While royal fans love seeing the Princess of Wales wearing new fashions and especially beautiful dresses, the mom of three actually wears one item on repeat that goes largely unnoticed: the skirt.
From midi to mini to military, Kate is often found in a slew of swingy and stylish skirts. She was once so fond of fitted skirts that she wore a black mini for school graduation and a tan style for yearbook photos; she frequently paired the short skirts with tights or riding boots. In addition, she was often found in equestrian skirt suits and coordinating blazer and trumpet skirts.
In her early years as a royal she would wear dainty knee-length designs from Whistles and Zara, as she grew into her role she donned more high-end designers ranging from Elie Saab to Emilia Wickstead.
The future queen is not immune to keeping up with the latest flashy fashion and of-the-moment trends and has been spotted in classic blue jean skirts and a white Zara denim skirt on royal duty circa the 2012 Olympics (which she recycled from her pre-marriage days).
Here are 8 Skirts Kate Middleton Can’t Stop Wearing:
1. Short Pleated Skirts
A fan of these mini ‘schoolgirl skirts’ — Kate has frequently been found in the flattering style with their crisp pleats offering a bit of volume and movement.
The princess paired a navy skirt by Irish fashion designer Orla Kiely with a navy zipper jacket by Max Mara for a Place2Be visit in November 2013. For some retail shopping in April 2012 at Peter Jones, the newlywed was dressed casually in a oatmeal V-neck sweater by Zara, fringed scarf and Polly Push Lock Herringbone Wool Skirt by Mulberry. In addition, she was spotted in a free flowing multi-colored ‘Maria’ short skirt by Whistles for a March 2014 shopping trip to GAP on Kensington High Street (she paired the skirt with a classic roll neck jumper in black from Whistles).
2. Classic Pencil Skirts
These formfitting ‘secretary skirts’ elevate a business ensemble from drab to fab. The flirty pencil skirt offers nostalgic vibes. Calling to mind the wiggle or sheath dress of the 1940s and 1950s, these slim styles are a must have for any work-to-weekend wardrobe.
Kate owns a nautical inspired Alexander McQueen pencil skirt from pre-fall 2011 featuring a gold anchor-embossed button front. She also has stepped out on royal duty in a red skirt suit from Armani with a body hugging bottom, a green Hobbs London ‘Sinead’ skirt and matching jacket and a Karen Millen black and white lace pencil skirt for a wedding in June 2005.
3. Red Tartan Skirts
The princess can’t resist a holiday happy skirt with a red grid pattern. From red plaid to checked styles — she’s eternally enamored with these classic Christmas skirts.
Princess Kate has worn a red tartan pleated ‘Pris’ midi skirt by Emilia Wickstead, an Italian made Gucci checked pleated wool skirt in brown from the label’s Resort 2019 runway collection and an unidentified red mini skirt in her pre-royal bachelorette days.
4. Flippy Mini Skirts
A versatile style for pairing with cardigans, blazers and t-shirts, these playful printed skirts are a must have for a quick and comfortable outfit for shopping and errands.
Kate owns a Jane Norman leaf skirt, French Connection paisley green skirt, a French Connection floral print skirt and a DVF floral skirt.
5. Pleated Midi Skirts
A flowy midi length skirt with pleats looks both modern and chic. Allover pleats provide movement and interest while a longer length looks elegant and timeless.
The princess has worn many pleated skirts in recent years–from snow white styles to cabernet colored designs. She loves bright red and burgundy midis from CO and Christopher Kane. She’s worn tan styles from Zara and lurex looks from Joseph. In addition, she’s worn blue skirts (Hope Fashion) and black midis with blazers and longline slim fit double-breasted coats.
6. Houndstooth Skirts
A black and white checked skirt in mini or maxi has a retro feel with modern charm.
The princess loves these scholarly skirts for daytime engagements and can’t resist a black and white houndstooth flat front skirt from Le Kilt, a black and white boucle tweed mini from Dolce & Gabbana, a houndstooth tweed midi from Zara or a checkered skirt from Dorothy Perkins which she wore in London in 2006.
7. Sweater Skirts
Appropriate for all seasons, the sweater skirt is a must have for any contemporary closet. Cozy and comfortable with eye-catching rib stitching, these knitted skirts can be put on heavy rotation during the cooler months.
A stretchy and curve hugging sweater skirt is a princess essential. Kate has worn styles from Sezane (the Naelle), Iris & Ink and Gabriela Hearst.
8. Tennis Skirts (Skort)
The tennis skirt offers plenty of swish on the court — with accordion pleats and a classic athletic design including a pair of built-in shorts — these kicky minis are perfect for tennis, golf or pickleball.
The princess has worn an Adidas x Stella McCartney Barricade white tennis skirt constructed of a smooth material woven in Italy. The British beauty also played in a skort from Poivre Blanc — the Meryl Stretch Pique shorts in oxford blue.
