Duchess Katherine's flirty, polished dresses, structured suits and preppy blazers are both duchess/princess-appropriate and thoroughly modern. Her style has quickly become one of the most noted in fashion blogs and magazines worldwide, and girls everywhere are looking to get the look of this modern-day fairytale princess. Here are some tips on how to build some of her style into your own.
Kate's Duchess Style
Kate's pre-duchess style showed lots of prints -- plaids, flowers and stripes. Now that she's a duchess, Kate has switched to dressing head to toe in similar colors. Of course, she is still known for her small but mighty accessories, like silk scarves, gold jewelry and (on formal occasions) feather fascinator hats.
Color Blocking
Kate takes color blocking (dressing all in one color) to a new level with her monochromatic (all in one color) dresses, pant suits and outfits. She loves muted pastels and greys for everyday royal appearances, and usually matches her shoes and purse in the same color as well.
The Sporty Duchess
Kate isn't all princess business all the time. When she's out shopping or attending to unofficial business, Kate wears skinny jeans or leggings, frilly shirts and crocheted sweaters. Her favorite everyday shoes are currently her blue espadrille wedges. Her collection of knee-length flared skirts, short cropped blazers, skinny jeans and navy shoes seem to take some of the work out of everyday princessing by making getting dressed a no-brainer, allowing her to mix and match her favorite pieces with each other.
On the field, Kate is comfortable in skinny leggings and a tight-fitting sweatshirt. Check out how she dresses up these leggings in the next photo...Courtesy of Lucky Mag
Your Duchess Look
The takeaway message here is that Kate has found pieces that work and a style that works -- this season it's easy to match colors, flared knee-length skirts, short sweaters and cropped jackets, frilly blouses, skinny jeans and leggings, her favorite espadrille pumps for everyday wear, and color blocked suits for official duchess appearances.
Where to Shop
We often see Kate in J Brand Skinny jeans. Starting at $169 a pair, they're not so accessible to a teen budget. The best part of these jeans is the Tencel mixed with cotton for just the right stretch and fit, and most skinny jeans on the market are missing this awesome component. Macy's carries Else Jeans Skinny Colored Denim Jeans, which come in many different colors and feature the cotton/tencel/spandex combination. At $68 a pair, the price tag is still big, but not as big as J Brand.
Kate's favorite man and her favorite espadrilles, blazer and J Brand skinny jeansCourtesy of Lucky Mag
Espadrille wedges are easy to find and come in all colors and price tags. Visit any bargain shoe store that sells name brands like Famous Footwear or Marshall's and find a pair that fit your foot and your price range.
Forever 21 and H&M are two great stores for knockoff versions of designer styles. Shop around for cropped jackets, frilly blouses, short crocheted sweaters and flared knee-length skirts to echo Kate's signature style.
Keep your color choices simple and limited and keep patterns to a minimum and you'll always be able to mix and match wardrobe essentials, just like our fave modern day duchess, Kate!
Have Your Say
What's your favorite Kate Middleton look? Where do you shop to get the look? Tell us in your comments below!
