Duchess Sophie's berry midi dress is a summery twist on a huge autumn trend - this colour is stunning and surprisingly easy to style
It's not autumn quite yet, but adding deeper tones into our late summer outfits can be so striking - and simple to do
We can already see autumn tones beginning to creep into the new-in sections of our favourite brands and one colour that's easy to start styling now is purple. Deep aubergine and royal purple shades are set to be huge next season and one of the Duchess of Edinburgh's favourite summer dresses falls somewhere between the two.
Sophie was first seen wearing it at a joint engagement with Prince William in 2023 and it's by British clothing brand, Erdem. The Roisin dress is midi-length and the ruffles on the shoulders provide a hint of coverage rather than it being totally sleeveless.
It has a pleated skirt and the intricate floral print is a pale pink that stands out against the bold purple. Although this colour could be considered more autumnal, Duchess Sophie's dress had a silhouette that's perfect for wearing in the heat.
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Ballet pumps can be worn right into autumn and these affordable ones from M&S are gorgeously refined. They have a square toe, bow detail and are made from soft suede. You can also get them in dark grey, but the deep berry tone is particularly stunning.
Crafted from a viscose blend, this vibrant dress falls to an elegant midi length and has billowing long sleeves. The animal print adds tonal interest without being overly bold and the waist is gently fitted. Throw on a leather jacket or blazer on cooler days or pair with black sandals in the summer heat.
Sometimes the simplest items can be the most useful and this shirt is classic enough to work with so many pieces, from jeans to skirts and trousers. The sheen of the satin gives it a luxurious feel and it's got a neat collared neckline. You can layer a knitted vest or jumper over the top when autumn arrives.
This floral midaxi dress has fluttery angel sleeves and ruffles on the skirt, making it a flowy and feminine choice for summer events. Style with wedges or heeled sandals to elevate it even more, or dress it down with flats and a denim jacket.
The flowing, wide-leg silhouette of these trousers makes them a great option for warmer weather as well as colder days. They are available in three different lengths and are high-waisted, with a side tab detail so you can adjust the fit. The pockets are a practical addition.
Throw on this skirt with a white tank or Tee and your favourite sandals and you're good to go in this heatwave. The ditsy floral pattern introduces subtle pops of colour that brighten the deep purple hue. It's got an elasticated waist and there are plenty of other designs to choose from.
Mixing deeper colours with lightweight fabrics and breezy shapes is a subtle way to mix up your outfits as we edge towards the new season.
"Plum and red-mahogany hues are set to be some of autumn/winter's biggest fashion colour trends for 2026," says woman&home's Digital Fashion Editor Rivkie Baum. "This dark neutral adds a gothic romance that works beautifully against elegant tones of coffee, cream, tan and grey, as well as grounding vibrant pops of pink and olive."
She explains that it's "flattering for all skin tones" and advises, "If you're nervous about injecting it into your wardrobe, a leather handbag in a reddish-brown offers as much longevity as black but is less severe, adding personality and trend-worthiness."
For the private screening of Rhino Man with Prince William, Sophie went for light beige heels and carried a purple wrap and clutch bag to tie in with the dress.
A year later she re-wore her frock to the Paris Olympics and went for white wedges instead. If you're not a fan of wedges or stiletto heels, a pair of comfortable sandals would work just as well with a frock like this and then when the weather gets colder you can switch to ankle boots or knee-highs instead.
A dress is always going to be more of a statement way to wear a colour trend because it's the main outfit element. You can make things more low-key by starting to style purple in late summer with flowy trousers, skirts or tops instead.
Long yet floaty sleeves can make a design particularly versatile, as you can layer over or underneath them more easily when the weather gets colder too. Plum-toned accessories are also lovely with timeless, neutral outfits and can be worn throughout autumn/winter.
The Duchess of Edinburgh loves going all-out with bold shades so it's no wonder she carried a coordinating wrap and bag in 2023. The clutch was slightly darker and mixing different deep purples can add instant dimension and cohesion to a look.
Both times we've seen Sophie step out in this dress have been in the height of summer, so she's really showcased how fabulous plum and berry shades can be this time of year. They're something a little different to pastels or brights like tomato red, and within this autumn trend there's a lot of variation so you can find a purple that suits you and your style.
