In our vast country we call home, we’re surrounded by so many places to visit including our exceptional wine regions. Whether you’re a lover of vino or just along for the ride, finding an outfit can be tricky to fit in with the occasion or style of venue you’re visiting.

There are so many occasions we’d be stepping out to a winery… a casual tasting with friends, smart casual lunch or brunch or even attending a wedding with loved ones. But what to wear? That’s the question! Sometimes it’s hard to know whether you’re underdressed or overdressed depending on the time of day and the reason you’re there BUT never fear, we have you covered with recommendations and options for all occasions. Read on dear friend and we’ll enlighten you with some fail safe options on what to wear to a winery.

Whether you’re off on holiday exploring, or you’ve had a group of friends organise a wine tasting tour, it can be hard to find the right outfit for the occasion. Our go to for wine tasting is casual chic or smart casual… now what does that mean? Dressing for a wine tasting or in fact, multiple tastings means you want to be comfortable, you’re quite often sitting down or moving around dependent on the set up so something you can move in is integral; and when we say casual chic to smart casual it definitely doesn’t mean heels! Often, denim with a collared shirt or blouse and a cute pair of flats will suffice, however those who love a dress shouldn’t discount pairing wedges or flats and if it’s a sunny day, why not add a little something extra with a wide brim hat.

There is nothing better than taking a drive through the countryside and landing somewhere beautiful to enjoy lunch with a vino or two overlooking the fruits of your savor! But, what does one wear? We’d recommend going down a smart casual route for lunch at a winery. Whether you’re catching-up with friends or on a lunch date with your partner, a dress and smart flats or heels is generally the go-to. If you’re not into dresses, consider a smart printed blouse or shirt with a pair of pants or skirt. Elevate your casual looks to smart casual by adding a wedge or low heel, trust us someone somewhere will be snapping a photo amongst the scenery and you want to be looking your best.

As we all know, we’re lucky to call Australia home, not only for the beautiful landscape but the array of varied wedding venues we frequent! Wineries are becoming a popular choice for couples these days as the spot for both their ceremony and reception venue. As a result, we rely on invitations to give us a guideline on what to wear depending on the formality, however, that doesn’t necessarily give us too much information in regards to weather, seasons or (dare we say it) the terrain! We tend to think of weddings at a winery as more formal occasions so don’t be afraid to pop on some sparkles and give it your all!

Autumn… such a beautiful season for weddings, the leaves are changing colour and the air is starting to get crisp. Or not! Dressing for this ever changing season can be tricky but, like winter we always suggest to layer for an autumn wedding at a winery. Whilst the autumn days are usually beautiful and sunny, the nights can get a little cool so definitely consider elbow length to 3 / 4 sleeve dresses paired with a coat or denim jacket (depending on the formality of the occasion). If you’re not quite the dress kind of birdy, no problem… a blouse with skirt or pants will do just fine OR perhaps even consider a jumpsuit! It’s hard to know whether to wear closed or open toe in autumn so go with what you feel comfortable in, however make sure you have those layers handy!

Winter weddings are always fun despite the cooler weather! Selecting an outfit for a winter wedding at a winery can be tricky due to the outdoor or indoor venue options so we’ll help you out a little… The biggest thing to consider when dressing for a winter wedding at a winery is layers. Yep, you heard us… layer up! Think long sleeve dresses, coats and heels. Taking layers is the best option because the days can be stunning in the sunshine but then usually as the sun goes down, things tend to get a little crisp! Blazers and jackets with a tailored collar are perfect for weddings, they keep the cocktail look and feel with an added warmth.

What better occasion to wear a floral dress than a beautiful spring day at a winery wedding venue?! The weather is generally getting warmer in the springtime and is perfect for lighter layers. Colour is never usually discouraged at weddings so feel free to go bold at a spring wedding, not only will it fit right in with the already joyous mood but tie in with the new seasons colours as well. We’d still recommend taking some layering pieces with you, whilst we’d like to bet the weather has definitely turned warm, as well all know there’s never any guarantee!

The weather is warming up… Summer is finally here and wedding season is in full swing. Dressing for the hotter months is sometimes quite a challenge, it’s a great time to consider sleeveless or short sleeve dresses and tops to pair with skirts or pants for those summer weddings. Natural fibres such as cotton and linen are perfect for breathability and comfort in the warmer summer weather at an outdoor venue such as a winery. Open toe shoes are generally a must during the warmer months at weddings, however considering the terrain you may encounter at a vineyard, consider a low, block heel or cute flats.

While it’s all lovely to think we have to frock up for a winery, quite often the invite may suggest a walk or cycle through the vineyards and we’re definitely not digging the old dress and heels for that! Just because you’re off into the outdoors, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it in style though! Think about a cute pair of sneakers and pants with stretch, you can still team these with a smart casual collared shirt so you can cycle in style.

We know we’ve got you pretty worded up now on which way to go outfit wise, however we just wanted to summarise some general rules of thumb for styling when you’re heading out to a winery:

• Consider the season - check your weather app for temperature and conditions before you head off so you know what layers and/or sleeve lengths you’ll need.
• Do some research on the venue, what kind of surfaces do they have to walk on, this will dictate your shoe choice/s.
• Think about the type of activity you’re doing out there at the vineyard, are you sitting or moving around a lot and pair your clothing for comfort factor accordingly. 
• Always consider your sun protection… whether you’re outdoors all day or only for a short time, this is something important! 
• Look to natural fibres if you’re heading out in the warmer months as they provide better breathability.

All in all, whatever you may be heading to the vineyards for, make sure your outfit choice is comfortable, generally tastings and tours may take all day and there’s nothing worse than feeling restricted, too hot or cold and not enjoying the experience. Our number one tip for styling is layer, layer, layer. This way you can accommodate the outdoor and indoor experience you’ll encounter throughout the day. Definitely take a jacket or coat with you in winter, autumn and spring due to the changing nature of the weather and consider geographically where you are in case of colder climates. All that said, don’t forget to enjoy your vino and the special scenery with friends or family, it’s sure to be a beautiful experience!

Love, the birdsnest girls x