What to Wear to a Summer Barbecue: Six Easy Outfit Formulas

A summer barbecue sits in that tricky in-between space. Your usual jeans and a plain T Shirt can feel a little flat, but anything too dressed up looks like you have tried too hard for a paper plate of burgers. The easiest way to get it right is to start from an outfit formula rather than a single piece, then build in three things: comfort, a layer for when the sun goes in, and shoes that will not sink into the grass. Below are six formulas to fall back on, each one relaxed enough for a garden party yet considered enough that you feel pulled together.

These are the same formulas we talk through on our Sunday Style Solutions Live, and they work for the whole run of spring and summer plans, from the first bank holiday barbecue to a pub garden lunch or a family picnic. If you want the bigger wardrobe picture, our guide to building a summer capsule wardrobe shows how these pieces work hard well beyond one afternoon.

Start with comfort, then add one considered touch

The thinking behind every formula here is the same. Choose pieces you can actually relax in, then lift the outfit with one element that makes it feel intentional. An elasticated waist, a soft floaty fabric or a forgiving shape does the comfort job. A statement skirt, a print, a sparkle or a good jacket does the considered job. Get that balance and you avoid the two classic barbecue mistakes, which are going too casual because it is only a barbecue, and going too formal too soon.

Formula one: a pretty dress with a casual layer

A dress is the closest thing to one and done, but for an outdoor event this time of year it needs a relaxed layer to take the edge off and to pull on later. The Florine Leopard Print Dress is a good example of the easy end of this, a floaty sushi voile with a V neck, soft ties and a tiered skirt that says garden party without any effort. It looks best with flat tan or taupe sandals, so no heels getting stuck in the grass.

If you want something a little cooler and less obviously pretty, the Colette Broderie Dress in Navy uses a geometric broderie and a square neckline to tone the prettiness down. Wear it loose as a column or cinched with the belt. There is a white version too if you prefer broderie in its classic colour. For a simpler, more comfortable option in this family, the Birdie Poplin Jersey Dress mixes a stretch rib top with a cotton poplin skirt and a collar that keeps it feeling smart.

For the layer, keep it casual so it pulls the look down rather than up. A cashmere blend jumper such as the Netty Notch Collar Cashmere Blend Jumper is light enough to pop in a bag and throw round your shoulders when the wind picks up. A Tina Shacket does the same job with a bit more edge.

Formula two: a statement skirt with a simple top

When the skirt is doing the talking, keep everything else pared back. A broderie skirt like the Beth Broderie Skirt in Navy has a fully shirred elasticated waist, so it is genuinely comfortable for an afternoon of standing, sitting and running after children, while still feeling like an occasion piece. The same goes for the Tia Tiered Maxi Skirt, which brings that boho movement, or the shorter Saffy Leopard Skirt and its monochrome version if you want a less floaty length.

On top, the key is to stay simple and casual. A Skylar Shoulder Pad T-Shirt, the Perfect Roll Sleeve T-Shirt or the Perfect Boyfriend T-Shirt all let the skirt lead. For a prettier finish a notch neck jumper reads very English country garden, while the Iggy Sheer Rib Jumper adds a little warmth with a monochrome skirt. Add the Tina Shacket on top to dress the whole thing back down.

Formula three: a relaxed trouser with a pretty top

If skirts are not your thing, a relaxed trouser with a soft top covers the same ground. The Kate Cargo Trouser in Mole has a part elasticated, flat front waist so it sits a touch smarter than a full jogger, and you can roll the hem to suit your leg length. Pair it with something floaty like the Remy Notch Neck Blouse to keep the look easy and summery.

For something crisper, the Cassie Wide Leg Cropped Trousers in cotton sateen feel a little sharper and more spring like, with carpenter pockets that stop them looking too dressed up. A Charlie Gingham Blouse on top keeps the balance pretty. With a soft top, finish with an open sandal rather than a chunky trainer so the proportions stay light.

Formula four: a matching set

A co-ord is the ultimate no thinking outfit. The pieces are designed to work together, so it looks polished and considered with none of the effort. The Sage Shell Top and the Sabina Shirred Waist Midi Skirt sit in the same cotton poplin family, alongside the Cassie cropped trousers, so a top will always find its match across the set. They come in plenty of colours, so reach for a bright if you want something celebratory, or olive, navy and chocolate for a quieter feel.

To dress a set down for a barbecue, add a Tina Leopard Shacket over the top. It adds a little edge and stops anything pretty from feeling too done.

Formula five: denim with a top that lifts it

If jeans are your comfort zone, the trick is to lift them just enough. Billie Barrel Leg Jeans in Washed Black, or the mid wash, give you a relaxed, current shape that already feels a step up from a skinny jean. Worn with a plain T Shirt they can read a little flat for a party, so swap in a top with a bit more interest.

For an edgier finish, the Skylar Sparkle Shoulder Pad T-Shirt has a fine silver fleck that lifts the jeans with one easy switch, kept summery with a flat strappy sandal. For something softer, a Verona Volume Shirt in floaty voile with lace inserts, or the Charlie Gingham Blouse, brings a prettier balance. If you want the full picture on the shape, our guide on how to style barrel leg trousers goes deeper.

Formula six: a statement jacket as your shortcut

For genuine last minute plans, let a jacket do the work. Start with something simple like the Izzy Jersey Dress in Black, then throw a Tina Leopard Shacket over your shoulders. The dress keeps it easy, the jacket makes it feel special, and you are out of the door without a second thought.

Five mistakes to avoid at a summer barbecue

The first is going too dressy, too soon. An outfit that would suit a christening usually feels overdone for burgers in the garden. The second is forgetting comfort, when comfort should come first for a day of standing, sitting and moving around. The third is going too casual because it is only a barbecue, when you still want to feel like you have dressed for an occasion. The fourth is forgetting a layer for the evening, so keep a light jumper or a shacket in your bag for when it turns chilly. The fifth is the wrong shoes, so if you are going to wear a heel, make sure you are not standing on grass all afternoon. Above all, choose pieces you can wear again, on holiday, for work or styled differently. No one wants an outfit that only works once.

Frequently asked questions

What should a woman wear to a summer barbecue?

Aim for relaxed but considered. A pretty dress with a casual layer, a statement skirt with a simple top, a relaxed trouser with a soft blouse, a co-ord, dressed up denim, or a simple base under a statement jacket all work. Prioritise comfort, keep a light layer for the evening and choose flat or low shoes for grass.

What shoes do you wear to a garden party on grass?

Flat sandals or low trainers are the safest choice on grass, since a fine heel tends to sink in. If you really want a heel, a low kitten heel is steadier, but check you are not going to be standing on a lawn all day. With a soft, pretty outfit an open sandal keeps the proportions light.

Is it OK to wear jeans to a summer barbecue?

Yes. A relaxed shape such as a barrel leg jean reads more current than a skinny jean, and the only thing to watch is that a plain T Shirt can look a little flat for a party. Swap in a top with sparkle, print or a softer fabric and add a strappy sandal to lift the look.

What do you wear to a barbecue when it gets cold in the evening?

Plan the layer from the start rather than as an afterthought. A light cashmere blend jumper folds neatly into a bag, and a shacket pulls on easily over a dress or jeans. Both let you stay out comfortably once the sun goes in without changing your whole outfit.