The Duchess of Cambridge (or as many of you refer to her, Kate Middleton) is one stylish lady. Ok, so she may not parade around in the highest heels or the most daring designer pieces, but there's no denying that Catherine has one of the most covetable wardrobes in the world!
Here at Osoblog, we love that Kate has a tendency to mix garments from her favourite high street shops with designer items, and that she's not afraid to wear her trusty, signature pieces (like her LK Bennett nude 'Sledge' heels pictured below) on more than one occasion. Heck, we applaud that she recycles her outfits as apposed to only ever wearing something once! Whilst some have called Kate 'thrifty', we prefer to think of her as any other normal girl, even if she is married to Prince William...
Despite her enviable royal lifestyle, you have to admit, it's nice to see that the stylish Duchess still loves a good shopping spree - and a great bargain hunt. Our Kate still enjoys shopping for herself (although we're sure there are plenty of people who could do it for her) and despite hundreds of designers falling over themselves to dress her, she has a penchant for the British high street. As a fan of contemporary style with a classic influence, it's no surprise that Whistles, LK Bennett, Reiss, and even Zara are on Kate's list of favourite places to seek out affordable fashion.
From the Reiss dress that photographer Mario Testino helped her choose for the royal couples engagement photo, to the £49.99 Zara number she wore on her first post wedding outing, Kate has a knack of making everything look so current and appealing. As the 'Kate effect' continues to gather speed at an alarming rate (in case you didn't know, the Princess has a habit selling out items she's worn within minutes) we take a look at some of Kate's best high street fashion moments in the gallery below.
Whether you're an avid Osoblog reader or a massive Kate Middleton fan, you'll know by now that the Duchess of Cambridge has the midas touch when it comes to clothes, and shoes, and accessories...we're pretty much used to everything she wears selling out within mere moments. Well it looks as though 'The Kate Effect' has finally reached the upper tiers of the designer world as according to Grazia, Missoni have issued a re-release of their 3/4 length blue tweed coat from their M Missoni's Autumn Winter 2010 collection! The two year old coat, which the young Duchess picked up from Bicester Village, has sent royal fashion fans into a frenzy on several occasions. Kate first wore the coat back in March during a trip to Fortnum & Mason for a spot of afternoon tea with the Queen, and most recently, on a Jubilee day trip to Nottingham with HRH and her husband, Prince William.
To be honest, I'm surprised something like this hasn't happened sooner. Catherine has earned herself a number of new titles such as "thrifty Kate" and "the discount Duchess" thanks to her penchant for 'recycling' her clothes (seriously, can't the poor woman wear an outfit more than once?). The new Kate coat will apparently be available to purchase at the M Missoni flagship store in London, Westfield White City, Westfield Shepherd's Bush, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Rumoured to retail at £670, we've no doubt that the coat will break records as it flies out the doors despite it's high price tag, so we recommend you start saving (and possibly pitching tents!) outside the stores this July.
If your budget doesn't quite match that of a Princess don't worry - we've got a number of purse friendly, tweed-tastic jackets for you to swoon over below. You never know, we may have stumbled across K-Mid's next tweed purchase...
It's just over a year since Kate Middleton and Prince William married and this Jenny Packham gown is going straight to the top of our list of 'favourite Kate dresses'. It's utterly sublime.
Her and Prince William were on the red carpet on Friday night for the Olympic gala Our Great Team Rises at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Celebrities turned up in their droves, but all eyes were on Kate in that teal gown.
She wore an intricate pleated updo and paired her dress with a matching clutch and diamond drop earrings. Nicholas Kirkwood will have something to say about her Jimmy Choos - she went out for dinner in them earlier in the week. How terrible.
If you're not convinced by just how special the Duchess of Cambridge's dress is, check out the lace back detailing.
Those buttons! It might have been a red carpet event, but some might say that this dress is a little too racy for the latest member of the royal family. There are no bra straps to be seen across that sexy lace back. Is Kate - gasp - braless? What would the Queen say?
If you like Kate's look, check out our picks below to recreate her style...
Last night saw Kate Middleton step out in another lust-worthy outfit and us fashion fans were pleased to see it was somewhat different than her usual shift dress and court shoe combo. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a swish black tie dinner at London's Claridges Hotel and for the red carpet K-Middy opted for a cream maxi length dress from Roland Mouret's 2009 collection. With full length sleeves, slash neck and a thigh high split (!), she looked the picture of chic glamour walking the red carpet with her suited and booted hubby in toe.
Worn previously by the former French First Lady Carla Bruni and actress Amber Valetta in the dark jade green version, we think Kate pulls off the Roland Mouret dress to perfection accessorized with a pair of silver Jimmy Choo heels (which we've hunted down below), sparkling clutch and vintage style earrings. Want to get Kate's new ultra-glam look? We've shopped around and found some fab high-street alternatives including this beautiful Gorgeous Couture dress which is almost identical. Check out our other handpicked selections below to shop Kate's style.
German Shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood had a bit of a pop at Kate Middleton's shoes earlier this week. Talking to The Daily Beast, her said "She just wears too much high street stuff. I know she's trying to be democratic, but I don't know how many pairs of LK Bennett you can wear." He then added "She does occasionally come out and is wearing [Alexander] McQueen or something like that. It's like, 'Do that more! You're meant to be a princess-y type of person, so act like one!"
