The Duchess of Cambridge’s 15 summer-style essentials

<h4>Florals</h4> The Duchess is in bloom during the summer months thanks to her enviable collection of floral dresses. One of Kate’s favourite dresses is this L.K. Bennett number she first wore while on tour in Australia (Middle). The form-fitting dress features vibrant blue poppies that just scream “summer.” A subtler floral look came in Los Angeles in 2011 (R) when Duchess Kate arrived at a polo game in this soft blue Jenny Packham dress. Kate went extra feminine in India where she turned heads (and fed elephants) in this bright pink Topshop dress with pretty embroidery (L).  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Monochrome</h4> When the Duchess needs an elegant summer look she wears the same colour from head to toe. She chose a cheery pink Alexander McQueen dress (L) with a Jane Taylor hat in the same hue for Trooping the Colour this year—even Princess Charlotte matched Mummy’s monochromatic look. <P>Earlier in the year at a tea party at Buckingham Palace, Kate repeated her Chloe dress from the Canada tour, which she paired with cream wedges and coordinating belt.</p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Nautical</h4> Duchess Kate loves navy and in the summertime she tends to pair it with white for a very nautical look. <p>For an engagement at the Maritime Museum (Middle), Kate stayed on theme in a navy and white Jaeger dress. She also gave a nod to nautical in J. Crew pants with large gold buttons (L). But when Kate wants to go full nautical, she breaks our her Alexander McQueen dress that features a sailor collar, stripes and an anchor.</p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Printed dresses</h4> The Duchess of Cambridge isn’t afraid of a little pattern! She attended Wimbledon last year in a striking Alexander McQueen dress (L). The short sleeve frock has a mesmerizing pattern of butterflies, lipstick, crystals, skulls and other trinkets. <p>The bold choices continue for the Duchess with this polka dot Altuzarra dress and a breezy Anita Dongra dress from India that has a wild mix of patterns.</p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Summer shoes</h4> When the sun comes out and the London rain finally stops, the mother of two puts away her trusted Stuart Weitzman boots and breaks out her wedges, boat shoes and summer kicks. <p>For casual days with George and Charlotte, the Duchess favours her comfy Sebago boat shoes that let her easily chase after her energetic kids (L). For royal engagements where she might be doing something active, like sailing, Kate wears her affordable Superga sneakers (R). And the Duchess’s summer wardrobe isn’t complete without her wedges. She owns wedges in many different colours and styles—and somehow manages to run in them despite the hefty heel! <p>Photo: © Getty Images/Christopher Morris/Hello! Canada
<h4>Pleats </h4> Kate's pleated dresses and skirts make for an easy-breezy summer look. While attending the Chelsea Flower Show this year, (L) the royal looked ready for a backyard barbecue in this silk Rochas dress featuring a floral print. <p>Back in 2011, while enjoying the warm weather in L.A., Kate stayed cool in a white Whistles skirt paired with a navy top.</p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Summer coats</h4> Coat dresses are a staple in Kate’s wardrobe—even in the summertime. To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, the Duchess donned a light blue Catherine Walker coat (L). The soft colour, deep V neckline and lace appliqués make this coat perfectly appropriate for the summer. </p> Kate also wore soft blue back in 2011 when she celebrated Prince Philip’s 90th birthday. Much like her coat for the Queen’s birthday, her Jane Troughton number featured a floral pattern with a deep v-neck.  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Blazer and Basic Tees</h4> When it’s time to get down to business, Kate has a signature look—a blazer over a plain t-shirt. A classic white tee is a must-have in the summer, but the Duchess elevates it to royal status by layering on a blazer.  <p>While in Cornwall (R), Kate wore her favourite Smythe jacket overtop her white tee and on her last day in British Columbia she chose this white blazer from Zara. </p> Kate adds a dose of fun to her “work look” with patterned pants (the Ikat pair she wore in Cornwall are from Gap) or shoes (we love these houndstooth heels from J. Crew.)  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Pastels</h4> Kate rocks pretty pastels in every colour during the summer months. In 2012, Kate looked stunning in a light blue Roksanda Ilincic dress (L) that highlighted her summer tan and in 2016, she wowed in a jade green Alice Temperley cocktail dress to meet India’s prime minister (R). <p>Sometimes the Duchess goes all out in the pastel department, like she did in 2016 for the Patron’s lunch. She wore this Roksanda colour block dress which had a mix of pastel colours: soft blue, tangerine and light pink.  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Fit and flare dresses</h4> The Duchess doesn’t like fussy clothing, especially at royal engagements where she will be doing lots of walking. That’s why she tends to favour fit and flare dresses. <p>Her pink Lela Rose dress (L) is perfect for a day of engagements and the flared skirt is both flattering and cool on hot days. Most of Kate’s dresses are knee-length, like this grey and white Hobbs number (R), that way she can easily partake in any activity without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction.  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Headband </h4> The Duchess tends to wear her gorgeous hair down, but sometimes she needs to keep her long locks out of her face (like when there are helicopters nearby). That’s where Kate’s handy headbands come in. <p>In 2016 at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Kate’s private secretary Rebecca handed her a headband to help tame the Duchess’s extra volumized hair against the wind. Plus, the leopard print design adds a dash of fun to Kate’s all blue outfit. </p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Tennis whites</h4> Tennis whites aren’t just for the tennis courts—at least not for the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate favours crisp white dresses like this preppy Emilia Wickstead she wore in India (L) or this lace Dolce & Gabbana dress she chose for her very first time at Ascot in 2016. <p>Kate’s bright and cheery dresses feature full skirts which flow beautifully in the summer breeze. </p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Sunnies</h4> From the tennis court to royal tours, you can guarantee Kate will always have her favourite sunglasses in her bag. Her Ray-Bans have a classic shape and colour, so they work perfectly for both casual occasions, like a hike in Bhutan (L), and dressy ones, most notably this iconic moment at the Taj Mahal (Middle).  <p>Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Eyelet </h4> For royal tours in countries where the temps are far warmer than London, Kate keeps cool in eyelet dresses. On a visit to the zoo with George in Australia, Kate looked like the definition of summer in a buttercup yellow dress (R). Meanwhile in the Solomon Islands, Kate looked fresh as can be in a navy Mulberry eyelet dress (L). <p>Finally, in Singapore, Kate rocked the perfect summer skirt suit—a white Alexander McQueen number made out of eyelet fabric. The Duchess tends to pair her broderie anglaise with wedge shoes, another summer staple of hers. </p> Photo © Getty Images
<h4>Breton tops</h4> Kate’s off-duty look involves a lot of stripes—Breton stripes to be exact. The doting mom looked cute and comfy in a blue and white Breton top from ME + EM, when she took Prince George out for a day of polo. <p>For sporty royal engagements, the Duchess is ready for action in her Breton top paired with her trusty boat shoes (R). Kate’s love of Breton tops goes so deep she even wore won for her first Vogue photoshoot.  <p>Photo © Getty Images
The Duchess of Cambridge always looks stylish – and the summer months are no exception. From nautical outfits to all things pleated, we've rounded up all of Kate's seasonal style essentials. <em> -- By By Alyssa Ashton </em>
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