There are certain colours that always surge in popularity in summer and others that can feel too dark or too muted. However, I love wearing black all year round and all it takes is some careful consideration to incorporate this deep tone into seasonal outfits.
Queen Letizia of Spain nailed this with her outfit for a meeting of the Princess of Girona Foundation's youth advisory board on 15th July. She knows what to wear in the heat and reached for her white Hugo Boss midi dress and a pair of lace-up espadrilles.
This midi frock has been in her collection for a while and it has short floaty sleeves and an abstract black floral design that breaks up the solid white. The pattern almost looks like a drawing and although a lot of people will have bold florals in their summer capsule wardrobe, something subtler like this is a versatile alternative.
Recreate Queen Letizia's Look
This wrap dress is a beautiful, affordable option if you're tempted to recreate Queen Letizia's summer look. It falls to midi-length and the twist detail at the front adds an extra dimension. The design is finished with a round neckline and an abstract floral print.
Linen is a breathable material to wear when it's hot and this dress is also sleeveless. There are practical pockets in the skirt and the fit-and-flare shape accentuates the waist. Technically this isn't monochrome as the print is navy and white, but the blue is so dark I think you could get away with black accessories with this too.
Not everyone is a fan of sleeveless or short sleeved dresses and this striking midi has long elegant sleeves instead. It still has a black and white floral motif like Letizia's frock and also features a collared neckline and contrast trim. The waist-defining belt creates a flattering silhouette.
Featuring a mid-height wedge, these espadrilles give a similar look to Queen Letizia's and lace gracefully up the leg with ribbons. The rope covered heel adds a summery edge to any outfit and these shoes come in a few other colours too.
Available in two other colours as well, this woven shoulder bag is an easy throw-on accessory that can fit so much inside. It's got a slouchy shape, with a sleek shoulder strap and the magnetic press-stud fastening keeps your belongings secure.
The Princess of Wales owns pieces by British brand, Brora, and these gorgeous espadrilles are currently on sale. They're made by a team of specialists in Spain and have a crochet-style cotton-blend front with a chic rope-effect sole.
Black and white feel minimal and chic - plus they're incredibly easy to style. You can accessorise a monochrome floral dress like Letizia's with any shades you like, though she stuck to the same colour palette.
Although it's been speculated that her Espadrilles Picón wedges are navy, I think they look more like black and that makes more sense as it would coordinate with everything else. The Queen wore the Letizia espadrilles and they had the classic neutral jute sole and black uppers and ribbons.
If you feel more secure with a strap, you could swap out lace-up wedges for Mary Jane ones and they'd still be stunning. Given that Her Majesty's frock was so pared-back, her lace-up espadrilles were a great choice and added some extra structure to her ensemble.
The combination of a midi-length summer dress and wedges isn't ground-breaking but it is timeless and simple to recreate. Sticking to monochrome tones also made Letizia's style more striking and sophisticated than a vibrant pairing might have been.
The contrast draws the eye and yet the overall look isn't over-complicated or busy. She finished her outfit off with a black woven leather handbag by Massimo Dutti and carried it by the top handle strap. Even her white floral earrings matched.
The Queen of Spain really stood out next to her husband King Felipe and their daughters Leonor and Sofia at the meeting, as they all wore a pop of bright colour. The night before at the Princess of Girona Awards 2026, Letizia wore all-black and earlier in July she also wore a head-to-toe black look for the ABC Journalism Awards.
Both of these outfits were beautiful too, though the mix of white and black in her other outfit helped to brighten things up and naturally felt more summery. Silhouettes and materials are key when you're styling dark colours for the season.
Queen Letizia's midi dress had a loose fit-and-flare shape and espadrilles are strongly associated with warmer months as they're impractical to wear in the rain and cold. The jute soles also add a beachy edge, making this pairing the perfect way to wear black and white right now.
