code, with gentleman required to wear a jacket and tie. Ultimately, whether you prefer one lump or two, or cream first or jam, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Our Afternoon Tea bookings should be booked at least four months in advance due to its popularity. You must have booked and taken your experience before your voucher expires.

The Ritz London has a dress code in different areas of the hotel as follows: Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen) for afternoon tea in The Palm Court, and for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant and The Ritz Room.

Typically, people tip around 10-15% in London, except for when using taxis or public transport, where a smaller tip is frequently accepted. Tour guides do not need to be tipped, but this is up to the customer to decide. Some restaurants add an automatic tip to your bill. This is commonly known as the service charge.

It's not your average plated meal, so what's the appropriate gratuity? “Tea servers are working just as hard as traditional meal servers and have studied diligently to learn the different varieties of teas, the menu, the types of Champagne, etc. So, tip the same as a standard meal,” suggests Mercer.

Yes, you can wear sneakers as part of a smart-casual dress code for women, men and gender-neutral styles. You can pair sneakers with jeans, khakis and chinos. You may even wear sneakers with some skirts for a more athletic smart-casual look for women.