The sunshine is making it feel like we’ve bypassed spring and gone straight to summer and that means getting to enjoy a style switch-up. The Duchess of Edinburgh has a noticeable fashion formula for warm weather and her most-worn shoes are espadrilles.
Paired with a midi dress and you’ve got yourself an incredibly comfortable yet chic look - and Sophie’s striped frock and tie-up wedges are the epitome of this. She wore them to the Groundswell Regenerative Agricultural Festival at Lannock Farm last July and with a look this timeless, it would be a shock if she didn’t bring them back in 2026.
Shop Espadrilles Like Sophie's
If you love the look of tie-up espadrilles but want the security of an ankle strap, then these elegant shoes are a gorgeous option. They're made from suede in a tan tone that will go with everything and have a hand-stitched jute sole.
You can also get these wedges in chocolate brown and metallic gold, though the natural colour is perhaps the most versatile of all. The woven detailing on the toe echoes the texture of the sole and they lace up elegantly above your ankle.
Not everyone wants to splash out on a pair of summer shoes given the unpredictable weather, so these affordable espadrilles are worth checking out. They come in a range of different colours and have memory foam insoles and a lower wedge heel.
Shop Striped Dresses
The easy breezy shirt dress falls to midi-length and has a loose fit, with a collar and concealed buttons down the front. The belt can be detached if you prefer, though it adds a lovely amount of shaping to the waist. It's made from a cotton and linen weave.
Currently on sale, this maxi dress is perfect for sunny weather and can also be layered over with a cardigan, trench or suede jacket. It's got a fit-and-flare shape, practical side-seam pockets and a lined bodice. The skirt has tiers and the belt is detachable.
This striped shirt dress is new-in at Hobbs for the season and comes in regular and petite versions. It's crafted from breathable cotton and has a concealed button placket to give it an elevated look. The side pockets are handy and the sleeves 3/4 length.
Like so many of her outfits, this one championed several of the best British clothing brands and Duchess Sophie’s wedges were by a royal favourite - Penelope Chilvers. They had the classic jute sole, a manageable heel for the daytime and a leather toe.
Whilst some espadrilles fasten with buckled straps, these ones were secured with laces around the leg. Tie-up wedges feel especially elegant and leg-elongating as they draw the eye upwards. However, Mary Jane styles give you added security and Sophie also owns plenty of these. Whatever you choose, the key factor to consider is the colour.
All of the Duchess’s espadrilles are very neutral - including this taupe pair. You already have the woven sole on wedges, so going for a plain white, cream, tan or black design keeps things easy to style. They can then be paired with any of the spring/summer fashion colour trends without concerns about clashing.
The King’s sister-in-law loves fun floral dresses but for the festival she went a little more understated with a Suzannah London white striped shirt dress. The blue pattern was delicate on the white background and the rest of the frock was simple, with a collared neckline, long sleeves and a tie-belt detail at the waist.
You can’t really go wrong with a breathable cotton or linen dress in the warmer months and midi styles complement the elegance of espadrille wedges too. Going for something with slightly longer sleeves means you can adjust the look to suit the weather.
On a cooler day, leave them as they are and layer over a cardigan or light jacket like a trench coat. Duchess Sophie didn’t need anything over her dress last July and this gave us all a great glimpse of it. Stripes are equally as ageless as florals but somehow don’t feel quite as dressy which is perfect if you wanted to recreate the royal’s combination for a BBQ or a coffee with friends.
Black and white or blue and white pieces are especially popular, though you could go bolder with your colour palette if you’ve got some neutral wedges to pair with it. The Duchess of Edinburgh added a pop of electric blue with her Sophie Habsburg shoulder bag and went for plain gold jewellery and brown sunglasses.
This ensemble was sufficiently stylish for an engagement, as Sophie was there in her role as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, and could still be worn to so many other occasions. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for a reappearance of her wedges and midi dress over the next few months.
