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 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.

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

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.

Silent Witness is one of those shows with an incredibly loyal fanbase and I very much count myself as part of it. Every time a new series starts I’m always so excited to see the Bowman Centre (still getting used to not saying Lyell Centre!) team back in action and to chat through the episodes with fellow show watchers.

Next year Silent Witness’ 30th anniversary season will air and ahead of this milestone the BBC show - and lead star Emilia Fox - have been taking us on a trip down memory lane. Over on Instagram they’ve been posting reminders of some of the Hollywood icons who’ve appeared in Silent Witness since it started in 1996.

The show's guest cast includes Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy winners and I had genuinely forgotten so many of the famous faces who’ve been part of the Silent Witness story. Do you remember any of these special appearances?

Daniel Kaluuya

Long before he scooped up a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah, Daniel starred in season 12 of Silent Witness. He played Errol Harris in Safe, which was a particularly heart-wrenching set of episodes where his character suffers an awful fate.

Professor Leo Dalton has to do community service and ends up forging a bond with Errol's younger brother Levi Harris and wanting to do everything he can to help as the youngster is sucked into a world of gang violence.

Benedict Cumberbatch

He's been nominated for several Academy Awards and has scooped up a BAFTA TV Award, a Primetime Emmy and an Laurence Olivier Award. You might have forgotten (like me, I confess) that Benedict also guest starred in Silent Witness back in the early days of the series before he moved on to projects like Sherlock and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

He appeared as Warren Reid in 2002's episode Tell No Tales Parts 1 and 2, back when Amanda Burton's Dr Sam Ryan was still in the show.

Jodie Comer

Accent expert Jodie Comer starred as Eve Gilston in season 15's Fear - an episode that revolves around exorcisms and possession. Perhaps the reason I don't remember her being in this episode is because Eve's death becomes the focus of the storyline so we don't get to know her quite as well as we would a living character.

Fear aired six years before Killing Eve started airing, catapulting Jodie into a whole other level of stardom.

Idris Elba

Sir Idris Elba is best known for projects like Luther and The Wire, but he was also in the second ever season of Silent Witness in 1997. He played Charlie in Blood, Sweat and Tears, an episode where Sam Ryan investigated the death of boxer Kevin Sharma.

Of course, as with every storyline in Silent Witness, there was a lot more to it than that. In the course of unravelling a much wider conspiracy involving illegal fighting, she ended up crossing paths with Charlie, who was also involved in the local boxing ring.

Ruth Gemmell

Now, Ruth Gemmell is one Silent Witness guest star I do remember and she's been in the show playing three separate characters over the years. You might know her as Violet, Dowager Lady Bridgerton in the hit Netflix drama but in this universe she's been DC Kerry Cox, DI Beth Ashdown and Ellie Brooke.

This last appearance is one that sticks in my mind the most as Ellie is married to the lead detective in the case and becomes a central character as the storyline comes to an end. However, Kerry Cox is her biggest role as she played her in all eight episodes of season 1.

Nicholas Hoult

Star of The Great, X-Men and Mad Max: Fury Road, Nicholas Hoult is 36 years old now and made a guest appearance in Silent Witness when he was just 9. He played Tom Evans in An Academic Exercise Parts 1 and 2, and he got the honour of acting in a particularly significant episode for Dr Sam Ryan.

The plotline revolves around the brutal murder of her friend Annabelle Evans - Tom's mum - putting him right at the centre of this sad tale.

Evanna Lynch

Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch played the girlfriend of imprisoned killer Scott Weston who you might recognise from the season 13 episode, Shadows. In season 24's Redemption, Evanna's character Paisley was doing her absolute best to convince Scott's mum to support his appeal.

Given he had been arrested and found guilty of mass murder, she wasn't interested in helping him and actually tried to persuade Nikki to help prevent the appeal trial going ahead. Paisley's loyalty to her inmate boyfriend was unbreakable, though.

Martin Compston

Martin Compston has been in several investigative dramas in his time, most famously Line of Duty, though he's also got a guest appearance in Silent Witness in his repertoire. This time he got to use his own accent for the part of DS Jason Ross and as an added bonus, In A Lonely Place was primarily filmed and set in Scotland.

This episode focused on a series of horrific serial killings and Ross joined forces with Nikki and Jack to get to the bottom of it all.

Wunmi Mosaku

Earlier this year Wunmi was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Sinners and back in 2010 she starred as Charlie Gibbs in four episodes (two storylines) of Silent Witness.

Her character was a junior doctor and lab technician and she was assigned to work with Professor Leo Dalton. I can't think of a better mentor for Charlie and she got to assist with mortuary work too.

John Hannah

Known for his role in The Mummy films and Four Weddings and a Funeral, John played Dr Charles Beck in season 27's Effective Range. Charles was a pathologist who had left his former career behind him and become a forensic botanist.

Emilia called on Charles to help when they began investigating a crime that looked to be the work of serial killer Calvin Dunn. He'd carried out the post mortem on the first four victims and his wife Zoe had gone missing, presumed kidnapped by Dunn, which made him very personally involved in the case.

Maxi skirts and T-shirts might sound like a smart-casual clash but this pairing is actually incredibly elegant as an alternative to dresses or trousers. Silent Witness star Emilia Fox showcased this perfectly last July at Henley Festival and if you're stuck on what to wear in the heat, a cotton tee and a floral skirt is a stunning choice.

She loves British clothing brands and her skirt was a pleated tulle maxi by ME+EM covered with delicate pink floral embroidery that enhanced the feminine feel. The floor-sweeping design felt elevated and yet it didn't stray into 'ballgown' territory thanks to the elasticated waistband an A-line shape.

Shop Maxi Skirt And T-Shirts

This is something I think is crucial to consider when you're weighing up how to style a longer skirt in a more relaxed way. If the design is voluminous it can look quite smart and might work better as occasionwear in place of a summer wedding guest dress or garden party outfit.

