What to wear to afternoon tea at The Ritz, The Savoy, Claridge's, The Langham and The Goring, checked against each hotel's own dress code, plus what flies on tea buses and cruises.
Here's the short version: smart casual gets you into almost every afternoon tea in London. The big exception is The Ritz, where men need a jacket and tie. Everywhere else, the line is drawn at sportswear, athletic sneakers, flip-flops and shorts, not at suits.
Dress codes are enforced at the door, though, and "smart casual" means different things to different hotels. Below is what each venue actually says on its own website (we checked every one on October 19, 2026), followed by a practical packing list for travelers who don't want to haul a suit across the Atlantic for one meal.
Venue by venue: the official rules
The Ritz London: jacket and tie
The strictest code in town. The Ritz states that gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie for afternoon tea, and that jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen. The same rule applies to lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant.
Two useful details: the afternoon tea dress code doesn't apply to children under 16, and the hotel's other areas (including The Rivoli Bar) are smart casual. Sportswear isn't allowed in any of the hotel's restaurants or bars.
The Langham, Palm Court: smart casual
The Langham, which bills its Palm Court as the birthplace of afternoon tea, says its official dress code is smart casual. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion; formal wear isn't required, but sportswear and flip-flops aren't permitted.
The Goring: dress for the occasion
The Goring puts it warmly but clearly: the hotel likes to dress for the occasion, with no sportswear, athletic trainers, shorts or ripped jeans, and invites guests to do the same. Note that "trainers" is British for sneakers, so leave the running shoes at the hotel.
The Savoy: no formal code, but dress elegantly
The Savoy says it has no formal dress code but asks guests to dress elegantly for the occasion. Offensive attire, disruptive clothing and sports jerseys are strictly prohibited, so your team shirt stays in the suitcase.
Claridge's: no dress code, most choose smart casual
Claridge's says it doesn't operate any dress code, though most guests choose smart casual. In a room this polished you'll feel more comfortable dressed up a notch. Claridge's also takes afternoon tea reservations up to 90 days ahead, with online booking opening at midnight.
Fortnum & Mason and sketch: nothing published
Neither Fortnum & Mason's afternoon tea page nor sketch's Gallery page publishes a dress code. Treat both as smart casual: you won't be out of place in neat jeans and a good sweater, but you'll fit in better a little smarter.
Booked hotel teas: The Milestone and The Rubens
If you book a hotel tea through Viator, check the listing. The Milestone and The Rubens at the Palace listings both say smart casual, and ask guests to avoid sportswear, flip-flops and non-tailored shorts. The Rubens tea, from Evan Evans Tours, is served in a lounge overlooking the Royal Mews beside Buckingham Palace, which makes it an easy add-on to a Westminster day.
What "smart casual" means at a London tea
None of the hotels define smart casual line by line, so here's how we'd read it for afternoon tea:
- Men: a collared shirt or a fine-knit sweater, chinos or tailored trousers, and leather shoes or clean, non-athletic sneakers. A blazer is never wrong and is required at The Ritz (with a tie).
- Women: a dress, a skirt or tailored trousers with a blouse or knit, and flats, boots or heels you can walk in. Afternoon tea is daytime, so cocktail wear is optional.
- Skip everywhere: gym wear, team jerseys, athletic sneakers, flip-flops, shorts and ripped jeans, the items the venues above call out by name.
Visiting in December? Hotels are at their most festive, and a smart coat over a dress or a blazer and sweater works for both tea and an evening of lights. Our Christmas in London guide has the tours and dates, and our London Christmas markets guide covers where to go after tea.
Packing for one dressy tea
You don't need a suit. For The Ritz, a man needs a jacket and a tie; a navy blazer, a tie that rolls up small and one pair of leather shoes cover it, and the same outfit works for a nice dinner. For every other venue on this list, a pair of tailored trousers or a simple dress plus non-athletic shoes is enough.
If you're doing tea and sightseeing on the same day, wear the tea outfit and bring the walking shoes in a tote, or plan tea at the end of the day. Most of these hotels are a short walk from the West End and Westminster sights.
Tea buses and cruises: wear what you like
None of the tea buses or Thames tea cruises we list sets a dress code, so dress for the weather and for a moving vehicle: the bus keeps going while you pour. That makes them the easy choice for families or anyone traveling light.
Our favorite, from Evan Evans Tours, adds a live guide and a glass of Prosecco to the classic tea-bus format, and is rated 4.89 by 236 travelers.
For the full comparison of tea buses, Thames tea cruises and hotel teas, see our afternoon tea in London guide; for dinner and sightseeing boats, see Thames cruises.
