Kate Middleton nails summer-to-autumn styling with forest green blazer, striped vest and pleated skirt - it's chic and simple
The Princess wore this combination to the Commonwealth Games but you could adjust it for hotter or colder weather so easily
The Princess of Wales doesn't overcomplicate her outfits and she wore a simple but stunning trio of pieces to the Commonwealth Games on 1st August. The last time we saw her publicly she wore a summer dress at Wimbledon but in Glasgow where things have been slightly cooler, Kate styled a knitted top, pleated skirt and blazer.
This is a tried-and-tested formula for her and it's an easy one to adjust to wear in the heat or in colder weather. The Princess's ivory top was actually sleeveless and had deep navy stripes and a high crew neckline. These kinds of designs can be worn as they are, or layered over blouses and skirts for a preppy, polished look.
Recreate Kate's Outfit
With a straight cut and notched lapel collar, this structured blazer is a gorgeous green tone and will add polish to a simple outfit. It's made from linen and lined with cotton for a breezy finish and has front welt pockets. Pair with the matching trousers for a full suit look or throw on with dresses, jeans and skirts.
You can wear this as a top in its own right or layered over a long-sleeved shirt when it's colder. The arms, hem and neckline are all ribbed and it has a relaxed fit for comfort. Tuck into jeans, trousers or skirts for a streamlined look or leave it loose and draped to be more casual.
The contrasting beige trim running along the bottom hem sets this skirt apart and it has elegant pleats giving it a voluminous shape. It's made from crisp cotton and the D-ring belt is great for cinching it in to define the waist. The skirt is fully lined and it has practical side-seam pockets.
This vibrant green blazer has a double-breasted design and is crafted from soft fabric which has a subtle crinkle texture. This makes it feel a little more cool and casual, though it still has the lapel collar and smart covered buttons. It's got a relaxed fit and it also comes in a cherry red tone.
As we edge towards autumn and cooler weather, short sleeved knits are such a useful alternative to full-on jumpers or cotton Tees. This one has ivory and navy stripes and a crew neckline. The material is a breathable wool blend and it's got ribbed detailing and a relaxed fit.
Also available in vivid turquoise, this ivory pleated skirt feels so sophisticated and the colour is far easier to style. It's got a satin finish which gives it a subtle sheen and knife pleats for structure. The wide waistband features a tuxedo-inspired button detail at the side.
At the Games we didn't really get a glimpse of it, as Kate kept her Ralph Lauren blazer on over the top. This is a new piece for her and the green tone felt very autumnal, though we shouldn't be afraid to start mixing some deeper colours into our late summer outfits.
The trick is to brighten them up with the rest of your clothing and the future Queen did this by reaching for her favourite white pleated skirt. Pleated skirts and blazers are a go-to for her and this skirt looks to be the same one she wore with a mint green jacket to Wimbledon in 2023.
It fell to midi-length and the pleating gave it such a flowy, feminine shape. This contrasted against the very structured, sharp blazer and the light colour balanced out the dark green and made the Princess's ensemble feel more summery.
The white also tied in with her top and her pearl drop earrings. To make a blazer, knit and pleated skirt more cold weather-appropriate you can go for a long-sleeved jumper and thicker fabrics instead. Pleated skirts look wonderful with knee-high boots and create a leg-elongating effect.
Alternatively if it's even hotter than it was in Glasgow, I'd recommend a linen or linen-blend jacket for breathability and a thinner top or cotton vest instead. Kate finished off her own outfit with her neutral slingback heels from Camilla Elphick and a white tote by Anya Hindmarch.
The woven texture of this bag was another nice way she made the outfit more seasonal - and a little more relaxed. She, Prince William and their children attended the Commonwealth Games as sports enthusiasts but they also visited the Team Wales athletes at Wales House, so it wasn't a totally off-duty day for them.
That meant that the entire family dressed smart-casual and the Princess of Wales's blazer, knit and skirt worked perfectly as an elegant, low-key combination. Depending on the colours you're working with you could do the opposite of Kate and wear an autumnal toned skirt with a lighter blazer and the silhouettes can be adapted to suit different signature styles too.
I'm a little surprised that we didn't see the Princess wearing any red in honour of Wales, though green and white also feature prominently on their flag so this could've been a nod to the country.
