Kate Middleton arrived at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow wearing a striped nautical top, a look fashion observers say signals one of the strongest trends of the upcoming autumn-winter 2026/27 season.
The Princess of Wales paired the striped shirt with a white pleated skirt in a lady-like style and a black blazer with structured shoulders, which added a layer of sophistication to the otherwise casual piece. The outfit was chosen as she watched events from the royal box alongside the British Royal Family.
The striped top is far from a new addition to the princess’s wardrobe. Over the years she has been seen in various versions of the style, both classic and more contemporary cuts, wearing them to a range of occasions. The item is particularly common in her rotation for less formal engagements.
The nautical stripe has long been a wardrobe staple, entering womenswear at the start of the twentieth century. Its latest fashion moment has been confirmed on the runways, with houses including Chanel, Dior by JW Anderson, and Jean Paul Gaultier all featuring the print in their recent Fashion Week collections.
Beyond tops, the nautical stripe print is also appearing across a wide range of clothing categories, with the pattern expected to compete with and surpass floral and polka-dot prints in coming months.
