Country House Chic: A Summer Afternoon Lookbook
Country gardens, sunlit lawns, and the perfect tea-time dress. Find out how I styled the perfect summer maxi for a countryside retreat.
In the soft haze of late summer, few things compare to an afternoon spent at a stately country house. There’s something about the way the sunlight filters through the trees and onto the manicured gardens, warming the stones of the grand estate behind. There’s only the sound of rustling leaves, the colours of blooming flowers, and the lingering warmth of the late summer sun.
This is the exact setting I found myself in at the weekend, having spent a lovely afternoon at Jesmond Dene House - a beautiful retreat that feels worlds away in the countryside, yet sits just beyond the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It serves as a beautiful home, independent hotel, and wedding venue, enveloped in quaint gardens and overlooking the valley of Jesmond Dene.
Given the elegance and the serenity of this charming venue, it felt only right to dress for the occasion. Read on to find out how I styled a summery maxi for a visit to Jesmond Dene House and a spot of afternoon tea.
I spent a late summer afternoon at the beautiful city retreat, Jesmond Dene House.
A Muted Yellow Maxi
Nothing says summer quite like the gentle hues of pale, pastel colours - whether it’s soft greens, pinks, blues, or yellows. This year, muted yellow has become the colour of the season, thanks to its subtle elegance and warm, sunny disposition (see my butter yellow wedding lookbook here).
I have since become obsessed with this lemony shade, having found it especially flattering against an olive skin tone and darker features. So, you can imagine the sheer excitement when I stumbled upon the most gorgeous, pale yellow maxi dress hidden amongst the Urban Outfitters summer sale clutter.
I styled an Urban Outfitters pale yellow maxi dress with my favourite accessories.
The dress is adorned with a shirred waist, tie details and a lovely square neckline.
The dress features a beautiful shirred waist, front tie details, a flattering square neckline, and a maxi-length floaty skirt. I’m 5”4 and the length of the dress was perfect, just brushing my feet and giving a lovely silhouette (although the skirt did collect a few leaves along the way!).
I styled the dress with a pair of tortoiseshell sunnies from Next, slide-on sandals from SEQWL, and my fave 90s-style handbag from ASOS Design. I also added a selection of gold rings, layered necklaces, a small watch, and chunky gold hoops to complete the look. I’ve linked some items at the end of this blog!
This gorgeous maxi looked perfect amongst the scenery at Jesmond Dene House.
This gorgeous maxi looked perfect amongst the scenery at Jesmond Dene House, especially framed by the delicate floral archway that adorned one of the doorways. I felt so feminine and effortlessly elegant - the dress is so simple, and yet it stands out so beautifully. Even better, the dress is made from 100% cotton and is so lightweight and breathable! For half price, this was an absolute gem of a find.
Whether you’re headed to afternoon tea, a garden party, or a beachy holiday, this style of dress is perfect for feeling comfortable yet effortlessly put-together. Moments like these remind me just how much the right outfit can elevate an experience, turning simple afternoons into something a little more special.
Why not channel your inner princess and embrace the magic of a flowing maxi?
The beautiful gardens at Jesmond Dene House.
This dress made me feel like such a princess!
Get the Look
Urban Outfitters
Kimchi Blue Sienna Maxi Dress
£35
SEQWL
Flat sandal in black faux leather
£12.60
ASOS DESIGN
90s shoulder bag in monogram print with hardware clip in brown
£18
