Kate Middleton’s winter staple for looking glam on chilly nights out is surprisingly easy to shop and 'not ostentatious'
Kate Middleton’s winter staple for evenings out has been seen in spectacular style again this year and it can be remarkably wearable
Kate Middleton’s winter staple for looking glamorous on chilly nights out is surprisingly easy to shop and “not ostentatious”.
With the cold weather now in full force and party season coming up, many of us will be looking for pieces that are effortlessly elegant and easy to layer under our best winter coats. Even if you’re only outside for a matter of moments this can still influence our choices, but Kate Middleton’s winter staple for chilly nights is the best of both worlds. Over the past few weeks alone, the Princess of Wales has worn three cape-sleeved items and her two cape dresses have particularly caught our eye.
Whilst cape sleeves might seem incredibly statement, this draped design can actually be very wearable and chic. Kate has certainly showcased how keeping a little more covered up on a winter evening doesn’t have to mean compromising on glamour.
SHOP CAPE DRESSES
RRP: £95| This stunning navy cape dress has an intricate pleating detail in the skirt and elegant draping sleeves. It's perfect for Christmas parties and other special occasions and the deep blue shade is a lovely jewel-tone for winter.
Kate’s teal dress at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance was the fabulous £1,745 Destiny Poseidon dress from Safiyaa and featured floor-length cape sleeves, crystal details and dramatic shoulders. It was the perfect bold choice for this night out but kept both Kate’s shoulders and the top half of her arms covered - something she likely appreciated as she arrived on that cold night.
Just a few weeks earlier at the State Banquet for President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea, Kate wore a white Jenny Packham gown with similarly statement cape sleeves covered in gold embellishments. These were more subtle than the sleeves on her teal gown, showcasing how you don’t have to go all-out with long cape sleeves to enjoy the same stunning effect.
These shorter sleeves still kept her shoulders and the top of her arms covered and added a softness to the look with their drape. The Princess of Wales has also previously worn a gold Jenny Packham gown with longer cape sleeves to the premiere of the James Bond movie, No Time To Die, in autumn 2021.
So it seems that cape sleeve dresses have long been a firm favourite and our Fashion Channel Editor, Rivkie Baum, believes that this style of sleeve is “fashion-forward” and, very appropriately for Kate, “regal”.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
“A cape sleeve always feels glamorous, as it swooshes independently creating greater movement throughout your ensemble,” she said, before revealing that “capes are very much all about the aesthetics rather than practicality, they feel regal and poised.”
When it comes to the aesthetics of Kate’s particularly magnificent cape sleeved gown at the Royal Variety Performance, Rivkie added, “Kate looks absolutely amazing [at the performance] and it adds a further modern look to more simple dresses for something fashion-forward but not ostentatious.”
Whilst you can go all-out and invest in an embellished version of Kate’s winter staple, in general cape dresses can often be far more low-key than a full sequin gown and more covered up if you’re considering party dress options for colder evenings. Whether you want a mini, midi or maxi length dress and shorter or longer sleeves there are so many beautiful cape dresses on the high-street.
They can also be layered up with a coat or dressed down with opaque tights and knee high boots for a super warm yet chic look too. Cape dresses are also statement enough without being too overtly Christmassy, meaning that they can be brought out again and again for special events that call for truly spectacular dresses.
With over fifteen years' experience, Rivkie is an accomplished fashion editor, writer and stylist. Covering international fashion weeks, and styling photoshoots all over the world, Rivkie loves translating the trends in an accessible way to make fashion available for all budgets.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Gillian Anderson's pretty pink cherry jumper has got us shopping playful knitwear for this winter
We're shopping fun knitwear after seeing Gillian Anderson's stunning cherry jumper
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Anita Rani’s mini skirt and chunky trainers combination is the casual take on office wear we want to replicate
Anita Rani knows how to keep comfortable in her chic autumn outfits
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Kate Middleton proved snuggly can still be stylish in her baseball cap, padded jacket and pretty pink Fair Isle jumper look
The Princess of Wales once went to the beach in the most cosy yet chic outfit and her style combination has given us plenty of inspiration
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William's divisive sleeping set-up at Adelaide Cottage won’t be for everyone
The Prince of Wales has reportedly revealed his and Kate's sleeping set-up and they've made a decision that might divide the crowd
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s cosy turtleneck, wide-leg trousers and long coat made navy and camel one of our favourite colour combinations
The Princess of Wales stepped out in 2023 wearing a navy outfit layered with a camel coat and the contrast was sensationally striking
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s favourite dessert is a decadent classic that she enjoys at cosy Berkshire pub
The Princess of Wales is said to love an indulgent British dessert and Prince William seemingly just confirmed it's her 'favourite'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's signature eye makeup look that's the 'epitome of timelessness' is so easy to recreate if you want instant accentuation
The Princess of Wales's 'timeless' eye makeup look involves a sweep of black eyeliner and she's shown how subtle and striking this can be
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s knitted Bardot dress is a cosy staple that'll take you from catch-ups over coffee to Christmas party glam
The Princess of Wales doesn't often wear Bardot necklines but her knitted white dress from 2019 was a versatile show-stopper
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's high street leather Chelsea boots are the chic and sturdy winter footwear we're ready to invest in for wet season
The Princess of Wales's Thea Leather Chelsea Boots by Reiss are the perfect fit for stylish outdoor dressing
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton’s pearl drop earrings are a fast-track to elegance - these alternatives are perfect for achieving this classic style
The Princess of Wales has often been spotted wearing this stunning pair of pearl drop earrings and this look is so easy to recreate
By Emma Shacklock Published