The Princess of Wales is an expert at heatwave styling and her cherry red halterneck dress and espadrille wedges for a day at the polo in 2006 proved this beyond doubt.
Dressing in a heatwave is never easy, no matter what staples you’ve got in your summer capsule wardrobe. For the Royal Family things can get even trickier when a formal dress-code is in place for occasions like Royal Ascot, but in her pre-royal days the Princess of Wales often went a little more casual with her summer looks. She especially showcased her expertise at dressing for hot weather whenever she watched Prince William play polo in the warmer months and there’s one simple yet bold outfit from her we’ve never forgotten. In 2006 Kate attended the Chakravarty Cup charity polo match which the Prince of Wales was competing in and she wore a stunning cherry red halterneck dress and classic espadrille wedges.
Kate’s red dress was the perfect day dress for a hot, sunny day in June. It had a classic halterneck neckline which appeared to be part of a wrapover design and the shape was flattering whilst still being relatively modest.
Shop Cherry Red Dresses
Made from stretch jersey, this ribbed midi dress is a lovely piece to have in your collection for when you want to stylish whilst staying comfortable. It has a twist-front detail with a v-neckline and a slightly flared, midi length skirt.
This is selling out fast and it's no surprise given how fabulous this red midi dress is. It features a motif of mini white spots against the scarlet red and the halterneck design adds to its beauty. Pair with your favourite espadrille wedges or flat sandals for an effortless summer look.
This polka dot tea dress has a regular fit, a flowing midi-length skirt and feminine puffed sleeves with ruffled cuffs. It's incredibly versatile and can easily be dressed up with neutral heeled sandals and a clutch bag or dressed down with trainers.
Shop Espadrille Wedges
If you love Kate's espadrilles with their buckle strap, then these are a great alternative. They have an ankle strap to help you feel that bit more secure and the crossover detail at the front is a beautiful touch. The canvas upper is great for warm weather and these would easily dress up the most of casual of outfits.
The Princess of Wales is a big fan of Castañer wedges and we can totally see why. They come in a range of shades and styles, but these ivory cotton ones are especially elegant and versatile. They fasten around your leg with a lace-up detail and are lined in leather for comfort and style.
Also available in navy blue, these red espadrille wedges are sure to make a statement at any summer events and special occasions you've got coming up. They have a round toe, buckles at the ankle and the classic jute wedge heel.
The bodice hugged her silhouette without being rigidly fitted and then flared out slightly into an A-line knee-length skirt. If you’re not sure about bearing your legs with a mini dress or shorts in the summer then a knee-length dress is the perfect elegant alternative. There are so many stunning knee-length options available right now in neutral tones and breathable linen and cotton fabrics, though back then Kate went bold with a vibrant cherry red polka dot colourway.
Red is one of her favourite colours to wear to this day and the bright tone looked particularly gorgeous in the summer sunshine. Kate is also a huge fan of polka dots and the micro dot print running across her dress added a subtle touch of detail and contrast to the scarlet hue. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what colour suits you, then scarlet reds particularly suit those with winter colouring, though different shades of red can work for anyone and this bright tone looked amazing worn by the future Queen Consort.
She continued her heatwave styling with a pair of matching espadrille wedges with a classic jute woven sole and red straps. The coordination of her shoes to her dress tied Kate’s outfit together and the addition of the straps helped to provide a little more stability when walking across grass. Wedges are a great middle ground between high heels and flats like your best white trainers and they’ve remained a go-to in the Princess of Wales’s summer wardrobe.
The jute material of the wedge added some more texture into the look and Kate went for simple jewellery pieces to accessorise even more. She wore several thin silver-toned bangles, two rings, a watch, pearl drop earrings and a pendant necklace that was framed by the neckline of her dress. To make her summer look that bit more practical for hot weather she also donned brown sunglasses to shield her eyes from the sun.
Even now, 18 years later, Kate’s cherry red halterneck dress outfit is still a fabulous one to take inspiration from during a heatwave in the UK. Chic yet simple, you can easily throw on a red dress and wedges in a matter of moments for a daytime outing. If the weather turns a little cooler than a denim jacket or a linen blazer would look lovely over the top but we love this outfit just as it is.
-
What is the unexpected red theory? Interior designers explain the trend – sharing 5 creative ways to use it in your homeBold, playful, and daring, the unexpected red theory is the perfect way to revive your interiors this spring
-
Sarah Jessica Parker just gave her skinny jeans a surprising spring update and the result has us reaching for this outfit combinationSarah Jessica Parker shows us how to update jeans to wear them throughout spring with one simple styling trick
-
Princess Eugenie gives knitwear a spring makeover with short sleeved jumper and satin skirt at poignant London visitPrincess Eugenie isn’t a working member of the Royal Family, but she’s a dedicated Patron of several vital charities and organisations.
-
Bye skinny jeans, hello palazzo trousers - Meghan Markle nails New York spring style with her ultra-wide leg lookJeans will never fully be replaced in my wardrobe but I’ve been finding myself drawn to wearing trousers more and more recently.
-
Kate Middleton is that you? Her floral dress, side-swept fringe and pink blazer deserve a comebackThe building blocks for the Princess’ signature style were always there in her looks and this outfit can easily be updated for 2025.
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William to spend anniversary in bittersweet location holding 'happiest and saddest' memoriesJust like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen againThe Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time againThe Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfitThe Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
