Like the Duchess of Edinburgh, I’ve been determined to get as much wear as I can out of my favourite pieces and she just showed how to make a dress feel more appropriate for a wet day. The senior royal championed one of the best British clothing brands when she attended the Royal Windsor Flower Show in her beloved Bluebell Print dress by ME+EM with a corduroy blazer.
Despite its name, the pattern doesn’t include bluebells, but the background colour is a bold electric blue. This is a shade that so many of her fellow royals love too and it makes an instant impact, but goes with so many different tones, especially neutrals.
Shop Dresses Like Sophie's
The vibrant white, black and yellow floral print on this Jayla Dress really pops against the beautiful electric blue base colour. It has a faux wrap bodice, fluted sleeves and falls to midi length. I'd wear this with white sandals or trainers and a jacket over the top.
Available in petite and regular sizes, this piece has a classic tea dress design and is such an easy outfit to dress up with heels and a clutch for a wedding, or dress down with trainers day-to-day. It features side-seam pockets and has a pink, yellow and green floral print.
Currently reduced in the sale, this shirt dress has a subtler floral print compared to Duchess Sophie's, with sky blue and magenta tones. However, the background colour is just as vibrant and this affordable design has buttoned cuffs and a pretty collared neckline.
Shop Corduroy Blazers
Crafted from 100% cotton for a breathable finish, this fabulous cord blazer is now reduced in the sale. It's an investment well worth making, as the timeless design and neutral navy tone means you can easily wear this with different combinations, from jeans and jumpers in autumn to a summer dress.
The muted olive green tone of this cropped cord jacket would be beautiful with so many floral dresses as it ties in with the earthy, botanical theme. It's more fitted than a blazer and has buttons running up the front and a collar. The shoulder pads give it extra shaping.
This plum jacket might seem a very autumnal colour, but it's muted enough that can be paired with a lot of paler or brighter pink and purple tones in the summer too. You can currently save 53% on this blazer and it has a single-breasted design.
The orange, yellow and red flowers are striking against the blue and the vibrant colour palette made Duchess Sophie’s dress feel a little bit different to the soft pastel frocks we often see this time of year. Made from lightweight crepe, it’s midi-length and has long billowy sleeves.
This is one of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s go-to silhouettes and although you might prefer shorter sleeves to wear in the heat, for a milder or rainy summer day, longer sleeves are great. The tiered flowy skirt on Sophie’s dress is so elegant and feminine.
It has a smarter edge like so many of ME+EM’s designs, but you could easily make an item like this more relaxed by adding a pair of your best white trainers and a blue denim jacket. These staples are naturally casual so they help to tone down the formality of a dress.
Duchess Sophie went for classic espadrille wedges for the Windsor Flower Show on 7th June, which were an equally gorgeous option. Their warm tan tone complemented the fiery flowers and electric blue of her dress and she finished off her outfit with a Frame corduroy blazer.
This luxurious piece is single-breasted and a deep navy blue, with the characteristic lined finish you get from corduroy. For a day that was sunny one minute and rainy the next, the Duchess’s choice of outerwear worked well.
Yes, she still would have needed an umbrella in a downpour, but the coverage this jacket provided her was brilliant for cooler temperatures. Because corduroy is traditionally made from cotton or a cotton blend, this material isn’t too heavy when the sun comes out either.
The texture of Duchess Sophie’s blazer softened the shape and ensured it wasn’t too structured. This made it more low-key and less corporate-esque, which was perfect alongside her dress, and this is a silhouette I’d recommend if you want an extra layer for a relaxed day out.
The King’s sister-in-law has plenty of blazers in her collection and this might be the first time we’ve seen this Frame corduroy one, though I suspect it won’t be the last. The dress is also something Sophie will likely reach for again and I think it would look sensational as an outfit for Royal Ascot 2025.
This is always a huge event in the royal calendar and the Duchess of Edinburgh is usually there on multiple days. Royal Ascot is not a time for smart-casual outfits, so she probably wouldn’t wear the jacket with her ME+EM dress if she does re-wear it for the races, but the dress itself fits all the requirements and is so stunning.
