There’s nothing quite like the British summer season. From garden parties to weddings, Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, there’s a flurry of sartorial activity which provides excellent people-watching potential for those of us observing, but a planning minefield, I’m sure, for those attending.
At the centre of these moments is the Royal family, who make it their business to lead the way and be visible far more than they are at any other time of year, setting trends along the way. So as they all retreat for their holidays, I have compiled my list of the best-dressed royals of the summer, along with the pointers the rest of us can take from them.
Lady Gabriella Kingston usually loves a traditional Catherine Walker look but seems to have discovered slink this summer, particularly in the form of this subtly bodycon Sandro knit dress (now reduced to £263.20) which she’s worn in two colours, including the grass-green shade at Wimbledon.
I wouldn’t have had Lady Helen Taylor, once an ambassador for Giorgio Armani, down as a high-street woman, but she rocked this outfit from John Lewis at Wimbledon. The key piece which tied it all together, though, was her Anya Hindmarch raffia bag – a masterclass in clever accessorising and paying close attention to your colour palette.
Harriet and Peter Phillips married in early June and have honeymooned their way through the season, from Royal Ascot to the polo. Before the wedding, Harriet’s style skewed a little boho but she’s dialled up the polish since then in dresses by Emilia Wickstead (her bridal designer) and Beulah, while her new husband is looking more sharp and pulled together than usual.
The Princess of Wales tends to stick to her tried and tested circle of couturiers and you can see why when she has dozens of cameras trained on her every appearance. So it felt particularly special when she ordered a butter-yellow coat dress by Patrick McDowell, last year’s winner of the Queen Elizabeth Design Award, for the Order of the Garter ceremony.
It has to be one of the chicest looks she’s worn this year but was all the better for being made by a more under-the-radar name, proof that experiments can pay off beautifully.
While some royals defy belief with their ability to look cool as a cucumber even in the mightiest heatwave, I love how the Queen makes temperature regulation and sun protection part of her look – her pretty parasol, carried on a visit to London Zoo, gave a romantic spin to an everyday engagement.
Art expert Isabelle de la Bruyère isn’t officially a royal, but as the girlfriend of the Earl of Snowdon, she’s doing a marvellous job of pushing the envelope, just enough. Case in point, the glamorous lime-green silky dress with cutout detailing at the waist which she wore for the Serpentine summer party.
Surprisingly, it’s from Mango but her glamorous styling, from the Bottega Veneta clutch bag to the scrunched-up sleeves and delicate gold jewellery made it look far more luxurious.
It’s rare to see the Princess of Wales wear vintage but when she does, you see that she (or her stylist) has an excellent eye for the older pieces which still look right for now. When she donned a vintage cream and black straw hat for a Buckingham Palace tea party in May, it was the perfect soupcon of variety to make her outfit feel fresh.
Anyone who does more than one day of Royal Ascot is a trooper but Zara Tindall clocked up four this year. She looked impeccable every day but special mention must go to her Pretty Woman(ish) polka-dot dress, made by Claire Mischevani which she saved for her final day.
The Duchess of Edinburgh made a powerful argument for getting long hair chopped in the warmer months when she debuted a new bob style in early July. Her new do instantly gave her style a new zing, even without any big clothing overhauls.
Fashion editors like me are forever telling you that a crisp white shirt is a wardrobe staple. If you’d like to observe further proof, witness Lady Sarah Chatto arriving at Wimbledon wearing a white shirt, matching poplin skirt and espadrilles. She exuded cool, calm fuss-free elegance.
