Duchess Sophie has taken some style notes from the Princess of Wales and wore her go-to print in the most elegant way on a grey January day.
There are certain style staples that both the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess of Wales can’t get enough of - from tailored trousers to chic blazers and, it seems, also polka dots! Even people who aren’t necessarily huge fans of wearing patterns might have a polka dot piece or two in their winter capsule wardrobe, and for good reason. As Kate has proved time and time again, polka dots are one of the most understated prints and add a chic feel to an outfit without being too bold. We were reminded of this when the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out wearing a very Kate-esque polka dot outfit for an engagement on 23rd January.
As Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Corps of Army Music, Duchess Sophie visited the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and listened to a performance by the Band of the Coldstream Guards. The polka dot dress she wore was by Prada and was navy with a contrasting collar and cuffs.
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This beautiful polka dot midi dress has the navy/beige colour combination we love so much about Duchess Sophie's outfit. It's reduced in the sale and comes in 'petite', 'regular' and 'long' lengths. The delicate piped trims are stunning and we'd style this dress with a long coat and comfy boots.
This is such an easy dress to throw on thanks to it's classic style and monochrome colour palette. It's gently shaped by a smocked waist and has a band collar and flowing three quarter length sleeves. Wear with a cosy coat, tights and boots now or trainers and a light jacket in spring.
Burgundy is the colour of the season but it's also one of those gorgeous deep shades that will always be popular in the winter months. This burgundy and white dress is a great alternative to navy or black polka dot pieces and can be worn with all your neutral staples.
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Also available in white with black polka dots, this is a neutral blouse that still makes a real statement. It has feminine ruffles at the shoulders, blouson sleeves and a high neckline. Tuck into your favourite jeans or trousers and pair with heeled boots for a chic evening out look.
This black and beige polka dot midi skirt is so easy to dress up with heeled boots and a fitted knit, or down with Chelsea boots and an oversized jumper draped over the top. It's got loops at the waistband so you can also add a belt and a side zip closure.
Why not have a bit of fun with your fashion this winter? These polka dot girlfriend-style jeans will give any outfit an effortlessly cool feel but can be styled as easily as you would any pair of blue jeans. The fabric has a hint of stretch and these are mid-rise with hems that can be rolled up.
These were a soft beige-tan tone that worked well against the deep blue and kept the overall colour palette very neutral. This is key when you want to wear patterns or prints but don’t want to go all-out with a statement look. The polka dots appeared to be white and they were so delicate and sophisticated.
Duchess Sophie - like Kate and so many more of their fellow royals - loves a shirt dress and this silhouette is perfect for a smart-casual occasion like her visit to RMAS. The flowing midi-length skirt gave it a feminine feel and the jewel buttons added a touch more glamour. When she was outside she layered a Suzannah London taupe coat over the top, but left it unbuttoned at the front to give a beautiful glimpse of her dress.
The beauty of polka dots is that they are surprisingly easy to style and the Duchess could easily have swapped her coat for a longline wool blazer or her Jimmy Choo Rosalia beige pumps for flat black boots or trainers. On a really cold day she could also throw on one of her best cashmere jumpers over the top and leave the collar poking out for a traditional look.
Dressed up or down, polka dots are gorgeous and they’re the future Queen’s go-to print. Kate is especially fond of navy and white polka pieces like Duchess Sophie’s dress and wore a very similar style to visit Bletchley Park in 2019. Her dress was by Alessandra Rich who also designed the iconic chocolate brown and white polka dot dress that the Princess of Wales wore to Royal Ascot 2022 and the short-sleeved blue and white polka dot one she wore at Wimbledon in 2022.
We’ve also seen her wearing polka dot dresses by L.K.Bennett and Rixo before and woman&home’s Digital Fashion Editor Caroline Parr believes this print will never go out of fashion.
"Much like florals, polka dots are one of those prints that will always be a classic. They come in so many colours and sizes (smaller spots will of course always be more subtle!), and work for all different occasions and moods. Black and white will forever have my heart, as they make me feel like Audrey Hepburn!" she says.
Whatever colour you choose, polka dots are fabulous for any season and you can find so many dresses, skirts and blouses to choose from to suit your personal style.
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