Despite a late night at the National Television Awards, Cat Deeley looked as fresh as a daisy as she hosted This Morning with Ben Shepherd. The pair were in jubilant moods as they celebrated the shows win, named Best Daytime Programme, and Cat took to the occasion wearing a stunning polka dot dress that had all the shades of autumn.
Cat’s latest dress is a fan favourite, the popular Rixo Abi Dress. If you thought polka dots were purely for spring and summer, let Cat be your guide as to how to wear them through autumn.
Cat’s dress is a fine example of taking a spring trend into the chillier season. Sleeveless though it is, it’s the deep, rich burgundy shade that transitions it into fall. The delicate crinkle chiffon exudes chic, and the tiered midi skirt is about as breezy as they come. The scarf-style neckline taps into the dress trend that’s everywhere, full of romance and whimsy.
The 48-year-old did what she does best by putting her own spin on the trend. Cat added a brown, skinny leather belt to cinch in the waist, immediately evoking thoughts of autumn, and paired the ensemble with a burgundy knee high boot.
Cat’s choice of footwear is exactly how to take your polka dot dresses, or more summer-centric dresses, into autumn. A knee high boot in dark brown, burgundy or camel is a lighter look than black, and I’d advise you keep it minimal in style with a block heel and almond shape toe; chunky yes, but without too much bulk.
If you’re worried about the halter style neckline being too cold for September onwards, think again. A suede cropped jacket would look stunning with this dress, as would an oversized blazer. You could equally layer the dress over a super fine, long sleeved top to make it peak-winter ready and come those winter weddings, add a cropped Chanel style jacket.
Cat’s not alone in loving a polka dot dress for autumn. The timeless was style was on the AW25 runways including Altuzarra to Vivienne Westwood, and every high store worth its salt has a whole section dedicated to the classic print.
I found a really great lookalike of Cat’s dress for just £69 / $119, at Omnes. The sustainable fashion label has the chiffon polka dot dress in a pinky red shade, along with navy and light blue.
Cat’s recent outfits
True to form, Cat’s made a super stylish return to This Morning following the summer break. She turned to Rixo earlier in the week, wearing the sweet silk Clementine Dress, but the rest of her outfits have been much more affordable high street buys. Top of my favourites was the River Island boucle waistcoat, a neutral cream Chanel-style sleeveless top that looks super luxe. I also loved the chocolate brown cashmere Reiss batwing jumper, worn with a Massimo Dutti leather mini skirt – that’s one look I’m definitely going to replicate this autumn.
There are few women in the world who can influence a wardrobe quite like the Princess of Wales. She just has a knack for turning polished classics into must-have staples. Her recent secret weapon? The tweed blazer – more specifically, the herringbone jacket. Season after season, Catherine proves that this heritage piece is not just for the hunting fields of the English countryside, but for school runs, charity visits, and even the red carpet-adjacent engagements that make up royal life.
So why does the Duchess return time and again to this quintessentially British tweed jacket? And more importantly, why should you consider adding one to your own collection?
The 43-year-old royal has been photographed in an array of blazers, but her tweed and herringbone choices always stand out. Think of her in Smythe’s iconic one-button jacket, in earthy tweeds by Alexander McQueen, or her beloved Holland Cooper double-breasted blazer in a sharply tailored herringbone. Each look is grounded in practicality yet elevated with that regal polish she nails every single time.
On a recent trip to the Natural History Museum the Princess of Wales opted for the Ralph Lauren herringbone wool blazer
Part of the appeal lies in tweed’s history. Woven in Scotland and synonymous with country estates, equestrian weekends, and windswept moors, tweed is basically as British as afternoon tea. And if you love the Traitors, you’ll be reminded of its appeal with Claudia Winkleman who looked seriously chic with her Traitors-core look throughout filming.
Claudia Winkleman is another tweed-fluencer with her Traitors looks
The enduring appeal of herringbone
Let’s pause for a quick fabric lesson, shall we? Tweed is the broader category: a rough, woollen cloth traditionally woven in patterns like check, houndstooth, and herringbone. herringbone, with its distinctive V-shaped weave, is the most refined of the bunch. It’s structured, slimming, and quietly elegant – the kind of pattern that doesn’t scream for attention but always looks considered.
Back in 2021, the Princess of Wales embarked on a boat trip in Lake Windermere wearing a herringbone blazer with black skinny jeans and boots
Why Princess Kate loves tweed jackets (and you will too)
Kate is a busy working royal, juggling engagements that take her from sports grounds to palace receptions. She needs clothes that bridge the gap between comfort and sophistication.
