Looking to switch up your style and ditch the jeans? Take inspiration from Kate Middleton, who effortlessly incorporates chic alternatives into her wardrobe.
From tailored cigarette trousers to playful culottes, Kate shows us how versatile and stylish these options can be. Whether you’re after something elegant, casual, or adventurous, these eight alternatives will help you elevate your everyday outfits with ease.
1) Culottes: For Effortless Elegance
Culottes are an effortlessly chic alternative to jeans. They’re a staple for Kate and a style that’s easy to translate into your wardrobe.
These wide-leg trousers offer a relaxed yet polished look, perfect if you want to break away from denim without sacrificing style or comfort.
We’ve seen Kate wear culottes at multiple public appearances. In October 2019, she stepped out at the Natural History Museum wearing a khaki green pair from Jigsaw (above).
She wore a vibrant green pair from Zara to a SportsAid event in February 2020 (below). The high-waist, wide-leg design ensured a sleek and streamlined look, even as she participated in track and field activities:
She paired camel brown culottes by Massimo Dutti with a pretty floral broderie anglaise blouse at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. The look epitomised understated sophistication:
I’ve noticed that Kate wears culottes when she needs to seamlessly transition from casual to smart-casual settings. They really are a versatile and stylish substitute for jeans.
Perfect for: attending relaxed social gatherings, exploring cultural venues.
2) Wide Leg Ankle Grazer: For Tailored Sophistication
Want to replace your go-to jeans with something equally versatile yet a touch more refined? An ankle-grazing wide-leg trouser offers a stylish solution.
Unlike culottes, which tend to be softer and flowier, look for a trouser with a more structured silhouette, with thicker material, a crease and tailoring.
I love this pair from L.K. Bennett (above) that Kate’s worn on a handful of occasions. Effortlessly chic and polished.
Kate wore her trousers with a slimline knit and heels in May 2019, and a short-sleeved tee and sneakers in August 2019, both for visits related to the Kings Cup Regatta. A flowing blouse tucked at the waist would work nicely with this style too.
Perfect for: the office, a dinner date, brunch.
3) Sailor Trousers: For Nautical Charm
The third option is a pair of ‘sailor trousers’ – they will add maritime charm to your casual ensemble. A pair in deep navy—a sophisticated twist on the classic black—will effortlessly elevate your look.
Go for gold button for military-inspired flair. A kick-flare leg cut offers a universally flattering silhouette.
Kate wore her sailor trousers to the 1851 Trust’s final Roadshow at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre in June 2017. Her’s were from J.Crew.
Ideal for: boat trips, waterfront dining, museum tours, vacation.
4) Cropped Colour: Tailored Perfection
Thought tailored trousers were just for the office? Think again. Kate shows us how easy it is to dress down these wardrobe staples. Wear yours cropped in a unique colour for an eye-catching ensemble.
Take the Reiss ‘Ginnie’ Trousers that Kate wore for her appearance at Starbank Park in Edinburgh in May 2021. The Princess paired these bottle green trousers—a sophisticated, understated hue—with sneakers and a blouse for a relaxed look. A matching blazer added to the formality of the engagement (as Kate represented the Royal Family in the park).
Similarly, check out the Marks & Spencer Trousers that Kate wore during a visit to Battersea Park in September 2020. These trousers, originally part of a suit, were dressed down with ease.
The dusky pink colour is a stylish alternative to more vibrant shades, adding a touch of elegance to a casual look without screaming for attention.
Also a special shoutout to the Joseph ‘Zoom‘ Cady Slim Trousers in Ruby (below), which Kate wore to the Shout UK celebration event in November 2019. Kate paired these vibrant red trousers with a blazer and sneakers, showing us how to add a pop of colour to any ensemble.
Don’t be afraid to play with colour, whether it’s a bold red, a soft pink, or a deep green – these hues can refresh your wardrobe and add a touch of personality to your casual ensembles.
Ideal for: occasions where you want to stand out without being too formal, such as brunch with friends, an outdoor event, or a creative workplace.
