Let Them Eat Cake

Good afternoon ladies, it is time for your afternoon tea. Today we are serving it floral and hot. Even though the summer heat will soon begin to simmer down, we are still coming back hot to campus. Before we dust off our fall cheetah print and heavy winter sweaters, let's embrace some summer florals and pastels. Think: whatever would make Charlotte York proud. We know Shabby Chic is all the rage right now, so let’s dress classy and treat ourselves to an evening of high tea.

We at The Edge want our girls dressed for the occasion, so if you are hosting or attending a garden party, be prepared to channel your inner Marie Antoinette. Now, do not think we are talking about ancient fashion and ginormous, uncomfortable dresses, we are talking about Kirsten Dunst’s Marie Antoinette: modern, dreamy, and overflowing with pastel and lace. Our color palette: White, Cream, Light Pink, and Light Blue.

Lace is the most feminine of fabrics, but do not overdo it. Lace gloves and delicate folding fans at garden parties and tea times are all the rage. They add an element of elegance to your look and make you look like you’re worth a million bucks when done in proper taste. We cannot ignore the current heat, and a lace fan looks infinitely better in photos than an electronic one. Snap the cutest picture with them, keep yourself cool, and enjoy the moment. 

We must admit, the gloves and fan may just be for aesthetics, but sun hats and the perfect sunglasses are a must. We must disagree with Emma Chamberlain and her thought that white sunglasses are overrated. While they may not complement those with paler complexions, white sunglasses can stand out effortlessly against sun-kissed skin and break up the pool of dark sunglasses at every party. Do not wear muted colors with them, and make sure they do not cover your entire face—you need a little bit of sunlight!

However, when we want to keep our faces fully protected, a sun hat is the perfect addition to our outfit. We have all heard of the iconic Lorna Murray sun hat—and if you haven’t, come on, catch up! While they are on the expensive side, we cannot ignore how beautiful they are. They come in a variety of lengths, colors, and even patterns, with one of our favorites being the beige and blue. We at The Edge are fighting against its “lampshade” allegations and fully supporting them. However, if these are not in your budget or you are just looking for something more simple and elegant, we suggest a floppy sun hat with a bow. Recently, TJ Maxx has been stocked with them, and a couple of us already have those sitting in our closets.

Enough with accessories, let's move on to the main dish: the wardrobe.

Nothing captures this romantic, dreamy aesthetic quite like a floral piece.

Whether it’s an intricate lace-trimmed mini or a sweeping pastel maxi dress, their soft floral prints and airy, tiered silhouettes are tailor-made for an outdoor garden spread. A flowing maxi dress gives you that effortless, royalty-off-duty vibe while keeping the look elevated and breezy.

To complete the ensemble, look at your footwear to bridge the gap between late summer and early fall. While strappy leather sandals are still your best friend for mid-day heat, the ultimate transition piece as the season turns is a classic ballet flat. Choose a sleek square-toe or a delicate bow-detailed flat in nude, soft pink, or ivory. Pair them with your favorite maxi dress now, and seamlessly carry them over into your fall wardrobe with jeans and oversized knits later. They keep the outfit grounded, hyper-feminine, and perfectly prepped for those cooler afternoon breezes.

So grab your tea, adjust your brim, and let them eat cake.