Something sleeker like an A-line, column or straight skirt is simple to style casually as well as formally. Emilia chose to wear a fitted T-shirt tucked into her maxi for the Henley Festival and it perfectly blended in with the black waistband.

The short sleeves helped to balance out the full coverage of the skirt and a crew neckline is pretty much as classic as it gets with tees. Because the skirt had floral embroidery it made sense that the Silent Witness actor chose a plain top and black and white tees are always going to be the most versatile.

However, the beauty of this underrated style duo is that you can really make it your own so if you love wearing vibrant colours and patterns you can really have fun with your maxi skirt and T-shirt combos. You also have so much freedom when it comes to footwear to pair with them too.

It's impossible to make out what Emilia was wearing last July but sandals, heels or wedges would complement an outfit like hers. If you want pure comfort you could throw on white trainers or flip flops too and if you're worried about your shoes not working with it, maxi skirts often cover a lot of your footwear so they won't be fully visible.

When Emilia Fox attended Henley Festival as a guest of Audi she also had a black blazer which she put on when it got chilly later. Longer jackets look great with a flowy maxi skirt as they tie in with the silhouette and help give a leg-elongating effect.

Alternatively, go for something that's cropped at the same level as your skirt's waistband to accentuate the waist. A jacket that falls somewhere in between can cut off your frame at a tricky point and look a bit at odds with the skirt and top.

As soon as we saw Emilia Fox arriving at the 2026 TV BAFTA Awards today, we completely fell in love with her sumptuous green gown. Doesn't the colour look stunning against the red carpet?

The Silent Witness star chose a fluid floor-length gown with a halterneck shape and a flattering belted detailing at the waist. It's a relatively simple shape that fits exquisitely and allows the colour to be the star of the show.

The emerald green shade really reminds me of the iconic gown that Keira Knightley wore in the film Atonement. And whilst it exudes luxury, you might be surprised to learn it's not made by a super high-end designer label - it's actually from one of our favourite British clothing brands, ME+EM. It's the £550 Draped Evening Dress, and you'll have to be quick to click if you have a black tie event coming up, since there are only a couple of sizes left in stock. I predict a sell out by the end of the night!

Shop more green dresses

Celia Imrie chose a similar shade of green for the BAFTA TV Awards, so Emilia was certainly in good company. But if green isn't your colour, this ME+EM dress is also available in classic black, and it's currently 30% off. The maxi skirt has a split in the side, so it's comfy and easy to walk in, plus the shirred neckline is a really sophisticated design detail.

It's not every day you can buy a dress you see on the red carpet, and whilst £550 is a big investment, Emilia's is a dress that won't date, so it can be your go-to event dress for years to come.

On paper it might seem like an elegant maxi skirt and chunky white trainers are just too much of a contrast to work together - but Emilia Fox has already shown that isn't the case. The Silent Witness star attended Giffords Circus 25th anniversary show last year and she combined comfy platform trainers with a fabulous floral co-ord from Pink City Prints.

The long flowy skirt and square-neck blouse looked like a dress when styled together and you could only just see the toes of the shoes poking out underneath the hem. Crayola brights and florals are both spring/summer fashion trends for 2026 and yet Emilia's 2025 look nailed this perfectly and was ahead of the curve.

Recreate Emilia's Look

Shop More Maxi Skirts

The white background made the pink flowers and green leaves in the print stand out and at the same time it ensured they weren't too overpowering. With floral items it can be easier if the main colour is neutral as it gives you more versatility when it comes to picking accessories and other pieces of clothing.

In Emilia's case, her white trainers tied in perfectly with the dress and this made them feel cohesive and intentional, rather than chosen purely for comfort. Of course, that's always going to be a factor when you're wearing trainers and they were a clever choice for the actor, as the Laguna Bay show was held in the grounds of Chiswick House.

No-one wants to get stuck in the grass at summer events and meet-ups and trainers will help you avoid this with ease. Plain white shoes go with pretty much anything and if you want a smarter look, I'd recommend sticking to streamlined plimsoll designs.

If you like the mix of sportiness and sophistication then take Emilia Fox's approach and go for something with a bit of a platform. Her trainers look like the Converse Lift Hi style and they have a subtle black line running around the rounded toe and the sides.

This detail isn't so bold that it detracts from the delicate floral skirt and adds extra casualness to dress things down a fraction. It helps that the maxi skirt is made from cotton too. Materials like chiffon, satin and silk can look just too formal with trainers compared to flowy fabrics which can be styled for the daytime or for evenings out.

Maxi skirts are also an excellent alternative to dresses for the season as you can switch up their aesthetic with minimal fuss, simply by changing your top and accessories. Swapping her matching cotton blouse for a white T-shirt would transform Emilia Fox's ensemble and you can get a lot of wear out of the same skirt styled different ways.

A month after she attended Giffords Circus the Silent Witness star stepped out in another floral maxi, this time with a black T-shirt tucked in. This skirt was so long that it swept the floor and we didn't get to see her shoes in pictures taken for Audi at the Henley Festival. Even so, I can't help thinking that white trainers would have complemented it beautifully.

She might not have been in the show since the very beginning, but Silent Witness still wouldn’t be the same without Dr Nikki Alexander at this point. Played brilliantly by Emilia Fox for 12 years, the pathologist is the beating heart of the crime drama and her skills are legendary.

She’s adjusting to a new way of life at the Sir William Bowman Centre in Birmingham in Silent Witness season 29 as well as enjoying being newly married to colleague Jack Hodgson.

Episode 2 airs tonight and if you’re a Silent Witness fan, why not test your Nikki Alexander knowledge with our quiz? Let us know your score!

Want more brain teasers? Catch up with all our previous quizzes here.

Finally! After what seems like way too long Silent Witness season 29 is back on our screens. The show’s longest-serving cast member Emilia Fox has already teased to woman&home that the new series will be "emotional" for Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson. I’m a little anxious about what this means for the Silent Witness couple and Nikki has to be my favourite character.

