Kate Middleton is a huge fan of high street fashion, and here are her top thrifty looks to prove it
She may be royalty with an enviable wardrobe, but Kate Middleton is a strong supporter of great British high street. In fact, the Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted wearing many affordable pieces from some of our favourite brands over the years.
Yes, Kate may have a penchant for some of the biggest names in designer fashion – she often wears the likes of Elie Saab, Erdem, Mulberry, Emilia Wickstead and her all time fave, Alexander McQueen – but that doesn't stop her from snapping up key pieces from & Other Stories, L.K. Bennett, Reiss, Jaeger, Zara and even Topshop.
Just this week Kate appeared at Battersea Park wearing pink M&S trousers to meet with parents helped by peer support networks during the pandemic. She was first seen wearing the blush trousers, along with their matching jacket from the M&S Autograph collection, during a visit to the London Ambulance Service 111 control room back in March.
Just last month, Kate took to Zoom to announce the top 100 images of her 'Hold Still' community photography exhibition wearing a khaki green floral dress with ruched sleeves and a ruffled hem. The price tag? Just £10 in the Zara summer sale. Talk about a royal bargain!
Or there was that time back in April when the Duchess of Cambridge proved she even looked immaculately chic during the coronavirus quarantine (no sweatpants and baggy tees for Kate). Joined by her husband, Prince William, and their three children for an appearance on the BBC's 'Big Night In' television special, Kate was seen outside their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk clapping for our NHS carers wearing a blue floral Ghost dress, which was £90 in the John Lewis sale. Of course, it sold out almost immediately, such is the magnitude of Kate's style influence.
So, from the Topshop dress she wore during the 2016 royal visit to India and Bhutan, to the bright-white Olivia peacoat by Reiss she's worn on more than one occasion (cost per wear and all that, K Middy) – these are our favourite high street looks worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, aka the queen of style inspo...
Getty ImagesThe & Other Stories Floral Frock
In May 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared some snaps to Instagram, showing their family at the Chelsea Flower Show. Kate wore a summery, floaty floral dress from & Other Stories, with a bib neckline and balloon sleeves, for just £89. Luckily, there's plenty of similar styles in stock right now.
Getty ImagesThe L.K. Bennett Poppy Print Piece
Continuing her longstanding love affair with high street hero L. K. Bennett, Kate wore this blue and white poppy print midi dress, which retailed at £245, during a royal visit to Brisbane in April 2014. There are still plenty of similar dresses on L.K. Bennett which you can shop now.
Getty ImagesThe Hobbs Check Pattern Dress
In July 2012, Kate wore this Hobbs Wessex dress to an event in Rotherhithe, London to launch a new charity initiative, then again in 2014, on a visit to the Uluru Cultural Center during the tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Getty ImagesThe Ghost Lovely Lilac Maxi
Stepping out for the 'Clap for Carers' in April 2020 to celebrate the heroes of the NHS fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the Duchess of Cambridge for this floral satin midi dress by Ghost, stocked at John Lewis.
Getty ImagesThe Favourite Reiss Coat
During the second day of her Ireland visit in early March 2020, Kate stepped out wearing her favourite white Reiss overcoat. She's worn the bright-white hero piece on multiple occasions, including for Prince William's graduation from the Central Flying School in 2008.
Getty ImagesThe Summery Smock From Topshop
While Kate and William were visiting the Pan Bari agricultural village in Kaziranga National Park, on the fourth day of their royal visit to India and Bhutan, she wore this pretty £75 smock dress from Topshop, featuring black embroidery detailing and a floral print.
Getty ImagesThe Gap Statement Trousers
We love this casual look of statement trousers with a plain white tee, smartened up with a navy blazer. Kate wore this In September 2016, during a visit to the Eden Project in Cornwall. The ikat blue print trousers are from Gap and were just £44.95.
Getty ImagesThe Zara Summer Sale Steal
Taking to Zoom to announce the top 100 images of her 'Hold Still' community photography exhibition in August 2020, Kate wore a khaki green floral dress with pretty lace detailing and ruffle hem. Fans went wild to discover it was just £10 in the Zara summer sale!
Getty ImagesThe dress up, dress down M&S trousers
We first saw these £29.50 pink M&S trousers in March while she was visiting a London Ambulance Service control room when she teamed them with the matching jacket from the Autograph collection. For a visit to Battersea Park in September 2020, Kate dressed down the look with a simple white tee and trainers.
