Duchess Sophie looked stunning for her engagement in Guildford yesterday, pairing a summer-ready white maxi dress with a pair of Kate Middleton’s favorite sandals.
- Duchess Sophie stepped out in the perfect summer combo yesterday, pairing a modest white maxi dress with a pair of wedged espadrille sandals.
- The comfortable shoes are a royal staple, with Kate Middleton being just one other royal who favors the style.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton pairs simple flat pumps with checked pastel-blue Zara blazer and on-trend cigarette pants.
On Tuesday, June 6, Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh stepped out in Guilford to visit Christopher's, a Shooting Star Children's Hospice. During the engagement, Sophie met with young children who were staying at the hospice and was even photographed helping to plant trees at the center.
Despite the hands-on work, Sophie tempted fate, and looked stunning doing so, in a white maxi dress from ME+EM, a British clothing brand loved by many women in the royal family.
Sophie's £295 ($366) dress features a modest and longline skirt with a raw hemline that offsets the otherwise incredibly formal attire. The high neckline was perfect for the colder spring day with textured capped-sleeves working to create a flattering yet modest silhouette.
According to ME+EM, the dress is "an easy work-to-weekend solution that can also be dressed up for more occasion settings with your pick of blazers. This midi dress is crafted from textured tailoring outlined with frayed edging for a directional finish."
ME+EM is a staple brand for the Duchess and she has been spotted in their clothing on multiple royal engagements. Back in April, she was seen wearing the brand's oversized camel blazer that is the perfect coat for spring to visit the HMS Daring and more recently sported their stunning silk wisteria print blouse to meet with guide dog puppies.
Undoubtedly her favorite pieces from ME+EM though are their blazers. Sophie has been seen in a variety of the brand's blazers, from their functional herringbone tweed blazer that gave her a more casual, countryside look to the bold red and blue boyfriend blazer whose pop of color made the Duchess stand out among the crowds.
Accessorizing the dress, Sophie covered up with a simple collarless blazer whose boxy fit perfectly complemented the structured style of the maxi dress. She tied in the darker color of her jacket with the Cleo clutch bag from Sophie Habsburg, a style not unlike Kate Middleton's favorite clutch that she has in 12 different colors, in a spotted pattern.
For shoes, the Duchess opted for a pair of espadrilles, a shoe loved by both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, in a stunning neutral colorway that cemented her entire outfit as a summer staple. While Kate recently stepped out in the Castaner Carina espadrilles, Sophie went for the High Catalina Cotton Espadrille in Ivory from the brand Penelope Chilvers who make their sandals according to traditional Spanish techniques.
If the espadrilles aren't your style, or the heel is a little too high to be comfortable, Kate has offered up a brilliant wedged sandal alternative that's a little easier on the ankles.
Finishing off her look, Sophie added some sparkle with a variety of delicate silver jewelry including a diamond cross necklace, a pair of semi-precious stone earrings and, in a nod to her love for her husband, she also wore her silver eternity ring on her left ring finger.
For her makeup, the Duchess kept it natural with bronzed skin, a light dusting of blush and a subtle pink lipstick. Her hair sat in a off-centre parting with lots of volume at the root creating a windswept look that looked both casual and refined - the perfect combination for this touching engagement.