Kate Middleton loves this 1940s-inspired dress and owns the summer staple in multiple colorways

Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired dress is the ultimate summer item and she's been a fan of it for years...

Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired dress is a show-stopper. Seen here is the Princess of Wales at a royal engagement
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired dress from the eco-conscious brand Suzannah is one of her favorite pieces and she even owns the summer staple in multiple colorways.


From Kate Middleton’s highly-patterned midi dress to her recent checked Zara Blazer and simple flat pumps, the future Queen Consort is regularly offering up new and exciting looks that inspire fans. But while she isn’t afraid to switch up her style often, if you want to learn how to dress like Kate Middleton, there is one summer staple that she returns to year after year. Taking inspiration from the modest hemlines of the 1940s but injecting the style with a modern twist, the Princess of Wales’ go-to summer midi-dress is from the eco-conscious brand Suzannah.  

Called the Flippy Wiggle Dress, named in honor of the brand's original 1940s Wiggle Dress that inspired the design, this Suzannah piece sits at an elegant tea-dress length and features beautiful short sleeves with a buttoned cuff.

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
FLIPPY WIGGLE DRESS EMERALD | $3,470.27 / £2,790 Suzannah
£2,790 at suzannah.com

FLIPPY WIGGLE DRESS EMERALD | $3,470.27 / £2,790 Suzannah

Recreate Kate's timeless look with in the vintage-inspired Wiggle Dress. Featuring half-length sleeves, a buttoned cuff and front yoke with delicate pin-tucks, the elegant design is the perfect occasion dress that can transition from day to night with little effort. 

Jaela Purple Midi Dress | $110.69 / £89 Finery London
£89 at finerylondon.com

Jaela Purple Midi Dress | $110.69 / £89 Finery London

Available in pink, purple and black, the Jaela Midi Dress is given a modern twist with its bold colors. The refined 1940s style is elevated in a soft satin fabric, the material's sheen creating stunning movement in the style's skirt.

The stunning vintage silhouette gives the skirt fluid movement and means it hangs beautifully and effortlessly from the hips to the hemline. Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired midi dress also features statement buttons, adding another level of interest to this already eye-catching design. 

The Princess has long been a fan of thrifty and eco-conscious styles and has never been afraid to re-wear her favorite pieces, much like Princess Anne who's been dubbed "ahead of her time" for championing old favorites. And when Kate finds a style that she loves and which also aligns with her values, it seems she's happy to invest in the item in several beautiful shades.

Most recently, Kate's emerald green version of this Suzannah dress was her outfit of choice for a visit to the Anna Freud Center in London as she marked Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the Anna Freud Centre

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The bold green tone could potentially have been chosen by the Princess of Wales to reflect the green ribbon which is an international symbol of mental health support. Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired dress was paired with a pair of classic black and white Alessandra Rich sling-back pumps, allowing the dress to do all the talking. 

Black and white was also her colorway of choice for this dress style itself back in 2019. Here Kate's demure white button-down white dress was the perfect choice for Wimbledon - one of the senior royal's favorite sporting events. Cementing the style's timeless design, Kate also wore the same dress in the same colorway in the lead-up to this year's coronation celebrations.

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)

Although the look was covered for much of the day by Kate Middleton's poppy red coat from Eponine London, in certain pictures her beautiful Suzannah dress can be seen underneath as she made an appearance at the Dog & Duck pub in Soho. The addition of the jacket, while practical given the unpredictable British weather, also showed off Kate's subtle and colorful wardrobe change that hints she’s ready to become Queen.

Kate Middleton arrives for a visit to the Dog & Duck Pub

(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Of course, Kate has other dresses that make just as much of a splash as this magnificent Suzannah piece, like her stunning billowing summery yellow dress that is one of her absolute best looks. But Kate Middleton's 1940s-inspired dress and her choice to invest in multiple color options showcases her love of closet staples too. It seems that the future Queen Consort likes to have those timeless and elegant pieces  as much as she enjoys pushing her fashion boundaries.

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse
Freelance news writer

Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a freelance royal news, entertainment and fashion writer. She began her journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with Good To, BBC Good Food, The Independent, The Big Issue and The Metro.