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The Princess’s October Style Over the Years

The Princess’s October Style Over the Years

Hello, and welcome to a post covering styles worn in previous Octobers by the Princess of Wales. There were no engagements for the Duchess of Cambridge in October 2011, so we begin with October 2012, when the Duchess brought back a familiar coat while doing solo visits to Newcastle and Stockton. Here, you see her at Elswick Park in Newcastle.

You also see the Duchess’s former private secretary, Rebecca Priestley (née Deacon), on the left in this photo.

The Duchess making a new friend.

Many will have recognized the coat immediately, a design Kensington Palace said was created by an independent dressmaker that was initially worn on Christmas Day 2011. It featured a fitted silhouette with a funnel neckline and hidden front closure.   

Beneath the coat, it looked like the Duchess wore a dress by Whistles, the brand’s ‘Sofie Rae’ style in 100% silk. It was first noted at a November 2011 UNICEF engagement in Denmark.

The Duchess accessorized with an Alexander McQueen belt and her Aquatalia Rhumba boots.

The Duchess also wore her Kiki McDonough Citrine Drops (£695, roughly $903 at today’s exchange rates) earrings, shown below as worn on another occasion. 

In mid-October 2013, the Duchess took part in her first solo engagement since the birth of Prince George. The event was a SportsAid Athlete Workshop at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

In this image, you see her in a workshop session with athletes. 

The Duchess famously played volleyball.

I say ‘famously’ because many marveled at her ability to do so in her Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon wedges. 

She also sported her Smythe One-Button Blazer ($725), Breton stripe ‘Tori’ top from Ralph Lauren, and J Brand jeans

The Duchess wore her Kiki McDonough Grace White Topaz Earrings (£895, about $1165).Kiki McDonough

Our October 2014 look is by Alexander McQueen, worn when the Duke and Duchess welcomed the President of Singapore and his wife, Mrs. Tony Tan Keng Yam, to the United Kingdom. This was the Duchess’s return to public engagements after a two-month absence; she was expecting Princess Charlotte and dealing with the effects of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. 

The design was from the upcoming Spring 2015 collection. It showcased the fit-and-flare silhouette favored by the Duchess.

This photo offers a look at the back of the garment. 

The official style name was the Box Pleat A-Line coat. Some minor modifications were made to the Duchess’s coat, most notably the shortening of the lapels. 

The Duchess accessorized with a Jane Taylor hat, the ‘Lupin’ style, described by the designer as a teardrop beret in grey velour felt. It was previously worn on Easter 2014 during the Australia tour. She carried Jenny Packham’s ‘Roxy’ clutch and wore black suede Prada Heels

The Duchess’s jewelry included her Kiki McDonough Gold and Diamond Hoops (£700, about $910), the Annoushka Baroque Pearl Drops ($535), and her Mappin and Webb Empress necklace

I picked this October 2015 ensemble because it features a brand I remain fond of, Orla Kiely. The company offers almost no apparel (they did a capsule collection with Regatta) but continues selling handbags, gifts, and home goods.

This engagement focused on a children’s mentoring program in Islington, London.

The Grey Floral Appliqué Pleated Dress was embellished with daisies on the bodice.

It also featured three-quarter-length sleeves, a self-belt at the waist, and a back zipper. 

The dress was first noted at an engagement with Prince Charles at an art gallery in March 2012.

The Duchess accessorized with her Mulberry ‘Bayswater’ clutch in black suede, her ‘Power’ pumps by Stuart Weitzman, and her Kiki McDonough/Annoushka earrings.

Next, a look at the ensemble worn by the Duchess of Cambridge in October 2016 for a day of engagements in The Hague and Rotterdam, her first solo overseas trip.

Here, you see her being greeted by King Willem-Alexander at Villa Eikenhorst, the royal family’s official residence.

After lunch with the King, she visited the Mauritshuis Gallery/Museum, where she viewed an exhibition featuring works from The Royal Collection.

This photo shows her viewing The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. 

The Duchess chose a cornflower blue skirt suit by Catherine Walker for the day. Made of wool crepe, the suit features a jacket with a fitted bodice, a wide collar, large self-covered buttons, a peplum waist, notched sleeves that flared at the cuff, and a wide belt. The matching knee-length skirt was a straight cut with a center-back kick vent.

The most notable accessory for the day was a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings on loan from the Queen. They were worn by the Queen during her Silver Jubilee and are often referred to as the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Pearl and Diamond earrings. 

We also saw the Gianvito 105 Praline Pumps ($795) and the ‘Nina’ Clutch (£150, about $195) by LK Bennett. The fact the original brands still stock these items speaks to the selling power of the Princess of Wales.

We now move to October 2017, and a Temperley London design worn for a World Mental Health Day reception at Buckingham Palace

The Duchess of Cambridge was expecting Prince Louis at the time and dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum again.

She chose a lacy blue design for the event, Temperley’s Eclipse Lace Collar Dress in a color called ‘Iris.’

It was a style from the A/W ’17 collection, made in a cotton and rayon blend with an A-line silhouette, cotton voile skirt panels, sheer sleeves and shoulders, and black velvet trim. 

Here you have a better view of the lace. 

The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito 105 Black Suede Pumps ($795) and her Mulberry ‘Bayswater’ clutch, also in black suede. 

She also wore her Kiki McDonough ‘Eden’ earrings with blue topaz stones surrounded by diamonds.

The Duchess’s first engagement after Prince Louis’s birth was an outdoor event in mid-October 2018

She visited a forest school in Paddington, London, and met students from a local primary school. (I always loved this expression on her face.)

As I wrote in the original post, “Everyone was a royal today as the Duchess helped the children make leaf crowns.”

She was in pieces by Fjällräven, a Swedish brand specializing in outdoor clothing. Her jacket was the label’s Stina style ($200), and beneath it, she wore the Fjällräven Övik Re-Wool sweater.

Beneath the sweater, the Duchess had on the ‘Rainer’ Bud Print Blouse by Joseph, her Zara ‘Biker’ jeans seen, and Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel Boots (£475). 

We also saw the return of the Siren Green Onyx Earrings ($178) by Monica Vinader.

In October 2019, the Duchess engaged in some sartorial diplomacy at an engagement ahead of the couple’s Pakistan tour.

The Duke and Duchess attended an event at the Aga Khan Centre that was organized in cooperation with the High Commission of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Development Network, a large private charity. Their tour of Pakistan started ten days after this function. At the event, the couple met a variety of people, including business and community leaders.

The Duchess likely selected this color because the primary color of Pakistan’s flag is green.

The Duchess chose a dress that was part of a collaborative collection from Aross Girl and Soler London.

The ‘Amanda’ dress was a maxi-length design made of silk georgette and fully lined. It had a round neckline with gathers, an elasticated waist, a self-belt, sheer sleeves, and cuffs with tie fasteners that created a blouson effect.

The Duchess’s accessories included her Emmy London ‘Rebecca’ pumps ($595, $476 on sale) and Natasha clutch ($495, $396 on sale). I am showing sale prices because Emmy is offering 20% off merchandise when you spend $200; no promo code is needed.

The Duchess wore earrings by Zeen, a brand launched in 2014 by Cambridge, a Pakistan-based retailer. The style was called ‘Dazzling Ceramic Drops.’

The Duchess chose a vibrant red Alexander McQueen coat for October 2020 engagements tied to the launch of her Hold Still book project done in tandem with the National Portrait Gallery

The Duke and Duchess visited Waterloo in south London to mark the launch of community exhibits tied to the book’s release.

The couple visited St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where they met with frontline healthcare workers.

The Duchess’s coat was a double-breasted style with peak lapels, front flap pockets, and contrasting black buttons on the front and at the cuff.

The Duchess paired a new handbag, the Grace Han Love Letter Top-Handle style ($3075), with her Gianvito Rossi Piper 85 pumps ($795). 

She also wore a mask by Amaia Kids, and a new pair of earrings by Daniella Draper, the Gold/Diamond Luxury Maxi Cupid Hoop Earrings ($3300). 

In October 2021, the Duchess brought back a Zara dress for a visit to University College London.

She was there for an engagement at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, where researchers were working on a study focused on “The Children of the 2020s.”

The Duchess’s dress featured an oversized houndstooth print.

The dress buttoned up the front and showcased a pleated skirt, v-neck with attached bow, elastic on the inside of the waistband, button cuffs, and a wide self-belt. 

It was first worn in January 2020 when the Duke and Duchess visited Bradford in West Yorkshire. 

The Duchess brought back a pair of Hugo Boss heels in embossed leather with a pointed toe and 3.4″ heel.

She also wore her Mappin and Webb ‘Empress’ earrings (£1750, about $2300).

In October 2022, the Princess of Wales debuted a new British brand for a visit to Royal Surrey Hospital

She was at the hospital for a visit to the hospital’s maternity unit.

The Princess chose a dress by Karen Millen, the brand’s Structured Crepe Forever Pleat Belted Midi Dress ($246, available in limited sizes).

The dress features a notched neckline, elbow-length sleeves, pressed pleats, and a matching fabric belt.

The Princess carried Emmy London’s Natasha in Midnight Navy ($495, $396 on sale) and wore her Gianvito 105 Navy Suede Pumps ($618 on sale at FarFetch). 

The Princess debuted a new pair of earrings by another British designer, Emily Mortimer, the brand’s Hera White Gold and Diamond Earrings ($1093).

We saw a mix of brands in October 2023 when the Princess visited a community hub supporting those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

She helped pack boxes to be shipped to Ukraine and added her handprint to a tree of peace.

And she spent time with children doing arts and crafts activities offered at the hub.

Her ensemble included pieces Cefinn by Samantha Cameron and Sézane.

