You will typically need to utilize semi-formal or formal cocktail dresses and long gowns. Formal tea parties are more of a special affair compared to the casual garden party. You may expect more extravagant tea and food offerings in addition to more upscale indoor and outdoor venues.

High tea, was traditionally served 'High', meaning at a high table with high back chairs. It was typically a substantial meal of meat or fish, bread, vegetables, and tea to drink, and it would feed the gentlemen and women who had been at work all day. Today, we know this as 'dinner' or 'supper'.

The phrase 'high tea' started to be used to describe a working-class meal served at a high table and high back dining chairs at the end of a long workday. The tea would be accompanied by a hot meal. This could be a meat or fish dish or baked food or vegetables.

This was usually a full meal that included bread, cheese, vegetables, and meat. The meal was called high tea because it was often served at high-seated dinner tables with high-backed chairs. Meanwhile, afternoon tea was sometimes called Low Tea because it was served on low-to-the-ground coffee tables and sofas.