Wine O'Clock: What to Wear to a Wine Tasting


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What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare Dress

There are very few reasons to look forward to the month of August. It’s known for being humid, for forcing kids to go back to school, and for being a distant three-and-a-half months away from Christmas. However, if you’re a wino, it marks the beginning of harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere. In other words, it’s party time at vineyards across the country. The looming question most women ask themselves (and Google) is what to wear to a wine tasting or a vineyard tour. Although exact dress codes may vary per location, I styled this blue floral fit-and-flare dress and my new pair of yellow gold pearl stud earrings for just the occasion. Kyle took me to a fancy dinner at Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Columbia, Missouri a few weeks back, and I’ve gotta admit– I made a huge wardrobe faux pas. Keep reading for details.

What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: The Basics

First and foremost, the best solution to the what to wear to a wine tasting dilemma (even in renown vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Valley) is to dress for comfort. That being said, the weather is probably the largest contributing factor of comfort. Unless the property is currently reserved for a wedding or fancy event, it’s rare that a vineyard will deny access for inappropriate dress. If you’re going to be taking a vineyard tour, note that they’re often cool and damp. Wear close-toed shoes and bring layers in case you got too cold or too warm. An easy way to ensure you’re appropriately dressed is to call the vineyard directly and ask if there is a formal dress code for any of the activities on your agenda.

For my particular situation, Kyle and I were heading to dinner at the Blufftop Bistro after our casual wine tasting. I wanted to wear something a little fancier, since most vineyard restaurants do have some kind of dress code. As for my aforementioned wardrobe faux pas, I wore crisp white perforated heels to dinner… and for these vineyard photos, which was one big, giant, and dirty mistake. I also brought a pair of ballet flats (and a wide-brimmed sun hat) for the tour and the tasting, and I highly recommend y’all do the same! Otherwise, your clean heels will turn into dirty grass-embellished water containers. If you don’t have any close-toed ballet flats– or if you have your heart set of wearing heels, espadrilles and wedges work fine, too. They just make it a little more difficult to comfortably traverse the vineyard. 

What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare Dress What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare DressWhat to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare DressWhat to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare Dress What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare DressWhat to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare DressShop the Look: Floral Fit-and-Flare Dress, $96 (currently on sale and going out of stock quickly) | White Heels, $96 (currently unavailable in perforated white but in stock in 12 other colors) | Stone Uber Clutch, $190 | Skinny White Belt, $5 (on sale) | Tortoise Sunglasses, $155 (I’ve linked a similar $12 pair here) | Yellow Gold Pearl Stud Earrings, $99 | Pearl Headband, $28 (exact headband is old, but I’ve linked a similar style around the same price point)


 


What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Accessories

What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare Dress

Again, there isn’t usually a formal dress code unless specified by the vineyard or specific restaurants themselves. So, when it comes to appropriate accessories, you can and should wear whatever is most comfortable. I’d personally advise against heavy statement necklaces, chandelier earrings, and big tote bags. They’re just bulky. Opt for classic easy-to-wear pieces that won’t tarnish from sweat or the sun (I’ve included my favorite Michael Hill pieces under $150 below). On particularly warm days, it’s widely recommended that you bring a brimmed sun hat or baseball cap, sunglasses, an easy-to-carry clutch or small crossbody bag, and some simple pieces of jewelry, like a small pendant necklace and pearl stud earrings. 

Fine Jewelry under $150

What to Wear to a Wine Tasting: Banana Republic Floral Fit and Flare DressFrom L to R: 9mm Cultured Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings, $99 (featured in this post) | Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace in Yellow Gold, $69 | Cultured Freshwater Pearl Front & Back Stud Earrings, $69 | Infinity Necklace in Sterling Silver, $55 | Yellow Gold Arrow Bracelet, $129 | Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings, $99

Cute Hats under $50 

Click on each image for product details. 

Cute Crossbody Bags under $50 

Click on each image for product details. 


 
So, to recap–

DO’s: Dress comfortably. Wear closed-toed shoes. Bring layers. Bring a hat and sunglasses. Wear simple jewelry. Check with the vineyard directly for a formal wine tasting/vineyard tour/dinner dress code. 

DON’Ts: Wear heels or sandals. Bring a huge tote bag. Forget your camera! 🙂

For more ideas on what to wear to a wine tasting, check out my visit to Chrysalis Vineyard in Middleburg, Virginia here. Happy wine tasting, y’all! 

This is a sponsored post with Michael Hill. Thank you so much for supporting the brands who make Diary of a Debutante possible! As always, the opinions in this post are mine alone. 

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14 thoughts on “Wine O'Clock: What to Wear to a Wine Tasting

  1. Tyler Meredith

    I really like that you mention the importance of comfort. It makes sense that wine tasting can be very fun but also exhausting if you’re overdressed. This is something to mention to my wife because if we’re going to be visiting a vineyard for tasting, a dress like the one you have pictured could be a great option because it’d look nice but wouldn’t get too hot or uncomfortable throughout the day.

    Reply
  2. Jordyn Sifferman

    My family lives in Napa Valley so I get the pleasure of going wine tasting with them all the time! I like to throw on a cute sundress with wedges or flats, and if it’s a little cooler a cozy sweater or cute jacket. Love your wine tasting look, you are totally pulled together but not overdressed <3

    Reply
  3. Chelsea Godfrey

    I went to a couple of wineries this past weekend so this post was perfectly timed! I feel like a hat is the perfect accessory for wine tastings! I agree on the heels!! I always want to wear them but I end up talking myself out of it!

    Reply

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