Tested

GALE POWER

We test the best dresses to avoid embarrassing style slips when the wind blows

Model Jessica Tinkler, 28, from East London, puts five dresses through the elements and gives her verdict

Shannon Lawlor

Published: 3:37, 16 Oct 2018

EVEN princesses are subject to dodgy weather, as Eugenie found when strong winds caused chaos at her wedding. Guests were left clutching hats and hems as they braved the gales last Friday.

We all need to be wary of sudden gusts causing embarrassing style slips, so Shannon Lawlor asked model Jessica Tinkler, 28, from East London, to test dress styles in the face of our wind machine and rate their bluster-beating properties out of five.

Kate Middleton, pictured with Prince William, handles the strong winds at Princess Eugenie's wedding like a pro — Kate Middleton, pictured with Prince William, handles the strong winds at Princess Eugenie's wedding like a proCredit: Splash News

The MINI

Jessica says: 'A short dress is definitely not the best option for a windy day. The fabric is very light so catches the breeze much too easily' — Jessica says: 'A short dress is definitely not the best option for a windy day. The fabric is very light so catches the breeze much too easily'Credit: Olivia West Commissioned by the Sun

Snakeskin dress, £20, Dorothy Perkins -
Shoes, £25, Dorothy Perkins -
Necklace, £4.99, New Look -

Resistance rating: 2 out of 5

The WRAP

Jessica says: 'The ruffles on this wrap dress catch the wind, so you could end up exposing too much leg if the split takes flight. You’d definitely have to keep your eye on it' — Jessica says: 'The ruffles on this wrap dress catch the wind, so you could end up exposing too much leg if the split takes flight. You’d definitely have to keep your eye on it'Credit: Olivia West Commissioned by the Sun

Purple dress, £30, nastygal -
Shoes, £20, prettylittlething -

Resistance rating: 3 out of 5

The BODYCON

Jessica says: 'If you want a dress guaranteed to stay in place, go for a bodycon. The fitted design means it won’t move an inch. I could wear this in a storm and I still don’t think it would blow up' — Jessica says: 'If you want a dress guaranteed to stay in place, go for a bodycon. The fitted design means it won’t move an inch. I could wear this in a storm and I still don’t think it would blow up'Credit: Olivia West Commissioned by the Sun

Blue bodycon, £36, Lipsy -
Heels, £20, boohoo -

Resistance rating: 5 out of 5

The SHIFT

Jessica says: 'You’d think this would be foolproof. It didn’t flash flesh but the structured fabric turned into a wind tunnel and puffed out like I had a bun in the oven. It went from cutesy to unflattering in no time' — Jessica says: 'You’d think this would be foolproof. It didn’t flash flesh but the structured fabric turned into a wind tunnel and puffed out like I had a bun in the oven. It went from cutesy to unflattering in no time'Credit: Olivia West Commissioned by the Sun

Pink brocade mini dress, £46, River Island -
Shoes, £25, prettylittlething -

Resistance rating: 2 out of 5

The MIDI

Jessica says: 'dress barely moves, thanks to the even length of the skirt and the weight of the fabric. It’s a good dress for a windy day, only the hem picks up a bit in the wind' — Jessica says: 'dress barely moves, thanks to the even length of the skirt and the weight of the fabric. It’s a good dress for a windy day, only the hem picks up a bit in the wind'Credit: Olivia West Commissioned by the Sun

Black floral midi, £20, Primark -
Shoes, £12, Boohoo -

Resistance rating: 5 out of 5

The SKATER

Jessica says: 'This dress is short and the fabric is lightweight. There was no weight whatsoever to keep the skirt down – it basically turned inside out'

Black floral dress, £99, Hallhuber -
Shoes, £27.99, New Look -

Resistance rating: 1 out of 5

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The VERDICT

Avoid mini dresses, or ones with splits in the skirt, to stay safe from the elements.

Opt for bodycons that will stay in place due to their figure-fitting designs, or weighty midi-dresses of an even length.

Kate Middleton battles the wind to keep her skirt down at Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding in Windsor

Topics

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank royal wedding