Here is a look at the product photos of Cefinn’s ‘Janie’ Sleeveless Funnel Neck Jumper in Mid-Grey (£140, available in most sizes), done in a blend of cashmere Merino wool. On the right, Sézane’s Martin Trousers ($170, available in all sizes) made of 100% virgin wool in a high-waisted style.

The Princess brought back her J. Crew ‘Avery’ Block Heel Pumps in Tweed, a style first worn in October 2016 during the Canada tour.

And she repeated her Shyla London ‘Rosalia’ Earrings (£70, about $90), shown below when worn on a previous occasion. 

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Diane

Thursday 7th of November 2024

I love the ponytail from 2015, I wonder why she doesn't care to repeat that hairstyle occasionally?

And the blue suit and chignon hairstyle from 2016, of course with the pearl earrings - one of the most perfectly feminine ensembles I've ever seen!

Zell

Monday 4th of November 2024

A very nice post! I'm a bit late to it, and, by now, dull November has settled in. "Winter" feels like it's already here and that it's going to be endless...no fan of winter am I, but October is truly one of the most glorious months of the year.

I like all these outfits to varying degrees, so I'm only going to mention the one that I especially like, which is this one :

"She chose a lacy blue design for the event, Temperley’s Eclipse Lace Collar Dress in a color called ‘Iris."

I love this romantic dress in dreamy blue lace, with elegantly dramatic touches of black. It is simply a very pretty dress and a very feminine dress with a lovely, retro feel. Catherine looks quite beautiful in it! The sheer lace parts are very alluring while also being quite ladylike as well. My personal feeling is that Catherine loves dressing this way, but doesn't do it much, because she gets too much criticism from those who dislike romantic clothes and want sleeker and more minimalist styles on her.

Bonnie A

Thursday 7th of November 2024

@Bonnie, @Zell I smiled too. Then I went back and tried to like the dress based on the lovely light Zell cast it in. But alas, I could not. It's a lot to do with the panels I agree. Also the length, the colour and the combination of lace and velvet tecture together. I can't do it. It looks slightly better on the model and sample pictures. So perhaps there's something about the setting that's putting me off as well.

Bonnie

Thursday 7th of November 2024

Zell, I am smiling that you list the blue lace dress as a favourite and I if you read my comment, you will see that I put it in the bottom ten for Kate's wardrobe. Oh how we differ! But it is so good to know that we can differ with respect and still be chums in this community.

It isn't that I dislike romantic clothes, as some that Kate wears can be lovely. But to me the panel inserts in the skirt, just didn't work. There were other factors of that dress that I disliked, but the panels stood out as very odd.

But variety is the spice of life. I always enjoy your enthusiasm.

Kat

Monday 4th of November 2024

What a fun post with so many great outfits! I had forgotten how many outings she used to undertake. I’m so glad she is getting to rest and focus on herself and family now.

BethE

Saturday 2nd of November 2024

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

And never have I been gladder than with this stellar round up of October style. From sporty casual to diplomatic tour, there's an embarrassment of riches. I love these thematic capsules that our admin puts together because we get to look at styles next to each other that might not be aggregated naturally.

We get a sense of the variety of weather fall can bring - requiring heavy outerwear or carrying that last summer feel through with short-sleeved dresses. A few quick bit and bobs that came to mind.

The "private dressmaker" coat has always strongly reminded me of the iconic dove gray McQueen Easter coat. I think this one informed the creation of the Easter coat.

The gray McQueen coat is one of the few changes she's made that I simply don't understand. The coat, as originally designed, would have been perfectly acceptable for the event and her diplomatic stature. It's double collar was quirky in the way McQueen is but not overly exaggerated as sometimes can be the case.

The Catherine Walker wool crepe suit truly struck me as too old/aged for her at the time. But, with history's grace, it is a lovely look on her and for the occasion.

I would love to see the Aross Girl restyled. It's such a vibrant piece whose color and airiness lend it well to spring, summer, or fall.

Those Hugo Boss heels are unequivocally my favorite shoes she's ever worn. I adore them with every fiber of my being. Maybe she'll let us see them every decade or so. 🙂

Karen Millen is a beautiful design house; it feels akin to the vibe Catherine got from LK Bennet's clothing but with a touch of elevated sophistication. I suspect it will fill that "look book" slot for Catherine moving forward.

The Cefinn & Sezane day just makes me want to cry. Lovely pieces done wrong by really bad styling. But, her hair looked gorgeous that day. The waves were *just* perfect.

Thanks for a lovely trip through October, admin!

Jennifer

Friday 1st of November 2024

Well I definitely forgot about many of these outfits so thank you for pulling together another great retrospective! One of my favorite styling moments was the marigold Karen Millen dress with the navy accessories. It’s a great modern take on daywear, especially when side by side with the gray plaid Zara pussybow dress, which screams ‘80s style. I also think Kate shines in burgundy/red, although I prefer a knee length cut any day of the week.

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