She’s not only an expert pathologist and caring partner and friend, but a source of style inspiration. Her signature look has evolved over the years and first-look pictures for Silent Witness season 29 show her in a comfy combination I want to wear on repeat.

Nikki’s blue and white Fair Isle jumper and denim midi skirt outfit is incredibly easy to replicate and both items are wardrobe staples that work for spring too.

Shop Similar Patterned Jumpers

Shop Denim Midi Skirts

Denim skirts make a lovely alternative to jeans and the silhouette of Nikki’s is incredibly leg-elongating. It appears to have a straight cut, with buttons running down the front and a high-rise waist. This sleek style looks more understated and classic than a very feminine fit-and-flare skirt and going for a mid-blue tone like hers is a great option.

Not quite as smart as indigo or as casual as light washes, these shades of denim are the most versatile as you can easily dress them up or down. Like jeans, a denim skirt can be paired with so many different top options and although Emilia loves wearing shirts when she’s in-character as Dr Nikki Alexander, she went for a chunky knit here.

This ME+EM sweater accentuated the off-duty feel of her skirt and whilst you might be hoping to pack away your wool jumpers and cardigans soon, realistically we’ll be needing knitwear for early spring too.

Emilia’s jumper features an electric blue and brown jacquard design over the white base colour and has chunky ribbed trims. Had she gone for a more voluminous denim skirt, this boxy jumper wouldn’t have worked nearly as well with it.

As it was, the sweater draped beautifully over the top of the waistband. The pattern brought a traditional feel to the knitwear and although the blue didn’t exactly match her skirt, it was similar enough to tie everything together.

If you can sometimes be daunted by the prospect of styling patterns and prints, I would recommend starting with a top that you can wear with jeans or a denim skirt. Denim just works with everything and you don’t need to worry about colour clashing or looking overly statement.

The texture of Emilia’s knitwear complemented the geometric design of her jumper and the white background hue balanced out the bright blue. A lot of this year’s spring/summer fashion colour trends are vibrant and sweaters or cardigans are a simple way to start incorporating them into your everyday ensembles.

In the Silent Witness season 29 first look pictures we sadly couldn’t see what shoes Nikki had on with her skirt and jumper, but the pathologist is a big fan of ankle boots. A pair of tan or brown boots would look stunning with the lighter colour palette of this look, though white trainers are a great alternative to make things more casual.

I guess we’ll just have to wait until Dr Alexander wears this particular outfit in the new series to know how she really finished it off!

As something of a Silent Witness super fan I’m always excited to hear what the show’s longest-serving cast member Emilia Fox has to say about the show and I’m not quite sure how to feel about her new revelations. Speaking to woman&home for our March issue, the actor shared some tantalising hints about what to expect for her character Nikki in Silent Witness season 29 when it starts on 2nd February.

Last season the pathologist finally tied the knot with forensic scientist Jack Hodgson (I, for one, am very much pro the Nikki-Jack romance) and the newlyweds are facing a lot of change in the new series. For a start, Silent Witness has now moved locations to Birmingham and Emilia told us, "Jack and Nikki have some very emotional stuff in season 29."

Now what should fans make of that? I’m part-excited, part-nervous to find out and hope that there isn’t trouble in paradise already. Settling into a new life, new job and new city is a lot for anyone, so all I can do is hope that the pair find their way through things and emerge stronger.

Emilia Fox has also opened up to the BBC, revealing that this move "has quite an effect on Jack and on their relationship". In her mind, every series has an overarching theme of sorts and whilst season 28’s was love, she thinks it’s "trust and what we can believe in and what’s real" for the new instalment.

Jack (played by David Caves) has some "big storylines" to come and even if they don’t directly involve Nikki, as his wife and long-time colleague, she’s sure to be drawn into things to support and advise him.

They’ve already faced so much together, from Nikki being threatened by the mafia group, Ndrangheta, in season 26 to Jack’s brother going to prison and discovering he had a niece, Cara Connelly.

After Emilia, David is the cast-member who’s been on Silent Witness the longest, with Maggie Stead and Francesca Mills joining last year as Harriet Maven and Kit Brooks.

"I’ve now been doing it for I think 21 years and if you told me the first year I did it that I’d still be doing it 21 years later, I don’t think I would’ve believed you," Emilia told woman&home. "No matter how complicated it can be and of course the subject matter is not a laughing subject matter at all. So hence, when we’re not actually playing the scenes, then we do have a laugh with each other and Maggie and Fran are very, very funny, as is David Caves."

You might think, or in my case worry, that playing one character for so long might make Emilia wish she could do something else. However, she explained how each season is different, sharing, "I love the familiarity of playing Nikki, but I like that we also do five different stories and they all are very different because they have the writers’ signature on them."

"We don’t choose that and we don’t choose the direction in which our characters go, but they are like presents when you read the scripts and think, ‘What am I going to be asked to do next?’" she said.

Emilia continued, "Having done Silent Witness for the length of time that I have, it looks as though I’ve played it safe. It’s not safe because, within it, I’m asked to do all sorts of things. In this series, I did something that was pretty out there, which I can’t share in case it spoils the story, but I went for it! I think being impulsive is really important in life."

So we can expect scenes for Nikki and Jack and an “out-there” moment for the pathologist too. The first episode air-date can’t come soon enough!

Silent Witness season 29 starts on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on 2nd February.

Emilia Fox said she's feeling 'positive and optimistic' following her split from partner Jonathan Stadlen last year, as she opened up on their separation in an exclusive chat with woman&home.

The Silent Witness actress, who has played Dr Nikki Alexander in the BBC crime drama since 2004, admits that she has come to terms with the breakup from Jonathan. The pair found love after meeting through a mutual friend in 2021 - and parted ways at the beginning of 2025.

"Jonathan and I separated last February. I have only the very best of feelings towards him. Relationships are funny. They bring different things in different moments of the partnership, but it doesn’t take away from the really wonderful times," she told us.