5) Patterned Trousers: A Playful Twist
Patterned trousers are a fantastic way to break free from the monotony of plain fabrics and inject a bit of fun into your wardrobe.
Kate’s appearance at the Eden Project in 2016 (above) shows us how to wear these stylish pieces with ease, inspiring a fresh, trendy look. The Princess wore a pair of ikat print trousers from GAP for the visit. The beautiful print added a playful and artistic touch.
Patterned trousers like these are versatile and can be paired with simple, solid-coloured tops to let the design take centre stage. Kate balanced the boldness of the patterned trouser with an understated white top, which created a harmonious look that was both eye-catching and refined.
Ideal for: exploring local attractions, enjoying a casual lunch with friends, running errands.
6) Skinny Cargo: Adventure-Ready
Take inspiration from Kate and be adventure-ready in a pair of cargo trousers, a stylish alternative to jeans. Look for a skinny-fit pair to blend fashion with functionality.
Kate wears two pairs from G-Star RAW. Pictured above: The Princess exploring the ancient Mayan site of Caracol in Belize during the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Tour wearing the ‘High G-Shape Cargo Skinny Trousers’ in ‘dark olive‘.
And here she is wearing the same style in a grey-black shade called ‘raven‘ during a visit to Wales in 2023:
Kate visited Wales to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team.
The structured fit and high waist offer a sleek and flattering silhouette. G-Star no longer sell Kate’s exact pair. However, the Kafey style, shown below, is a very close match.
Ideal for: any adventurous outing, whether you’re trying your hand at abseiling or exploring ancient ruins.
7) Cigarette Trousers: Timeless
Cigarette trousers are slim-fit, tailored and slightly taper at the ankle. I love how Kate pairs hers with blazers, sneakers and tees for a fresh, relaxed look as a sleek alternative to jeans.
Above: Kate at a Dame Kelly Holmes Trust event in May 2023 wearing a pair of white Alexander McQueen cigarette trousers with her Veja sneakers, a white tee and a vibrant blazer by L.K. Bennett. The fresh and crisp look worked well for the visit, which centred around mental health and youth development.
Below: Kate attending The Big Lunch on Windsor’s Long Walk in May 2023, the day after King Charles’s coronation. Opting for a relaxed yet refined look, the outfit was the perfect choice for mingling with neighbours.
We think the Princess wore her L.K. Bennett cigarette trousers, paired with a blue blazer from Reiss and her Veja sneakers.
Wear your cigarette trousers with a blazer with sneakers in any smart-casual situation where you’d like to look stylish yet approachable.
Ideal for: university lecturers and other professionals where the dress code is quite relaxed.
8) Flared Trousers: Total Sophistication
After a decade of fitted silhouettes ruling the world of fashion (we’re talking about you, skinny jeans), there’s been a dramatic shift towards looser, more voluminous trousers in recent years.
Wide-leg trousers are sophisticated and the perfect alternative to jeans. Their flowing silhouette offers comfort and ease of movement while looking effortlessly elegant.
I love the look Kate wore as she departed Belize and headed to Jamaica during the Platinum Jubilee Tour in 2022 (above). Her trousers were by Alexander McQueen but every single High Street shop stocks similar styles at the moment. The Princess paired her wide-leg flared trousers with a vintage YSL jacket that she’s owned since university and finished the look with glamorous pearl earrings.
I’d describe Kate’s look as “semi-formal”, but you could tone down a similar pair of trousers by wearing them with a simple top and either sandals or sneakers.
Here’s another of Kate’s strong ‘wide leg’ trouser looks. I think it’s very fashion-forward paired with the vest and shirt.
Ideal for: warm-weather events, perhaps a daytime wedding as an alternative to a dress, or for casual summer outings. Wide-leg trousers also transition well into formal settings when paired with tailored tops and elegant accessories, e.g. semi-formal dinners or cultural events. They’re also the perfect workwear, as Kate demonstrates so well.
