THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Few events have the power to draw a global gardening crowd like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Flower enthusiasts and green-thumbed revellers flock to the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s grounds to see some of the most cutting-edge and creatively cultivated plants, sculptures and garden arrangements. And while there’s no official dress code for the event, it's the perfect time to swap gardening gloves for something a little more polished and a little less grass-stained, while still keeping the day's practical needs in mind.

IN BLOOM + ON THEME

What better day to wear florals than the Chelsea Flower Show? Wearing the roses, smelling the roses, it’s what it's all about. It’s the traditional choice, but we’re reconsidering it with a modern edge through contemporary prints and understated colour palettes. 

We’re extending tulip season well beyond spring with the Cinnamon print across our Wide-Leg Trouser and Fit + Flare Dress, both in our innovative Crease-Less Linen. Classic florals get a modern edge in our shirred-bodice Maxi Dress or the Fit + Flare Midi Dress. And because it doesn’t always have to be a dress, we’ve got effortless shirred top + skirt co-ord sets that bring an elevated look to the softness and practicality of jersey.

SMART-PRACTICAL

If your game plan for Chelsea involves covering every inch of the grounds, then practicality is a key focus in your outfit planning. That’s where the Crease-Less Linen Capsule comes in. The look and feel of summer-classic linen, infused with added viscose fibres to give the fabric a more fluid feel and make it less prone to creasing. From dresses to different length trouser shapes, a choice of tops + blouses to modern tailoring, there’s quite literally a combination to suit every taste.

POWER PASTEL SUITING

If florals aren’t your speed, then perhaps sharp suiting is. This season’s tailoring puts a fresh spin on the classic power suit. Swapping exaggerated shoulders for perfectly considered proportions, a soft, pastel palette and a range of perfect pairings to style with them.

Starting off with shape. There’s a new suiting silhouette on the block: the Slim Contour. The longline blazer features high-cut lapels and partially concealed buttons, giving this style a modern edge, while the Dusted Lemon Yellow palette cements its soft power status. Choose your favourite trouser shape between Slim Crop and Very Wide, and, for the full three-piece ensemble, add the Longline Waistcoat.  

New colourways of our classic Sharp Shoulder Suit are available in Blush Pink and Sky Blue, crafted from our innovative linen-blend tailoring fabric with a soft yet structured feel and a twill surface. Both of these suits lend themselves to statement tonal looks thanks to the coordinating Sky Blue jumpsuit or the assortment of Blush Pink under-suit pairings, ranging from printed blouses and Perfect Basic Tanks to relaxed denim. 

TIMELESS WHITE

An all-white look is an enduring summer classic. Just make sure you’ve got a picnic blanket, or you’ve secured a lunch reservation that involves a seat at a table. Beautiful plants + flowers are a welcome part of the day; grass stains, however, are not.

New Crease-Less Linen staples like the crochet mini shift dress and embroidered-stitch maxi silhouettes prove that white is the ultimate blank canvas, ready to be elevated with accessories. If separates are more your scene, then look to modern co-ords like the Shell Swing Top + Crop Wide Trouser or the clever 2-in-1 Maxi Dress.

THE PERFECT LAYER

Everyone has their fingers crossed for blue skies and sunshine at Chelsea, but we’ve got to be realistic. The promise (or threat?) of Great British Summer Time means you should always take a jacket, even if it's just to drape around your shoulders. Not to mention, you'll be glad for the extra layer when you step back outside the warm, humid indoor displays into London’s distinctly less-tropical climate.

​Don’t risk getting lost in the crowds with a pop-of-colour option like the Box Crop Jacket in Lipstick Red. For a contemporary look, opt for the Icon Oversized Blazer, reimagined for summer. The same clever details of the original - secret elastic in the sleeves + a scaled boxy fit - now in warm-weather-ready linen-blend tailoring fabric in ivory, or Crease-Less Linen in Black or Cocoa Brown. Build the ultimate summer suit, or layer it over your favourite dresses for a modern, masculine-feminine contrast. 

STEP COUNT

With a total showground size of 11 acres, 3 of which alone house the Great Pavilion (that’s big enough to park 500 London buses), comfortable footwear is a must. That’s where our intelligently designed styles come in, equipped with cushioned insoles, supple leather + suede and wider, more comfortable straps.

The Retro Runner Trainer is the perfect example of a casual shoe that holds up in smarter settings, especially with the new-season tonal palettes of Latte and Tan. To invest in a summer sandal, you’ve got to be confident it has wear-with-everything appeal. So to make sure your bases are covered, we’ve developed several in various neutral shades: the Minimal Sandal, Caged Flat Sandal, Fisherman Sandal and the new slip-on version of our Asymmetric Sandal. Speaking of go-with-everything appeal, we truly consider Leopard Print the ultimate neutral, which is why we’ve created the new ultimate ballet flat in textured leather. 

CARRY ALL IN STYLE

If your time at Chelsea involves getting there as soon as the gates open and staying until they close, then preparation is key. To make sure you’re equipped for a marathon day of wandering the grounds, you need a bag that has space for the essentials: a water bottle, suncream, and let’s face it, an umbrella to be on the safe side. Opt for the malleable, slouchy shape of the raffia Summer Day Bag, or its neatly shaped counterpart, the Structured Saddle Bag.