Kate Middleton has closet full of colourful coats—she has outerwear for every occasion!
In this article, I look at some of the different styles she’s worn over the last few years. Perfect if you need style inspiration this autumn-winter.
1. The Classic Camel Coat
Everybody needs a camel coat in their wardrobe. Effortless and timeless in both design and colour. Easy-to-wear every day, yet smart if needs be.
For work, throw over tailored trousers and a blouse. Wear it with jeans and boots on the school run, or style with a long skirt, knit and ankle boots at the weekend. A camel coat will be a great addition to any wardrobe.
Kate’s is by Massimo Dutti. She’s worn it four times in public to date.
2. Velvet-Trimmed
Kate loves a velvet trim. And who can blame her? The plush fabric is elegant and glamourous. It transforms an otherwise unremarkable winter coat.
Kate’s worn this feminine Catherine Walker style on repeat! She owns it in two seasonal tones, cranberry red and forest green. This coat style is perfect for winter weddings, evening events and Christmas Day church services.
3. Military Coats
Kate’s known for literal dressing, where she acknowledges the occasion with her clothing choices. She often does this at engagements with army personnel—like at the cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday—by wearing coats with epaulettes, fringing and other military-inspired decorative elements (see below).
The above coat is a bespoke piece from Catherine Walker. Kate’s worn several military-inspired coats by Walker and her other go-to designer, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, over the last decade.
4. Gloriously Green
Kate owns a handful of glorious green coats, I can think of seven or eight styles she’s worn off the top of my head (and there’s probably more!)
The darker tones feel quite ‘elevated’, plus they suit the festive season perfectly. Ideal for layering over thanksgiving and Christmas outfits!
Above: Kate in green Alexander McQueen and Hobbs London coats.
5. Chic Coatdresses
Kate’s known for wearing coat dresses. She regularly wears the garments to high profile public engagements, like Trooping the Colour or National Services of Thanksgiving.
In the early days of her marriage, Kate opted for belted designs that hit the knee with full, pleated skirts (often by her favourite designers Emilia Wickstead, Alexander McQueen and Catherine Walker). Recently, she’s started wearing full-length buttoned versions too.
This kind of coat IS the outfit. Handy if you’re going to be sat on cold church pews at a wedding or in a draughty theatre hall.
6. Brilliantly bright
Queen Elizabeth famously wore bold colours so people could claim they’d spotted her among the crowds. “I have to be seen to be believed”, she is reported to have said. Kate follows the same principle. She’ll regularly attend public engagements wearing a coat in an eye-catching hue.
The Princess is not afraid of colour. She has dozens of bright red, blue, pink and green designs in her closet. Above: Kate’s wearing the Tilda coat by Hobbs London in pink.
6. Lovely longline
Longline coats are a key style for autumn-winter 2024. They’re fantastic for throwing over just about any outfit, as demonstrated by the sartorial set during fashion month. Kate’s leaned into the trend over the last few years:
This gorgeous iteration is from Hobbs London. It’s no longer available, but never fear, they sell similar in their current season offering.
With Kate out of the spotlight this year, and seeing so many pictures from the past, I realize I really, really love her style.
I still blame the Princess for fueling my coat and jacket addiction. She made me realize a simple outfit is elevated with fantastic outerwear. The problem is I look nothing like Kate and I don’t have her fantastic figure.
Due to my short size (5’1″ and 106 pounds) my multiple coats and jacket alterations bill just came back at over $2,300.00. I think I will fall in love with her coats that are perfect for her and remember I am simply too short to wear her looks.
I think we’ve mentioned this before, but yep… Kate has also fuelled my love of coats and blazers too. And I agree 100%, sometimes the outerwear MAKES the outfit.
That’s quite the alterations bill, oof!