It's still summer dress weather and Duchess Sophie’s patterned maxi is a day-to-evening staple paired with woven accessories
She wore this to the Royal Welsh Show and it's an elegant and versatile outfit for cooler temperatures
The scorching hot temperatures have passed but it's still sunny and warm enough for us to enjoy our summer dresses for a while longer. They're just so easy to throw on and they're one of the simplest items to take from day to night, depending on the style.
Duchess Sophie has just added a new design to her collection that is the epitome of all-day styling and she debuted it at this year's Royal Welsh Show. She attended as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) and the show shared snaps from her visit, giving us a glimpse at her Lexy London Gudrun dress.
The Duchess of Edinburgh recently wore a pink floral number from this British clothing brand but the Gudrun dress in the 'helibore' print has a bold green print with flashes of burnt orange, white and brown.
Shop Sophie's Outfit
Designed with all-over ditsy florals, this green midi dress has a boat neckline, and short puffed sleeves. The panelled waist adds extra definition and the relaxed skirt has tiers to give it a beautiful amount of volume. The contrasting white lace trims are a delicate finishing touch.
Duchess Sophie has owned these sand-toned espadrilles for years now and it's no surprise that they're almost sold out. They go with pretty much every other colour thanks to the neutral suede uppers and they have a jute sole. The wedge gives a small amount of elevation and there's a secure ankle strap.
Raffia bags add an instant summery feel to an outfit and Sophie's luxurious Strathberry design is big enough for your essentials and still dainty enough to wear crossbody. This design comes in a huge array of other colours too and you can remove the longer strap to carry it by the top handle.
Made from lightweight cotton fabric, this relaxed-fit dress is a breezy piece for summer. It's got a subtle notch neck and is sleeveless, with a drawstring waist for comfort. The olive green botanical print brings a pop of colour and this would look amazing with all-white accessories.
Espadrilles are such a gorgeous alternative to stilettos for the season and these ones have the classic jute wedge sole. They lace up your legs with ribbons and the neutral textile uppers have woven floral details on them.
This affordable bag can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder thanks to the long, adjustable strap. It's made with raffia-effect panels and faux leather, and there's a secure magnetic closure and gold-toned hardware. Throw on for everything from running errands to summer date nights.
It's a colourway that will work into autumn and the neutral tones help to balance out the bright jade green. Like many of Sophie's favourite frocks, it's maxi length and has a flowing skirt and loosely fitted bodice.
Short puffed sleeves are a feminine touch and there's a waist belt for definition. Dresses with belts are so handy as it gives you flexibility.
Not many people want to wear close-fitting clothing in the heat but cinching in the waist is great when it's cooler or to create a more polished feel for the evening. Incorporating more structure into an outfit is a clever way to elevate it and the Duchess also did this with her accessories.
Because the dress was quite busy already with the paisley floral pattern, Sophie went for her favourite sand suede espadrilles from Penelope Chilvers rather than trying to coordinate her footwear.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh wears Penelope Chilvers espadrilles during the press day of the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Wedges are a comfier alternative to stilettos for the summer as they offer more stability and these ones fasten around the ankle with a strap. The Duchess of Edinburgh's exact espadrilles are almost sold out, though she's owned these for years and I wouldn't be surprised if the style gets brought back again.
Tan or beige shoes are more warm-toned than white and equally wearable, so they're a good option for pairing with statement outfits. Sophie also carried the Mosaic Nano bag by Strathberry in raffia and tan leather.
The raffia complemented the jute sole of her wedges and she wore it slung over her shoulder, leaving her hands-free as she walked around the Royal Welsh Show meeting exhibitors, staff, members and volunteers.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, carrying a blazer and wearing a dress and wedges, visits the Groundswell Agricultural Festival Show on June 27, 2024
The King's sister-in-law is a vocal supporter of farming, food production and rural communities and recently penned an essay where she said she thought the country's agricultural shows "should be described as 'The Greatest Shows on Earth.'"
Duchess Sophie attended Day 2 of the four-day Royal Welsh Show and although the weather was dry she wore a beige wool-blend blazer for some of her visit. Adding a smart, tailored jacket is another way to turn a day dress into an evening outfit and I would probably remove the longer strap on her bag and carry it by the top handle.
Wedges are a good smart-casual item, but you could swap them for heeled yet comfortable sandals or court shoes to bring some more night-time glamour to your summer dresses.
