Kate Middleton has become one of the world's style icons. Let's face it, the mother of three would never be caught dead in mom jeans or boxy shorts! But occasionally, the Duchess of Cambridge scores a fashion fail when she dresses too old for her age for a formal event. Kate proves that she's not perfect when she's too worried about pleasing Queen Elizabeth and dresses like she's a granny. And it's sort of crazy how often she tries to dress like one! Don't believe us? Between her many fashion successes, take a look at the the unforgettable times when Kate proved that "grandma-chic" wasn't a thing.
Look, we're not here to throw shade. Kate is a beautiful woman, a kind mother, and most of the time, she dresses elegantly. We usually would be writing about how amazing the royal looks as she goes about her royal duties. But it must be said, sometimes Kate has gotten it really wrong. Mostly when she tries to wear clothes that are too matronly and make her look dowdy. Come on, Kate! We know there is more than a gray shift dress in the royal closet. Surprise us!
Take a look at some of Kate's biggest fashion fails. We hate to say this about our favorite royal, but not every outfit can be a winner — and these certainly aren't.
Either way, of course, we still love Kate no matter what she's got on.
Why So Serious?
Though Kate generally goes for a much more youthful look, here, she was very buttoned up. Of course, certain occasions definitely call for a more somber outfit, but there's obviously a way to look respectful without adding years to her age!
Least Favorite
Probably one of our least favorite all time looks of Kate's, this dress makes her look frumpy. And she's not, which means this dress is doing the duchess a major disservice. Kate usually looks younger than she is, but this photo isn't doing her justice.
Buttoned Up
Kate always cleans up, but this dress also happens to age her up. It might be the fact that it's gray, long-sleeved, and boasts a rather boring pattern, but not even Queen Elizabeth would wear something like this in public.
Hoop Dreams
Kate seems a bit overdressed for a basketball game in this heavy coat — even if she is wearing a pair of skinny pants. Come on, Kate! Even royals can let loose a little at a sporting event. This would have been a perfect opportunity for jeans and a casual top.
In Development
While visiting a child development center, Kate kept it conservative. But that doesn't mean she has to dress like she's her mother's age, right? We're not sure if it's the coat or the fact that the coat is paired with dark pants, but it's not her best look.
Show Off
Though Kate's coat is beautiful, it hides her enviable figure, instead making her look like a giant rectangle when we know she's not! If she's got it, she should flaunt it, and Kate's definitely got it. She looks much younger in coats that are a bit more fitted.
Flower Child
Love this floral Erdem gown or hate it — for some reason, this loud pattern has been polarizing among royal style fans. Either way, it doesn't exactly bring out the youth in Kate. And let's face it, the bangs don't help either. Not a fan!
Green Machine
There's no question Kate's green coat is gorgeous, but it doesn't exactly make her look like a spring chicken. Normally, this color looks great on her, but it's another long, rectangular coat that falls at her knees that she should ditch from her collection.
Baby on Board
Finding maternity clothes is tough, even for a royal. But regardless, we're not crazy about this dowdy pattern that Kate wore when she was expecting. After all, we've seen her style her bump in so many adorable ways, so we know she can do it. This one was a miss.
Coat Check
Kate looks lovely, but this outfit is not as youthful as some of her other, more tailored looks — and we're seeing a pattern in her coat collection. Why is it that her winter wear ends up being some of her frumpiest looks?
Age Appropriate
In her large black hat, Kate looks like she's at least 10 years older. Of course, this photo was taken on Rembrance Sunday, a day when the royals dress in all black and solemnly remember members of the military who lost their lives in service to the country, but was this coat and hat combo necessary?
Fancy Dress
Kate wore this dress to honor her hosts in Malaysia — and then again, years later, to the BAFTA Awards red carpet — though fashion critics might say it kind of makes her look old. Some days we like this look and other days we really live without it. Today, something about the pattern and the sleeves just doesn't sit right with us.
Jewel of the Crown
Kate's look would have been fine — if she were 10 years older. But this particular dress is doing nothing for a woman in her 30s! We could definitely see Carole Middleton wearing this. Did Kate borrow this outfit from her mom?
Queen for a Day
For the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration, Kate definitely wasn't taking any fashion risks — and we have to wonder if she was trying to emulate Queen Elizabeth's style here, because we could definitely see the monarch wearing this coat.
Touch of Gray
Speaking of outfits that Queen Elizabeth would also wear — maybe she borrowed this little number from her? Gray can look youthful for sure, but this coat and hat just aren't doing it for us. Kate deserves better!
Gingham Nightmare
This dress isn't doing Kate any favors! Not that there's anything wrong with this color or gingham in general, but the combination isn't wonderful. The high neckline and shapeless cut go far in making Kate look much older than she is.
Grandma Kate?
This is a proper outfit … for a 70-year-old woman. We have a hard time imagining that Kate, in all her stylishness, would have chosen this particular outfit herself, so maybe it's her stylist who is to blame?
On Loan?
Did Kate borrow this dress from one of her older relatives? Though we do miss Kate's super long hair, it's not enough to save her from the matronly looking dress she's wearing in this photo. A real bummer!
Running for Office
Kate didn't have to run for office to become the Duchess of Cambridge, but apparently, she was prepared to dress like she was campaigning anyway. In this dress, Kate looks more like a politician than a 30-something mama.
A Night Out
This photo was taken when Kate was having a night out to see a performance of Dear Evan Hansen at London's Noel Coward Theatre, but she didn't exactly dress like a young woman who was out to see a show. This long-sleeved dress isn't too youthful, and the dark color certainly doesn't help matters.
Buttoned Up
Fulfilling a royal obligation doesn't have to mean dressing like this! We definitely appreciate Kate's big smile (and her earrings), but once again, this coat is just not doing it for us — especially since there are so many more attractive ones in her closet.
Plaid About It
Unfortunately, Kate seems to have turned up to this royal engagement looking like she borrowed something from her grandmother's closet. The plaid long-sleeve dress isn't cut to flatter her whatsoever … and don't even get us started on that bow at the neckline.
A Busy Pattern
We totally understand wanting to wear a floral pattern to the Chelsea Flower Show (and that Kate was going to see Queen Elizabeth there), but this one just wasn't working for us. The pattern is so big and busy, and the neckline and sleeves are extra frumpy.
The Gray Coatdress
We're beginning to think Kate might want to consider pulling all of her gray options out of her closet. In 2018, she pulled out this little number for an engagement with William, but it didn't exactly win her any best-dressed awards.
Floral Camouflage
Another floral miss for Kate, unfortunately. When this photo was taken, she was heavily pregnant with Prince Louis, which could have played a role in the outfit she chose, but this dress and its pattern camouflaged her so well it looks like she has no figure at all.
In Memory
Here's another Remembrance Sunday look that didn't quite hit the mark. Though Kate's coat (and its gold buttons) is a bit better than some of the others we've seen, that plus the hat certainly aged her. And don't get us started on that dated hairstyle.
A Chevron Miss
The chevron trend came in and went back out so quickly that anything with that pattern immediately looks dated, and unfortunately, this look has only made Kate look older (especially paired with that hat). Remember what we said about Kate and the color gray?
