Kate Middleton wore smart-casual separates with a sporty twist on Thursday.
Wearing a vivid blue Zara blazer, slim-leg MOTHER jeans and her favourite white Veja sneakers, the Princess of Wales got stuck into a sporting workshop at the Bishop Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow, on the borders of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in south east England.
The Princess was accompanied by her husband, Prince William at the workshop, which centred on mental fitness.
The charity SportsAid arranged the workshop—regular readers will know Kate became Patron in 2013. The organisation supports young athletes aspiring to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics.
The event took place during World Mental Health Week. William and Kate have spent the last seven days championing different mental health organisations across the country.
During the workshop, the royal couple got plenty of opportunity to demonstrate their famous competitive natures.
They both had a go at “goalball”, a Paralympic sport for visually impaired athletes.
In a goalball, teams of three players aim to throw a ball, embedded with bells, into the opponent’s goal while defenders attempt to block it using their body.
Players rely on the sound of the bell to judge the position and movement of the ball, so the game is played in silence.
The court is marked with tactile lines, so players can feel where they are. Players wears blackout masks to ensure an equal playing field, regardless of the level of vision. The game is played in two 12-minute halves, and the team with the most goals scored is the winner.
On X, SportsAid wrote that the Princess “excelled” as she managed to score a goal on her first try. Sadly William missed on his attempt. Both had never played before.
After his attempt, William commented that it was “really hard, so disorientating”. Adding that he imagines a full game is very fun.
The pair also went head to head in netball drills, both attempting to score netball goals under time pressure.
Kate missed the net a few times, but didn’t let it put her off. When she finally got the ball in the net, she raised her arms and shouted “yes”.
During the visit, William and Kate also spent time with young athletes, chatting about resilience and a growth mindset when facing challenges.
Let’s look at Kate’s smart-casual outfit now.
Kate’s outfit at the SportsAid Mental Health Workshop:
The Princess looked casual yet refined in her bright cobalt blue blazer, dark denim jeans and sporty sneakers. The look aligned well with the athletic backdrop of the visit.
The choice of a blazer, a traditionally more structured and formal piece, juxtaposed with the casual nature of skinny jeans, created a balanced look that was both approachable yet authoritative—the Princess was there in her role of Patron of SportsAid after all. This ensemble allowed her to engage in the athletic activities of the day while maintaining her dignified, royal edge.
Let’s start by looking at Kate’s cobalt-blue double-breasted blazer, it’s from Zara.
The long sleeve double-breasted blazer features a lapel collar, pronounced shoulders, front flap pockets and fairly distinctive metallic buttons on the front.
This is the third time we’ve seen Kate wear the blazer in public. She debuted the item in 2021, during an interview with a midwife for Nursing magazine. She then wore it again, in the same month, during a visit to Scotland.
Blue, of course, is used in midwife and nurse uniforms, plus it is synonymous with the NHS. Scotland waves it proudly on its flag too. Which explains why Kate chose the blazer on the two previous occasions.
As for the SportsAid event? The blue might be nod to the organisation’s logo/branding. Check out the organisation’s website, it’s predominantly blue:
Back to the blazer now. It retailed for £59.99. The blue colour worn by Kate is no longer available, as you’d expect with it being from an older season. But you can find it in stock in camel, dark green, black and pink at Zara.com for the same price.
If you’re yearning for the cobalt blue colour, I have some good news. There’s a listing for the blazer on Vestiaire Collective ($149 USD, size M, never been worn). For our readers in Australia, try Poshmark Australia ($100 AUD size AU8). And there were four listings on eBay the last time I checked too.
Kate loves a Zara blazer, she’s worn quite a few styles over the last few years. There’s at least 10 in her collection according to my notes. You might remember this gorgeous red style she wore a few weeks ago? (One of my personal favourites!)
Kate occasionally embraces other Zara pieces in her wardrobe too. Her choice to incorporate Zara into her style repertoire resonates with her relatable and accessible fashion approach.
For those unacquainted with Zara, it’s a high-street fashion haven known for its swift interpretation of runway trends into accessible and affordable pieces. With a global presence, Zara offers a diverse range of clothing, blending contemporary style with a touch of sophistication. The brand caters to fashion enthusiasts seeking both elegance and affordability.
Kate debuted a new pair of jeans at the SportsAid event. They’re from the American denim brand, MOTHER.
(Thanks to Caroline Parr and RegalRepliKate for the ID – which I found via Data Duchess.)
The Princess wears ‘The Dazzler’ style in the colour ‘Now or Never’, a dark inky blue wash. The Dazzler is a straight-leg, mid-rise style with an ankle-length cut.
This is the first time, to my knowledge, the Princess has worn the jeans in public. I have verified the ID – there’s a white label on the back of Kate’s jeans which matches that on the MOTHER jeans.
