Can you think of a better introduction to spring and summer than a garden party?  I can’t! From tea sandwiches to beautiful spring ensembles, it’s one of those traditions us Southern girls keep close to our hearts.  

When I decided to write this article, I reached out to my P.E.O. sisters to see if they would be willing to participate.  Our lovely hostess was Susan, and her beautiful home and garden was the perfect garden party setting. The ladies came dressed to the nines!  Floral scarfs and dresses were definitely on-trend, and our president, Mel, wore a beautiful floral scarf complemented with a monogram brooch….so classy!  Some of the ladies wore their finest pearls and others donned beautiful hats. Be sure to take a peek at all the party photos on our Pinterest board!

Dresses and hats go together like peanut butter and jelly…right?  We are loving the selection of hats from J Crew, Tory Burch, and Tuckernuck.  A floral yellow maxi dress paired with a straw hat is perfect for any outdoor soiree’.  Another Pinterest board favorite is a burlap dress with a scalloped hem, trimmed with red embroidered flowers.  And the best part is the watermelon picnic basket handbag. Can’t get any cuter than that…right?

And speaking of baskets….A tisket, a tasket, a woven leather basket full of berries from Kate Spade is the perfect accessory for any spring/summer occasion. Wicker and wooden handbags are definitely this season’s “it bags”.   We think J McLaughlin’s bamboo clutches are the perfect bag for parties, luncheons and resort wear. Another favorite is the black wicker honey pot bag from Frances Valentine. Ready for a spring fling?

To give your garden style a casual vibe, you can’t go wrong layering a denim jacket over your shoulders.  For the P.E.O. garden party, I wore a pearl enhanced denim jacket over a white blouse tied at the waist with a bright yellow skirt and blue denim blocked heels.  To add additional flair to my ensemble, I carried a wooden handbag with a navy bandana tied to the handle. BTW…the jacket was a gift from Susie, a dear P.E.O sister.  

Denim and chambray are the perfect combo for lace and florals.  Don’t you just love mixing casual with fancy? Think about wearing a denim jacket over a floral dress….and be sure to add a cute bag and sandals.  I bet you love eyelet and lace too….though it may seem a little dressy for a casual outdoor party. No worries…just wear a denim jacket with a lace dress or a chambray blouse with an eyelet skirt.  How casual and fancy does that sound?

If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again…you can never go wrong with black and white!  There are so many fun options on our Pinterest board, and we are especially loving black and white stripes.  Sundresses, pants, and skirts….oh my! White lace dresses complemented with black accessories will definitely dress-up your garden party style.  At the P.E.O. party, everyone was crushing on Ann’s white eyelet dress accessorized with a straw hat and statement earrings…so garden chic!

So here’s my definition of a garden party:  A beautiful garden complemented by a really cute outfit, a few adorable accessories, delicious finger food, and most importantly…your friends and sisters!

Holley Williams is a personal stylist specializing in closet inventory, seasonal shopping, closet organization and wardrobe consultation.  Contact Holley at [email protected].   Be sure to check out Holley’s updated Pinterest board here.