When it comes to style, I have a mood board collaging various fashion inspirations that I can look to when I feel stuck. (And I feel stuck often.) It includes everyone from my French host mom (to this day still the most sophisticated woman I know) and my fashion stylist friend, Belle Bakst, to celebrities like Laufey, Dakota Johnson and Elle Fanning. Kate Middleton also makes the list; I find her style an admirable combination of sharp and feminine. Back in March, I was fixated on a pleated skirt she wore during a public outing, and after weeks of searching, stumbled upon a style at Quince ($60) that made me, too, feel like I could be a (pretend) princess.
The $60 Quince Skirt That Makes Me Feel Like Kate Middleton
A princess skirt for sure
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Published Jul 2, 2026
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Pleated skirts are one of the Princess of Wales's style staples; in addition to the one she wore on a London outing in March, she also styled a Jenni Kayne pleated cream skirt ($395) while in Italy. Based on photos, I suspect it's a repeat from March.
When styling my own clothes, something I love to incorporate in addition the CST Rule (an outfit should have an interesting color, shape and/or texture) is movement. For me, that translates into swishy skirts. I love a good twirl or ginormous piece of fabric caught in the wind. It feels romantic. And a pleated skirt most definitely checks those boxes.
Quince
Quince's $60 rendition is made of the same fabric as Jenni Kayne's, and the crepe georgette weave provides a subtle, pebbled matte finish. The elastic waistband gives a lot of leeway, and the length is maxi, falling to about my ankles. (I'm 5'6'' for reference.)
What I find interesting about this pleated skirt is the "sunburst" pattern. Rather than have the pleats run from top to bottom, there's a circle of shorter pleats (forming the "rays" of the sun, I suppose) that burst from the waistband, and then longer pleats between them that run the length of the skirt. It adds an extra bit of dimension that I find fun and unique.
The skirt is available in three colors: an ivory approximating the style of Princess Catherine's, coffee brown and black. I ended up opting for black as I prefer dark colors when the fabric is more fluid than stiff. (It hides lumps and bumps better.) No matter the color, the skirt can be worn in all seasons. It's lightweight enough to wear in the summer (I'll be wearing it to an event in the dead of August), but the stretchy waistband and relaxed cut mean I can also layer a sweater and tights underneath when it gets cold. And, of course, it looks magical if you give it a good twirl.
Fast Facts
- Size range: XS to XL
- Colors: 3
- Material: recycled polyester
- Machine washable: yes
