Kate Middleton Gave Her Classic Go-to Staple a Fall Refresh in the Color of the Season

And she paired it with this season's most controversial shoe.

They say never mess with a good thing, which is probably why Kate Middleton has stayed true to her classic style over the years. But, even the Princess of Wales keeps her OOTDs fresh and current by subtly sprinkling in the latest trends here and there, like '70s-inspired flared pants or a stealth wealth linen blazer. Her most recent ensemble incorporated two trends that have already filled our fall fashion mood boards just one week into the season.

Kate Middleton Red Blazer Portage Session for her 'Shaping Us' Campaign September 2023

Getty Images

On Wednesday, Middleton stepped out in Sittingbourne, England, for an engagement in a bright red tweed blazer with structured statement shoulders and gold buttons. The rest of the ensemble (a beige tee tucked into black slacks) was fairly standard for the princess, but it was her choice of footwear that strayed from her usual M.O. Middleton swapped out her go-to pointy-toe pumps for one of the season's most controversial shoe trend: ballet flats. Her black pair was adorned with large buckles along the front to match the jacket's regal aesthetic. Middleton kept her accessories classic with a silver wristwatch, tiny gold hoops, and her famed sapphire engagement ring.

Kate Middleton Red Blazer Portage Session for her 'Shaping Us' Campaign September 2023

Getty Images

Middleton also switched up her hairstyle from her usual bouncy waves to a low bun with face-framing curtain bangs. Her glam consisted of a smoky eye, rosy cheeks, and a subtle pink lip.

The royal was attending a family portage session which benefits children with disabilities and special learning needs in England and Wales, according to People. On Wednesday, Middleton visited a specialist center in Kent, where she observed a development class and met with families and staff members. The session is a part of her Shaping Us campaign, which she launched earlier this year as a part of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

"The campaign is fundamentally about shining a spotlight on the critical importance of early childhood and how it shapes the adults we become," she said at the time of the launch. "This is why it is essential, to not only understand the unique importance of our earliest years but to know what we can all do to help raise future generations of happy, healthy adults."

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