Etiquette for “Coming-Out” Tea

Dear Mrs Post: Are the mother and her debutante daughter supposed to go without hats at the daughter's coming-out afternoon tea? I was at such a party recently and neither one wore a hat and the daughter’s dress was next thing to an evening dress. Also there were some other young women dancing around gaily who had no hats on, but they did not greet us when we arrived. I hadn’t noticed but do you suppose the mother and daughter wore gloves?

Answer: The hostess and the debutante at a formal coming-out afternoon tea never wear hats and the debutante wears a semi-evening dress. Her friends who “receive” with her also go without hats. The word “receive” is put in quotations since it merely means that they are the debutante's best friends and have been invited to come without hats to set themselves apart from all the other guests. They have no special duties. Both mother and daughter should have worn gloves. — The Morning Press, 1937

 

 🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia