There are some royal outfits you just can't forget. Royal wedding dresses might seem the obvious choice, but for me, it's a sweet pink gingham blouse that Princess Kate wore back in 2022.
Every spring and summer since, I think how perfect Kate's Brora gingham top would be for these warm weather days and despite it initially falling to the Kate effect - where it sold instantly - the fashion gods have praised us by bringing it back for 2026.
Let's roll back to 2022. We were treated to a super sweet behind the scenes video from the royals, featuring the Princess of Wales and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with a baking session ahead of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Prince William's wife allowed cameras to show the inside of their family kitchen at Kensington Palace as the kids baked for their own Jubilee celebrations.
All eyes though, well mine at least, were on Kate's chic pink gingham top. Priced at £129, the Brora blouse was sold exclusively at John Lewis and promptly sold out, sparking a ton of furious royal fashion fans to try and find similar versions.
You can stop the search, because Brora and John Lewis have brought that much-wanted pink gingham blouse back. Called the 'Gingham Ruffled Chelsea Collar Shirt', it's on sale for £129 / $235. It's selling fast at John Lewis, and Brora has the full range of sizes, UK sizes 6 - 18.
KATE'S BLOUSE: Brora Gingham Ruffled Chelsea Collar Shirt
© John LewisNailing off-duty chic in the way only Kate knows, she teamed it with her 'Favourite Cut' jeans from & Other Stories, which we tried on and rate - read our review of the high street jeans.
It's 100% cotton, ideal for warmer days as it's a breathable fabric, and comes slightly longer in length than you'd expect, which I like; great for tucking in or leaving loose without fear of it rising up and masquerading as a crop top.
How to wear a gingham blouse
A gingham blouse feels instantly fresh, but it's all about how you style it to make it look cool rather than twee.
It's all about balance; pairing the blouse with a more structured piece will head off any cute, sweet aesthetics to bring it to a more modern vibe.
- Daytime casual: Wear with straight cut jeans and keep it simple with flat Mary Jane shoes or sneakers. A denim jacket or oversized blazer will look polished yet relaxed over the top. For summer, swap for Bermuda denim shorts.
- For the office: Try wide leg or cigarette cut trousers; keep accessories minimal.
- Smart casual: This is where you can have some fun. A wide leg jean and minimal heels, or a midi or maxi skirt and espadrilles.
I love that Princess Kate chose pink gingham as a design to wear, as it reminds me of her late mother-in-law's pink gingham trousers. The shade of pink is so like Princess Diana's iconic gingham capri pants it's uncanny.
