Kate Middleton’s 10 Most Dazzling Looks
The Duchess of Cambridge is a style icon. For the last few years, women have been hungrily buying up every dress, blouse, and shoe she's worn, and it's now at the point where websites are crashing and dozens of knockoffs are also selling out. We love Kate Middleton's easy, pulled together style, but her brand loyalty is what really resonates with us. Duchess Catherine is almost always wearing British fashion, whether it's a custom Alexander McQueen wedding gown, high street separates from Whistles, or her go-to L.K. Bennett pumps. We've rounded up Middleton's 10 best ensembles that make us wish we could shop in the UK. (Three cheers for e-commerce!)
1. Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham at the ARK Gala dinner at Kensington Palace, June 2011
The Duchess loves the British designer, and wore several of her dresses during her North American tour last summer. Packham has boutiques in London and Paris and also sells her wares at luxury retailers in the USA.
2. Duchess Catherine wore Issa to announce her engagement at St. James Palace, November 2010
Middleton made Issa a household name when she wore this $616 blue wrap dress. It sold out at London's Harvey Nichols department store within 24 hours and spawned many knockoffs.
3. Middleton in Alexander McQueen at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event in Los Angeles, July 2011
Ever since Middleton wore a breathtaking Alexander McQueen gown on her wedding day, the Duchess has opted to wear McQueen designs for many big events. Here the Duchess accessorized her lilac dress with a clutch and sandals from London-based Malaysian designer Jimmy Choo.
4. The Duchess in Reiss at at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, July 2011
You may remember this white dress from Middleton's famous engagement photo. The Reiss "Nannette" dress was from 2010, but the company reissued it last year for $310 due to popular demand. (Catherine also wore Reiss when she met Barack and Michelle Obama.) Her red hat is by milliner Sylvia Fletcher at Lock & Co. and her cute fan bag was made by British accessory designer Anya Hindmarch.
5. Kate Middleton boards a train with the Queen wearing L.K. Bennett, March 2012
L.K. Bennett is one of Middleton's favorite British labels (though they have expanded to Ireland, France, and the US). Recently the Duchess wore a teal Jude peplum jacket ($462) over a knee-length Davina dress ($352) in the same shade. Again, her hat is by Lock & Co. and her heels are from a label called Episode.
6. Middleton in Alice Temperley at the London premiere of War Horse, January 2011
Both Middleton sisters are fans of Temperley. In addition to this stunning black lace gown, Middleton wore several Temperley blouses during her North American visit. Meanwhile Pippa wore a memorable emerald Temperley gown to the royal wedding after party and sat front row at the designer's spring fashion show in London.
7. Catherine Middleton wears Catherine Walker and L.K. Bennett to visit Calgary Zoo, July 2011
Catherine Walker is one of Britain's leading couture fashion designers known for dressing the late Princess Diana. Middleton's mother Carole wore a Catherine Walker dress and coat to the royal wedding. Here we see the Duchess in a vibrant red coat with her famous L.K. Bennett Sledge pumps (they're currently available for $325 at Nordstrom.com).
8. Middleton wearing Whistles in downtown Los Angeles, July 2011
The Duchess looked sweet in Whistles separates pairing the $149 rayon Lina Dobby Pleated Skirt with a navy crocheted top from Whistle's 2007 pre-fall collection. Middleton also wore a Whistles blouse in her official engagement photo with Prince William. There was such demand for the top, the brand re-issued it last year for $151.
9. The Duchess wears vintage Amanda Wakeley to a charity gala at Clarence House in London, October 2011
We love the princess-style dress because it's rare for Middleton to show this much skin! Amanda Wakeley has famously dressed other royals including the late Princess Diana and Queen Rania of Jordan. The designer sells her clothing at her shop Fulham Road, at Harvey Nichols and Harrods in England, and through various retailers throughout Europe, the US, and the Middle East.
10. Catherine deplanes in Ottawa wearing Erdem and L.K. Bennett, June 2011
Erdem Moralioglu is a relatively new designer who has caught the eye of famous ladies like Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama, Keira Knightley, and Ashley Olsen. Erdem is carried at Selfridges, Harvey Nichols in the UK and at Barney's in the US. And of course, no Middleton outfit would be complete without those L.K. Bennett heels. It's nice to know the Duchess shops her closet, just like us.
Related links:
Kate Middleton sells a dress a minute
Kate Middleton tops another best-dressed list
The secret behind Kate Middleton's most talked about dress
