Kate Middleton style file: we chart the Princess of Wales’ fashion history
Since first appearing on the arm of Prince William nearly two decades ago, Kate Middleton has found her sartorial decisions under close scrutiny.
Having moved on from the preppy, country-girl sense of style that she favoured during her university years at St Andrews, the Princess of Wales has stepped seamlessly into the position of a modern day fashion icon.
From state banquets to official engagements, Kate always looks timeless and elegant. She continues to strike the balance between giving a nod to established, well-regarded global fashion brands - including Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Michael Kors - and supporting slightly lesser-known British talents such as Matthew Williamson, Catherine Walker and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi.
Kate is also known for working high-street items into her wardrobe - she never can get enough of L.K Bennett - but also has opted for the likes of Jigsaw, that secret Ghost dress while in Pakistan, and even a pair of £24 New Look heels.
Over the past year or so, we’ve seen Kate offer lessons on winter dressing during her trip to Boston (Mulberry, Burberry, McQueen, you name it), step out of her comfort zone in a hot pink, sequined number by The Vampire’s Wife, and let her hair down at a 24-hour techno festival in Norfolk, wearing Veja trainers and black skinny jeans.
Undeniably the duchess's favourite designer continues to be the brand responsible for her wedding dress in 2011, Alexander McQueen. From creating a bespoke gown for a state banquet to a pastel pink ensemble for the Queen's garden party, the British brand has been responsible for many of Kate's most memorable ensembles. Just yesterday she was spotted rewearing a white pantsuit by the designer for her outing at the Rugby World Cup in Marseille.
Nearly twenty years since Kate was welcomed into the royal family, the preppy country girl has gone from Duchess of Cambridge, to Princess of Wales, to bonafide style icon.
