As style princess Kate Middleton has proved, if it ain’t broke, DON’T fix it.
The Princess of Wales knows how to repeat an outfit – and does it with aplomb.
Favouring sleek silhouettes in flattering hues, Catherine knows what suits her and doesn’t stray far from key items in her wardrobe – which is why she tends to concentrate on a handful of pieces in two, three and even four different shades.
Among the most notable is the Emilia Wickstead ‘Kate’ dress, which was named after in her honour after the princess requested repeat versions in lavender, navy, olive green and teal.
Catherine’s seal of approval has stretched to power suits, which have been at the forefront of Kate’s wardrobe in recent times, with one Alexander McQueen style spotted in shades of pink, white, navy and teal.
Each shade puts a new spin on a favourite silhouette.
Emilia Wickstead ‘Kate’ Dress
This teal version of the Emilia Wickstead dress came out at Windsor Castle as Kate and William played host to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and husband Prince Daniel
The same model in blue for the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-The-Fields in 2019
Sticking to a tried and trusted approach, Catherine wore this green version to the Anna Freud Centre for children and families in 2019
It could almost be a different dress, such is the colour contrast. But it is the same Emilia Wickstead model, this time worn for a Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in 2018
Long-sleeved and belted at the waist, Emilia Wickstead’s ‘Kate’ dress was first spotted in lavender in October 2018 when Catherine attended the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London.
Less than a year later an olive green version of the bespoke gown was worn to open the Anna Freud Centre in London, although the neckline had been slightly modified.
Next was navy in November 2019 when the Princess of Wales attended the launch of the National Emergencies Trust, and in November 2023 the familiar A-line dress was seen again but this time in teal and with a longer hemline to welcome Princess Victoria of Sweden with her husband, Prince Daniel.
Alexander McQueen Trouser Suit
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Patron of Evelina London, opens the new Children’s Day Surgery Unit at St Thomas’s Hospital. She wore a favourite McQeen trouser suit for the occasion
It’s one we had seen before. Here Catherine is pictured arriving in Boston for the second annual Earthshot Prize awards last year
Catherine wears the McQueen trouser suit after hosting an early years discussion panel last year
This time it appeared in white – for the state visit to the Caribbean in 2022. Here Catherine visits a teachers’ college in Kingston, Jamaica
Since becoming Princess of Wales, Kate has perfected the art of power dressing, repeatedly turning to her trusty Alexander McQueen trouser suit in a rainbow of colours.
Flatteringly cropped at the ankle, the tailored trousers and matching single-breasted jacket have become Kate’s alternative to the fitted dresses of the past. She first chose a crisp white version in March 2022 during a Jamaica tour, adding a pop of colour with an orange Ridley London blouse and matching bag.
A few months later it was pretty in pink for Catherine at a roundtable meeting she hosted with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, this time she kept things tonal by layering it over a classic white top. In November 2022 when arriving in Boston the suit was repeated in navy for a formal take on the tailoring, and most recently teal was the colour of choice for Kate’s wardrobe essential as she stepped out to open the Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit.
Emilia Wickstead Coat Dress
The coat dress has been an important part of Kate’s armoury, worn here for Saint Patrick’s Day with the Irish Guards in 2012
The same silhouette, but this time in pale blue for Easter Sunday at Windsor last year
Catherine wore this deep pink Emilia Wickstead coat dress for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party
The elegant longline coat dress has become one of Kate’s most relied upon fashion styles, which was first adopted by Princess Diana in the 1980s. A cross over bodice design with neat lapels, nipped in waist and flared skirt by Emilia Wickstead has become a firm favourite of Catherine’s and has been worn multiple times in different colours.
Her first outing in this style of coat dress was in 2012 to the Saint Patrick’s Day parade in emerald green, worn with a chocolate brown Lock & Co hat and a shamrock brooch.
She looked radiant in the pale blue version when she appeared on Easter Sunday featuring the same flattering silhouette. Most recently it was seen again in a bold shade of deep pink with a coordinating Jane Taylor fascinator for the 2022 Buckingham Palace garden party.
Eponine London Midi Coat
Cobalt blue Eponine for Glasgow in November 2021
The Eponine coat dress was chosen for last year’s Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey, this time in festive Burgundy
The Princess of Wales showcased the best of British fashion with her elegant choice of coat dress at a reception to mark the opening of COP26 in Glasgow.
The cobalt blue design by London-based brand Eponine flatteringly fell to just above her ankle and features bracelet length sleeves and a cross over neckline.
It was déjà vu for the Together at Christmas carol service held at Westminster Abbey in 2022, when Kate chose the same piece but this time in a festive burgundy with gold buttons.
