It you were to sum up Kate Middleton’s personal style is would be a combination of demure and classically sexy. She has never worn overtly revealing clothes and has always kept her style feminine. Her outfits are neither frumpy nor overtly sexy.
Since her engagement to Prince William, the fashion press has scrutinized Kate Middleton’s fashion sense. She is well-known for her love of Issa dresses, with their trademark designs embodying versatility and classic sex appeal. Therefore, on November 15, 2010, it was no surprise that is was Issa's royal blue silk jersey wrap dress that was beamed around the world, showing off Kate's style as sophisticated with a hint of sexiness.
Her love of the Issa London label has led her to become an unofficial ambassador of the brand and she has been loyal to the label at weddings, parties and on the day of her official engagement. She carries Issa’s column evening gowns with aplomb, showing off her slender willowy frame, whilst for partying, loves her more revealing Issa mini shift dresses. Kate Middleton also does hats rather well, especially if they are Philip Treacy.
When it comes to casual then Kate goes for country-girl chic in slim-fitting jeans and practical boots, or tweed skirts and brown suede boots with a heel. Pre-engagement, she also wore high street labels such as Next, Jigsaw and French Connection. Like any self-respecting fashion maven she also has a love of designer handbags, especially Prada and Mulberry.
How to Get Kate Middleton’s style
Fashionistas, eager to embody the style of Kate Middleton will find there are already designer-inspired dresses and jewelry so they can channel their inner-sophisti-Kate!
The Issa Dress
Kate Middleton’s sapphire blue Issa engagement dress, priced at £395 sold out in a few hours but online stockist Net-a-Porter is promising a delivery of more stock.
However, designer-inspired copies at budget prices are popping up al over the high street. These include a similar £84 Pepita dress from Ingenie at Chica Boutique and a short-sleeved version (priced at £16) from the Florence and Fred label at Tesco.
Add a pair of simple black suede court shoes with a mid-heel. These are easy to come by as high street retail chains such as Next have a similar shoe style priced at just £35.
The Sapphire Engagement Ring
Prince William’s gesture of giving his late mother, Princess Diana’s, engagement ring to his wife-to-be touched the hearts of many. The £300,000 white gold 18-carat sapphire ring from exclusive London jewelers, Garrad’s has already seen similar designs pop up at high street stores, dubbed "copyKate" rings.
The shopping channel QVC is offering a lookalike ring in sterling silver for around £35, whilst discount store Argos has a similar 18-carat gold diamond and sapphire cluster at just under £200. The UK high street jewelers H Samuel have a budget-priced 9-carat Lady Diana Royal Engagement Ring with sapphire and diamonds for under £180 and an 18-carat Diana Royal Engagement Ring for £750.
Alternatively there are costume jewelry versions based around the original design, such as Marks & Spencer's Platinum Heirloom Ring, priced at £18.
How to Create Kate Middleton's Hair
The future Princess Catherine’s glossy locks are styled by James Price at London’s Richard Ward salon. The Sloan Square saloon pioneered the "super salon" concept and has a large celebrity clientele.
Kate’s natural hairstyle is full of volume and soft movement. To create the same effect use a volumizing shampoo and a root lift product to create body and volume.
According to the Daily Mail, leading hairdresser Nick Slingsby, creative director at the London salon Stannard & Slingsby, advises blasting the hair until 80% dry and then using a bristle brush, taking small sections of the hair and dry each section on a medium heat. Keep the hairdryer should be pointing down the shaft of the hair. When dry, set the top section of hair in large Velcro rollers and blast with cold air. Once set, when the rollers can be removed and the hair will fall naturally and have soft movement like Kate's.
The fashion world waits with bated breathe as to who will design Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Once she walks down the aisle on April 29th, 2011, there is likely to be designer-inspired copies of the bridal gown available in hours, for wanna-be Kate brides.
Source:
- Coleman, Claire and Dunlop, Anna. “From THAT dress (for a quarter of the price) to a shimmering blow dry and the £14 lip gloss.. How you can be a Copy Kate.” Daily Mail, November 25th, 2010.
Gill Hart - Gill Hart is a fashion and image professional who specializes in women's fashion over 50.