If you’re in need of a pair of new jeans and want to emulate Kate’s chic style, you’ll be pleased to know they’re widely available. Find at MotherDenim.com, Net-A-Porter, Selfridges and Nordstrom.
The price is on the premium side: From £250 in the UK and $228 in the USA.
This is the only pair of MOTHER jeans we’ve identified Kate as wearing to date. It’s possible she’s worn a second pair, but they’ve escaped our notice.
MOTHER, a Los Angeles-based premium denim brand, has fast become a favourite among the style cognoscenti for its effortlessly cool aesthetic. Known for its soft, shape-holding stretch denim, the brand marries laid-back California spirit with a sophisticated cut. Their collections often feature playful names and cheeky embroidery, adding a touch of irreverence to the premium denim market.
Kate paired the look with her white blouse from Lauren Ralph Lauren, known as the ‘Nadalia’ top.
The white top features a square neckline, short sleeves with a gentle puff, and a ribbed texture that adds a touch of sophistication to the otherwise simple design.
This is the seventh time we’ve spotted Kate wearing the Nadalia Top. She debuted the garment in September 2020, during a meeting with parents in Battersea Park, London.
She’s sported the white ribbed top on numerous occasions since. Notably, she wore it to support England in the Euro 2020 Final on July 11, 2021, and during several other engagements in June 2021, including a casual outing to learn about the Urban Nature Project and in a video launching her new Centre for Early Childhood (below):
Although the Nadalia Top was once available for purchase, it is now sold out.
Looking for a similar elegant top to wear under a blazer? Try one of these puff sleeves designs instead, perfect for layering or wearing alone:
Kate’s no stranger to Ralph Lauren, she’s worn a handful of the label’s items over the years. She’s sported tops, dresses, blazers, and shoes from the brand during her decade as a working Royal, indicating a certain affinity for Ralph Lauren’s classic and elegant designs. Some other Ralph Lauren pieces she’s worn include a paisley shirt to a V&A Fabergé egg exhibition and a cable-knit “cricket sweater” for a casual outdoor engagement, among others.
Ralph Lauren is a distinguished American fashion brand established in 1967 by designer Ralph Lauren. With a distinctive aesthetic that melds classic style with fresh, modern appeal, the brand has long been a go-to for individuals seeking timeless yet contemporary attire.
Ralph Lauren’s offerings span a broad spectrum, appealing to a wide audience from casual consumers to the fashion-forward elite. Originating from a humble line of men’s ties, the brand has grown into a global fashion empire, known for its sophisticated, preppy style with a dash of rustic elegance.
Kate finished her look with a pair of earrings from Earsass. They’re designed in the shape of stars, moulded into small hoops. They’re 18k gold plated.
The star earrings were created by designer Sophie in tribute to a relative who sadly took her own life earlier this year. Proceeds from sales contribute to the mental health charity, Brave Minds
It’s no coincidence that Kate debuted the Issy Earrings earlier this month, during a World Mental Health Day engagement in Birmingham. This the second time we’ve seen her wear the design.
The gold earrings currently retail for £25.50. However, due to the recent royal endorsement, there’s a significant interest which has caused a wait time of up to four weeks for delivery.
Earsass is a relatively new brand, birthed during the pandemic by stylist Sophie McGown and her love for bold, colourful earrings. Each design is dedicated to strong, influential women in her life.
Let’s finish up by looking at Kate’s white sneakers. The Princess wears the Veja Esplar Sneakers in White/Platine.
These sneakers are crafted with a leather upper, featuring Veja’s “V” logo on the side, and a contrasting heel tab with Veja branding.
The sneakers are both a fashionable and sustainable choice for Kate—who we know is increasingly environmentally conscious when it comes to style.
The leather is chrome-free and tanned in Brazil, supporting low water usage during its processing. The soft jersey lining is made from a combination of organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles, providing a comfortable fit.
The vulcanised sole, made from 54% bio-based and recycled material, adds to its eco-friendly appeal, although it isn’t heavily cushioned, it provides sufficient support for the wearer.
The sneakers have a slimline profile, which along with its round toe, lace-up vamp, and cushioned footbed, not only exudes style but also promises comfort.
Kate Middleton first sported the Veja Esplar sneakers during a visit to Scotland in 2021. Since then, the sneakers have made appearances in various engagements. Most recently, the Princess wore them during a visit to a seaweed farm in Cornwall.
Need a new pair of sneakers? You’re in luck, They continue to be available for purchase. They are priced at around $150 on various platforms like Nordstrom, and Net-A-Porter.
For readers in the UK, find them the Veja Esplars in white/platine on offer for £98 at Tower London.
Veja is a French brand founded in 2004 by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, making a name as the first fully sustainable sneaker brand. The brand has its roots in innovative design, fair trade, and eco-friendliness, with its products made in Brazil using organic materials like cotton and Amazonian wild rubber.
The brand’s aesthetic blends social responsibility with fashionable design, aiming to create a positive impact environmentally and socially.