Sharing her positive feelings for the future following the split, Emilia continued, "You might feel emotional about it at one point, but luckily with age, you can accept it as part of life, and know how to recover and look after yourself.

"The end of relationships are always sad, but I’ve been putting into practice things that have made me feel more positive, hopeful and optimistic."

Following the separation, Emilia threw herself into her work to take her mind off things - which she says really helped her get through it. With series 29 of Silent Witness hitting screens on Monday 2nd February, much of last year was spent on set for Emilia.

"I was very lucky. I was working on Silent Witness then away to Rome. That was really helpful. It was a good time to be away. I had to spend a lot of time in my own company," she said.

"On set, you are surrounded by lots of people, but then the focus is work. Being on my own in my room by myself, learning lines, I did lock myself away."

Revealing that she's looking forward to what lies ahead and whether she sees new love on the cards for herself, Emilia went on to add, "I feel very positive now, very invigorated and renewed.

"There are no new love interests. I’m just really looking forward to what the future holds. New beginnings."

Staying fit is another huge part of Emilia's life and something else that helped her power through 2025.

"Health, wellness, and exercise were definitely a big part of last year. If I feel physically fit, it helps me mentally and emotionally," she explained.

"Working on Silent Witness, I’ve seen first-hand that the body is an incredible thing. When you’ve seen inside someone’s body, you want to look after your own body, and my philosophy is if you look after it and feel good, that’s what matters.

"Working out helped with work because this series was quite physically challenging and non-stop; it also stopped me from overthinking and I like a challenge. I’m determined to keep it up."

You can read Emilia's full interview in the March 2026 issue of woman&home, on shelves from 29th January.

Every year I find myself just as entranced by Emilia Fox’s wardrobe in Silent Witness as I am by the cases her character Dr Nikki Alexander helps to solve. Her in-show style has evolved over the years and for the past few seasons knitted vests have been a Nikki staple.

Now the first look images the BBC have released ahead of the Silent Witness season 29 release date have shown that’s still the case in 2026 and her magenta vest and floral dress are so stunning. Seeing this combination has inspired me to add this type of knitwear to my winter capsule wardrobe and the best bit about a vest like Emilia’s is that it’s perfect for multiple seasons.

Silent Witness season 29 began filming last March but I’ve tracked down what I believe to be her exact Aspiga knitted tank. Sadly it’s only available in two sizes, however the brand has got an almost identical style you can buy now.

Shop Emilia's Outfit

Shop More Knitted Vests

Aspiga is one of the best British clothing brands and focuses on sustainable fashion, with this boxy knitted tank being made from 100% merino wool. As a natural fibre, wool is great because it keeps you warm whilst still being breathable.

The slightly cropped length of Emilia’s vest would fall to the perfect point if she were wearing high-waisted jeans or trousers, though instead she’s wearing a floral dress in the first look images. I think this is a sold-out Aspiga style, though thankfully we’re approaching the season of floral dresses so there are plenty of alternatives around.

The actor made the clever choice of going for a dress that featured tones in the same colour palette as her vest. You don’t have to worry about this so much if your knitwear is neutral as it’ll go with pretty everything, but when you have a bold colour it works best if there’s some link to the rest of your outfit.

Emilia’s dress was magenta with pastel pink and green (which are both spring/summer fashion colour trends), so it complemented the vest. For a preppy look, you can choose a dress with a collar that you can have peeping out over the tank instead of one with a frilled high neckline like this.

When the weather’s warmer, a knitted vest can be a top in its own right and on colder days, a shirt, jumper or dress would look great underneath. This is why this piece of clothing is so useful and in last season of Silent Witness, we saw Dr Nikki Alexander wearing at least three different ones, all with white shirts and trousers.

Going for a dress and vest this time around is a lovely change that’s still in-keeping with the character’s signature style. In Silent Witness season 28’s first look images Nikki wore a green, navy and grey striped vest by ME+EM and whilst this was fabulous, I think her season 29 burgundy one is my favourite..

When you’re shopping for an item that’s primarily a layering piece, a plain design is always going to be easier to pair with different pieces. Colours like black, tan, white and grey are even simpler to style, though if you go for a colour you already wear a lot of, that’ll also be a breeze to incorporate into your everyday outfits.

Party season is officially over, but that doesn’t mean that our calendars are now empty of social events and meet-ups. As much as we might want to hibernate in cashmere jumpers and leggings until the cold weather passes, some occasions call for something a little more elevated than what we’d typically wear in the snow.

If you’re lacking some date night or winter wedding style inspiration, Emilia Fox’s velvet dress might just be the perfect outfit. The Silent Witness star wore this Boden design for her appearance on Angela Hartnett and Nick Grimshaw’s Dish from Waitrose podcast and it’s now on sale, down to £77.40 from £129.

Shop Emilia's Dress

Shop More Boden Sale Picks

Boden is one of the best British clothing brands if you want timeless designs with a pop of colour and the Kate frock comes in several hues, including amethyst purple. This shade is different from other jewel tones like burgundy and forest green which are often associated with Christmas.

The sheen of the velvet combined with the rich purple colour gave Emilia’s dress such a luxurious feel. Velvet is naturally also quite a wintery material, so despite the short sleeves, it works well as a January or February piece.

Whilst the fabric and colour are more statement, the silhouette is actually very ageless. Shirt dresses are about as classic as it gets and the Kate dress has a fit-and-flare shape and a waist belt that gives extra definition.

This can also be removed, allowing you to switch things up easily. Emilia Fox kept the belt on her dress for the recording of her Dish episode and she paired the velvet dress with metallic textured court shoes and some subtle gold jewellery.

This is a lovely style to copy if you have a winter wedding or special party coming up, as the gold details enhanced the glamorousness of the dress. Add a matching clutch and a long, neutral coat and you’re ready to go. However, Emilia Fox’s amethyst frock could also work for a less formal occasion and I think a velvet dress like hers would look great with black knee-high boots and tights.

