Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress and gold earrings were an unexpected combination but it makes for the perfect destination wedding guest outfit.
Whilst it makes total sense that your summer capsule wardrobe will be filled with neutral tones and timeless silhouettes, sometimes an occasion calls for something a little bolder or more unique. Destination weddings are a prime example of this as we find ourselves wanting something floaty and elegant, yet bright and fun at the same time. Evenings out in hot weather can present the same predicament, but Duchess Sophie has just showcased a very different style of dress that would work perfectly. She and Prince Edward attended a special performance of Starlight Express on 7th August in support of The Orpheus Centre Trust.
This vital charity is devoted to inspiring and empowering young disabled students to live independent and fulfilling lives and focuses on doing so through performing arts. The Duke of Edinburgh is their Royal Patron and for this special evening, Duchess Sophie went for a stunning amber-gold kaftan Gelato dress by Matelier.
Shop Floaty Dresses
This kaftan dress is casual and easy to wear in hot weather, whether you're at home or abroad. It has a band collar and V-notch neckline, as well as elbow-length sleeves and a split hem. The animal print makes an impact but is still neutral-toned which makes it work with so many other shades.
The shirred panel across the front makes this dress so comfy and non-restrictive and it comes in regular and petite versions. The wide sleeves and flowy skirt are breezy for hot days and all you need is a pair of flat sandals or trainers to finish off your look.
If you've been looking for a dress with an elegant drape to it then the search is over thanks to this. The round neck and long, cape-style sleeves are gorgeous and the front gathering and back vent give this bold piece even more structure and shape.
Shop Gold Earrings Like Duchess Sophie's
These bold gold earrings are affordable and would make a beautiful addition to your accessory collection. They have a stud fastening and the drop has a molten texture reminiscent of an ammonite shell. They're so easy to wear and would look great with both bright colours and a monochrome outfit.
If you want a pair of statement gold earrings where the design does all the talking then these could be them. They have a unique, organic leaf-like design and are lightweight and gold-plated. Take with you for your next holiday and enjoy wearing them for evenings out and special events at home too.
These golden stud earrings have tiered semi-circle design and a textured finish that makes them not only beautiful, but also rather statement. Style them just like Duchess Sophie did with her triangular ones, with a kaftan dress, or else use them to dress up a more casual day-to-day outfit.
Especially if you’re heading abroad for a wedding, this would make one of the best wedding guest dresses, with its flowy silhouette and spectacular sleeves. Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress is made from viscose and has long, butterfly sleeves that give this piece so much movement. The last thing we want when we’re dressing for hot weather is closely fitted sleeves and these are breezy and beautiful.
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s dress has a modest high neck and a low, scooped back, but the brand has stated that it can be worn back-to-front to create a very different look. We completely agree with Duchess Sophie that the higher neckline was the perfect, modest choice for such an important evening event, though.
The senior royal loves bold colours and her kaftan dress was a blend of white and an amber-yellow colour, with an abstract pattern running all over it. This was a far cry from the kind of prints we usually see Duchess Sophie wear, as she and her fellow royals tend to favour florals and animal prints like leopard or snake print.
"This is a really refreshing style switch-up for Sophie. I love the loose silhouette and floaty sleeves of this floor-skimming dress, which makes it ideal for a hot weather wedding," says Woman&Home Digital Fashion Editor, Caroline Parr. "The amber colour works really well on her, and bravo for not playing it too safe by adding a bold blue bag and statement earrings. I always love being introduced to a brand I've not heard of too!"
The Duchess of Edinburgh continued to keep things a little more unusual when it came to her jewellery too. She loves a classic pearl earring or gold hoop, but for this performance of Starlight Express she opted for some pointed gold drop earrings. They consisted of two gold triangles attached at the point and this gave them an almost dagger-like shape that brought a sense of structure to her otherwise very floaty look.
Although they have a statement shape, they would easily work with so many other evening-out looks, or even with a more casual outfit like your favourite blue jeans and a white T-shirt. Duchess Sophie mixed her metals with her bag, though, as she carried a silver and deep blue top handle bag (also by Matelier). The jewel tone was a lovely splash of colour and she finished off her outfit with Jimmy Choo gold metallic espadrille wedges.
The senior royal took a big step outside her fashion comfort zone for this evening and it definitely paid off. Duchess Sophie’s amber kaftan dress and statement accessories was a combination we won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
-
Jessica Alba's waterproof hiking boots are the most stylish we've seen in years - and on sale nowPairing style with comfort and support, these hiking boots are a winner in our eyes for outdoor adventures and daily walks
-
We weren't sure about pastels for winter until we saw Anita Rani's blush pink jumper and sage woolly hatAnita Rani has shown that pastel shades can be perfect for this time of year with her gorgeous pink jumper and green beanie hat
-
Move aside burgundy, Pippa Middleton’s forest green coat proved this glorious jewel tone is *the* seasonal shadePippa Middleton once wore a gorgeous green coat to the Together at Christmas service and it's a tone we couldn't be without in winter
-
We rarely see Kate Middleton wearing strapless designs and her velvet dress was a sensational winter lookThe Princess of Wales once stepped out wearing the most fabulous strapless black dress and this look deserves to make a comeback
-
Velvet isn't going anywhere and Duchess Sophie’s sultry yet elegant dress from 2004 is still so chicThe Duchess of Edinburgh wore a fitted velvet dress 20 years ago and it would still make the perfect winter look to this day
-
Queen Letizia’s Mango tuxedo blazer and matching trousers makes a festive co-ord that screams understated glamourQueen Letizia of Spain's chic co-ord has proved that sequins and velvet aren't the only way as party season draws nearer
-
Duchess Sophie styles favourite leather dress with sultry yet cosy knee high boots for the perfect edgy winter outfitThe Duchess of Edinburgh just brought back her go-to leather dress and her floral blouse and boots were the perfect accompaniments
-
Carole Middleton's forest green jumper and checked trousers prove comfort and festive elegance go hand-in-handCarole Middleton reminded us all that December outfits don’t have to be sparkly to be festive when she wore this combination in 2019
-
Queen Letizia makes a plain black jumper dress the most elegant outfit for winter days out - all you need is some knee high boots and a waist beltQueen Letizia knows how to look put-together whilst still being cosy and the secret to her style is her love for pared-back designs
-
Zara Tindall's raspberry red coat and cherry knee-high boots made the chicest winter uniformAnd her tortoise shell shades and designer bag topped it off
