The Princess of Wales nailed event dressing at the polo last week with a flattering and stylish gingham midi dress – and we’ve found some alternatives to get the look
The last few weeks have seen Kate Middleton getting stuck into the summer of sport, from several Wimbledon appearances to her first polo outing in several years, and along the way she’s been proving just how much she’s perfected the art of occasion dressing. Although we loved her understated elegance at Wimbledon, it’s her monochrome polo outfit that we can’t stop thinking about.
As her attendance at the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup wasn’t an official royal engagement, she could be a little more laid back with her outfit than she was at Wimbledon, opting for the black and white gingham Stirling midi dress from Temperley London. And despite this being the first time we’ve seen her wearing the dress, the fact it’s from a past season means that this is most likely a piece she’s kept in her more “everyday” rotation at home.
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The dress is a true masterclass in how to do cool, comfy and effortless style – even at events that require you to be a little more formal. With its fitted bodice and flared, breezy midi skirt, it’s just the right balance between structured and laid back, with the gingham print giving it a playful feel that’s still sophisticated.
Temperley London has been a go-to brand for Kate for many years, particularly in her earlier years as a royal. For her first ever Wimbledon appearance in 2011 she wore a white dress from the brand, as well as several other pieces from it between 2011 and 2017. With news breaking that founder Alice Temperley will be stepping away from the brand just days before Kate wore the Temperley gingham dress, it seems like a touching tribute to one of her favourite brands.
Although you can’t get your hands on Kate’s exact dress, if you do want to get a similar look for any upcoming summer events, there’s some brilliant options on the high street and beyond. Shop our favourite lookalikes here:
One that we spotted which has a very similar silhouette and print is this Princess Polly gingham dress at ASOS, where it’s one sale for £64.99. The fitted bodice and flowy skirt have a similar feel to Kate’s, although the gingham print is smaller and its made from a textured seersucker material.
The subtle bodice details on this H&M dress not only make it incredibly flattering, but also give it an elevated, expensive look – despite costing just £37.99. The dress also comes in a black and white polka dot print too, if you want to mix it up.
This is a great pick if you want something a little more relaxed that you can wear everyday. Available in petite, regular and tall lengths from Marks & Spencer, the dress is made from a 55% linen blend, making it breathable and cool in the heat too.
