Let Kate Middleton Be Your Style Inspo For Wearing Polka Dots

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, isn't usually one to wear patterns. Perhaps she's taken fashion inspiration from the late Queen Elizabeth II, who famously opted for bold monochromatic looks that made her visible in a crowd, because Kate Middleton tends to opt for colorful looks that are uncluttered by tiny details and busy prints. Certainly, Kate Middleton has undergone a stunning style transformation since ascending to the royal family. Still, there's one classic pattern that she's been known to embrace: polka dots. Perhaps it's a nod to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Like Diana, Middleton is an expert at wearing this preppy pattern in a way that feels whimsical and classic rather than tacky.

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This vintage feeling print is associated with both the '50s and the '80s, but Middleton never looks like she's wearing a costume. In part, that's because her accessories are pared back but modern, as is her hairstyle. She also tends to opt for a more delicate print, since larger dots might evoke circus clowns or Minnie Mouse. By opting for a dress, the polka dots are the central focus of the outfit, and the classic silhouette and perfected fit allow the pattern to be adventurous while still ensuring the overall look is timeless. If you're looking to recreate this playful Kate Middleton look, then go for a dress with a traditional shape and keep your color palette fairly neutral, like this Milumia Polka Dot Maxi Dress, then pair it with simple pumps and delicate jewelry.

Over the years, the Princess of Wales has appeared to take plenty of fashion cues from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Perhaps most obviously, there is Diana's stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which Kate Middleton wears as part of her lavish and meaningful ring stack. She also gravitates towards the same sharply tailored shapes, both in jackets and dresses, that Diana favored. Finally, polka dots are among the biggest ways in which Middleton has channeled Princess Diana's iconic style, since Diana embraced the pattern during her years as a working royal.

Middleton is hardly the first person to be inspired by Diana's style. After all, Diana remains an iconic figure in fashion. But while Kate Middleton might have more personal reasons to take her wardrobe cues from the previous Princess of Wales, it seems that she considered Diana a major influence even during her younger years. "Kate admired Diana's taste in fashion before William came into her life," an inside source told US Weekly. "During her school days she'd tell friends that Diana was her style icon."