by Maria Bellotto @thecashmerediaries

Throughout April and May the Gou Gous’ agenda gets filled with appointments en plein air and between tennis tournaments, glasses of lemonade, peonies in vases, and traitors rainstorms, there it comes the long-awaited invitation at the event of the season: the Garden Party.

This pure springtime reception reaches the attention of the Gou Gous in its exquisitely ancien regime and aristocratic charm outclasses any déjeuner sur l’herbe: indeed, the défilé for a Garden party requires a much more formal dress code than a classic picnic or, dommage, a barbecue. Not without reason the British royal house has a long tradition of garden parties from Buckingham Palace to Holyroodhouse Palace, and even French prime ministers delight in garden parties at the Elysée Palace on July 14.

But back to us; it is a late April morning, and an invitation arrives, ladies and gentlemen, you are invited to the Garden Party of the season. We immediately imagine ourselves on a warm afternoon in early May, in an English garden, among honeysuckles, gardenias, and clumps of wallflowers, nibbling on a canapé while sitting on a wrought-iron chair… c’est bon, but the real question is: what should I wear?

The dress code of a Garden Party, my dears clinging to a wardrobe door looking dismayed at your clothes and undecided on what to do next, is semi-formal, yet  leaves some room for experimentation, always with the buongusto that distinguishes us.

Slip lines and cuts, pastel colors, romantic floral prints, anything that makes us feel a little petal scattered in the wind is just perfect for a Garden Party. Who among us can’t wait to feel a bit like Alice in the Garden of Live Flowers in a sky-colored tulle-flounced dress? Or basking in the first sunny afternoons, wrapped in long flora-print silk organza skirts, blending in through the flower beds?

And if we’re talking about prints that are perfect for a garden party, what better than toule de jouy, which immediately gives a touch of class and elegance, without overdoing it? Born in the small town of Jouy en Josas, not far from Versailles – ça va sans dire – it was beloved by Marie Antoinette and Josephine Bonaparte, and it is not surprising that it still steals the hearts of the most romantic mesdemoiselles. Of course, to ward off the overly enfant effect, why not opt for a crop top and palazzo pants set? The choice between classic blue or antique pink is yours!

Speaking of accessories, on the other hand, forbidden to overdo it, we are still at an outdoor party. Better to bring only the essentials, just what fits in a mini flower-print shoulder bag. And of course, watch out for the shoe, Cinderellas. A true Gou Gou knows that good taste teaches how lethal heels are on a lawn. Instead, we love a floral slipper or a riding boot to make people think you’ve just dismounted from your steed or, if we just can’t pass it up, a wide sangallo heel – we can already see it being shown off on Mondays at the office, too!

A final touch of style? The fascinator in perfect Ascot style, if we don’t wear it on such an occasion, when would we ever? Gou Gou knows that the occasion should always be seized, especially when it comes to setting new trends.

I see you, les messieurs – some with lacrosse sticks, some with cocktail glasses. Whatever your favorite occupation during a Gourmode-style Garden party, we know you value your unmistakable style.

For you, we like a somewhat Tennis Club look, so green light to the pique cotton polo shirt with a classic cricket shirt or rugby jersey for the sportier Gou Gou. If, on the other hand, you’re for the great classics, good taste dictates that for an outdoor party, tailored-cut pants in a sage hue and a well-made shirt are always a winning combination. Of course, for the most stylish parties, a Solaro suit in a pastel color, with an ascot at the neck…causes Stendhal syndrome for everyone in attendance.

Regarding the shoe, there are two options: a boat model, very Garden Party in the Hamptons, or a canvas sneaker, essential and spring-like. As an accessory, in the case of a super sporty look, a timeless baseball cap, while for those who opted for the more elegant look, a pair of sunglasses and a silk handkerchief around the neck complete a look that really has a buongusto to spare.

Raise your Gou Gou glasses, the garden party season has just begun… but we’re ready to celebrate until dusk, sure as always to look flawless!