The Princess of Wales looks effortlessly chic in lightweight shirtdresses, jersey wrap minis and printed skater dresses. When she’s not going glam for major events and ceremonies in the royal calendar, she sticks to a fashion formula of simple and sophisticated daywear.
Many of Princess Kate’s most iconic dresses are actually not bedazzled ballgowns or couture chiffon creations but are in fact effortless summer dresses and colorful midis.
Here are 17 of Kate Middleton’s Best Casual Dresses:
1. Katherine Hooker Ascot Shift Dress in Red
The princess wore this tailored and simple shift for a fundraising event in Norfolk in November 2014. Handmade in a London workshop, the elegant but understated cherry colored dress is perfect for work functions or cocktail hour. Kate’s tailored design is constructed of lightweight crepe wool with a wide neckline and elbow length sleeves.
2. Rochas Green Dahlia Print Midi Dress
This casual and charming dress is one of Princess Kate’s more playful styles and offers a contemporary feminine vibe. A built in belt, pleated skirt and round neckline give this 100% silk dress a touch of vintage allure. The designer dress is made in Italy and hails from the label’s pre-fall 2016 collection. Princess Kate wore the $2000 dress on one occasion to the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2017. Shop the dress HERE
3. Sandro Printed Flowing Midi Dress
Cutesy but not childish, this midi from the French fashion company has a fun teal tile print and ruched bodice. Offering the duchess the perfect summer day dress, the timeless frock has short batwing sleeves, a defined waist and delicate pleating. The princess stepped out in the dress on one occasion in July 2019. Shop the dress HERE
4. Somerset by Alice Temperley Black Peony Off the Shoulder Dress
Perfect for casual date nights in the city, this smocked boho dress has a pretty ditsy floral print and elegant knee-length. A vivid red, black and orange coral pattern offers intrigue while a nipped in waist creates a stunning hourglass figure. The princess was spotted in the “Peony” dress on the evening of March 30, 2017 alongside Prince William at the West London apartment home of sister Pippa Middleton. Similar look HERE
5. Suzannah Budding Heart Silk Tea Dress in Green
A classic vintage tea dress with an air of retro flair, this 1930s inspired green midi is adorned with a romantic white heart pattern. The easy and flowy silk crepe de chine dress was designed by speciality fabric printers in Como, Italy. In addition, the design is pin hemmed and impeccably tailored by London based dressmakers. Kate’s darling dress is inspired by the famous French flea market — the Porte de Clignancourt. The design is crafted with a 100% silk habotai skirt, smocked shoulders and pleated bust with a below the knee hem. Kate wore the dress on five occasions in 2014. Similar look HERE
6. Temperley London Titan Dress
Worn for her first public appearance following her engagement to Prince William, Kate donned this ivory georgette silk dress with a black waistband for charity fundraiser ‘The Thursford Christmas Spectacular’ in Norfolk in December 2010. The Christmas carol event was the perfect opportunity for Kate to do her best semi-casual dressing wearing the embellished black and cream dress with sheer nylons, court pumps and a cropped blazer. Shop the dress HERE
7. Whistles Sophie Rae Dress in Burgundy
This affordable high street dress is priced around $200 and was one of Kate’s most enchanting seasonal styles. Worn for a total of three engagements in the fall and winter of 2011-2013, this timeless design is rendered in a berry colored burgundy. The festive frock is elevated with a slimming waist defining belt and contemporary ladylike silhouette. Sheer long sleeves, a deep V-neckline and pure silk fabric give this dress plenty of holiday party panache. Shop a similar look HERE
8. Willow Hilson Vintage Coral and Turquoise Print Dress
Worn in Jamaica in March 2022, this vibrant dress has vintage charm and modern allure. Hailing from the 1950s, the bold and colorful striped dress has a playful black filigree pattern and thin spaghetti straps (Kate’s dress was modified to feature thicker straps). Sold at Willow Hilson boutique, the upcycled sundress is perfect for tropical climates and warm weather adventures.
