While laughing and carousing with their friends in the August heat of last summer, festival revelers were surprised to see a familiar face enjoying live music and outdoor dancing. In fact, among the crowds at Houghton Festival in Norfolk, England, Princess Kate was the unexpected concert-goer spotted bathing in the sounds, sightseeing at the sculpture parks and sipping on cocktails. The mom of three was snapped in candid photo enjoying her royal-free leisure time at the electronic music fest at Houghton Hall.
For the outdoor festival, the princess was clad in black skinny jeans, Sezane Esmee boho beaded earrings, a delicate pendant necklace as well as her Veja Esplar low top gold sneakers. Yet, it was the princess’ casual top which most intrigued royal watchers. The British beauty was wearing a sleek fitted off-the-shoulder black bodysuit (or shirt).
This isn’t the first time Kate has enjoyed the trendy and streamlined look of an off-the-shoulder style. Often worn for evening engagements, the princess revels in the slightly daring but mostly modest silhouette.
Here are Kate Middleton’s 9 Best Off-the-Shoulder Dress Moments:
1. Alexander McQueen Red Off-the-Shoulder Maxi Dress
An Italian made dress with a fluid maxi skirt, this silk blend frock was a hit with those members of the K-Middy Fan Club. The stunning scarlet dress is constructed with airy chiffon and a crinkled finish thus, giving good statement shoulder. Party-ready, the ruffled hem dress was perfect for an appearance at the Queen’s Birthday Party at the Ambassador’s residence in Berlin in the summer of 2017.
2. Barbara Casasola Tribal Off-the-Shoulder Dress
Classic and chic, this stretch-jersey dress has perfectly placed panels for highlighting an hourglass figure. The off-the-shoulder silhouette gives the cocktail dress more drama while allover stretch invites onlooker admiration. Mesh inserts, a zipper fastening at the front and delicate ribbing detail make this an ‘It girl’ dress. Kate wore the stunning design in July 2016 at an Art Fund dinner and again in June 2019 for an Action on Addiction Awareness gala.
3. Jenny Packham Wonder Off-the-Shoulder Tulle Gown in Emerald Green
Adding a bit of fairytale fashion to her Crown closet, this romantic dress leveled up Kate from demure duchess to polished princess. Based on Packham’s ‘Wonder’ tulle-heavy gown, this off-the-shoulder creation stunned, surprised and shocked those attending a dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica at King’s House in March 2022. An ode to Walt Disney heroines and storybook beauties, the dress was surely finished with a pair of glass slippers.
4. Jenny Packham Ink Silk Tulle Gown
A ‘Classic Catherine’ dress this floor-grazing gown with its moody midnight tulle and black velvet sash belt was a sartorial showstopper. Perfectly marrying Kate’s favorite fabric with a revealing off-the-shoulder neckline, this pretty party dress was gothic ethereal at its finest.
5. Solace London Sabina Green Gown
This highlighter hued floor-length gown gave the princess curves for days and showcased her impeccably fit frame. Wearing the bright neon dress in an ode to preserving the planet, Kate’s sleek Boston dress brought the glam to the green carpet at the Earthshort Awards. With an exaggerated off-the-shoulder neckline, Kate’s evening style got the royal watcher seal of approval: a green light.
6. Floral Alexander McQueen Off-the-Shoulder Gown
Playing princess day in and day out is no easy feat, yet Kate always manages to look fabulous and flawless. Case in point: her Alexander McQueen floral print gown from the designer’s Resort 2016 collection. The royal modified McQueen’s Long Tier Violet Jacquard Dress to create a stunning strapless-like style for her BAFTA awards dress in 2017.
7. Zara Striped Off-the-Shoulder Dress
A casual and contemporary day dress, this polo-friendly style has a plunging neckline with open shoulders. Designed from a cotton and linen blend, Kate stepped out in the lightly striped summery frock with ruching at the bodice for a fun family day with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Beaufort Polo Club in June 2018.
8. Roland Mouret Lamble Gown in Black and White
Kate’s stunning and sophisticated colorblock dress is designed with a stretch crepe and sleek off-the-shoulder contrasting white neck band. The British princess graced the red carpet at the Top Gun: Maverick film premiere in May 2022 in this elegant formfitting sheath.
9. Alexander McQueen Off-the-Shoulder Gown
Clad in a romantic and frothy gown from the House of McQueen for her 40th birthday portraits, Kate’s ethereal dress was exquisitely elegant. Emulating the look of her queenly predecessors and royal relatives, Kate was every inch the glamorous future monarch.
