The August Bank Holiday and the persistent nice weather can only mean one thing; it’s garden party time. Delicious BBQs and glamorous alfresco gatherings are being organised as we speak, and for most of us they’re our last chance to enjoy the Great British summer before the autumn arrives.

But what to wear?

If you’re on the garden fence over your party outfit, we’re here to help. Here’s our guide on what to wear to a garden party, so you can see off the summer in suitable outdoor style.

For the Formal Garden Party

When an invite to a formal garden party lands on the doormat there’s only one thing for it; it’s time to go dress shopping. You’re aiming for elegance and grace, so a full-length smart-casual dress is a solid investment. Aim for floaty and light rather than tight and stuffy – we’re still in summer mode after all – and don’t forget to take a blazer or shawl to cover your shoulders when the sun goes down. Shoes, keep them low to mid-heel for all-day comfort, and aim for block heels to keep you from sinking into the lawn.

Here are our top formal garden party picks from the CHO dressing room:

Shop the look: Great Plains Maxi Dress, Hudson London Sandals, Maison Scotch Blazer

We’ve assembled an outfit that covers all the bases if you’re wondering what to wear to a formal garden party. The dress, from Great Plains, is full-length and sleeved (ideal just in case the weather isn’t quite as warm as we’d like) while staying light and floaty with a tropical print, essential for keeping that summer vibe going. In the shoe department we’ve opted for a pair of nude, suede sandals from Hudson London. The peep toe and elegant wrap-around ankle tie adds a summer-ready, elegant look while the colour keeps the whole look nice and subtle. The mid block heel adds the perfect amount of height while ensuring you don’t sink into the lawn – we’ve all been there.

And, to finish everything off, we’ve added a pop of colour with the optional extra blazer. Lending itself to the blueish-green hues of the print on the dress, this fabulous tailored blazer from Maison Scotch makes the perfect cover-up later on when the temperature drops, while adding an extra touch of formal style to your outfit.

For the Casual BBQ

At the casual BBQ and garden party you can play down the wardrobe a little more, although there’s still nothing wrong with a fabulous summer dress if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Our advice, if you’re thinking of something more casual, would be to go down the summer top and chinos route. Chinos are lightweight and casual enough to fit the laid back vibe, while remaining stylish and smart enough to make the outfit look considered and special. Up top we’d go for something lacy, crocheted or floaty to keep the summer vibe alive, and for footwear you simply can’t beat a pair of jazzy flat sandals to round the whole look off nicely.

Here are our top casual garden party picks from the CHO dressing room:

Shop the look: Maison Scotch Chinos, French Connection Lace Tee, Ash Sandals

If you’d been wondering what to wear to that casual garden party and BBQ then wonder no more as it’s as easy as this. Start with an elegant pop of colour in the form of a fabulous pair of chinos and you’ll have a great base to work from. In our case, we’ve chosen this subtle-yet-sunny pair of sandy yellow, belted chinos from Maison Scotch. Lightweight and lovely, these chinos are are stylish step-up from jeans without overstepping the line between smart-casual and formal. Then, to add an element of light, boho summer we’ve opted for a white lace tee from French Connection. Romantic and dainty, this sheer top is the perfect party piece for the casual get together.

And, to finish the whole ensemble off, we’ve gone for a pair of comfy, flat sandals. These stunning Ash Brasil sandals have a soft footbed for all-day comfort, while the gold effect metal studs add the perfect amount of dazzle and shine to nail that casual party dress code.

Still looking for that perfect outfit to wear to your upcoming garden party? Check out our full range of designer womenswear here at CHO for even garden party-worthy styles from some of the world’s biggest brands.