Kate Middleton's blackberry polka dot dress blends timeless styling with trending 2026 shade - it's the perfect pairing for chocolate brown
This high-street frock is a winter twist on her favourite pattern and last time she wore it with a deep brown tailored coat
The Princess of Wales famously has a penchant for classic polka dots so I'm holding my breath that we get to see one of her fabulous frocks making a comeback this season. Unlike a lot of her printed pieces which are navy or white, the future Queen's Whistles shirt dress is a deep blackberry tone that's perfect for winter.
Deep purples are a big fashion colour trend right now and the last time we saw Kate wearing this dress, she styled it with chocolate brown which is arguably 2026's must-have colour. On this occasion she wore the fabric belt around her neck to create a pussybow, though the first time we ever saw the Princess styling it was back in 2018 and she used it to define her waist instead.
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Although this fabulous midi-length frock has short sleeves (unlike the Princess of Wales's dress), this means you can wear it well into spring without overheating. You can also layer a cosy jumper or cardigan over the top and it's cut from satin crepe, with a bias-cut skirt and discreet covered buttons.
Affordable and elegant, this shirt dress also comes with a matching belt which gives extra definition to the waist. The collared neckline gives it a refined, classic feel and there are practical pockets in the skirt. Throw on with knee-high boots and a long neutral coat and let this design do all the talking.
This Whistles dress has proved pretty popular and is almost sold out now but I couldn't not put it in the spotlight as it's so similar in many ways to Kate's 2018 frock. It's got flowing long blouson sleeves, a gorgeous midi-length skirt and the burgundy tone feels so wintery.
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The Princess of Wales has proved that a burgundy polka dot dress pairs beautifully with a brown coat - and to be fair, what doesn't? This one from Zara has a comfy oversized fit and lapel collar. It's double-breasted and the long sleeves end in button tabs.
I swear by M&S boots and have two pairs of knee-highs from the brand in my collection - though I'm also tempted by these. They're crafted from soft suede in this season's biggest colour trend, chocolate brown, which is also very versatile. The heel is a sturdy block shape and these come in half sizes.
A great winter coat is something worth investing in and this one from Whistles has a relaxed silhouette and falls to midi-length. It's made from a cosy wool blend material and it's specifically designed to layer over other pieces easily - even chunky knitwear.
She and Prince William hosted a reception for BBC Radio 1 Teen Heroes at Kensington Palace and in one picture taken by Sarah Jeynes, we got a great glimpse at her Whistles number. This British clothing brand is popular with other royals too and Kate's dress had a collared neckline, long sleeves and a flowing long skirt.
It's very timeless and her favourite silhouette for engagements, as it's elegant and feels polished without looking overly formal. The micro polka dots were delicate and smaller spots are naturally more understated and therefore slightly easier to style.
They also allowed the purple background tone to really do all the talking and although berry is trending, it's a shade that will always have a resurgence throughout the colder months so it's well worth investing in.
As the reception was held inside, the Princess of Wales didn't need any other layers but in October 2024 she re-wore the same shirt dress in Southport and wrapped up warm in a brown longline coat by Alexander McQueen.
The warm undertones of the two hues complemented each other beautifully and because chocolate brown is so neutral, it helps to balance bolder colours and prints. She finished off her ensemble with a matching Emmy London clutch and Russell & Bromley court heels - both suede, which brought some textural contrast to the look.
Her visit was incredibly poignant as she and Prince William met with members of the Emergency Services and the families of the three young girls who were killed in the Southport attack. Kate respectfully chose pieces that felt minimal and smart when styled together.
This Whistles polka dot dress is clearly something she feels very comfortable in and the Princess can easily switch up the rest of her outfit to suit different occasions and know it'll work. We all need reliable staples in our capsule wardrobe and even though jeans and jumpers are easy for winter, a frock like hers is an elegant alternative.
On a colder day or if you wanted to make it slightly more casual, knee-high boots would also be gorgeous and you could add a knitted vest or cardigan over the top. Dresses give you the freedom to layer to the max and the Princess of Wales has made a very convincing case for berry and brown as an elite 2026 pairing.