9. Zimmermann Roamer Day Dress
Designed with a broderie anglaise floral pattern, this white eyelet dress has been spotted on the princess on two occasions–once in April 2014 in Sydney, Australia and again at the Wimbledon Men’s Quarter finals in July 2014. Kate’s flirty summer dress is perfect for long walks on the beach with its breezy fitted waistband and 1950s inspired silhouette. The dress pairs perfectly with cork wedges or lace-up ribbon espadrilles. Shop on eBay HERE or Poshmark HERE
10. Jenny Packham Buttercup Floral Shift Dress
This bespoke white silk shift dress features a dainty yellow floral pattern, three-quarter sleeves and a round neckline. Kate donned the dress for baby daughter Princess Charlotte’s royal debut on May 2, 2015 on the steps of the Lindo Wing. Adorned with small yellow flowers, the sweet shift dress has a whimsical feel with its buttercup blooms meaning ‘joy, cheerfulness and sunshine.’
11. Jaeger Pleated Shirtdress in Yellow
In the Solomon Islands in September 2011, Kate stepped out in this classic pleated dress from the British womenswear brand Jaeger. The sunny shirtdress perfectly captured the mood of the tropical trip with its flattering mid-length and cheery canary color. With cap sleeves, a button front shirt collar, pleated full skirt and matching belt, this charming dress was a standout in Kate’s stockpile of royal tour outfits. Shop the dress HERE
12. Hobbs Wessex Check Linen Dress in Grey
Hailing from the Hobbs Spring/Summer 2012 collection, this flirty skater dress is patterned with a cheeky check print. Kate wore the $45 dress for a visit to Bacon’s College in London in July 2012 and later at the National Indigenous Training Academy in Australia in April 2014. Shop the dress on eBay HERE and Poshmark HERE
13. Ghost Avery Blue Wrap Floral Print Maxi Dress
A pretty pale blue georgette wrap maxi has all the makings of a Georgian Era dress. Kate donned this romantic long dress with a ditsy floral pattern and wrap-effect bodice in October 2019 in Pakistan. Later, the mom of three donned the lightweight style for photos taken at Kensington Palace celebrating her 10-year wedding anniversary with Prince William. Shop the dress HERE
14. Tory Burch Chrissy Madura Print Dress
Designed with a unique and graphic moroccan-inspired print of abstract navy fans and flourishes, this designer dress has a modified boatneck and is constructed of a soft jersey fabric with a hint of fluidity courtesy of a delicate drape. The design has a straight fit with polished gold buttons and a matching fabric belt. Kate’s silk dress is ideal for office attire or chic daywear. Shop the dress HERE
15. Midnight Navy Eyelet Dress by Mulberry
With a defined waistline, eyelet print and pointed collar, this sleeveless designer dress was perfect for traveling to the Solomon islands. The princess was so comfortable in the modern fit and flare design that she swapped her Corkswoon navy suede Stuart Weitzman wedges for bare feet while traversing across the rugged beach landscape at the private resort on the island of Tavanipupu. Kate paired the pretty dress with a slim patent navy belt that remains unidentified. Shop a similar look HERE
16. Jenny Packham de Gournay Silk Dress
The princess donned this beautiful breezy floral frock by her go-to evening dress designer in July 2011 at a polo match in Santa Barbara. Appearing on Packham’s runways, the hand painted cap sleeve dress from the label’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection felt fun and fresh — perfect for mingling at stateside soirees.
17. Beulah London Cornflower Blue Sonia Blouson Dress
The princess was vivacious and vibrant in this midi-length baby blue dress for a charity polo match in July 2023. With sideswept hair, slingback pearl adorned heels and marbled Finlay sunglasses, she looked like a starry socialite. Kate’s enchanting daytime dress has blouson sleeves, a delicate floral and peacock motif as well as a lined bodice. Shop the look HERE
Photo credits: Getty, Pinterest
