The Princess of Wales’s surprising leopard print clutch with a fiery red dress at Wimbledon back in 2015 was such a bold summer look.
When summer comes around with all the many events that often take place in this season many of us might find ourselves searching for a bit of wardrobe inspiration. Whether you’re looking for the best wedding guest dresses or trying to find a new pair of staple shoes, the Princess of Wales’s style is always one to look towards. She’s always been an expert at hot weather dressing and as someone who’s attended Wimbledon regularly, the championships are often somewhere where she strikes the perfect balance between summery and formal.
Back in 2015, Kate deviated from her usual style and embraced something a little more unusual and fun with her leopard print clutch paired with a beautiful LK Bennett dress.
Shop Red Dresses Like Kate Middleton's
Made from 100% cotton this is a shirt dress with a difference. The puffed sleeves are so feminine and the strawberry-red colour is such a show stopping shade for summer. Pair with your favourite espadrilles and a raffia bag for a chic hot weather look.
This dress has a fit-and-flare shape and the tie front belt is a flattering addition. It falls to an elegant midi length and has a modest high neckline and short sleeves. Layer with a denim jacket on cooler days for a causal look or with heeled sandals for a special occasion.
Responsibly crafted from viscose in a vivid red hue, this dress has a relaxed silhouette and frill and tie details. It's an easy piece to throw on for both daytime outings and evening occasions and would look amazing with both neutral and contrasting-tone accessories.
Shop Leopard Print Accessories
This wristlet pouch can fit your essentials and is a great addition to your accessory collection. It's made from premium faux leather and can be carried as a clutch bag in its own right or fitted inside larger bags to provide organisation. We particularly love the bold leopard print version though it also comes in floral and white and yellow versions.
Also available in plain black, these flatform sandals are crafted from grained leather and have two straps that weave across each other to create a statement look. The contoured footbed helps to keep these comfortable all day and the rubber sole gives you added height without you reaching for your heels.
If you love your leopard print items and want to invest in a classic accessory to stand the test of time then this is perfect. It has a handy zip closure and card holder sections inside, whilst the leopard print pattern gives it a sense of fun that will elevate your special occasion looks.
Sadly, this particular piece isn’t available anymore but we’re still head over heels for the colour of Kate’s fiery red dress. With yellow undertones that give it a lovely warmth, the shade is reminiscent of the strawberries that are a staple on the Wimbledon vendors’ menus.
It looked especially gorgeous with the Princess of Wales’s brunette tresses and red remains one of her go-to bright colours to wear for royal engagements and visits. The LK Bennett dress had a modest crew neckline and short sleeves, with a flattering fitted bodice that flared out into an A-line panelled midi skirt. This shape is an absolute staple for the future Queen Consort and the elegance of the timeless silhouette helped to balance out the vivid colour.
For a more relaxed occasion Kate could easily have styled this sophisticated summer dress with her best white trainers and a raffia bag. However, for the Wimbledon Quarter Finals she went for a rather surprising choice for her - a leopard print clutch.
As patterns go, other than florals this is one of the Royal Family’s most popular options. Queen Camilla and Duchess Sophie are particular fans and have worn leopard print clothes and bags before, though Kate tends to steer away from animal prints. On this occasion back in 2015 she switched things up and her Diane von Furstenberg Lytton clutch was a playful addition to her outfit with its neutral yet bold pattern and gold clasp.
Kate carried it in her hands as she made her way to her seat and it was a fabulous piece to add a bit more dimension and contrast into her look. The leopard print trend is huge again at the moment, proving that despite it being a statement pattern it really does come back into fashion all the time. The neutral brown and beige tones that typically feature on leopard print items also makes them more versatile than you might imagine.
The Princess of Wales finished off her outfit with a pair of Jimmy Choo Gilbert Pumps and kept her hair loose in her signature bouncy blow-dry, with subtle 70s curtain bangs framing her face. Her makeup was fresh and glowy with a pop of rose pink blusher and a similar shade on her lips.
Kate looked absolutely stunning in the sunshine wearing this bright outfit and although we haven’t seen the leopard print clutch brought back out recently, we can’t help hoping that she still has this in her collection. Either way, the Princess of Wales has continued to showcase her impeccable sense of style at Wimbledon over the years.
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