Move over, all you fancy tea time dressers—your tea time fashion is about to get a tad…unexpected! Set aside those flower-patterned dresses, white cotton gloves, and wide-brimmed hats with lace veils. Gentlemen, you can set aside the neckties and business suits as well. A very different approach is needed here.
Tea Dueler Fashion
(Photo source: screen capture from their page on Facebook)
Out and about with tea – no fancy attire here! (Photo source: Yahoo! Images)
Take, for example, the tea phenomenon that Bill Lengeman recently reported on in this exploration of the unusual sport of tea dueling, where “steampunk” style (loosely inspired by Victorian fashion) is commonly seen among participants. Note the variety of hats worn—while tradition might suggest removing hats indoors, tea dueling clearly follows its own rules.
In the Great Outdoors
Tea can be enjoyed practically anywhere, and therefore in just about any attire. Whether hiking or camping, there’s no reason to skip a good cup. As described in this account of enjoying tea while camping outdoors, tea travels well beyond the traditional drawing room.
Roll up those shirt sleeves and have a cuppa! (Photo: The English Tea Store)
On the Job
The same applies to everyday work. Whether working in a garage, greeting guests at a hotel, or tackling office tasks, there’s no need to pause and change outfits for tea time. Simply steep and enjoy.
Posh Tea Princess
Of course, for those who prefer something more elaborate, tea time can still be an opportunity to embrace dramatic or elegant fashion styles—or even a mix of both.
More formal teas:
Let your inner Tea Princess reign over your tea time fashion! (Photo: Yahoo! Images)
- Buckingham Palace Garden Party tea blend with floral and classic black tea notes — A blend featuring Ceylon, jasmine, Assam, and Kenyan teas.
- Taylors of Harrogate China Rose Petal black tea with floral infusion — A traditional Chinese tea scented with rose petals.
More casual teas:
- Darjeeling loose leaf tea known for its muscatel flavor profile — Often described as having a complex, grape-like character.
- Lapsang Souchong smoked black tea with distinctive aroma — Known for its bold, smoky flavor.
Be dainty yet bold with your tea time fashion (Photo: Yahoo! Images)
Teas for that workday break:
- Irish Breakfast loose leaf tea known for its strong malty flavor
- Izu Matcha Japanese green tea used in traditional tea ceremonies
Whatever you’re doing—and whatever you’re wearing—there’s always time for tea!
See also:
Creative approaches to unconventional tea time fashion
Traditional and modern ideas for dressing for tea
Casual tea culture and everyday clothing choices
See more of A.C. Cargill’s articles in this archive of tea-related writing by the author.
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