Author: Sarah Stook

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, while the consort of our future king, is the royal family’s prime style icon. Modest and elegant, her styling often draws on her classical silhouette, reminiscent of the statues of Greek antiquity, and her expression as an English rose. Here are my favourite of her outfits in every colour and the dates when she first wore them:

Ivory: Wedding Dress, Sarah Burton, 29th April 2011

Ok, I put ivory in here because I wanted to admire Kate’s wedding dress. So many people were wondering about what she would go for, especially since her late mother-in-law Diana’s dress is so influential. We first caught a glimpse of the dress in the car, but we got a full look when she stepped out. Kate went for this a-line number by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. The dress incorporated a vintage pinched waist, lace sleeves, high neckline, semi-bustle and floral motif on the bodice. She wore a fingertip length veil with lace embroidery at the base and a Cartier Halo tiara lent to her by the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was traditional enough for a royal bride, but not overtly old-fashioned. The dress is comparable to the iconic bridal gown of Grace of Monaco in 1956, especially regarding the lace sleeves. Kate’s dress created a trend for lace and sleeves in wedding gowns. 

I’m a big wedding dress obsessive (Say Yes to the Dress’s most loyal viewer), and I think that this is one of my favourite famous royal looks. 

White: Painting Event in Portsmouth, Max Mara, 29th March 2017

Kate wore this classy and clean knee-length Max Mara coat on a visit to a painting event in Portsmouth. Paired with a black clutch bag and navy heels for colour, she looked absolutely lovely.

Black: Queen’s Funeral, Alexander McQueen, 19th September 

The new Princess of Wales wore this beautiful black v-neck by Alexander McQueen to the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022. The dress was both lovely and respectful, and the veiled hat added to it. Her necklace previously belonged to the Queen, who had lent it to Diana in 1982. The pearl earrings and bracelet were the same ones that she wore to Prince Philip’s funeral the year before. 

Grey: Sports Activities in Basildon, Essex, Smythe, 30th October 2018 

We don’t have much of Kate in grey, so it was slim pickings. Nevertheless, this Smythe blazer, first worn at a sports trip in Basildon, looked great against another all-black look.

Silver: Tusk Conservation Awards, Jenny Packham, 12th September 2013

We don’t have much of Kate in silver either, but she went for it in September 2013 at the Tusk Conservation Awards. In her first outing since the birth of Prince George, Kate wore this shiny Jenny Packham number.

Gold: No Time to Die Premiere, Jenny Packham, 28th September 2021

Kate looked like a femme fatale Bond girl in this divine gold Jenny Packham at the premier of No Time to Die. The sequins, up-do, and dangly earrings add a great touch to this already fabulous look.

Yellow: Platinum Jubilee Service, Emilia Wickstead, 3rd June 2022 

Yellow is an almost impossible colour to pull off for most people, but Kate wore it well at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service in 2022. I particularly love the cross waist and the choice of nude pumps, as it doesn’t overwhelm the dress.

Orange: Wimbledon 2015, L. K. Bennett, 8th July 2015

I couldn’t find much of Kate in orange, so I went for the most orange-like red possible. This was a 2015 Wimbledon look, and I find that Kate often picks superb outfits for tennis. It’s a great simple and clean summer dress that shows how casual the engagement is.

Red: UK-Africa Investment Summit, Needle and Thread, 20th January 2020

Kate first wore this glittery Needle and Thread number to a summit at Buckingham Palace in January 2020. The red is perfect for someone with fair skin and dark hair like Kate, and is classy without being stuffy. I love the sparkle too! I personally think that Kate looks best with her hair long and wavy too. She wore this dress again for a 2022 Christmas Carol service preview.

Green: Family Action in Lewisham, Beulah, 23rd January 2019

Kate doesn’t wear green a lot, but she did for this Beulah coat in January 2019. I particularly like the dark green as opposed to a lighter one, as well as the buttons and the belt.

Blue: Dress, Jenny Packham, 31st October 2018

Whilst Kate’s blue engagement dress from 2010 is quite memorable, I absolutely adore this number from 2018. It fits perfectly, I love the colour and the flared sleeves. I also love how she had her hair loose and wavy again. She was at an event at the Imperial War Museum, where she learned about her grandmother’s three brothers, all of whom had died serving in WW2. 

Purple: Northern Ireland, Emilia Wickstead, 15th November 2023

This is one of my favourite Kate looks. She wore this purple Emilia Wickstead number on a trip to Northern Ireland in 2021. Whilst I am a dress girl through and through, I just love this suit. It’s feminine and chic whilst perfectly tailored. The late Queen only allowed women in the inner circle to wear purple, so it was lucky that Kate counted.

Pink: Wimbledon, Beulah, 11th July 2021

Pink is my favourite colour, baby pink in particular. Kate once again won the Wimbledon style stakes with this very girly Beulah dress. I love the buttons and upturned collar, which give it a slightly vintage look. She wore this dress again to a Young V&A opening in 2023.

Brown: Trip to Falmouth, Hobbs, 9th February 2023

We don’t get a lot of Kate in brown, but she wore this Hobbs coat on her first trip to Cornwall as Princess of Wales. I like how it suits her dark red dress and turtleneck top.

Sarah is a writer for Elections Daily, The Mallard and other publications. She enjoys history, reading and fashion.