Revisiting Kate Middleton’s most iconic looks

The Duchess of Cambridge has made a habit of dressing to impress

GettyImages-kate-middleton-1920×1080

Was there ever an elegant gown that Kate Middleton didn’t adore? While the Duchess prefers an elegant, understated aesthetic, that doesn’t mean she can’t bring the sparkle when the occasion demands it. From Jenny Packham sequinned cape dresses, to power suits and classic skirts, Middleton’s wardrobe has inspiration in spades for those of you that love a timeless sense of style. Bonus: despite being a real-life royal, Middleton’s knack for pairing high street brands like ASOS with big-name designers gets full marks from us. Scroll through to see our edit of her most iconic looks.

Kate Middleton accessorized her red skirt and sweater with ASOS earrings

Kate Middleton has been known to turn out classic looks to both upscale red carpet events and smaller appearances. The red sweater and skirt she wore to give a speech at the BAFTA headquarters in London looked tailored and polished–as is the norm with Middleton—but what we took note of was the fact that she chose to wear a pair of hoops by ASOS in lieu of the finer jewellery she sometimes sports. Scroll through to get details.

Kate Middleton wore Ralph Lauren and Christopher Kane separates to give a speech in London

Kate Middleton delivered the keynote speech at The Forward Trust’s ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ campaign event in London in which she attempted to dispel misconceptions surrounding addiction, and shared resources to avail support. She wore a red Ralph Lauren sweater, paired with a Christopher Kane midi-length pleated skirt. Red is a great colour to wear at an event where you want people to look at and listen to you, and Middleton’s many years in the public eye have no doubt taught her that. Kane is a designer that she returns to again and again, presumably for his innovative use of textiles and impeccable tailoring. Seeing Middleton wear designer garments is nothing new, but it was of note that the Duchess wore twisted hoop earrings from budget-friendly brand ASOS. Her tan bag and shoes—DeMellier and Ralph Lauren respectively—are the kind of closet staples that go with everything.

Kate Middleton wears an embellished gold Jenny Packham dress at the James Bond film premiere

Kate Middleton‘s style has garnered world-wide attention, but mostly for its adherence to quiet taste and minimalist elegance. If there’s ever a time to switch up your style game, it’s on the red carpet for a major movie premiere. Scroll through to see details of what the Duchess wore.

Kate Middleton in a golden gown at James Bond movie premiere

Kate Middleton attended the ‘No Time to Die’ premiere in an embellished gold dress

Kate Middleton’s choice of gown for the premiere of the hotly-anticipated new Bond film couldn’t be more different to the blue-grey chiffon number she wore to attend the Spectre premiere in 2015. Appearing alongside her husband, William, and other members of the royal family at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Middleton wore a heavily embellished floor-length gold Jenny Packham dress, with a cape that added an appropriate-for-the-occasion element of drama to her look. Packham, a favourite of the Duchess’s, is known for her intricately hand-beaded and embroidered gowns, and this look from her Fall 2021 read-to-wear collection is no exceptionthe metallic colour channels the tinseltown sirens of old Hollywood (think Liz Taylor). Middleton wore her hair in her signature sleek up-do,  kept the accessories minimal with bejewelled Onitaa gold earrings and looked every bit a Hollywood heroine.

Kate Middleton in a golden gown at James Bond movie premiere

Kate Middleton’s blue blazer + skirt will remind you of this Princess Diana look from the ’90s

Kate Middleton‘s ensembles have been known to top trending charts and fly off racks minutes after she makes an appearance in them, and her latest look is no exception. This week, the Duchess joined husband Prince William on a Scotland tour, where the couple visited the charity Turning Point Scotland, and then made their way to the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, which works to raise awareness on addiction and violence. A series of pictures shared on the couple’s official Instagram account showed the Duchess of Cambridge enjoying her day in a striking cobalt blue ensemble which has got many thinking back to a strikingly similar outfit once worn by Princess Diana. Scroll to check it out below.

Kate Middleton styled her monochrome look with neutral accessories

Kate Middleton’s look featured a tailored double-breasted blazer in blue by Zara, paired with a pleated midi skirt by Hope in the same hue. Her look may just have been inspired by Lady Diana’s outfit, first seen in the ’90s. Followers may already know that Middleton has channeled her late mother-in-law’s iconic looks in the past as well, like the collared blue Beulah London dress she wore back in July last year. To balance out the vibrant hue of her outfit, she opted for muted accessories: a beige Roma mini clutch in suede by Métier and matching pointed-toe pumps. Keeping with her go-to beauty aesthetic, lightly lined eyes and blow-dried locks were her beauty picks for the day.

If you love wearing jewel tones, a look like Kate Middleton’s will come in handy for formal Zoom meetings or intimate celebrations in the future. Keep scrolling to recreate the look with help from our edit below.

This is how Kate Middleton spruced up her old coordinated set

Just like every year, Easter weekend was a busy one for Kate Middleton and husband Prince William. On Sunday, the Duchess of Cambridge picked a periwinkle blue coat by Alexander McQueen while attending Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, England. Keeping with the colour palette, she rounded off her pastel outfit with a pair of powder blue pumps and a matching fascinator that added a formal touch to her look. The mother of three accessorised her outfit with drop earrings and a brooch. She was also accompanied by Queen Elizabeth II (who was celebrating her 93rd birthday) and Prince Harry.

Do you own a classic coat like Kate Middleton?

Time and again, Kate Middleton has proven that she isn’t afraid of recycling her favourite outfits. For her most recent outing, she reworked the long blue coat we saw her she wear for Sunday service back in 2014. The Duchess wore accessorised the coat with a diamond brooch that spruced up her classic outfit. Beauty wise, Middleton channelled her signature look: nude lips and softly curled hair. Stepping out in a long coat this season may be a stretch for those living in hot, humid cities, but you can always bookmark Middleton’s look if you’re travelling to colder places in the upcoming months. Wish to re-create her look? Scroll down to check out our edit of similar products.

Kate Middleton’s bright red coat will instantly perk up your wardrobe

Last evening, the royal family celebrated the Commonwealth Day at London’s Westminster Abbey, with Kate Middleton, Prince George, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the Queen in attendance. For the services, the Duchess of Cambridge chose to wear a bright red dress layered with a coat by Catherine Walker. Interestingly, the Duchess last wore this coat in April 2014 on her trip to New Zealand. A red felt hat completed her eye-catching look, while light brown pointed toe heels and a matching clutch balanced out her ensemble.

Kate Middleton makes a strong case for statement coats

The Duchess of Cambridge braved London’s chilly weather in a short dress that she wore under a knee-length coat with button detailing. The vivid hue was a refreshing change from the usual black, bottle green and navy blue tones that make up Middleton’s winter wardrobe. Minimal diamond jewellery ensured that all the attention remained on Middleton’s statement coat. Her makeup was equally understated—a touch of mascara, eyeliner, brown eyeshadow, blush and rosy pink lips rounded off her beauty look. Why not add a similar bold coat to your winter wardrobe? Check out our favourite designer picks below.

 

 


Enjoyed reading this article? To receive more articles like this, sign up for the Vogue Newsletter