As one of the biggest royal fashion icons of the past decade, it practically goes without saying that when it comes to style, Kate Middleton truly does set the standard. People look to her to find out what's going to be big in fashion next; her Alexander McQueen wedding look alone proved that she's been a royal trendsetter since the day she and Prince William said "I do." But the Princess of Wales doesn't always set the trends — sometimes, like the rest of us, she follows them.
On the whole, Kate's style is mostly timeless and classic. She opts for outfits, hairstyles, and makeup looks that won't appear outdated or silly several decades from now, and we totally understand why — the photos that are taken of her are literally going to be found in history books for years to come.
But every once in a while, she gets swept up in a new trend like the rest of us do, and while not every single look is a winner, usually she totally nails it.
Scroll on to see the times Kate has tried out a new fashion trend. They haven't all ended up being looks she's repeated, but we love her for testing out something fresh.
Structured & Seasonal
During a visit to a maternity hospital in October 2022, Kate diverted from her usual color palette in favor of a bold goldenrod-colored dress that was seasonally appropriate — the perfect hue for autumn. This Karen Millen dress is more structured than what we usually see from Kate, but that wasn't a bad thing at all.
Wide-Leg Pants
Wide-leg pants are so in right now that it's another trend that Kate — who has long been a fan of skinny pants — simply could not ignore. During the first trip she made to Wales after receiving the Princess of Wales title, Kate sported a pair of black Roland Mouret trousers with a black top and a red coat.
Color Blocking
In the fall of 2021, Kate was seen picking up on fashion trend that a fellow British celebrity Victoria Beckham had been spotted wearing around town as well. Choosing bright, bold looks that only incorporate two or three colors, Kate was killing it in the color blocking department with her red dress and tan accessories.
Monochrome
The monochrome trend has been going strong in Hollywood in recent years, and Kate isn't immune to the hold it has on people's closets. She's matched up several shades of the same color in one outfit on multiple occasions, especially when it comes to her beloved blue.
All in White
Kate took part in a major trend in April 2022 when she dressed in white from head to toe as she attended the Anzac Day service. Pairing a white hat from Jenny Packham with a white coatdress from Alexander McQueen, Kate looked stunning — and she even included some white gloves to complete her look.
Chelsea Boots
In winter 2021, Chelsea booties — basically, flat ankle boots with elastic insets at the ankles — were trending big time, and of course it's something that Kate jumped on. Not that we should have been surprised, since these boots have royal roots. According to Marie Claire, they were originally designed for Queen Victoria so she'd have something to wear while riding horses without laces that would get caught in the stirrups.
A Simple Vest
Kate has been known to wear a vest every so often, usually to royal engagements that are a bit more outdoorsy than what she's used to. This trendy piece comes and goes as far as fashion is concerned, and when it's in, Kate seems to jump at the chance to wear one.
Puddle Pants
In the spring of 2022, Kate pulled a different type of pants out of her closet than she normally does: the puddle pant. They get their name from the way they pool at your feet, often looking like a pair of pants that needs to be hemmed — but make it fashion.
Two-Tone Shoes
We often see Kate in heels, and that includes the two-tone shoes that have been on trend this fall. In recent months, Kate has been seen wearing different variations of this footwear look, usually in varying shades of cream paired with black.
A White Tank
This sounds far too simple (and far too much like a basic closet staple) to be a trend, but it totally is. After seeing it on the runway, Vogue dubbed the white tank top a major summer 2022 trend, and Kate wore one with pride when she attended the Commonwealth Games in August 2022.
The Color of Spring
Though Easter 2022 wasn't the first time that Kate wore her blue Emilia Wickstead coatdress, it was perfectly timed, given that this year's biggest spring color trend was the exact same shade. In the spring, that shade was everywhere, and it seems like Kate took notice.
The Spring Shirt Dress
Also trending in spring 2022 was the shirt dress, but Kate took it to another level when she shared her take on it (as she always does). She wore this yellow and white patterned Alessandra Rich dress that really elevated the overall look during her visit to the Bahamas with Prince William.
'Bridgerton' Style
Bridgerton takes place in regency England, and Kate lives in modern-day England, but that doesn't mean she isn't taking cues from one of Netflix's hottest shows of the past two years. During that same visit to the Bahamas, Kate wore a Bridgerton-style mint green dress with puffy sleeves that would have helped her fit right in on set.
Puffer Vest
During a visit to Scotland, Kate wore a fall favorite trend piece: a puffer vest. Not only is it cute, but it's also functional — there's no doubt that she was toasty and warm while wearing this quilted vest! These have been in and out of style for decades, but Kate makes it look timeless.
The Blanket Coat
The blanket coat is one of those trends you can't help but be thankful for because of how cozy and comfy they are. We don't doubt that's how Kate was feeling when she wore this one from Massimo Dutti to an event about World Mental Health Day in 2020.
