Emilia Fox declares it's time for summer dresses - and her cobalt blue maxi and strappy sandals are on my wish-list
The Silent Witness star has proved that this is an unbeatable outfit combination for this warm weather
The hotter it gets, the easier we want getting dressed to be and if you want a fuss-free outfit combination a maxi dress and sandals can be worn on repeat. You can adjust this dynamic duo to suit your signature style and Emilia Fox just put her own spin on it.
The Silent Witness and Signora Vulpe star shared a snap on Instagram declaring it's "time to get the summer dresses out". She was wearing a floor-length cobalt blue frock with three quarter length sleeves and a rounded neckline.
As a lover of British clothing brands, Emilia often wears Pink City Prints pieces and this looks to be their Abigail dress. The pink floral detailing really pops on the blue background and the elasticated, shirred elements help make it extra comfy.
Recreate Emilia's Summer Outfit
This is the type of dress you could wear in summer with wedges or sandals and then still get a lot of use out of in autumn, styling it with knee high boots instead. It's made from a breathable cotton blend in a deep blue tone with delicate pink flowers.
Dress this comfortable jersey dress up with heeled sandals or wear day-to-day with flats and a raffia bag. It's got ruching on the bodice for added shaping and a white floral pattern. Short sleeves and a midi-length skirt add extra elegance.
Emilia Fox has worn Pink City Prints pieces before and this blue dress is a gorgeous option for summer 2026. The Alicia dress combines intricate appliqué embroidery with hand block prints and it's got an open neckline and fitted waist. The sleeves are long and the frock has navy piping.
If you're someone who loves a high block heel like Emilia does, then these sandals could be just what you've been looking for. They come in a range of other colours too and are made from leather, with a platform and an open toe. The straps over the foot and buckle strap help to keep your feet secure.
Emilia Fox's exact sandals are far higher and sadly almost out of stock at Wyse London, but the brand also make these gold shoes that are a pretty alternative. They're 50% off right now and have a low 2 inch heel and chic straps.
Affordable and classic, these sandals have a low block heel that makes them comfy to wear during the day as well as for evenings out. There's a single strap over the front of the foot and a buckled ankle strap. Pair with a floral maxi dress for an Emilia Fox-esque outfit.
Shirring is particularly great for summer as it means your dress fits perfectly but isn't rigid or tight. Emilia Fox's frock was made from breathable cotton and whilst you might think a long dress isn't the most practical for hot weather this kind of silhouette with a flared skirt is so flowy.
Maxis give you a bit more coverage in the sun too and instantly add an elegant edge to an ensemble no matter how simple the rest of the design is. To get maximum wear out of a longer dress I'd recommend going for a more casual fabric like cotton, linen or stretchy jersey.
That way you won't risk straying into ballgown or evening gown territory and you can easily pair it with white trainers or flat sandals during the day without it looking "too much". When you want to dress up, swap these shoes for something with a little bit of a heel and add a structured top handle bag or clutch.
The Silent Witness star wore the Bella platform heeled sandals by Wyse London for extra drama and height. These shoes are only available in a few sizes now so it's clearly not just Emilia who likes a skyscraper heel for summer. The brand also makes gold sandals with lower heels too.
The intricacy of strappy sandals complements the feminine silhouette of a maxi dress perfectly and they can be some of the most secure summer shoes. I love options with an ankle strap as well as toe straps and metallics are a lovely alternative to neutrals.
Emilia's gold sandals brought some glamour and looked great with the cobalt blue dress. Silver shoes tend to work slightly better with cooler tones but it doesn't really matter as metallics are still relatively subtle no matter which shade you choose.
To add a sense of cohesion, why not try matching your metallic accessories to your jewellery? It's a small thing that really makes a difference. Emilia Fox looked to be wearing a gold pendant necklace with her dress and heels, and when she attended the BAFTA TV Awards in May the actor carried a gold bag that coordinated with the gold buckle on her dress.
