The Duchess Of Cambridge Ditches Her Coats For A Playful Print

It's been a long, cold winter of hat- and coat-wearing for the Duchess of Cambridge, the royal formerly known as Kate Middleton. But now it appears spring has sprung -- when it comes to her outfits, anyway!

The duchess and Prince William were in London Friday visiting the mentoring program XLP, a charity that provides emotional support for children dealing with emotional and behavioral struggles. 

The duchess chose a designer she's never worn before for the occasion, as many fan sites noted. She picked a brand new, red-and-white checkered top with buttons and a coordinating pleated skirt from bespoke womenswear line Eponine's Spring/Summer 2016 collection.

According to the brand, Eponine is "inspired by the elegant lines of the Fifties and the unexpected styles of the Sixties." That inspiration is totally apparent in this suit, which retails around $1,700, a spokeswoman for the line confirmed to The Huffington Post. 

Kate paired the outfit with black pumps, a clutch and those famous flowy locks. 

We know spring doesn't officially start until March 20, but we'll take this as a cue to whip out our cute coordinates, too. 

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