Lady Eliza Spencer was a vision in all-black on Monday as she brought the glamour to the Chelsea Flower Show. Though the event usually calls for a more relaxed attire (the dress code is elegant smart-casual), the 33-year-old niece of Princess Diana opted for a full-length evening gown featuring a split that started at the hip to expose one leg.
It also featured elbow-length sleeves and structured shoulders, as well as a high turtle-style neck. The standout dress was paired with sheer black tights and closed-toe heels in a croc print leather. She also carried a silver rhinestone-encrusted clutch and statement earrings to match.
© Getty ImagesTo showcase the neckline of her dress, Eliza wore her blonde hair up in a sleek updo. It's a look that fashion stylist Leanne Jones calls bold and brave.
"Beautiful dresses are made to be worn, not kept in wardrobes and this is a showstopping choice," she tells us. "The only practical compromise is the British weather, which has resulted in her having to wear tights! The thigh‑high split is very of the moment; there was actually a 49 per cent uptick in thigh-high splits on the runways this season!"
© Grant Buchanan/Getty Images forShe adds: "Meanwhile, the slicked‑back hair lets the dress take centre stage. Her make‑up is kept fresh and light, introducing a subtle floral nod that complements the silhouette perfectly."
© Grant Buchanan/Getty Images forThe model attended with her twin sister, Lady Amelia Spencer. She wore a similar black gown but with a Bardot neckline and a leg split that didn't quite come up as high as Eliza's. Amelia accessorised with sparkly silver heels and a rose-shaped clutch, and her hair was fashioned into a low bun.
A classic LBD never misses
© Getty ImagesIt comes after Amelia and Eliza twinned in black cocktail dresses at the UK premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in April. Both wearing Zuhair Murad, the sisters chose ankle-length looks, with Eliza styling it out in shoulder pads and strappy heels.
A bride-to-be
© InstagramSoon, Eliza will swap a black gown for a white one as she marries long-term boyfriend and entrepreneur Channing Millerd. The wedding will follow their picture-perfect engagement in Santorini last year.
© InstagramOf the proposal, Eliza told HELLO! exclusively: "I laughed and I cried. I don't know how he pulled it all off, but it was so special. He did the most amazing job – above and beyond. I couldn't have dreamt of such a beautiful setting. It really was a dream come true."
