Kate Middleton's polka dot shirt dress is an elegant staple for cloudy summer days and Rixo have brought it back in ruby red
The Princess of Wales owns this design in burnt orange but the scarlet version is just as stunning and a touch more seasonal
Just as we got used to dressing for the heatwave, the weather has cooled down, but not quite enough to have us reaching for jackets. Summer dresses are still a failsafe for cloudy days and the easier they are to style, the better. The Princess of Wales's Rixo polka dot dress ticks so many boxes and although she's only been seen wearing it once, it's instantly recognisable.
Kate chose this as her outfit when she took Prince George, Charlotte and Louis for their settling-in afternoon at Lambrook School in 2022. The pictures were everywhere and the Izzy dress quickly sold out in the copper and white colourway. Now it's back for 2026 and British clothing brand Rixo has nailed it with the £245 ruby red version.
Shop Kate's Polka Dot Dress
This year the Izzy dress was brought back in a deep scarlet polka dot print and it's a gorgeous colourway and not too far off from Kate's burnt orange-copper version. You can also get it in 'petite' and in other shades. It has 3/4 length sleeves, a collared neckline and button fastenings at the front.
If you love the more orange tone of the Princess's dress then this Ghost frock is more of an amber. It's got a neat collar, long sleeves and a streamlined waist belt. There's a concealed side zip fastening and it's got a satin-esque sheen to it.
With its playful red and white polka dot print, this dress is perfect for both daytime and evening occasions. It has a timeless tea dress silhouette with a round neckline and short sleeves. The frilled tier on the midi-length hemline adds an extra feminine edge.
Complete The Look
You can't go wrong with a pair of pearl earrings and these affordable ones are made from sterling silver and gold plated. The pearl is round but you can also get these with teardrop-shaped stones if you prefer. The crystals in the hoop add some extra sparkle.
The Carvela slingbacks also come in taupe and they're made from soft suede with a flattering pointed toe. They have a stiletto heel and a buckle fastening on the ankle strap to ensure they have a secure fit and are easy to adjust.
Crafted in 100% recycled 18k gold vermeil with freshwater pearls, these huggie earrings are subtle enough to wear everyday but can also make an impact as part of an evening look. The huggie hoops have a notched link design for a touch of detail.
It's similar but a more summery colour than the Princess's dress and still has her favourite polka dot pattern. The Izzy is a classic shirt dress, with a neat collar and buttons running down the front. The bodice is fitted to flatteringly highlight the waist and the midi-length skirt flows out in an A-line shape.
The three-quarter length sleeves have elasticated cuffs and a billowy shape. This is perfect for warm - but not scorching - weather as it gives coverage without being tight. Shirt dresses are an easy throw-on style and you can undo more buttons to make them more relaxed or button them up for a polished feel.
Kate's signature style for royal appearances is pretty smart so she wore hers with just one button undone and coordinated her shoes perfectly. The mum-of-three wore tan suede court heels with a pointed toe.
Colour matching makes an ensemble look cohesive, so it's a trick the royals use a lot. The polka dots meant she could've gone for white shoes and still had the same effect. This also applies to this year's ruby red Izzy dress and because the shade is brighter than Kate's, some people might prefer to go more neutral with their accessories.
White trainers, sandals or wedges would look great with a frock like this and would also be more relaxed for day-to-day wear. Red also looks stunning with blue denim so on cooler days or in autumn you could layer a denim jacket over the top.
The future Queen didn't need one on that sunny September day and she didn't carry a bag either, though she did wear her dainty Annoushka pearl earrings for some subtle glamour. Pearl jewellery is a great choice with polka dots as they echo each other.
We've only seen the Princess of Wales wearing her Rixo dress once so far but that could just mean she reaches for it when she's out of the public eye. A polka dot frock is an outfit in itself and the print makes a statement without being too "out there".
Kate has a lot of different spotted dresses in her collection and a lot of them are black and white or navy and white. Her copper-brown Rixo one is something a bit different and the red and white version is a fun alternative that still has the same elegant feel.
