How to dress stylishly for a picnic High Latitude Style

#picnic #bbq #cookout What to wear to a picnic banner with four outfit suggestions

Go for low maintenance chic

What to wear to a picpic depends a little on whether your outfit has to go from work to picnic with the colleagues or whether you meet with friends. It also may vary whether it’s in Europe or in the USA, whether it’s in an urban park or in some recreation area. Last, but not least whether there is an installed picnic setting or you or your friends bring your own equipment.

However, no matter what, some things remain the same. At a picnic you are munching on all kind of stuff that might drip onto your clothes. When a BBQ is involved add oil spots to the mix. Therefore, go for an outfit in fabrics that are low maintenance with respect cleaning. The fabric should also be breathable as you do not want to be soaked in sweat. Wrinkle-free cotton is a nice option.

The style of your outfit can be a romantic, floral or a countryside inspired dress, jeans or a denim skirt with a button-down plaid shirt. Leather sandals, embellished thongs or clogs look great with all these options. Other great options are Bermuda shorts or capris with a girlie or floral top and ballet flats. Or go the European way and style them with a cap sleeve knit-top or a 3/4 sleeve striped top like Brigit Bardot.

midlife style blogger in posh casual picnic outfit with hat and sunglasses — Printed Sigrid Olsen dress c/o HSN with own sunhat, Ray Ban sunglasses, Coach bag, cameo cat necklace, various bangles, Hermes collier de chien cuff, and Juicy Couture patent leather slides

Have a cover-up – just in case

On hot summer days, convective clouds may quickly turn into thunderstorms. Thus, you should have a wind breaker or at least a cardigan handy for layering. After the storm, the air cools down due to evaporative cooling and cold downdrafts.

Have a jacket when going to a picnic, just in case of cold downdrafts from thunderstorms or chilling after sunset. #health Click To Tweet

Be aware of the potential hazards for your clothes

Warning! In Europe, most picnics are on blankets, meaning grass spots alert! At most picnics in the US, people use deck chairs. The advantage of using deck chairs is that you can wear something more fancy like a clean bias-cut, a white dress (that you can wash hot) or a 40s-inspired tea dress. Their big disadvantage is that embellishments, crochet dresses, jackets or tops can get stacked on the metal and end up ripped. Ouch! Wood benches at a picnic place bear the same risk.

What not to wear

Stay away from cut-offs, short shorts, tight skirts/dresses and mini skirts. They all bear various different kinds of risks when sitting down on a blanket or grass or a deck chair. 😉

When dressing for a picnic avoid everything short, or you may show more than you want, when you sit down on the lawn. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet

What bag is best for a cookout outside?

Great bag options for a picnic besides a basket are straw bags or fabric satchels. The bag should be large enough to hold sunglasses, wipes, sun cream, mosquito repeller, band aids, a tide stick in case of spills, and a jacket.

Best footwear for a picnic

Hot summer heat often leads to swollen feet. Thus, flip flops, tongs, the trendy orthotic sandals or woven leather sandals are great footwear. All these options are easy to flip off when you sit down on a blanket or in a chair.

Avoid heels when going to a picnic party in the park. You don't want to break your ankles or ruin your heels. #health #style Click To Tweet

Stylish picnic outfit photo inspirations

For further inspiration here are some picnic suitable dresses that would look great on us 40 and beyond.

Zaful knit dress, leggings,Keds, Notations white and black striped cardigan, Hermes purse, and statement necklace (all own)

Lauren Ralph Lauren polka dot pleated skirt with striped T-shirt, scarf, Chanel bag and plateau sandals (all own)

Jaeger front button dirndl style dress with GNW paisley cardigan worn as over-up, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Ray Ban sunglasses and Native American statement belt (all own)

Lauren Ralph Lauren polka dot pleated skirt with floral geometric silk scarf, Ray Ban sunglasses, striped T-shirt with shoulder zipper details, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and white studded flats (all own)

Printed A-line dress c/o Needham Lane and own Ray Ban Jackie O. sunglasses and Dr. Scholl sandals

The Limited polo shirt with London boyfriend jeans, Keds, Constance bag, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, and sunglasses c/o ShopGlasses

Oliveo leather shorts, LeatherCoatsEtc leather baseball cap, and Vintage Silk Hawaiian shirt for a picnic (all own)

Floral print patchwork sundress,Hermes collier de chien bangle, Hermes Constance shoulder bag, and suede wedges for a picnic (all own)

London Jean boyfriend jeans, Carhartt T-shirt, Ray Ban mirrored sunglasses, sloughy bag, Kieselstein Cord belt and buckle, various vintage bangles, Studio cage sandals and painted silk scarf (all own)

College tee, suede belt, DIY skirt sewn from sari, Via Spiga slingbacks (all own), scarf c/o Uno Alla Volta, and Creamy Waffle wooden mirrored sunnies c/o Winkwood

If you liked any of these outfit inspirations, it would help me if you pinned them to your own Pinterest board. It’s a great way that your friends, family, and others can see them too.

What is your favorite goto-picnic look and why?

When you liked the outfit recipes of this post, and want recipes for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.

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Photos: G. Kramm

How to dress stylishly for a picnic