I reached out to royal fashion expert Samantha, the woman who’s responsible for the hugely popular Instagram account @royalfashiondaily. If anyone can add some expert knowledge on to this subject, it’s Sam! She said: “Kate loves her tweed herringbone jackets and blazers because they feel timeless and grounded. They gives her that easy, girl-next-door vibe while still nodding to classic British countryside style – a look that makes royalty feel warm, approachable, and relatable.”
Aged 22, the beaming Princess rocked a tweed co-ord and knee-high boots
Where to shop the look
If you’re looking to invest, heritage brands like Holland Cooper, Smythe, and Burberry offer exquisite tailoring with timeless appeal. For more accessible options, high-street retailers like Zara, Mango, and Jigsaw frequently carry excellent herringbone-inspired blazers. The beauty of this piece is that it doesn’t have to cost the earth to look regal.
While Kate’s Ralph Lauren blazer she wore recently was a past season buy, this is the new season version and there are matching pieces available. So chic.
I rarely use full length photos to illustrate jackets, but this model is wearing this blazer exactly the same way as I’d style it. It’s very cool girl coded. Want!
I think this blazer looks extremely expensive, and I was shocked to see the price didn’t reflect that. This is a regular fit, which is ideal if you’re not into the oversized look.
Nobody’s Child is going from strength to strength, and this blazer looks like a timeless addition to your wardrobe.
Styling advice: How to wear your herringbone jacket like a royal
Throw on a herringbone blazer and suddenly jeans and a T-shirt look intentional. Pair it with a silk blouse and pencil skirt and you’re boardroom ready. Over a knit dress, it adds structure without sacrificing softness. It’s the ultimate wardrobe transformer.
This & Other Stories blazer came straight home with me
Keep it Neutral, Keep it Chic
Catherine tends to favour earthy palettes – greys, browns, navy – because they go with everything. Invest in a neutral herringbone blazer first, then branch out into statement colours if you fall in love.
Pair with Slim Silhouettes
Tweed is a heavier fabric, so balance is key. Kate often teams her blazers with slim trousers, skinny jeans, or a streamlined midi skirt. This avoids looking bulky and highlights the tailoring.
Add a Touch of Femininity
To soften the traditionally masculine cut of a blazer, Kate often pairs hers with a silk blouse, delicate jewellery, or even a floral dress. It’s this interplay of structure and softness that makes her looks feel so wearable.
Belt It
Now this is one of the royal’s signature styling tricks. Cinching the waist not only flatters the figure but adds a modern twist to a heritage fabric. If your blazer is longline, try a leather belt over the top – it’s a subtle but effective way to elevate your look.
Boots are your best friend
Whether she’s wearing suede knee-highs or chic ankle boots, Kate knows footwear matters. Tweed naturally complements leather, so your herringbone blazer will always feel at home with classic boots.
Don’t be afraid of denim
One of the reasons tweed has shaken off its “country only” reputation is its pairing with denim. A herringbone blazer worn over a white tee and skinny jeans is no doubt Princess Kate’s off-duty uniform – and it works just as well for a Saturday coffee run as it does for the school gates.
Alexa Chung often teams her tweed blazers with denim jeans
Investment piece or trend?
While fashion is often fleeting, the herringbone jacket is a piece you’ll wear for decades. Buy well, and it will outlast trends, moving with you from one life stage to another. Princess Kate’s wardrobe choices highlight this point beautifully: her tweed blazers from a decade ago still look as fresh today as when she first wore them.
Think of it as part of the “royal effect.” Royals don’t dress for a single season – they dress with the future in mind. That’s exactly why Catherine’s tweed jackets have aged so gracefully, and why yours will too.
“Jojo Moyes is the author of the bittersweet ‘Me Before You’ – she also wrote the screenplay for the film starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin (yes, I ugly cried watching it) – and her short story collection is the perfect escape while on holiday or at home in your garden, too. And because it’s in small doses of 11 tales – a real rollercoaster of love, humour and heartbreak about navigating the world of amour – it’s perfect for any moment, no matter how brief, whether unwinding at the end of the day or relaxing in a sun lounger. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but the first, and longest, story – ‘Paris for One’ – the story of Nell, who goes on her romantic weekend trip to Paris alone after her terrible boyfriend bails on her last minute – had me hooked! It’s a breezy read that’s engaging, too.” Karen Silas, Senior Lifestyle Editor
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