By layering a slightly cropped jumper over the top, you can also add extra warmth whilst still keeping the elegant aesthetic, as it will resemble a velvet skirt instead.

As seen in clips from Dish from Waitrose shared on social media, the Silent Witness star went for a cream pointelle cardigan for some cosiness while she chatted with Angela and Nick. Neutral colours like black, white and tan all look lovely with jewel tones so you can mix and match different shoe, coat and accessory options with a similar velvet dress.

If you’re not sure about how much wear you’ll get out of a colourful frock, many velvet designs - including the Kate - also come in black and you can’t go wrong with something as minimal as this.

Emilia loves stepping out in different shades and in November she wore another velvet midi to woman&home’s annual Christmas Live event. The Wyse London Celeste dress had a fun leopard print design that showed just how many different variations of velvet dresses there are out there right now.

Christmas might be over for another year, but winter is far from over and that means we’ll be reaching for our wool and cashmere jumpers for many more months to come. Knitwear is my staple for the colder months and whilst jeans and a jumper can feel like the easy choice, you don’t have to be breaking new ground to look put-together.

The ever-elegant Emilia Fox is a big fan of this combination and last year the Silent Witness star wore a gorgeous green sweater with jeans that looked so stylish. She had been doing a festive day of filming but nothing about this outfit screams "Christmas" so much that it wouldn’t work for January, February and, dare I say, even March.

Shop Green Jumpers Like Emilia's

Shop Relaxed Jeans

Her knitwear was by Wyse London and this British clothing brand features heavily in Emilia’s wardrobe. Sadly, it’s not back for 2025, though the beauty of this ensemble is how easy it is to recreate. There are plenty of warm green jumpers around right now and many of them also feature ribbed hems and roll-necks.

Even if you don’t need to think about what to wear in the snow, a roll-neck is a must-have for cold weather as it gives you plenty of coverage and insulation. If you go for a natural fabric like wool, you get a lot of warmth and also breathability which helps when you’re layered up to the max.

Emilia Fox’s jumper was an earthy moss-green that would work with everything from neutrals to metallics and even with pops of bright colour like red or electric blue. It’s muted enough to not feel overly statement which makes it very versatile and I personally think these kinds of greens look great with warm browns and tans.

The Silent Witness star went for blue denim instead and although we only got a tiny glimpse of her trousers in the post she shared on Instagram, they look like they were wide-leg jeans. Nine times out of ten, jeans are a failsafe piece when you don’t know what to wear.

Unless you’re going somewhere where you need to dress especially formal, denim can be made smarter or more relaxed depending on how you style them. Emilia’s outfit looked put-together and still relaxed, thanks to the looser silhouette of her jeans.

Wide-leg styles are so comfortable and work with a huge variety of different shoe options as they drape easily over the top. We can’t see what shoes the Silent Witness actor wore in 2024, though I would pair a jumper and jeans like hers with either black or brown boots or white trainers.

The only other pop of colour in Emilia Fox’s look was her nail polish and, as she was filming pre-Christmas, she went quite festive with a deep burgundy red. Although we don’t tend to see her Silent Witness character Dr Nikki Alexander wearing nail polish in the long-running BBC show, the green jumper and jeans combination is definitely something I can imagine her in.

Emilia’s outfits both on and off-screen regularly inspire me and Nikki’s knitted ME+EM vest from season 28 featured similar greens to her Wyse jumper. Clearly, it’s a colour the actor loves, but if you prefer neutral tones like black or white, you can still take inspiration from her wintry outfit.

The chunky silhouette of her knitwear, the high neckline and the wide-leg jeans all combined show the timeless elegance of jumpers and denim and why they should never be underestimated.

If you can find a Christmas party outfit that will see you through the busy social season and also work for the big day itself, you’re on to a winner and I think Silent Witness star Emilia Fox did just that last year. Her velvet jumpsuit was the perfect all-in-one outfit when you want to look put-together and still feel comfortable.

It was a step up from Christmas jumpers without being too much and she styled it very simply when she attended The Sick Children’s Trust’s Together at Christmas concert. She was asked to read a poem at the heart-warming event and wore a deep burgundy Aspiga jumpsuit.

Shop Velvet Jumpsuits

Shop More Jumpsuits

Red and green will always be popular festive colours, though dark red works all winter and isn’t overly seasonal. The warm undertones also make it an easy colour to pair with neutrals like tan, brown and camel, as well as with monochrome or metallic hues.

The sheen of velvet when it catches the light is gorgeous anyway, but the effect is most impressive when the colour is deep and rich like burgundy, navy or forest-green.

Emilia’s jumpsuit was wide-leg and had puffed sleeves that fell to just above the elbow, trimmed with a frill. The design itself was a perfect example of how simplicity can be unbelievably elegant and the timeless shape allowed the velvet to really shine.

Like so many of the best jumpsuits, this Aspiga piece blended style with practicality and part of the reason I love one-pieces so much is the ease of them. If you’re in a rush you don’t need to think about what goes with what: a jumpsuit is your whole outfit.

Unlike dresses, they also give you more coverage in the winter months and bring a contemporary edge to your look. Wide-leg jumpsuits can also work with almost any shoe option as the volume means they can drape over even knee-high boots, as well as ankle boots and heels.

The Silent Witness star paired her velvet jumpsuit with gold platform sandals and a few carefully selected pieces of dainty gold jewellery. Metallics are elevated neutrals as gold and silver go with everything and bring some added glamour.

To make a jumpsuit like Emilia’s more relaxed for the festive period or Christmas Day itself, I’d advise swapping out heels for ballet flats, flat boots or even slippers if you’re having people over to your home. Layer over a cardigan and add a long coat if you’re heading outside and coordinate your bag and footwear for an effortless, cohesive look.

Corduroy is another great fabric option for jumpsuits and Emilia wore a blue cord Aspiga design to the trust's 2023 carol service. It had a similar shape to her velvet one, but with longer sleeves and a crew neckline.

