What not to wear to afternoon tea?
Jeans and athleisure wear are not permitted for anyone. A simple way for a lady to look elegant is to drape a lovely knit over her shoulders. Just an FYI, hats, fascinators and gloves aren’t commonly worn in England to afternoon tea. While there is no set dress code to follow, you do want to present yourself in a more polished manner with your attire. Men should try to aim for a “smart casual” look, pants or nice denim jeans can be worn with a collared or button down shirt, and a smart shoe such as a loafer can be a good choice.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. But no matter where you decide to go, dressing for tea is half the fun!At Claridge’s we do not operate any dress code, however we find most of our guests choose smart casual dress.Tea Dresses are a truly timeless vintage classic. The lightweight dresses are flattering, with their loosely fitted waists, short sleeves and full skirts. The lengths tend to be at the knee, or midi length, depending on your height. Perfect for every day casual wear and of course for afternoon tea!
What do you eat at afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a British tradition, dating back to 1840, of drinking tea alongside a meal of finger sandwiches, sweet pastries, scones, and cakes. Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3:30 pm and 5 pm. Traditionally it consisted of thinly sliced bread and butter, delicate sandwiches (customarily cucumber sandwiches or egg and cress sandwiches) and usually cakes and pastries (such as Battenberg cake or Victoria sponge).Traditionally served around 3 or 4pm, afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches and pastries, served with a pot of hot tea.While both afternoon tea and high tea are served in the afternoon, one key difference between them is the time of day. Afternoon tea is typically served around 4 pm, while high tea tends to be served later in the afternoon (around 5- 7 pm).Especially given that the food courses typically arrive in several stages, you’ll want to set aside no less than an hour and a half for the experience, although longer may be even better. Hours vary, but afternoon tea is typically held from late morning until late afternoon, and many popular venues host it daily.
What is the proper napkin etiquette for afternoon tea?
The truly formal way to place a napkin is to the left of the plate, with the folded edge to the left and the open edge to the right. This rule applies to whatever shape the napkin is, be it square, rectangular or triangular. If a plate is in the center of your place setting, when leaving the table lay the napkin to the left of the plate. If the center of your place setting is empty, the napkin is laid in the middle of the place setting. Leave your napkin in loose folds that keep soiled parts hidden.The napkin always goes to the left of the dinnerware. In that case, the napkin goes on top of the plate. Place your flatware in the order they will be used, with the items that will be used first on the outside.Can the napkin be placed under the cutlery? Such placement is not recommended in formal settings. The most common practice is to place a napkin beside or on the plate. In casual settings, they can go under the cutlery for easy reach.
Can you eat with your hands at afternoon tea?
Don’t worry about using your fingers to eat; it’s all part of the afternoon tea experience. For the scone, first, break it in half by hand or enjoy small bite-sized chunks by breaking them off – no need to cut the scone with a knife. While many people may believe afternoon tea and high tea are similar, they’re two very different traditions. In a nutshell, afternoon tea is an elegant affair with tea, scones, sandwiches and cakes. Alternatively, high tea is a heartier meal featuring tea, bread, vegetables, cheese and occasionally meat.The correct order to eat the traditional Afternoon Tea is to eat the sandwiches and savouries first, then move onto the scones, ending on the sweets. There are many traditions and superstitions about the way you should eat your scones.
How much does afternoon tea cost at Claridges?
Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced from £95 per person, Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £110 per person, and Rosé Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £125 per person. Seasonal Afternoon Tea is priced from £125 per person. Afternoon tea is typically not intended to be a heavily alcoholic occasion, so it is important to gauge the situation and if you see that only one glass of champagne is being served to each guest, kindly refrain from asking for more.Tea for two at Cliveden – for £550. Von Essen’s Cliveden hotel has launched what it believes is the world’s most expensive afternoon tea – at a price tag of £550 per couple.Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced from £95 per person, Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £110 per person, and Rosé Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced from £125 per person. Seasonal Afternoon Tea is priced from £125 per person.All this comes with the caveat that some places have a time limit for afternoon tea. Usually they’ll make this clear when you book, so you’ll know up front that you have an hour and a half or two hours before they need the table back.