As one of the most famous women on the planet, and one who is in the spotlight year-round, Kate Middleton has one of the world's most fabulous wardrobes for each season of the year. There is no doubt that the Duchess of Cambridge looks amazing from spring to winter — whether indoors or out, whether on duty or off — but we especially love her fall style. As the weather turns chilly, that's when she tends to step out in a particularly huge array of clothes, shoes, hats, and jewelry — many of them pretty spectacular.
But it's not just that the future queen, full-time working royal, and mother of three has an incredible amount of wonderful fall looks, but that there are patterns that emerge that make it easy to figure out how to cop her vibe in our own ordinary lives. There are things that she always does in terms of fashion, combinations that she always turns to, and tricks and strategies to keep herself warm and stylish while pushing royal fashion forward — all of which keep the duchess on best-dressed lists perpetually.
We looked back at pages and pages of her cold-weather looks, whether dressy or casual, and picked out fashionable items, details, and ideas to inspire us to take our closet to the next level this fall. Here are 20 easy ways to copy Kate's fall style.
Mix in White
It often seems as if the color white is banished from wardrobes everywhere as soon as summer is done, but just because the weather is chillier, and the leaves are turning, doesn't meant that we have to stick to dark tones — as Kate proves with this gorgeous floral dress. The background may be be a deep red, but the white flowers lighten it up.
Update the Neutral Coat
Think chocolate brown is the go-to fall neutral? Think again! Camel is a fresh, unexpected alternative, especially because it's so easy on the eyes that we can do a long coat — like Kate's in a cappuccino shade — and not get tired it. It pops without being neither dull and dark, or jarringly bright. It's perfect.
Add Just Enough Bling
Honestly, we haven't worn necklaces over a turtleneck since we posed for sixth grade class pictures, thinking we were the bee's knees — then hid the pictures in the attic for years — but darn it if Kate didn't go and make the look fashionable again. It makes so much sense. Take a boring staple, like a turtleneck, and add a simple piece for a little tasteful shine.
Go for Gold
Kate wore two fall 2020 trends in one piece earlier this year, when she pulled on this marigold sweater with puffy sleeves (from Zara) for a Zoom video she and Prince William did with kids. The color is classic falling-leaves autumn, and puffy sleeves are a pretty twist on a basic sweater.
Invest in a Vest
We ain't gonna lie: We're not huge into bug-and-mud filled camping trips, but we'd definitely go glamping in a surprisingly cute nubuck vest like Kate's. While there are plenty of practical outdoorsy vests with a million pockets and washable fabrics, we love the idea of a next-level vest made out of a sumptuous material with sleek oversize pockets.
Add Hiking Boots to the Fall Collection
When y'all are done taking another look at that vest, look down at Kate's feet, where we see the perfect alternative to those tired autumn footwear styles (Uggs and ankle boots). They are haute hiking boots (by Chloe), and like the vest, they are not happy to simply be practical, but are drop-dead gorgeous. A pair of comfortable, beautifully designed hiking boots that go with everything from skinny jeans to skirts? Yes, please.
Rock a Miniskirt
One of the awesomest things about fall is that it's a transitional season, so there'll be a warm day here and there and a chilly breeze the next. Either way, that's mini-skirt weather, baby! If they're made of a warm material, like tweed, but still hit well above the knee, we can show off legs wrapped in tights.
Pull on Some Wellies
Kate is queen of the stylish Wellington boots. She has several pairs, and they're not the ultra rubbery, thick kind. After all, there is no need to look like an Alaskan fisherman just because there's a little mud or rain on the ground. The key is getting a pair with a little flexibility — in a neutral color that can blend in with any outfit, or as in the case in this picture — actually make the outfit.
Go for Some Rich Velvet
We don't have a close-up of the velvet Prada heels that Kate wore to Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018, but there's almost no need: The color and texture is so rich that even from afar, it's obvious. We'd wear all velvet everything all fall long if we could. It's instant luxury, whether on shoes, hats, or an entire dress.
