Princess Style Special
Is Kate The Royal Anna?
Since (and prior to) marrying her Prince Charming, Kate Middleton has become one of the most scrutinised women on the planet—more often than not for her fashion choices. And while many may criticise the Duchess of Cambridge for her safe styling or her wardrobe repeats, I’m going to throw it out there that Middleton is the Anna Wintour of royalty.
And before you start scoffing at such a statement, consider it thus: Wintour may be the most influential woman in fashion, but she is also, like Kate, extremely consistent in her personal fashion choices, always sticking to particular silhouettes and shapes flattering to her own shape. And while she spruiks and supports the most cutting-edge designers, she doesn’t get all avant-garde in her own wardrobe, understanding the importance of choosing well so that you can wear the same pieces on a regular basis. Wintour is often snapped wearing the same ensemble within very narrow timeframes and is often praised for her recycling savvy. So really, Kate should be considered fashion royalty as well as, well, royalty.
Dress For Success
By far the simplest item in any woman’s wardrobe is a dress—pair with great shoes and a suitable bag and you can go just about anywhere. Of course, for Kate Middleton that might include meeting visiting dignitaries as much as making a lunch date with friends. Kate is very clever in understanding her slim and athletic body shape, and keeps silhouettes simple, to the knee or just above, often with a slimline skirt and sometimes with some central focus, whether a belt or a little draping. She also understands a great print can make more of a style statement while keeping shapes clean. If you’re looking for sophisticated dresses that will become long-serving wardrobe staples, there are many Australian labels to consider, including Lisa Ho, Fleur Wood, David Lawrence, Gary Bigeni, Jigsaw and Country Road.
Chic Suits
For a daytime event that requires something a littler more formal than a dress, a chic suit is the best option, and one that Kate Middleton has long embraced. A skirt suit can be equally at home in the boardroom or, as in Kate’s case, doing the rounds of schools and military functions. But a suit doesn’t need to be boring. Keep the lines close to the body, nothing too boxy here. Make sure that it nips in at the waist and fits firmly but snugly. Skirt lengths should hover between just above and just below the knee—especially in the workplace. A bold colour is a great idea—just be sure to choose one that is flattering to your skintone—while a dark suit is more sophisticated. Interesting closures—whether contrasting buttons, hooks and eyes or zips—will add interest. When looking for interesting suits, head to Cue.
Evening Glamour
Kate’s new life includes a round robin of black-tie events, rubbing shoulders with a veritable who’s who of the royal, political and A-list world. Again, her body shape dictates her eveningwear, and she chooses body-skimming shapes that flatter her frame. Her red carpet turn in silvery-pink Jenny Packham gown (left) at a children’s charity event a few weeks ago was a recent highlight, with its dazzling mix of chiffon, sequins and beads. But Kate doesn’t need sequins to shine—late last year she wore a coral-coloured twist-front silk jersey dress, which perfectly highlighted all her best attributes, from great skin, slim frame to glossy locks. Again, it’s all about choosing gowns that suit. For the best in eveningwear in Australia, top of most women’s wish list is Collette Dinnigan, but look also to Lisa Ho, Rachel Gilbert, Carl Kapp and Aurelio Costarella.