Both designs were beautiful or an evening of carols and readings. The Sick Children’s Trust provides Homes from Home where families with a sick child being treated in hospital can go and stay. This year’s Together at Christmas service raised more than £20,000 that will go towards helping to keep families together when it matters most.

Dark wash denim is a seasonal staple, but we shouldn’t be too hasty with packing away paler pairs of jeans. They still have a place in our cold weather wardrobe even though light washes are traditionally associated with summer. Emilia Fox doesn’t play by this fashion rule and in January she showed how stunning light jeans can be with more colourful knits.

The actor regularly provides outfit inspiration, whether as herself or as her Silent Witness character Nikki Alexander, and this outfit for an appearance on Saturday Kitchen was a riot of colour and cosiness.

Her jeans were very pale blue and ultra wide-leg, with raw hems. All of these elements combined gave them a laid-back quality and the colour was so light it was almost white, which in a way made them feel almost neutral.

Shop Light-Wash Jeans

Complete The Look

White jeans outfits can be tricky, so going for light wash denim makes things slightly easier and can often be more forgiving too. Emilia embraced how casual pale jeans naturally are by going for the loose palazzo silhouette, though you can also style wide-leg jeans like hers more smartly with the addition of a shirt or blazer.

She went down a cosy rather than tailored route and styled her jeans with a vibrant striped jumper and cherry-red Mary Jane ballet flats - both from Boden. It’s one of the best British clothing brands if you want great quality and bright designs, and Emilia’s jumper and shoes were mood-boosting pieces for a grey winter day.

You might think that the vibrancy of the colours would wash out light denim, but they actually worked so well together.

The jumper and shoes were balanced by the pale blue jeans and the red stripes in the knitwear tied in with her flats for a sense of cohesion. Of course, not everyone will want to go quite as bold as Emilia Fox did in January.

Pastel hues complement light denim gorgeously and if you’re a neutral fan, you can also style jeans like hers with warm tans, greys and khakis. The one thing I wouldn’t necessarily do is wear light jeans with a black or really dark jumper as this can be quite a stark contrast.

An important take-away from the Silent Witness star’s ensemble is how useful lighter jeans can be when you want something to go with paler or brighter colours and really make them pop.

Light-wash denim makes a refreshing change from indigo for winter and looks great with a slouchy jumper or cardigan as an everyday look. Emilia chose wide-leg jeans, though for every style out there there’ll be a pale-toned option so if you love straight-leg, barrel-leg or skinny designs then stick to what you know works for you.

This will naturally make it a bit easier if you’re trying out wearing pale blue jeans for the first time as you already know it’s a silhouette you feel comfortable and confident in. If you’re a pro pale jeans wearer already, why not have fun and experiment with a statement patterned jumper like Emilia’s for a playful twist?

Warm, deep shades like burgundy and chocolate brown always come back into fashion this time of year and feature heavily in my autumn outfit ideas. They’re not ground-breaking tones by any means, but they work so well in the colder months and Silent Witness star Emilia Fox has just thrown in another autumnal hue into the ring for consideration.

Pumpkin-orange nods to the season and is slightly brighter than other popular colours. Hearing the name alone might make this sound daunting to style, however Emilia proved this doesn’t have to be the case.

She recently posted on Instagram and shared the exciting news that she’s filming season 3 of the Acorn TV series, Signora Volpe, in Italy. In the picture she wore a Max Mara belted shirt dress.

Shop Pumpkin-Orange

Shop Pieces To Wear With Orange

The exact design is currently sold-out and was made from a luxurious cotton, silk and elastane blend. The sheen of the satin finish was subtle and yet was enough to mellow the boldness of the orange and make it look softer.

Emilia’s dress fell to midi length and was a blend of traditional and contemporary details. It featured a classic shirt collar, buttoned cuffs and a matching waist belt. However, on the front I loved the contrast of the pockets with their tan leather straps.

Regardless of the colour, a midi shirt dress is an easy staple to have in your autumn capsule wardrobe, especially for the start of the season when it’s milder. They look great with knee length boots and long coats and can be layered with knitted vests or jumpers with the collar poking out.

A dress like Emilia Fox’s would work equally well with ankle boots or loafers when it’s sunny. The colour of hers is what really drew my attention as it’s something a little different and undeniably autumnal. The actor provided a lot of inspiration for how to style it too.

Like with many of the warm-toned autumn/winter fashion colour trends, pumpkin-orange is complemented by other warm colours. To balance things out, I’d go for neutrals like tans, browns and creams which aren’t as stark as black or grey would be against orange. The tan straps on Emilia’s dress showed how effective this is.

The orange and the tan went hand-in-hand and the Signora Volpe star accessorised with a gold ring and dainty gold chain, as well as a silver watch. I personally prefer the look of the gold pieces with the orange dress as they tie in with the undertones.

Her footwear of choice for filming in Italy wasn’t visible in the Instagram post and she likely went for something comfortable and cool for the weather there. If you were recreating a similar outfit with a pumpkin-orange dress in the UK right now, I’d recommend tan or brown ankle boots or flats like loafers or ballet pumps.

To start off styling this kind of orange you don’t have to go for a dress either. A gorgeous deep orange jumper or trousers will be striking without being the dominant item in an outfit.

Given that Emilia Fox wore her Max Mara orange frock to announce that she was back filming in Italy (even going so far as to hold a clapperboard) it’s possible that this outfit will be one we see her character Sylvia Fox wear in season 3. Even if not, I’m glad she gave us a glimpse of it here!

It’s easy to fall head over heels for the new-in summer dresses and raffia accessories, but never forget basics are an essential part of any wardrobe. Without them, you wouldn’t have the staple building blocks to build outfits around, and a plain T-shirt is a must-have for me.

They work with smart tailoring and casual denim, though Emilia Fox just wore a simple black Tee with a rather stunning skirt. She attended Henley Festival as a guest of Audi, and put her classic top to good use as it balanced out her voluminous ME+EM maxi skirt.

