Labor Day is nearly a month away, and here on the East Coast it doesn’t feel like we’ll be getting a break from the hot and humid weather anytime soon. Dressing for the office (or quite frankly, anywhere) these days can be a challenge, but there’s one member of the Royal Family I look to when it comes to effortless summer style—and it’s not Princess Kate.
Duchess Sophie might not have started out as the most stylish royal when she married Prince Edward in 1999, but over the past decade, she’s steadily become one of the best-dressed members of the Royal Family. I’ve been introduced to brands like Aspiga, Sophie Habsburg and Lexy London because of the Duchess of Edinburgh, and her easy, breezy summer style formula has never failed me once.
Her uniform for hot days? A printed midi or maxi dress and comfortable espadrille wedges.
Duchess Sophie has worn the combination to everything from official visits abroad to a recording session for BBC Radio’s “The Archers” this summer. The royal is partial to British heritage brand Penelope Chilvers, but she’s also worn espadrilles from labels like Jimmy Choo and TOMS in recent months.
I stopped by one of Penelope Chilvers's London boutiques when I was in town for Trooping the Colour this June, and of course, I had to pick up the same tan suede pair of low wedges frequently worn by the duchess.
There's something about an espadrille that just screams summer, and for me, wedges are so much more comfortable—and dare I say more stable—than the kitten-heeled flip flops everyone is wearing at the moment.
Another tip I took from the Duchess of Edinburgh is wearing organic cotton dresses by sustainably-focused brand Aspiga, and the label's super-soft styles have quickly become a favorite. I wore a patriotic white dress with a blue and red pattern to Trooping the Colour this year and it kept me cool in the sun while bringing in lots of compliments—and as a bonus, it has pockets. What more could you want in an outfit?
Shop like Duchess Sophie
