Victoria Starmer just proved why a comfy yet glamorous white dress is an absolute must-have this time of year

Victoria Starmer traveled to the US wearing a stunning white dress and showed why we should all have this staple item in our wardrobes

Composite of two pictures of Victoria Starmer, wearing a white dress, standing beside Sir Keir Starmer as they disembark a plane after arriving in the US
(Image credit: Image 1:Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images // Image 2:Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Victoria Starmer has just proved why a comfortable yet glamorous white dress is an absolute must-have this time of year.

Summer is a social season filled with exciting occasions and events and when we’re trying to choose the best wedding guest dresses or beach wear for long-awaited holidays we can often be drawn to bold patterns and vivid colours. For day-to-day, though, there’s something to be said for keeping things simple and versatile and it doesn’t come much more classic than a white dress. It might sound like a bit of a boring option but a white dress should never be overlooked and the Prime Minister’s wife is clearly a big fan. Victoria, Lady Starmer chose a chic white dress as her travel outfit when she accompanied Sir Keir Starmer to the US for a NATO summit.

She boarded the flight at Stansted Airport and disembarked at Joint Base Andrews wearing a gorgeous midi dress with a scalloped V-neckline. It appears to be the £450 Lace Knit Gown from Needle & Thread and although the colour name is champagne it’s a soft white hue.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria disembark from their plane at Joint Base Andrews to attend a NATO summit on July 10, 2024

(Image credit: Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Shop Victoria Starmer's Outfit

Known for their intricate dresses, Needle & Thread is one of the best British clothing brands around and this dress is a little more daywear-appropriate compared to their fabulous floor-length gowns. It’s made from a recycled viscose blend with stretch yarn and a fitted stretch bodice, meaning that it not only fits perfectly but was probably very comfortable for Victoria Starmer to wear on her long flight.

Her dress also has stitch pointelle patterns running across it and these were inspired by vintage woven lace ribbons. It’s delicate details like this which make all the difference to a white dress and transform it into something truly special. This Needle & Thread piece was the perfect blend of comfy and glamorous and is also incredibly versatile.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria board a plane at Stansted Airport in Essex as they head to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit on July 9, 2024

(Image credit: Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Although Victoria chose to keep her accessories simple for her flight to the US, a white dress is the most beautiful outfit base for anyone who loves bright bags or shoes. Once you’ve found the perfect style and shape of white dress for you, you’ll soon find yourself reaching for it again and again in your summer capsule wardrobe as they work with every other shade and look great with a denim jacket or blazer layered over the top. Whether you’re attending a picnic, a family party or merely running errands a white dress is a stunning outfit to wear.

Trainers are a great choice to make an elevated white dress more casual, but Victoria opted for some gold heeled sandals with an open toe design. Metallics are great at bringing some fun to a look without being full-on sparkly. Victoria Starmer’s shoes had a practical ankle strap to help keep them secure on her feet and it didn’t look to be overly high, meaning they were likely also quite comfortable to wear for a longer period of time.

Prime Minister of Bulgaria Dimitar Glavchev, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof, Victoria Starmer, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Amelie Derbaudrenghien and Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel, watch a ceremony on the South Lawn of The White House to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO

(Image credit: Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

This styling approach of having comfort and glamour go hand-in-hand is something we can all draw inspiration from when it comes to our own outfits. As the UK’s new ‘First Lady’, Victoria Starmer’s outfits are receiving even more attention right now and she followed up her white dress look with a fiery red midi dress after a welcoming ceremony for the NATO Heads of State in Washington DC. 

This dress had a V-neckline, wrap design and long floaty sleeves and the bold scarlet colour was sensational. If Victoria’s future outfits are anything like these two then fashion fans better prepare to be seriously inspired.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!