It's been a busy summer for the Princess of Wales and, although it's far from over, the Princess has been reflecting on some of the highlights of the past couple of months so far. One of these moments was a royal garden party, which she attended with her husband, Prince William, wearing a dreamy polka dot ensemble.
In a post on the official Instagram Kate shares with the Prince of Wales, Kate shared a huge range of photos and videos from the couple's busy summer, spanning everything from their children's birthdays and Wimbledon appearances, to panel talks and Kate's Three Peaks Challenge. It was the first image in the post, however, that caught our eye, dating back to May this year when the Prince and Princess enjoyed one of a series of garden parties hosted by the Royal Family.
Kate arrived at Buckingham Palace in one of her dreamiest looks yet in her favourite print - polka dots. The Princess chose an ensemble from Self Portrait which featured a jacket-style structured bodice with statement buttons, and a flowing white skirt with delicate black polka dots. Kate wore the 'Cream 3D Flower Polka Dot Chiffon Midi Dress' which is available to buy online for £460.
Self-Portrait Cream 3D Flower Polka Dot Chiffon Midi Dress
Self-Portrait Cream 3D Flower Polka Dot Chiffon Midi Dress
And, if you're a fan of Kate's outfit but don't want to spend hundreds (or need anything quite that formal), we've found a fabulous dress from M&S which mirrors the style of Kate's look at a fraction of the price - £42. The 'Pure Cotton Polka Dot Ruffle Midi Skater Dress' is a great alternative, as the skirt has the same length and print, while the subtly frilled hem helps give it the same feel of movement as Kate's dress.
Meanwhile, the bodice of the dress has light structure, which channels the bodice of Kate's look with a less formal feel. It's also fitted enough for you to add a cropped jacket over the top (such as the Boohoo option below) to recreate the Princess' look more closely. At time of writing, the M&S dress is in stock across petite, regular and tall fits, ranging from sizes 8 to 24 (although some sizes are beginning to sell out).
Pure Cotton Polka Dot Ruffle Midi Skater Dress
Pure Cotton Polka Dot Ruffle Midi Skater Dress
Boohoo Peplum Cinched Waist Tailored Blazer
Or, if it's just the skirt you're interested in, there are some brilliant options from other retailers. This linen version by Boden can be worn with or without the co-ordinating waistcoat-style top:
Boden Miriam Painted Dot Panelled Pure Linen Skirt, Ivory/Multi
Boden Miriam Painted Dot Panelled Pure Linen Skirt, Ivory/Multi
This straight-fit skirt is also a great choice for every day, falling to a more casual below-the-knee length:
River Island Polka Dot Maxi Pencil Skirt
River Island Polka Dot Maxi Pencil Skirt
The Princess of Wales has long been a fan of polka dots, wearing the print regularly for events and engagements, particularly when appearing at Wimbledon.
