Strappy summer dresses and bandeau styles might sound great for hot weather but many of us want a bit more coverage – including the Duchess of Edinburgh. Long sleeves can be incredibly elegant and breezy and Sophie demonstrated this to perfection at a reception for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in June.
Her outfit of choice for the evening was a sapphire blue maxi dress with a graceful V-neckline and stunning cape sleeves. They were so billowy and voluminous that they seemed to scarcely touch Sophie’s arms and this is exactly the kind of silhouette you want to wear in the heat.
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Shop Floaty-Sleeved Dresses
Boden Angel Sleeve Boat Neck Dress
British artist Sarah Gordon carefully hand-painted the florals for Boden and this dress is one of the pieces from their limited-edition collection together. It has long angel sleeves and princess seams to create a sleek shape. The mix of teal and pastel pink is striking for summer.
M&S Pastel Blue Cape V-Neck Maxi Dress
New-in at M&S, this icy blue dress has a beautiful cape overlay and comes in various different lengths. It’s got a V-neckline and fluttery short sleeves, as well as gentle gathers at the bust. The maxi length accentuates the elegant feel and this would work perfectly with white accessories.
H&M Balloon-Sleeved Paisley Maxi Tunic Dress
This affordable frock also comes in a scarlet colourway and it’s made from a viscose-blend weave. There are ties at the front and the balloon sleeves are billowy and breezy for the season. The drawstrings below the bust are elasticated and the fabric has a stunning paisley print.
Mango Flared-Sleeve Orange Satin Dress
Crafted from satin, this midi dress has three quarter length flared sleeves and a graceful crew-neckline. It would make a perfect wedding guest outfit or holiday look and the deep sunset orange colour stands out from the crowd.
Phase Eight Long-Sleeved Rosa Floral Dress
This chic maxi dress has flowing blouson sleeves, a wrap bodice and a pleated skirt bringing an extra feminine flair. The matching tie belt accentuates the waist and and combination of the deep green and pink is more unique. It’s a sophisticated take on florals and can be worn well into autumn.
Jigsaw Cape Sleeve Belted Shirt Dress
Currently on sale, this cape sleeve shirt dress has a belted waist and a tailored fit that balances everything out. The bright olive colour is a lovely choice for summer and I’d pair it with gold accessories to bring out the warm undertones.
Clinging, fitted sleeves can be uncomfortable and restrictive, but draped shapes give you freedom of movement and look very ethereal too. The Duchess’s frock was covered with a red, white and turquoise floral print that complemented the femininity of the cape sleeves and the streamlined A-line skirt balanced everything out.
With flowy, longer sleeves, having a slightly sleeker bodice and skirt works well to keep your frame in proportion and not overwhelm you in swathes of fabric. The Princess of Wales also sticks to this formula when she wears cape or draped-sleeve pieces like the olive green Emilia Wickstead dress she wore to the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final.
The structure of the bodice contrasted against the one-shoulder cape detail and this balance was even more important for Sophie as her dress was maxi. The overall design was flattering whilst still being cool and comfy and she kept everything else simple.
(Image credit: Ben Birchall/PA Images via Alamy)
The Duchess of Edinburgh is loyal to her espadrilles this time of year and she styled this bright blue dress with her Jimmy Choo Dovina wedges. These have a crossover strap to keep your feet secure rather than a traditional ankle strap or ribbon ties.
This makes them more minimal and slightly smarter than your typical espadrilles. Sophie’s were metallic gold and she wore gold floral earrings to match. The longer sleeves were glamorous and these accessories tied in beautifully with that.
However you don’t have to keep floaty sleeved dresses purely for special occasions. You can make them more casual by adjusting your accessories and going for different fabrics too. Linen, cotton or jersey designs are always going to look more relaxed than silk or chiffon.
(Image credit: Ben Birchall/PA Images via Alamy)
A dress like Duchess Sophie’s would work with white trainers and a crossbody bag for a sunny outing too. Alternatively, lean into the boho style and go for a sunhat, tasselled bag and gladiator sandals (which are very much back on trend).
The King’s sister-in-law went more elevated for the reception, which was held at Government House in Jersey. Duchess Sophie took over as Patron of the NSPCC from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2016 and it’s a charity very close to her heart.
This special occasion was the first time her sapphire blue cape sleeve dress has been seen publicly but knowing how often she re-wears her favourites, it will no doubt get re-worn at some point in the future – possibly with the same accessories.
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