Kate Middleton Wore Puddle Pants with This '90s Shoe Trend

When the Princess of Wales wears jeans, they're usually skinny. When she wears dresses, they're midi, and when she wears trousers, they're usually wide-leg. Such was the case when Kate Middleton joined her husband the Prince of Wales for an outing in, well, Wales. The pair visited St Thomas Church in Swansea, which has been has been redeveloped to provide support to vulnerable people. For the occasion late last year, Middleton opted for a wool-blend coat—the Spencer coat, no less—from one of her go-to high-street brands, LK Bennett, which she styled with a light-weave black jumper and fashion's current favourite trouser: puddle pants.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Kate Middleton: LK Bennett Spencer Wool-Blend Coat (£599)

Puddle pants (and jeans) are basically loose and so long that they pool around the ankles. So in this case, save yourself a trip to the tailor and keep the ultra-long length intact—just don't step out on a rainy day. That is, unless you follow Kate's lead by styling them with a pair of high heels. Right now, we're seeing a resurge of patent, pointed-toe heels, the sort reminiscent of celebrity outfits from the '90s. Now, Kate Middleton has tapped into the trend with a pair of her own. Be it at Prada or & Other Stories, patent pointed-toe shoes are back, and if they're good enough for a princess, they're certainly good enough for us.

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/GC Images)

On Kate Middleton: Jigsaw trousers; Anderson's Leather Belt (£98); Emmy London Josie Pumps (£415)

This isn't the first time that Middleton has styled puddle pants like a pro. A few months ago, she and Prince William visited volunteers at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London, during which Middleton showed her support for Ukraine by wearing a blue-and-yellow pin on a blue sweater. She also wore block-heel pumps and a pair of, yes, puddle pants trousers from Jigsaw, a Brit brand the Princess herself used to work for. 

It should come as no surprise that plenty of brands are getting in on the trend, and there are options at every price point. Scroll to shop some of our favourites, and get your pointed-toe, high heels ready.

Shop Puddle Trousers + Pointed-Toe Shoes

Next up, how to style leather trousers like a fashion editor. 

This story was originally published on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.