Festive fashion made easy.
Kate Middleton always has a styling trick up her sleeve. From diplomatic dressing to sharing secrets with her accessories, the Princess of Wales knows a thing or two about making a statement with her wardrobe. And her outfit for today’s annual “Together at Christmas” carol concert is no exception.
Though her royal jewelry is often the accessory lead of her look, this time around, a cute and festive outerwear detail stole the show. For the event, Middleton wore a double-breasted wool coat in a candy-cane red hue by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen that was adorned with black buttons and a matching black velvet holiday bow.
Whether this particular ribbon detail is detachable or part of the coat, it is the focal point of the whole look. And this isn’t the first time she’s tried out the cool-girl fashion trend. Adding a bow is one of the Princess of Wales’s go-to styling tricks.
She wore a similar giant velvet bow at the annual National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London in November. On that occasion, Middleton paired the neatly-tied ribbon with a black Catherine Walker coat, a veiled black fascinator, and pearl drop earrings. She’s also been known to wear a velvet bow ponytail holder and bow pin to Wimbledon.
It's easy to see the appeal. While the bow trend is still going strong at fashion weeks around the world, the accessory's staying power lies in its ability to make any outfit pop—especially around the holidays. And though the royal tends to favor bows as adornments for her outerwear, there are lots of ways you can get in on the holiday ribbon fun this year.
Try a cute hair accessory (like this one from Hill House) for some extra holiday oomph, or buy a cool brooch (Jennifer Behr makes a best-selling crystal one) to pin on everything from T-shirts to blazers. You can even try a bow-adorned sock, which pairs best with holiday heels, to level up your outfit this season.
If you’re looking to take your cues directly from Princess Kate, this trend could be the perfect statement piece to round out your outerwear arsenal. Whether you’re into the cherry red coat from Kate Spade, Damson Madder’s quilted look, or this preppy pink blazer by Nana Jacqueline, there’s a bow for every girl this season.