Carole Middleton's sultry red midi dress with sleek sweeping updo will never go out of style
Carole's outfit choices never fail to impress us - and her red dress is a classic
![Pippa Middleton, James Middleton, Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton sighting on October 25, 2012 in London, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xJ9mtLmpKr7bpjkXLo79SP-415-80.png)
Getting dressed up for a family night out in London, Carole Middleton's sultry red midi dress from 2012 is still stuck in our minds - and we love her timeless hairstyle.
Getting all dolled up for a night on the town can be both the most satisfying and most stress-inducing part of the week. Sitting in front of the mirror, you might be keen to try out all the best makeup tips for older women. You make sure your hair is looking sleek, utilising all best products to prevent frizz and flyaways and then it comes to choosing an outfit.
Well, you can avoid all the stress of picking out the perfect outfit combination as Carole Middleton has you covered with inspiration.
Her sultry red midi dress that she wore during a family night out back in 2012 is the perfect outfit inspiration whether you're headed for cocktails with friends, stepping out for a glam event, or just fancy making a splash in the pub!
We love the flattering, figure-hugging silhouette of her straight pencil dress, with the knee-length hemline making it the perfect sultry yet timeless look - it's clear to see who Kate Middleton is learning her style secrets from!
The simple neckline, paired with 3/4 length sleeves, is effortlessly elegant and Carole's choice to highlight the well-tailored shoulders with an updo hairstyle ties the outfit together perfectly.
Accessorising with a simple, dainty chain and stud earrings stops the look from being too over the top and lets the dress do all the talking, as does the choice of simple black heels.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Shop Red Dresses We Love For Nights Out
RRP: £149 | With gorgeous 3/4 length puffed sleeves and a flattering belted waist, this red midi dress is the perfect style for when you want to make a statement.
RRP: £195 £136 | With a timeless straight silhouette and short puff sleeves, this red midi dress is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. Whether you want to make a splash in the office, or a statement on a night out, you can feel confident this piece will do the trick.
RRP: £80 | With a flattering high neck and dramatic voluminous sleeves, you can't get a more classically elegant silhouette. Made from a glossy, silk-like fabric, this dress will hang effortlessly off the body with the belted waist cinching you in in all the right places.
Shop Red Dresses We Love For Daytime
RRP: £39.50 | A floaty linen dress is a wardrobe essential as the weather warms up. They're flattering, comfy and oh-so wearable - and this bold red one is a gorgeous way to add colour to your summer looks.
RRP: £22 | This ultra affordable frock from V by Very is one we'll be shopping for holidays and hot days in the garden. With a soft floaty skirt and square neck top with wide straps, it's ideal.
RRP: £90 | Complete with pretty, frilly sleeves and a tiered skirt, this piece is full of movement and femininity. Wear it with sandals, trainers or espadrille wedges for a breezy summer evening or a day spent in the sunshine.
Shop Red Dress Accessories
RRP: £45 | Straw bags are a classic summer accessory that will never not be in style during the warmer months - so investing in a good one is always worth it. We love this one from M&S. With natural straw colouring it'll complement any bold red day dress.
RRP: £45 | Heading out for a glam evening in a red dress? Gold heels will look good every time and take the glamour to the next level. We love these easy-to-walk-in sandals from Mango with a comfy block heel.
RRP: £25 | Pairing a red dress with gold jewellery is a sure fire way to add glamour, elegance and colour cohesion. A pair of simple yet statement gold earrings always does the trick.
Shop Shoes For Red Dresses
RRP: £69 | A pair of neutral espadrille wedges are a great sandal choice for a casual and relaxed red dress look. Add height and a touch of summer with ease and comfort.
RRP: £25.99 | Copy Carole's chic red dress outfit and opt for a pair of timeless black heels. These slingbacks are so on trend and will be a staple piece you wear again and again.
RRP: £69.99 | A pair of great white trainers or plimsols are so easy to wear with summer dresses. A red, flowing dress with a pair of crisp white Converse will never fail to look cool - all while being seriously comfy.
Recreating Carole's updo may look like a tricky undertaking, but with some insight from the experts, it can be made incredibly simple.
According to experts, sometimes they key can be as easy as keeping the look simple but effective. "Don’t overcomplicate it," Kiki Koh, Creative Director at John Frieda, told us.
"To look chic, it needs to look effortless. Even if you went to a salon, it needs to look like you could have done it yourself."
Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is royal news and entertainment writer. She began her freelance journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with Good To, BBC Good Food and The Independent.
-
32 dining room ideas for a stylish, welcoming space
Looking for fresh and exciting ways to liven up your dining room interiors? We've got you covered
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
5 award-winning products and brands given special recognition by our panel of beauty experts
These beauty brands and products have gone above and beyond, winning our special seal of approval
By Rhiannon Derbyshire Published
-
Carole Middleton is all about style and practicality with genius accessory and spacious raffia tote at Wimbledon
Carole Middleton's Wimbledon accessories were a blend of practical and stylish as she attended her second day of Wimbledon 2024
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole and Pippa Middleton were once denied a huge privilege at Wimbledon
The Princess of Wales's mother and sister are Wimbledon regulars but they were once reportedly refused entry the exclusive Royal Box
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton is the epitome of striking summer style in floral tea dress and cropped blazer as she makes triumphant return to Wimbledon
Carole Middleton went all-out for her first appearance at Wimbledon in two years with her maxi dress and cropped ME+EM blazer
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton's Wimbledon 'heartthrob' was once revealed by daughter Kate - and he's now a family friend
The Princess of Wales once revealed her mum Carole's tennis star 'heartthrob' in a BBC documentary and he's become a family friend
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton’s comfy Wimbledon shoes combine practicality and style and they’re the perfect stiletto alternative
Carole Middleton wore the same pair of comfy neutral sandals to Wimbledon in 2017 and 2019 and the block heel is an absolute winner
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton’s white mini dress look at Wimbledon proved this tricky length can look so elegant
Carole Middleton showcased how to style mini dresses in such a sophisticated and elegant way when she attended Wimbledon in 2019
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton is a ‘second mum’ to Prince William and gives him ‘glimpse’ of ‘normal life’
The Princess of Wales's mother could reportedly be a key 'maternal figure' in Prince William's life and has helped him to 'flourish'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton supported by Prince William at Royal Ascot amid awkward moment Kate’s faced before
Carole Middleton has attended Ascot for the first time since 2022 and Prince William came to her rescue after a brief mishap
By Emma Shacklock Published