Crafted from tulle with embroidered pink flowers running all over, this cream skirt is a showstopper, and it’s now only available in one size online. The waistband is black which blended seamlessly into her T-shirt, like they were made for each other.

Recreate Emilia's Outfit

If the Silent Witness star had opted for a white T-shirt instead, the band would have been more obvious and waist-defining. However, there would also have been quite a stark contrast between the lighter top, the rest of the skirt, and this waistband.

Her black T-shirt worked much better in my opinion to soften the final look. It had a crew-neckline and short sleeves, with a fitted silhouette that lent itself to being tucked in. Leaving a T-shirt loose and draped over a waistband is an easy way to make an ensemble more low-key, though Emilia went more polished for Henley.

The T-shirt and voluminous skirt combination came together to create a smart-casual outfit and this is why a top like this is so useful. Emilia Fox’s skirt naturally felt quite elevated thanks to its length, tulle fabric and intricate embroidery and the top balanced this.

Long skirt outfits can be tricky to put together but this is a good formula to follow in summer and you can mix up your T-shirts and choose a pattern if your skirt is plain. Another way to wear maxi skirts is with a blazer and Emilia also did this at Henley.

I suspect she was wearing the Sharp Shoulder Tux Blazer, also by ME+EM. As the weather has been so warm, she didn’t need to wear it all the time and held it draped over her shoulder for some photographs.The lapels were satin and it was single-breasted and longline.

If you want to wear a blazer with a high-waisted skirt or trousers I would suggest going for a jacket that’s either long like hers, or intentionally cropped. This way it will either hit below the waistband or line up with it.

Something in the middle can sometimes cut off your silhouette and feel quite traditional instead of contemporary. Emilia Fox’s blazer brought structure to her look and she accessorised with a dainty chain necklace and sparkly hoop earrings.

It showed how to wear a basic T-shirt in a more elevated way and in June she also styled another blazer and maxi skirt together. The actor appeared on Good Morning Britain and this time she went for a shirt with a striped ME+EM skirt and orange Holland Cooper blazer.

I think a white T-shirt would have been great with these pieces and when the weather is really hot, you can swap Tees for neutral vest tops.

Deciding what to wear in the heat that makes you still feel put-together can be a challenge and I find that footwear can be my downfall. I love dainty sandals, but if I’m doing a lot of walking or am going to be out for longer I want more support.

If you’ve ever worried that white trainers just aren’t the right pairing for flowing, delicate dresses, then Emilia Fox’s latest look should reassure you. The Silent Witness star recently paid a visit to Giffords Circus to watch the Laguna Bay performance and wore a breezy floral co-ord with chunky trainers.

They had a platform sole that added extra elevation in a much more manageable way than stiletto heels. Although we only got a glimpse of them underneath her maxi skirt in a photo shared on Instagram, I suspect that Emilia was wearing Converse.

Shop Emilia Fox's Outfit

Shop Alternatives

The black line detailing running around the front and sides of the shoe is a classic Converse touch. If they were by this brand, they were likely the All Star Lift Hi in white, which has a platform sole and sporty high-rise style.

The outsole on this design is made from vulcanised rubber and the upper is canvas. Chunkier or platform trainers might not sound as easy to style as streamlined, plimsoll-esque ones, though they are just as versatile, especially if you choose a neutral tone like white.

They also feel a bit more contemporary and fashion-forward, whilst essentially still being just white trainers. You can wear them with exactly the same outfits you would pair with sleeker trainers and this includes whimsical, very feminine pieces like Emilia Fox’s co-ord (and many of her other seasonal favourites).

It might look like a dress at first glance but the actor stepped out in a matching set by Pink City Prints. The square-neck blouse and maxi skirt are both hand block-printed and are made from breathable cotton and trimmed with cotton lace.

The pattern is intricate and the neutral base colour means that the pink, coral and red flowers and green leaves stand out with their brightness. If you haven’t discovered the best wedding guest dress of the season for you, then a co-ord like this is a fabulous option.

Emilia wore the top tucked into the tiered skirt to create a smooth silhouette and you would never have known it wasn’t a one-piece. The outfit worked so well with her white chunky trainers, despite them being very different styles.

Part of the reason I think this is so successful is because the contrast between the sporty trainers and florals is noticeable and feels very intentional. This is important when you’re putting together an ensemble like hers.

If you opt for plimsolls, it could almost look like an attempt to match the elegance of the outfit without it being the same style. Chunky trainers embrace the difference instead and they’re a brilliant alternative to sandals.

You can also, of course, get a lot of wear out of them with linen trousers and jeans as well as more flowy pieces. Emilia Fox finished off her look for her time at Giffords Circus with white sunglasses and layered necklaces. It was summer comfort in an outfit and is one that I’d love to see her bring out again before the season is over.

Like so many people, I’ve got more into tailoring in recent years. Perhaps it’s seeing the Princess of Wales shift her style towards gorgeous bright suits that’s inspired me, but whatever the reason, a blazer and trousers always make me feel polished.

There are times when I want to create more of a smart-casual outfit, though, and Emilia Fox has just demonstrated why you should reach for a T-shirt to help with this. The Silent Witness star wore a fabulous rose-pink co-ord to CrimeCon UK London, where she presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor David Wilson.

The pair teamed up for In The Footsteps of Killers, which airs on Channel 4, and I’ve also seen them on the BBC’s 2019 documentary, Jack the Ripper - The Case Reopened. Her outfit for the London event was bright and summery, and I love the way she made her suit more relaxed by wearing it with a graphic T-shirt.

Recreate Emilia's Outfit

The T-shirt looks to be from one of the best British clothing brands (and one which Emilia often gravitates towards), Wyse London. Unfortunately, it’s old season, but graphic T-shirts will never go out of fashion and so you can always find an array of them with different prints.

