Style

How To Recreate Kate Middleton’s Best Fall Outfits

If there’s anyone who has a wardrobe worth raiding, it’s Kate Middleton. Her outfits are always tasteful, classic, and chic all at once. The lack of trends present in the way she dresses means her choices will be wearable for years to come.

By Nicole Andre4 min read
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Frederic Legrand - COMEO/Shutterstock

I think there’s hardly a person around who doesn’t know Kate Middleton. Even outside of Britain, you really can’t go to the grocery store without seeing a photo of her on the cover of a magazine or tabloid. But just in case it slipped your mind: she’s a member of the British royal family (the Duchess of Cambridge) and is married to Prince William (who is technically a duke). 

You may remember the fabulous dress from when they got married. 

The world very easily fell in love with Kate after she captured Prince William’s heart, and it’s easy to see why. As a senior member of the royal family, she makes many different appearances even in the age of Covid-19 (though now those appearances look a little different). 

Her most recent project was capturing the life of Britains in quarantine through a photo contest she aptly called “Hold Still 2020.” Thousands submitted images and they were able to collect some really beautiful photographs that show the state of Britain amid the shutdowns and fear.

With their three children, Charlotte, George, and Louis, Kate and Will make a beautiful family. And if you don’t believe me when I tell you that Kate has great style, let me just say there are multiple websites dedicated entirely to everything she’s ever been seen wearing. In other words, the Duchess of Cambridge really knows how to put together an outfit.

Fall Florals

These photos prove that florals don’t have to be reserved for spring! By selecting a darker pattern, you can easily transition them into winter. Or maybe even just add a pair of riding boots (Kate favors the Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel Riding Boots).

A Green Coat

I can’t tell you how much I love all of the green coats Kate has worn over the years. And what’s more, I think they’re perfect for fall. I think some people tend to stick to black or navy blue coats because they’re more standard and feel more neutral, but I think you’ll find a dark green coat is just as wearable. And if you’ve got green eyes, like Kate does, the color is sure to make your eyes pop, especially if you put on a little purple eyeshadow (as Kate often does herself).

Depending on the climate you live in, you may want to add tights to this, especially as fall turns into winter. Kate often pairs the different green coats she wears with black tights. Black heels or boots would work perfectly if you decide to take that route.

You Can Wear White after Labor Day. Just Do It Sparingly

If there ever was a sign that not wearing white after Labor Day no longer needs to be a hard-and-fast rule, it’s the Duchess of Cambridge herself wearing it. I think the key here is that the sleeves and the red pattern help to make it feel less like a summer sundress and more appropriate for fall wear. 

So would I recommend wearing an all-white outfit in the fall? No. But do I think that you can balance it out and bring it into the season with other darker colors? Absolutely.

Have Fun with Polka Dots

Aren’t polka dots fun? I think the dark-colored blouse is a nice way to transition into the darker colors we all begin to wear come fall and winter. And because the blouse is breathable, it works well as a transitional piece if it’s still hot where you live. It’s also a piece that would work well in the office. Take a tip from Kate, polka dots are a fun print best worn with a smile!

Sporty and Chic

Much like Princess Diana, Kate Middleton does athleisure really well. Her sports jacket looks really chic and could help you feel more put together when you go for a grocery run following your early morning one. It’s both practical and stylish because when the weather starts to get chilly, you aren’t going to want to stay in tank top and shorts for too long after your work out. 

You’ll find that she often wears jackets like this or puffer jackets when she participates in more casual or athletic type events. Pair it with some leggings or tracks pants or even, as she often does, black jeans with a lot of elastic so you can move. And you’ll be good to go.

Keep It More Casual in a Sweater

Kate does wear a lot of outfits that are a bit more formal due to her duties as a royal. But this is one outfit that you definitely won’t feel is too dressed up for your day-to-day. Kate’s style is clearly very classic, and so for more casual events, a sweater works perfectly for her. The striped detail is a nice way to make it a little less plain while keeping the outfit traditional.

If you want to dress this choice up a bit add a collared shirt underneath. This is a really good style to keep in your back pocket because you can wear a lot of different variations of it with different collared shirts and sweaters. J.Crew sells many color options of the same simple sweater, and their good quality means it will last you season after season.

Stay Warm and Bright in a Skirt Suit

A skirt suit set, along with coats and dresses, is one of Kate’s fall staples. Because England gets so cold, she actually gets away with wearing these items often deep into spring. But even if you won’t have that opportunity, when it gets chilly in the fall a skirt suit set is perfect. And it doesn’t require much thought. That’s the beauty of a matching set! 

Again, people tend to stick to dark neutral colors when it comes to items like this, but don’t be afraid to go bold. It’s still really easy to find how to wear it. Just look at Kate — simple black pumps and tights. It doesn’t require the accessories to be out of the ordinary, so don’t be afraid of the bright color. A quality set is definitely an investment piece, but you can shop high-street for this item; you don’t need to have the designer budget that Kate does to achieve this look.

I had to include another image of Kate in a skirt suit. She actually didn’t wear this one in fall, but it just screamed Thanksgiving Day to me (at least for those of us who do a more formal Thanksgiving dinner). I wanted to give this example because I thought the turtleneck and black gloves showed a different way you could wear a skirt suit. A little more versatile than you think, huh? And again black pumps and tights would work perfectly. Although, I think this set would work just as well with black knee-high boots and black tights. Easier to wear than you think!

Closing Thoughts

All of these images likely convinced you of what I have long believed: Kate is the Duchess, if you will, of fall style. It’s all about staying with classics and not shying away from color. Kate isn’t afraid to stand out in the crowd, and though it might take a little getting used to if you aren’t used to wearing bright colors, you won’t be either with time. So take some inspiration from Kate and put a little royal flair into your fall style this year.