Yeah, this will get her wearing your shoes, Kirkwood.
He isn't the only fashion designer to have a pop at the Duchess of Cambridge, Vivienne Westwood has previously said that she's an ordinary woman and a high street shopper. Shame, because we'd love to see Kate in some Anglomania.
But wait a minute, sulky fashion designers, isn't that what we like about Kate? That she's ordinary? She scrubs up nice, but she still looks like someone you could have a chat and a coffee with - she's totally relatable. She's not meant to be a designer clothes horse, and most of us like her because she isn't. She'd get excited about wearing a gorgeous dress from New Look if it suited her. Her choices might not be daring, but she's never looked anything but elegant and sophisticated.
What do we think? Love Kate's style, or think it's a bit dull? Tell us in the poll below.
Posted by Sian Meades on May 3, 2012 11:22 AM
Kate Middleton
Yesterday, Kate Middleton braved the truly British April shower weather to attend the premiere of African Cats, a documentary about lions and cats. Luckily she had her prince on hand to shelter her from the downpour (yes, for reals).
Keeping to her classic shape, Kate Middleton opted for a shift dress in a muted grey tone which was actually from Matthew Williamson's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. The dress was accented with turquoise and yellow beading around the neckline and sleeves giving a nod to tribal making it one of her most fashionable frocks to date if you ask us! Completed with dark courts and clutch to match, not to mention her unspoilt cascading tresses (Cheers Will!), Kate looked the picture of perfection on the red carpet. Don't you agree?
Want to get her look? Unfortunately the exact Matthew Williamson number isn't out just yet, but we've hand-picked some pieces to help you steal her style.
Kate Middleton was spotted yesterday wearing a gorgeous Matthew Williamson dress, complete with on-trend peplum. It's not always an easy look to carry off - no one wants extra fabric around their hips and bum, do they? But the rest of the dress is usually figure hugging so a peplum could give you extra curves if you choose the right dress. Here are some options with a slightly smaller price tag.
Starting with something subtle, this barely even counts as a peplum - it's a good option if you're new to the trend. Start small, and before you know it you'll be rocking the 80s look. It's a gorgeous bird print and just £39.50 from Dorothy Perkins.
This little black peplum dress might have a little more ruffle action going on, but it's such a good shape it'll be instantly figure hugging and give you some fantastic curves. It's from Joy and it's in the sale at £15.
Does this count as a peplum? Just about. Whatever the asymmetric fabric is doing, it's part of the new Olivia Rubin range for Dorothy Perkins and we want it. It's £49.
Now this is a proper peplum. It's huge, it's bold, it's a little bit ridiculous. it's from Miss Selfridge and it's £49.
Posted by Sian Meades on April 26, 2012 12:14 PM
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton's waxwork figure at Madame Tussauds has been dressed by Temperley London. Madam Tussauds is a strange place, but there's no doubting that dressing one of the stars is a huge accolade for any designer. Especially when you're dressing the Duchess of Cambridge.
We're going to try and ignore the fact that the wax models, while astounding and impressive, creep us out a little bit. We saw House of Wax. It managed to be awful and chilling all at the same time. Let's just focus on how pretty the dress is.
The dress is actually debuting in the Amsterdam museum, so it'll be a while before the UK sees the custom-made black lace gown that was inspired by the dress Kate wore to the War Horse premier the evening before the 30th birthday. There are three other waxworks of Kate - in New York, London and Blackpool and they've been dressed by Alexander McQueen, Issa and Jenny Packham. Each figure takes four months to create.
Do you think someone comes in and curls wax-Kate's hair in the morning?
Inspired by Kate's model and want to get your own piece of Temperley? Check out the range on OSOYOU.
Posted by Sian Meades on April 4, 2012 11:45 AM
Kate Middleton
Proving she's as addicted to the British high street as us, Kate Middleton stepped out in a gorgeous tulip dress from Zara last night.
Kate teamed the black and white lace dress with black tights, courts (probably from her other high street favourite, LK Bennett) and her beloved Ralph Lauren black blazer which she's thrown over so many Zara dresses, it's now a wardrobe staple. Hey, if it looks as good as this why not?
The Duchess of Cambridge hit the Royal Albert Hall with Prince William and the inlaws (Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall) to watch X Factor judge, Gary Barlow's charity concert for the Prince's Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.
The princess refuses to use a stylist (she only insists on a hairdresser for state visits), preferring to shop for chic dresses at Reiss, Zara and LK Bennett herself.
The dress has sold out online already (obvs), but the skirt is still available here for just £39.99.
While sister Pippa was flying the flag for the high street, the Duchess of Cambridge made us (emerald) green with envy as she stepped out in British powerhouse, Mulberry for a press meet and greet at Buckingham Palace.
She was snapped working the room in this Mulberry AW11 'Cabbage' long-sleeved shirt dress with a peace and love motif woven in to the fabric.
Kate accessoried the dress perfectly - with her trademark glossy curls, big smile and husband on her arm.
Wills and Kate had joined the Queen at the palace reception to mark the start of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