Get Tweedy
Tweed. Tassels. Buckles. Fall shoes are all about the embellishments that would look much too heavy in summer, like these cute shoes that Kate wore on an official outing. Block heel, kitten heel, whatever the shoe, they can take on a little heft in the waning months of the year.
Wear a Statement Hat
We love this crazy hat. It's certainly an interesting piece of millinery: fedora-in-front, swirly-river-of-velvet-in-back — one of Kate's many unforgettable toppers. It is a showstopper that no one can possibly miss. And that's the mark of a great statement hat. Whatever style, color, and material y'all go for, just make sure it's not meek.
Add Unexpected Details
This fedora is already pretty cool, because it's so rare for a royal woman. (We don't think anyone's worn one — aside from Meghan Markle — since the '80s.) The ultramarine color is also unexpected, and Kate added an extra detail: a band of feathers that adds texture and a touch of playfulness.
Slide on a Headband
Headbands are those accessory soldiers just standing by, waiting for those days when we don't know what in the world to do with hair that's gone limp — or we just don't feel like spending serious time with hairdryers and gels. We're not talking Hilary Clinton circa the 1992 presidential election, we're talking beautiful pieces, like the braided pink one that Kate wore for Baby Archie's christening pictures. It's a little punk rock, a little Frida, and very cool.
A Sweater Can Go a Long Way
A soft sweater with a button-down shirt underneath, and jeans. That's it. That's Kate's perfect, fuss-free hanging-out-at-home-but-going-out-to-the-store-real-quick-and coming-right-back-to-binge-watch outfit, as it is for a lot of people. (What's y'alls?) Whether it's like Kate's, or leggings and an oversize sweater, find what feels great and wear it all season.
Unbulk
Chunky and warm sweaters are a must for fall, but we need a few sweaters in the closet that are just plain beautiful, like Kate's delicate, scalloped knit piece, which is so thin we can see the peekaboo diamond pattern. We can always just wear it with a scarf and a warm coat, and peel them off indoors for the big reveal.
Wrap It Up
No one wants to wear a heavy, itchy, lined coat when fall weather is a bit warmer, or when we're at a casual activity where we want to move around. For those occasions, a short wrap coat is perfect. This one, by Sentaler, is cashmere, so it's warm and light at the same time, and so easy to wear. Just wrap, tie, and boom: easy and stylish.
Find the Perfect Blazer
The ideal short blazer is versatile and doesn't make us look like Brenda from accounting. (In other words, it should not be boxy and blah.) Instead, it should be slightly fitted, and altered if need be — and if it has a pattern — it's one that can go with any bottom piece. Kate's check blazer has a bonus detail: a collar lined in a slightly thicker fabric to keep in warmth.
Cute Little Ankle Boots
Honestly, most of Kate's fall boots are a bit on the generic side — mostly black, with unremarkable heels. (Good quality, of course, but nothing to write home about.) Still, Kate Middleton does have a great collection of ankle boots, which she wears with dresses, skirts, and skinny jeans and are her go-to in fall. One particularly special pair is soft-sided with an elegant buckle, which is our new standard for ankle boots.
Fits like a sock, and looks likes a Prada.
Join Club No Tights
We love tights. They they shape our legs, and, straight up, allow us to go unshaven for days. But it can get old wearing them day in, day out — not to mention the fact that they need their own laundry day. That's the time to go with a bare look, either with lotioned actually bare legs, or like Kate, with basically invisible pantyhose. It's a ballsy bit of seasonal counter-programming that is sure to turn heads in November.
Warm Dress
Not only does Kate sometimes go bare-legged in the middle of November, but more often than not, she'll step out of the car without a coat on unless it's like 25 degrees out. (Hey, she can't keep up that style icon rep if every picture shows her bundled up!!) So how does she do it — aside from having ice cold water running through her veins? A dress that is warm enough to keep her comfy from the sidewalk to the indoors. It's also a great way to avoid a heavy coat and tons of bulky layers, and a scarf doesn't hurt!
