There’s no better time to wear plaid than fall, something Kate Middleton clearly knows all too well. The Princess of Wales was seen recently in a plaid checked midi dress with a peplum and puff sleeves that is giving me lots of style inspo for the season ahead.
While there are no rules that say you can’t wear certain prints and patterns year round, you can’t deny that some seasons have their signature styles. For example, flowers look best in spring. Polka dots have such a summertime feel. And fall? Fall is for plaid.
Princess Kate seems to think so too. After wearing an elegant midi dress with polka dots just a few months ago—which, by the way, was very reminiscent of Princess Diana in the ’80s—she seems to have spiritually moved onto fall by dressing herself in a midi dress with a plaid pattern. The look was worn on the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, on which the Princess of Wales and her husband, Prince William, made an unscheduled appearance in the village of Sunningdale to visit the local branch of a women’s institute. For the occasion Kate Middleton opted for a midi dress by Alessandra Rich (who was also responsible for that aforementioned polka dot dress).
Princess Kate, alongside her husband Prince William, in a checked midi dress by Alessandra Rich.
ALASTAIR GRANT/Getty Images
While coarse checked plaid is often used in more rustic situations, the princess’s midi dress can only be described as elegant. It’s the details on the top that elevate the look: a small peplum, sparkling decorative buttons, subtle puff sleeves, and a playful collar with ruffles. With the plaid print, which is in a simple grey color scheme, the midi dress becomes the perfect mix of casual and sophisticated. The princess rounded off the look with understated jewelry and matching shoes.
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By the way: After the princess appeared in public recently with a much lighter hair color, it now looks darker again. It’s possible she gave her blonde hair a little more of a natural look with a gloss. Yet another sign that Kate Middleton is ready for fall.
A version of this post was previously published in Vogue Germany.
