When I shop for vintage I often come across contemporary items that are simply too good to pass up.
This dress was one of them.
What To Wear To High Tea Thrift Style
Not only does the dress look amazing but it is like wearing a cloud of butterflies…so light and airy.
If ever there was a dress made for high tea this is it.
I am always surprised by what people will choose to let go of when I shop thrift.
There were no holes, no stains, nothing was wrong with this dress.
Did I mention that it is silk and fully lined?
Yeah that made me smile.
For those of you that follow me on Instagram you would have seen this photo in real time when I wore this out for High Tea when hubby was home for a visit.
My husband booked the high tea at the Ritz due to its reputation for the highest quality standards.
Neither of us was overly impressed and I personally would not recommend it. Service was beyond slow and we had to stand waiting for a good thirty minutes prior to even being seated.
The theme was Japanese and part of the dessert portion was black beans with ice cream. No-thank-you. And yes, I did give it a try and it was just as disgusting as it sounds. Sorry, not sorry. For me black beans are meant for chilli or tacos, not dessert. I will admit I’ve made homemade brownies that use black beans which I loved but that was because you couldn’t taste that they were made with black beans, it just made them moist. In this dessert there was no attempt made to cover up the fact that black beans were the headliner. Ick is all I can say.
We also hit up The Distillery District that day.
I’ve featured it before on the blog when I met up with fellow bloggers, Judith and Shelley.
The Distillery District Toronto
The area is a restored Gooderham & Worts Distillery. Established in 1832 it was once known as the largest distillery for whiskey in the world. It has now been turned into a pedestrian only zone full of small shops, boutiques, artist galleries and great restaurants. I highly recommend a visit if you are in Toronto. In the winter they also have a wonderful Christmas market with carollers and live music.
I paired the dress with a more walking friendly hat and shoes for the day and my vintage handbag.
Having high tea is one of my favourite ways to pass an afternoon.
More outfits I’ve worn to high tea are featured here, here and here.
Are you a fan of high tea? Have you ever eaten black beans for dessert? Did you like it?
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday.
I’m actually a big fan of high tea. It used to be one of the things I did with my mom <3 <3 <3 Your dress is absolutely lovely!
Moms and high tea go together like pugs and food : )
This lavender floral dress is positively dreamy Suzanne! Fabulous on you and the perfect dress for high tea, or any special occasion. Fully lined silk- ahh! The photos were beautiful, and I had this whole fabulous buzz while reading this post
until the words— ice cream and black beans.
ACK! ICK ! POO!
As those are my thoughts on the dessert!
But the dress was delicious!
❤️🌸❤️
Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/
Yay! I’m not the only one that thinks that is disgusting. I don’t care what Mel says. Beans aren’t meant for dessert.
That dress is gorgeous on you! I adore the action shots of you out and about. In that frock you’re giving those petunias a run for their money!
I’ve served high tea to hundreds of people in my time but don’t do it, I’m a freak you doesn’t do cake! xxx
That is how you manage a 24″ waist. No dessert. {sigh} That is probably one of my favourite parts of the day.
That dress is gorgeous on you! I adore the action shots of you out and about. In that frock you’re giving those petunias a run for their money!
I’ve served high tea to hundreds of people in my time but don’t do it, I’m a freak you doesn’t do cake! xxx
Love the dress. And crazy about The Distillery District. One of the nicest shopping areas I’ve visited. With SOMA!
Glad you enjoyed it Ally : )
What a gorgeous dress, and indeed the perfect outfit for high tea! I’ve often wondered why people get rid of practically unworn and totally perfect items of clothing, but that is where we step in, isn’t it, to give them the life they deserve to have … Black beans and ice cream: never! Vegetables should know their place and that’s definitely not in a dessert! Ick, indeed! xxx
Ha! Yes! another one on my side about the black beans : P
Imagine where these clothes ended up before thrift stores. Quell horreur!
The lavender contrasts your hair amazingly. You look like you absorbed the flowers while walking among them.
Beans do not agree with me. Nuff said!
We have high, low and medium tea here at our place.
xo Jazzy Jack
Ha ha! I don’t think you’re the only one that has an issue with beans ; P
I love the idea of high, low and medium tea!
I haven’t had high tea in quite some time, but I do enjoy it. Sadly, a lovely tea place close to us just closed, so I suspect it’ll be a while before I go again…
I absolutely love you in this dress, and it is indeed perfect for high tea.
I hate it when a nice store or restaurant closes.
I’m in love with this floral dress!! And fully lined silk! It looks lovely and soooo comfy!!
It really is like wearing a summer breeze : ) The best!
Who needs a garden when you’re walking around in that dress? Silk and fully lined, NIIICE. And the choice of shoes adds a fantastic snap. You probably didn’t have the right recipe having them plopped on ice cream to enjoy your first taste of black beans. They are perfect as a filling in sweet sticky rice with green tea, a staple treat in Japan. Don’t give up on them completely. Although O gags when he sees rice pudding. Heh.
How do I say this politely? Hmmm…I don’t believe you Mel! Ha ha! I will politely decline any further black bean desserts.
Beans and I are not friends, so I would have likely reacted to that dessert in the same way you did. That dress is just so damn PRETTY! I never understand why people get rid of some of the amazing things I’ve found when thrift-shopping, but then there is always the stuff that I can’t believe someone actually bought in the first place.
That first photo of you in that beautiful lavender gown and that spectacular hat…I thought I’d been transported back to Victorian times!!! (Actually that would be quite nice!!) You look so lovely Suzanne. In so many ways your face and form and attitude are perfect for and BEAUTIFULLY suited to vintage confections like this dress. I can see why these looks are fun to collect and enjoy. They evoke a sweeter more gentile time and you just seem to exude the right stuff girlfriend!!
Oh my. That really is the perfect high tea dress. Love the colors and that gorgeous vintage floral print. Can’t believe someone gave that up. But good for you!
Many, many years ago I worked in a five star hotel as a cocktail waitress. They served high tea every afternoon. So all of us who started our shift at 4 got to sample. The scones with Devonshire cream was my fav.
Theresa
Well I did have green tea ice and chilli ice cream. Just a personal question, but I assume you and your husband don’t see each other that much? As he works in Ch ina?
100% silk- that would be going home with me too, if I found it in a thrift shop! It looks lovely on you and is perfect for a high tea.
Too bad your tea experience wasn’t as good as you hoped it would be. I don’t particularly think I would enjoy black beans either!
Ohbyes this dress is lovely, divine. Not only for high tea although very appropriate. Just you wear that lovely dress more often. I love the drama hat with it. Shame it is impractical. And I couldn’t see the shoes properly. They look gorgeous. Cannot remember ever seeing them before.
Greetje