Emilia Fox's cherry blossom print midi is the perfect alternative to sleeveless dresses when you want to be cool and comfy
The Silent Witness actor's outfit for Henley Festival had long, billowy sleeves that were chic and lightweight
Sleeveless dresses might sound like a no-brainer style to wear in the heat but they're not for everyone. If you aren't confident showing off your upper arms or just like more coverage when it's really sunny, longer sleeves can be beautiful as well as breezy. Emilia Fox proved this with her The Fold dress which she wore to attend Henley Festival with Audi in scorching temperatures.
This summery-sounding Portofino dress is made from silk chiffon and is still available in a few sizes, down to £375 from £625. It's still a luxurious piece, though it's perfect to take inspiration from too as it has a high rounded neckline and billowing long sleeves.
Shop Emilia's Summer Outfit
Emilia's dress is selling fast but is still available in several sizes. It's crafted from silk chiffon and has a flattering hand-draped detail at the waist and long sleeves. The pink cherry blossom print stands out beautifully against the turquoise and the dress is fully lined too.
Emilia was wearing the metallic gold Bella sandals which are sadly almost completely sold out, but the Bea shoes give you a similar amount of extra height. They've got a chunky block heel and a secure ankle strap, as well as a cushioned sole and bow detail on the front.
This looks to be the Carrie Elizabeth ring Emilia was wearing to this summer event and it comes in both 14k gold vermeil and silver. It's set with a pale green amethyst stone and it would look beautiful as part of a ring stack or worn on its own.
The deep teal tone of this dress is darker than Emilia's frock but it has equally gorgeous long sleeves ending in frilled cuffs and a pink floral design. There's a sweeping V-neckline and the waistband is gathered at the sides to create a draped effect.
Affordable and versatile, these sandals are the perfect option to have in your wardrobe for summer events. They also come in beige and black, and feature a sturdy mid-height block heel. There's a buckled ankle strap and a peep-toe cut-out at the front.
If you love the vivid turquoise tone of Emilia Fox's dress then this design is an affordable way to add this colour to your collection. It's got long flowing sleeves and a neat collared neckline, as well as a tie-waist belt. The A-line skirt is midi length and the floral detailing is very watercolour-esque.
Emilia was clearly cool enough wearing it to the festival, or else she'd have gone for something short-sleeved like she did last year. The Silent Witness star also cleverly picked a frock made from a breathable natural material and if you want affordable alternatives to silk, look for something made from a cotton or linen blend.
They're great for this time of year and tend to look more casual as well. The sleeves on the Portofino dress are voluminous and end in elasticated cuffs to create a feminine frill. This drapey shape works for hot weather as you aren't restricted by tight material and the fabric flows rather than clings to your arms.
Having that freedom of movement can make a big difference and it's most noticeable with full-length sleeves. Shorter sleeves can be a bit more fitted without making you completely overheat, though I still like angel and puffed options for summer.
You can also push up long sleeves with elastic cuffs to cool yourself down more, so this is another detail worth considering. Emilia Fox didn't need to do this and the dress' panelled skirt was also flowy. Running all over the turquoise design was a delicate pink cherry blossom print.
It was a fun twist on classic florals, combining pastel and bright shades for a high-contrast effect. You could really make out the exquisite attention-to-detail in the blossom motifs and because it kept to two colours it wasn't overly complicated to style.
Her shoes were her Bella sandals from British clothing brand Wyse London. They have chunky high heels and a substantial platform, as well as a secure ankle strap. She's worn them several times before, usually with dresses.
Lower block heels or flats would also complement a long sleeved frock and metallic shades can add an extra special edge. Alternatively, go for plain white accessories or pick shoes and a bag that tie in with one of the colours in your dress and everything will look cohesive and minimal.
The finishing touches for Emilia Fox were a pair of drop earrings and a Carrie Elizabeth ring for some subtle sparkle. The dress really did all the talking and she could also get away with making it more casual for other events this season too.
