By Kayla Gately
Kate Middleton is known for her elegant style; after all, she is a Duchess. She’s always been able to combine classy looks, which come with being a member of the royal family, with pops of color and modern accessories. But, if we’re honest, she usually plays things a bit more conservative. A staple of hers is definitely long sleeved dresses, especially in the fall. We’ve seen dresses of every color and pattern on her, and she’s always able to pull them off flawlessly.
Now that she’s back from maternity leave after giving birth to her son, Prince Louis, in April of this year, she’s seemed to have stepped up her fashion. Maybe it’s a result of a new sister-in-law stealing the spotlight? Or, maybe Kate has become more comfortable in cultivating her look. Prior to her third pregnancy, we saw Kate wearing a lot of whites and creams, which made sense considering it was in the spring. Now, her style game is back and better than ever with a couple of fall colored looks that totally fit the season.
Even just a few months after giving birth she was upping her style with this flowy frock: A few months after giving birth to her son Louis, Kate stunned in a summery, light blue dress while at a polo match with her children. The casual yet gorgeous (and affordable!) piece is from Zara , and is unfortunately now sold out ($70). A similar dress is now available at Zara.
More recently, Kate has been embracing the fall colors. In one of her first outings since her maternity leave ended Kate went for a more casual look. She visited the Sayers Croft Trust Forest School and Wildlife Garden in a $200 forest green “Stina” jacket (which is pretty fitting), a $150 muted, olive green sweater, a $549 white blouse decorated with small, brown flowers underneath the sweater, brown Zara Biker Jeans, which are no longer available ($50), and a pair of Penelope Chilvers tall, brown boots ($640).
In another one of her post maternity leave outings, Kate sported a lilac-colored, long sleeved dress. She wore this look to the Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change, which she attended with her husband. This dress mixed together a modest, professional style with a more vibrant color. She was able to bring back her affinity for long sleeved dresses with a chic twist. According to whatkatewore.com, this dress is now fittingly called the “Kate,” and is an Emilia Wickstead design ($1,745).
The Duchess wore this beautiful black and white plaid dress to the opening of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s new Photography Center in London. This was one of her first public outings since ending her maternity leave, and she looked beautiful in this elegant piece. Sticking to her usual style of long dresses, she spiced up her go-to look with an abstract neckline and pop-of-color burgundy sash. This Erdem Iman dress, which sold for $1,940, is currently sold out. Kate paired the burgundy sash with a matching pair of Jimmy Choo heels. We’re pretty sure these are either their Romy 110 Bordeaux Velvet Pointy Toe Pumps ($895) or the Anouk Bordeaux Velvet Pointy Toe Pumps ($895).
More recently, Kate dressed up in a long, burgundy button up dress adorn with white polka dots and a sash around the waist. She wore this fall inspired look while hosting a secret reception for BBC Radio One’s Teen Hero Awards with her husband. This dress emphasizes a more modest look with its long sleeves and collar, while still managing not to look too stuffy. The Margot Spot Shirt Dress by Whistles is sold for $319, but is currently sold out at the Whistles online store, as well as at most other distributers.
One color that we’ll always see Kate in, not that anyone’s complaining, is red. Check out this gorgeous Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress (originally $2,045) from the Queen’s Jubilee River Pageant in 2012 alongside the Alexander McQueen dress she wore to Princess Eugenie’s wedding this month.
Overall, Kate’s style is modern enough to make a statement, yet elegant enough to remain timeless. From what we’ve seen in the short time she’s been off her maternity leave, her looks are only going to keep on topping each other.
Special thanks to whatkatewore.com for tracking all of her amazing outfits throughout the years!
Related Reading: More Royal Fashion Coverage:
Meghan Markle’s Best Maternity Looks
Meghan Markle’s Best & Worst Looks On Her Australian Tour
Meghan Markle Wears Givenchy Wedding Gown, Stella McCartney Gown For Ceremony
Kate Middleton’s Red Dress Sells Out
Meghan Markle’s Best & Worst Looks Since Becoming a Royal
Meghan Markle Loves Canadian Brand Aritiza
Kate Middleton’s $70 Gap Pants