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Kate Middleton’s fashion has been defined by classic silhouettes and refined accessories throughout her royal era, with the Duchess of Cambridge’s lookbook doubling as a how-to for sophisticated styling. The royal has even proved that you can maintain a polished look while staying cool, with her coastal-inspired, shorts-featuring ensemble from 2022 making for great summer outfit inspiration. Middleton visited the English ocean city of Plymouth in July 2026, attending a sailing event in support of the children-oriented charity 1851 Trust.
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The then-40-year-old royal kept cool in a pair of white shorts from the brand Holland Cooper, with the linen-blend piece consisting of gold buttons, twin pleats, and mid-thigh hemline. While the exact shorts will set you back more than three hundred dollars, you can create a similar look with Open Edit’s Everyday Pleated Linen Blend Shorts. The princess spoke to the coastal locale with a striped, blue-and-white sweater and all-white trainers from Superga, with Gap’s Boatneck Sweater making for a comparable top. She completed the look with gold huggie earrings and slightly curled side-part.
For those intimidated by the rising hemlines and revealing cuts ushered in by warm weather, this Middleton outfit is proof that you can balance style with comfort. Not only do her high-waisted bottoms belong among shorts styled perfectly for older women to beat the heat, but her outfit’s nautical flair provides a clear style direction for fashion lovers feeling inspired.
Shorts aren’t a typical staple of Kate’s wardrobe
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Whether Kate Middleton is tapping into the butter yellow trend at Wimbledon or turning heads in a stunning evening gown, she does so with elegance and poise. In this way, it’s no surprise that she manages to look effortlessly put together when wearing shorts, even if she’s only worn the leg-baring bottoms a handful of times throughout her career as a royal.
Middleton first stepped out in shorts as a royal back in 2019, attending a charity boat race known as The King’s Cup Regatta alongside Prince William. She curated a sporty vibe for the event, combining a pair of navy shorts with a white polo and a coastal jacket from Gill Marine. Fans have pinpointed the specific pair as being the Women’s Amalfi Shorts from Helly Hanson, which ring in at $55.00. The duchess rounded her look out with a pair of light blue tennis shoes and a casual ponytail, balancing an activewear feel with a preppy flair.
Then, in 2022, Middleton opted for chino shorts. The duchess was pictured wearing a sensible khaki pair during her Caribbean tour, styling the piece with a braided belt and a blue-accented polo shirt. Although the specific brand of shorts hasn’t been identified, Gap’s Downtown Khaki Shorts serve as a similar option. With her middle-parted hair worn around her shoulders, she added a polished finish to the ensemble with another pair of gold earrings and all-white sneakers. For more royal inspiration, check out the how-to guide for recreating Middleton’s favorite manicure.
