Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress and gold earrings were an unexpected combination but it makes for the perfect destination wedding guest outfit.
Whilst it makes total sense that your summer capsule wardrobe will be filled with neutral tones and timeless silhouettes, sometimes an occasion calls for something a little bolder or more unique. Destination weddings are a prime example of this as we find ourselves wanting something floaty and elegant, yet bright and fun at the same time. Evenings out in hot weather can present the same predicament, but Duchess Sophie has just showcased a very different style of dress that would work perfectly. She and Prince Edward attended a special performance of Starlight Express on 7th August in support of The Orpheus Centre Trust.
This vital charity is devoted to inspiring and empowering young disabled students to live independent and fulfilling lives and focuses on doing so through performing arts. The Duke of Edinburgh is their Royal Patron and for this special evening, Duchess Sophie went for a stunning amber-gold kaftan Gelato dress by Matelier.
Shop Floaty Dresses
This kaftan dress is casual and easy to wear in hot weather, whether you're at home or abroad. It has a band collar and V-notch neckline, as well as elbow-length sleeves and a split hem. The animal print makes an impact but is still neutral-toned which makes it work with so many other shades.
The shirred panel across the front makes this dress so comfy and non-restrictive and it comes in regular and petite versions. The wide sleeves and flowy skirt are breezy for hot days and all you need is a pair of flat sandals or trainers to finish off your look.
If you've been looking for a dress with an elegant drape to it then the search is over thanks to this. The round neck and long, cape-style sleeves are gorgeous and the front gathering and back vent give this bold piece even more structure and shape.
Shop Gold Earrings Like Duchess Sophie's
These bold gold earrings are affordable and would make a beautiful addition to your accessory collection. They have a stud fastening and the drop has a molten texture reminiscent of an ammonite shell. They're so easy to wear and would look great with both bright colours and a monochrome outfit.
If you want a pair of statement gold earrings where the design does all the talking then these could be them. They have a unique, organic leaf-like design and are lightweight and gold-plated. Take with you for your next holiday and enjoy wearing them for evenings out and special events at home too.
These golden stud earrings have tiered semi-circle design and a textured finish that makes them not only beautiful, but also rather statement. Style them just like Duchess Sophie did with her triangular ones, with a kaftan dress, or else use them to dress up a more casual day-to-day outfit.
Especially if you’re heading abroad for a wedding, this would make one of the best wedding guest dresses, with its flowy silhouette and spectacular sleeves. Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress is made from viscose and has long, butterfly sleeves that give this piece so much movement. The last thing we want when we’re dressing for hot weather is closely fitted sleeves and these are breezy and beautiful.
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s dress has a modest high neck and a low, scooped back, but the brand has stated that it can be worn back-to-front to create a very different look. We completely agree with Duchess Sophie that the higher neckline was the perfect, modest choice for such an important evening event, though.
The senior royal loves bold colours and her kaftan dress was a blend of white and an amber-yellow colour, with an abstract pattern running all over it. This was a far cry from the kind of prints we usually see Duchess Sophie wear, as she and her fellow royals tend to favour florals and animal prints like leopard or snake print.
"This is a really refreshing style switch-up for Sophie. I love the loose silhouette and floaty sleeves of this floor-skimming dress, which makes it ideal for a hot weather wedding," says Woman&Home Digital Fashion Editor, Caroline Parr. "The amber colour works really well on her, and bravo for not playing it too safe by adding a bold blue bag and statement earrings. I always love being introduced to a brand I've not heard of too!"
The Duchess of Edinburgh continued to keep things a little more unusual when it came to her jewellery too. She loves a classic pearl earring or gold hoop, but for this performance of Starlight Express she opted for some pointed gold drop earrings. They consisted of two gold triangles attached at the point and this gave them an almost dagger-like shape that brought a sense of structure to her otherwise very floaty look.
Although they have a statement shape, they would easily work with so many other evening-out looks, or even with a more casual outfit like your favourite blue jeans and a white T-shirt. Duchess Sophie mixed her metals with her bag, though, as she carried a silver and deep blue top handle bag (also by Matelier). The jewel tone was a lovely splash of colour and she finished off her outfit with Jimmy Choo gold metallic espadrille wedges.
The senior royal took a big step outside her fashion comfort zone for this evening and it definitely paid off. Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress and statement accessories was a combination we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
-
Sarah Jessica Parker just gave her skinny jeans a surprising spring update and the result has us reaching for this outfit combinationSarah Jessica Parker shows us how to update jeans to wear them throughout spring with one simple styling trick
-
My confidence 'soared' after I tried the 3-2-1 workout method - here's how it revolutionised my routineFor the past two weeks, I have been doing the 3-2-1 workout method to boost my fitness, flexibility, and strength
-
Princess Eugenie gives knitwear a spring makeover with short sleeved jumper and satin skirt at poignant London visitPrincess Eugenie isn’t a working member of the Royal Family, but she’s a dedicated Patron of several vital charities and organisations.
-
Bye skinny jeans, hello palazzo trousers - Meghan Markle nails New York spring style with her ultra-wide leg lookJeans will never fully be replaced in my wardrobe but I’ve been finding myself drawn to wearing trousers more and more recently.
-
Kate Middleton is that you? Her floral dress, side-swept fringe and pink blazer deserve a comebackThe building blocks for the Princess’ signature style were always there in her looks and this outfit can easily be updated for 2025.
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time againThe Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfitThe Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
-
Forget-me-not blue is the pastel Duchess Sophie always comes back to - it might've overtaken pistachio as our favourite this seasonThe royals love wearing a range of colours for engagements and visits, but there are a few hues that each of them gravitate towards the most.
-
Royal style made casual - Zara Tindall's one-shoulder dress, denim jacket and Aspinal bag are the epitome of chic summer comfortZara Tindall's outfit in Bahrain was a more relaxed take on her signature style and was made up of timeless staples.