Emilia’s top had ‘Amore’ written on it, as well as four horizontal stripes across the white background. The emerald green, pastel blue and sunny yellow were striking and the pink stripe perfectly matched her tailored pieces.

This helped to bring the whole outfit together and if you want to wear a blazer and trousers with a graphic or printed T-shirt I would recommend picking a design that has either the same colour or a complementary one in it. Alternatively, just go for a plain white, grey or black T-shirt and you know that it’ll work with any suit.

Either way, the casualness of a T-shirt works so well with the structure of tailored co-ords and makes the overall outfit cooler and fashion-forward. A graphic T-shirt is more of a contrast and accentuates the contemporary feel and choosing a vibrant suit colour like hers instantly makes it less corporate and more fun too.

The Silent Witness star’s suit featured a single-breasted pink blazer with a notched lapel collar and straight leg trousers. She left the jacket unbuttoned to add to the off-duty theme and this also meant more of her T-shirt was visible.

The trousers were cropped which also made them feel less business-like and this length showed off her powder blue court heels. If I were putting together an outfit like hers, I would probably swap these for my white trainers which are comfortable for wearing all day long.

As Emilia was at an event and presenting David Wilson with an award, it makes sense that she went dressier with her shoes. She appeared on stage with him during CrimeCon and posted afterwards about the occasion, explaining that she’d also learnt a lot about Inside Justice UK - a charity dedicated to investigating miscarriages of justice.

Emilia Fox is "already looking forward" to the next CrimeCon and I’m looking forward to seeing her and David in season 3 of In The Footsteps of Killers which landed on 10th June, as well as hoping for another sighting of this chic outfit.

It's not uncommon to feel as though you've run out of ways to style your strands, even more so when you're looking for a hairstyle that offers maximum impact with minimal effort.

That's why you'll find us turning to red carpets to serve up a lineup of 2025 hair trends and styling inspiration. Thankfully, Emilia Fox's BAFTAs hairdo did exactly the trick, pairing the popular laser-cut bob trend of late last year with soft, barely-there waves - the epitome of spring hair styling.

Whether you're looking for new ways to style your short strands or want to adapt the look to lengthier cuts, this beachy style is not only easy and quick to achieve, but also gives the effect of having spent time in a salon chair. We're taking notes.

Why Emilia Fox's curled bob is all the short hair inspiration we need

Stepping out on London's sunny Southbank on May 11th 2025, Emilia Fox embodied springtime as she took to the BAFTAs red carpet sporting a peach-hued floral gown and a coordinating lipstick to match. While we certainly took notes of the actress's ensemble, it was her chic hair styling that really caught our eye.

The look in question saw the actress' ultra-short, chin-grazing blonde locks styled with a soft beachy wave that delicately framed Fox's face. Not to mention, the strands were full of body and bounce, which gave the hairdo a fuller appearance.

Artist in residence at Billi Currie and International Creative Colour Director at evo Hair, Tom Smith predicted barely-there waves to be one of the biggest hair trends of the upcoming season, whether to elevate a bob or tailored to suit longer hairstyles. Plus, Emilia isn't the only A-lister to adopt this trend for spring; we've also seen the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker sport the 'undone' hairstyle in recent weeks.

Emilia Fox's curled bob styling staples

Want to get in on the action and replicate Emilia Fox's chic bob? We've rounded up three essentials to add to your hairstyling collection and achieve the effortless look.

Whether you’re wondering what to wear to the races, to garden parties or frantically searching for the best wedding guest dresses, floral options work for so many of these events. There’s something so feminine and classic about a flower pattern and yet they can be so striking too.

Emilia Fox proved this beyond doubt at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards when she wore a gorgeous Queens of Archive Delilah floral maxi. The actor hasn’t been spotted out in public for several months and she chose the perfect outfit for her red carpet appearance.

This dress had a creamy-white base colour and was covered all over with a motif of red peonies.

Shop Emilia Fox's Floral Dress

Shop More Floral Occasionwear

I often see floral dresses in soft, pastel shades but if Emilia Fox’s red blouse in Silent Witness has taught me anything it’s that she loves a pop of colour with her flower prints, especially red. I must admit, after seeing her BAFTAs look I might have been converted to colourful florals myself.

The red peonies weren’t too much but they definitely brightened up this maxi dress and made it feel very summery and fun. The green sleeves mellowed the scarlet slightly and the textured jacquard fabric was wonderfully elegant.

The neckline was a 40s-inspired V-shape and the puffed shoulders brought some subtle structure. Whilst I really love this silhouette, the main pull of a floral dress is the print, so it’s important to choose a shape that works for you and your style.

"Florals are such a timeless choice for occasionwear and we love the bold bloom print on Emilia's dress," says woman&home Digital Fashion Editor Rivkie Baum. "A style that will never date, floral dresses make for an excellent investment as they can be worn time and time again."

Her advice is to go for "midi-length designs and tea dress silhouettes to get the most cost-per-wear out of your chosen design, as these can be worn for all kinds of formal occasions".

If you’ve ever steered clear of botanical prints because you’re not sure what to wear with them, Rivkie has an easy suggestion that can be applied to any floral outfit.

"Use the print as the colour palette for your outfit, selecting shoes, bag and a hat in one of the colours from the floral design to really pull your ensemble together," she explains.

Alternatively, metallics work with most shades. Emilia Fox went for a pair of platform Wyse London Bella sandals in gold.

These had a chunky heel and a secure ankle strap, with additional straps over the front of the foot. The cushioned sole is also a handy addition when you’re wearing heels as high as these.

The actor completed her ensemble with an iconic Lulu Guinness Lips Clutch bag in a neutral white tone. Even at smarter occasions like a wedding or garden party, you can inject some personality into a formal outfit with your bags and shoes.

The Lulu Guinness bags are so fun, but any slightly more unique design can bring a playful edge to a floral dress look. Just keep to more pared-back colours if you’re going for something a bit more out-there, to ensure it’s still very wearable.