While florals were the dominant spring trend to grace the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, Sophie Raworth opted for a bolder, colour-blocked look when she attended last week.
For her day amongst the gorgeous gardens, she wore ME+EM’s twist front maxi dress, and the piece immediately caught our eye for its trending fire-engine red hue that’s one of the standout spring/summer fashion colour trends for 2026.
With a striking colour and easy, breezy shape, Sophie proved why she has become quite the style influencer when it comes to occasionwear picks. Crafted from 100% cotton, the dress, which has pockets too, will work for events, the office or a more polished weekend look, making it a summer capsule wardrobe hero you can get plenty of wear from.
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Crafted from 100% cotton and with a soft, cheesecloth texture, this ME+EM dress is super flattering with its fit-and-flare style. Dress it up for elevated dress codes with a simple pair of heels, or keep it casual with your favourite sandals or trainers.
Like Sophie's dress, this easy-going maxi is made from 100% cotton for a light and breathable feel. Its loose fit and floaty, tiered skirt only adds to that summer-ready, lightweight edge and cements this as a chic style to be worn even on the hottest days.
A V-neckline, collar detail and elbow-length sleeves give this Boden midi dress a sporty feel. It's made from a 100% cotton stretch fabric for a laid-back feel and comfortable fit, but you could add polish to this look with a linen blazer and loafers too.
Shirt dresses were a particular favourite for attendees at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This bright red shirt dress with an A-line skirt and self-tie fabric belt is a great option for smart casual outfit ideas in one of the season's biggest colourways.
This dress has just dropped on the & Other Stories website and we're expecting it to sell out quickly. Defined by its gathered detailing at the neckline, shoulders and waist, the silhouette is so striking, as is the bold red hue.
This Nobody's Child's dress is effortlessly versatile, with its blend of elevated and casual details creating a style that can be worn for any event or occasion. The button-through front, half-length sleeves and empire waistline creating such a flattering style.
There’s nothing like a bit of sunshine to make us want to wear more colour, and red is one of those shades that never fails to feel confidence-boosting. That’s exactly why it's everywhere right now.
While there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into spring capsule wardrobes and so many ways to style it, a head-to-toe red look can feel particularly elegant in sunny climes, too.
An elegant dress like Sophie’s ME+EM piece is a one-and-done outfit that will ensure you look put together with minimal effort. Try teaming with red shoes, or a simple pair of black or white heeled sandals for a date night outfit idea or a weekend ensemble. For a more casual spin, try a bright red dress with your best white trainers or some sleek flat sandals, and you'll see just how versatile a simple summer dress truly is.
