Carole Middleton stuns in sophisticated floral maxi dress at Wimbledon - and brings back block heel sandals as a comfy finishing touch
The Princess of Wales's mother was back watching the tennis on Day 9 and her style formula was timeless and breezy
Carole Middleton's elegant style is made for summer weather and she stepped out in a stunning and simple combination on her second visit to Wimbledon so far this year. After going for a Kate-inspired cobalt blazer and white dress the day before, Carole went for a £275 floral dress with a sunhat, raffia bag and block sandals on 7th July.
The dress was another chic piece from British clothing brand ME+EM and had the perfect silhouette to wear in the heat. The bodice was gently fitted to accentuate the waist and the skirt flared out slightly for a breezy feel.
The puffed shape of the sleeves meant they weren't tight to the top of the arms. Whether you prefer some more coverage in the sun or just don't love baring too much skin, short sleeves like this are an ideal option.
Shop Carole's Wimbledon Outfit
Crafted from a breathable linen blend material, Carole's bias-cut dress falls to an elegant maxi length. It's got short balloon sleeves with half-shirred cuffs and the zip neckline means you can adjust it to suit you. The Princess of Wales's mother wore it done up completely, creating a modest rounded shape.
When she finds a handbag she loves, Carole clearly invests in more than one colour. A day after sporting the tan leather Le Roseau bag at Wimbledon she carried the raffia version. This is such a summery, luxurious accessory and comes with a removeable and adjustable long strap as well as the top handle.
The Dune Medina sandals also come in metallic gold and they are currently included in the summer sale. The blush ones remind me of Carole's shoes and they're made from suede with an adjustable ankle strap and buckle fastening. The block heel is mid-height and sturdy.
This affordable floral dress has a flowy skirt with a subtle frill and feminine puffed sleeves. The V-neckline frames the decolletage and delicate lace trims add extra texture. Pair with your favourite heels, wedges or flats and you can easily dress it up or down for different occasions.
A woven or raffia bag always brings a seasonal edge to an outfit and this one is even more affordable in the sale. It also comes in a dark brown version and has a top handle strap as well as a long one you can remove. The gold-toned faux padlock detail elevates this design beautifully.
Made from 100% leather, these heels are a stunning neutral pink-beige tone that will go with so many different colours. They featuring a square toe for a modern touch, as well as a block heel and ankle straps for comfort and support. Throw on for a summer wedding or special outing.
Carole chose to zip up her frock to the top, creating a rounded neckline though the design means you can adjust it to suit you and it looks just as lovely a little undone in a V-neck style. You can't go wrong with white summer dresses and this one was covered in a gorgeous blue and green botanical pattern that made it stand out.
The white background meant it was still very understated and easy to style, though the pops of colour brightened things up. For a sophisticated take on florals, I'd advise copying Carole Middleton's approach at Wimbledon.
She tends to steer away from ditsy florals with a lot of different tones and stark contrasts. Instead, the Princess of Wales's mother goes for these more illustration-esque designs that only feature a few select colours and often have a neutral base.
She's also clever with her fabrics and after wearing a cotton dress on Day 8 of Wimbledon, this one was a linen and viscose blend with a crease-resistant finish. No-one wants to be ironing in this heat and linen has a tendency to crease badly, so a blended fabric can help to minimise this.
Carole brought practical yet chic accessories to watch the tennis too. She was pictured arriving at the All England Lawn Tennis & Crochet club with her husband Michael carrying a wide-brimmed sunhat with a neutral band.
During the match she popped this on and it complemented her raffia Longchamp Le Roseau bag too. The future Queen's mum clearly loves this style as she's already worn the tan leather version to Wimbledon.
She removed the long adjustable strap and carried it by the top handle instead which tends to look more formal than wearing bags crossbody.
Her shoes were an old favourite pair from Russell & Bromley and if you're looking to add some heeled sandals to your summer capsule wardrobe then block heels with ankle straps like this offer extra sturdiness. Carole's sandals were a soft blush pink colour and she completed the ensemble with Longchamp sunglasses.
These shades were the same ones she wore the day before when she watched the tennis with her younger daughter Pippa. Two trips in two days isn't unusual for Carole, who is just as much of a fan of the sport as the Princess of Wales, who's Patron of the club.
