Kate Middleton Keeps Wearing These Anti-Nude Courts With Dresses

Nothing says British summertime quite like a day at Wimbledon (preferably with a glass of fizz in one hand and a bowl of strawberries and cream in another). Taking in the spectacle courtside today was Kate Middleton, who, being the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, annually turns out to loan her support to the players. Of course, it also presents the duchess with the perfect opportunity to showcase yet another beautiful look, and today’s ensemble did not disappoint. And those who follow Middleton’s style closely—you can include us in that mix—will know that this wasn’t the first time she wore this specific dress.

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

It's from one of her favourite brands, Alessandra Rich, and Kate first wore this stunning azure-and-white polka-dot dress when she made a surprise guest appearance at a street party across the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations. Polka dots have become something of a style signature for the duchess, one that Alessandra Rich regularly incorporates in her designs, for which she draws inspiration from the ’40s and ’50s. Clearly, Kate is just as smitten with this midi as we are, for, just a few short weeks later, she’s given it yet another spin in SW19.

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

However, one thing that did surprise us about Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon 2022 attire was her shoe choice. Where Kate goes, her nude suede court shoes usually follow, but today, Kate decided to mix things up a bit, instead opting for a pair of cream slingback stilettos, complete with a black cap on the rounded toe. Our guess is that Kate Middleton chose the shoes to match the ’40s feel of her dress. What’s more impressive, however, is that she tapped into one of the biggest shoe trends of the year. From Gucci to Chanel and & Other Stories to Arket, slingbacks are integral to every footwear collection this summer. Now, with Kate Middleton’s seal of approval, we’re willing to bet they’ll be the shoes of occasion season.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

So keen on this winning formula was the duchess that she decided to create it over again for the men’s finals on the weekend. In yet another polka-dot number from Alessandra Rich, Kate slipped into the toe-capped slingbacks from the same designer once more—the true sign of a decent shoe investment is when you can wear them with multiple looks, and they make for a great nod to A/W 22.

Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon 2022 dress might be sold out, but we’ve found the best alternatives to try now, as well as some cream and white slingback shoes to pair them with. See them below. 

Shop Polka-Dot Dresses

Shop Slingback Shoes

Next Up: This Dress Brand Just Got the Ultimate Seal of Approval From Kate Middleton

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.