A force in fashion! Since the second Duchess Kate strut down the catwalk at St Andrews University in 2002 and stole Prince William’s heart, it was clear that she would be quite the style icon.
While the sheer black dress will always remain one her most iconic outfits, the royal has grown into a much more sophisticated style. Her ensembles embody everything that is timeless and classic, with a modern twist.
She set the tone for her reign as a royal during her engagement photo shoot, stunning a navy blue Issa faux wrap dress that perfectly matched her sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana.
Her fabulous fashion continued to wow royal style watches when her wedding rolled around. She sent jaws dropping in a custom white lace gown by Alexander McQueen.
In the years that followed, Duchess Kate started to lean towards midi-length silhouettes, found an affinity for coat dresses (it’s become her signature!) and repeatedly leans toward navy, blue and teal hues.
And when winter or fall rolls around, she’s consistently reaching for plaid or houndstooth prints. From overcoats to skirts and scarves, the royal clearly has a taste for tartan and tweed.
Even though she always looks polished to the max — with a killer blowout to boot — Kate isn’t above rewearing her favorite frocks. For Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, she wore a white Alexander McQueen coat dress, which she previously styled in 2021. “Like most people, Kate doesn’t think twice about recycling clothes,” a royal insider told Us Weekly in 2020. “She thinks it would be a waste to wear something once and then throw it away.”
The Hold Still author typically mixes old items with new, frequently reaching to recycled pumps, accessories or coat dresses, many of which are designed by Catherine Walker.
This holds especially true when she’s attending a more casual engagement or rocking an off-duty look. She keeps her trusty Penelope Chilvers boots and Veja sneakers on standby.
Of course, knows how to clean up nicely, too. Stunning in everything from shimmery Missoni gowns, chiffon Gucci dresses and Jenny Packham numbers.
One of her most memorable looks however is a black velvet Alexander McQueen gown she wore to attend the Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards in 2011.
More recently, her evening wear has taken a more colorful turn. She shimmered in a gilded green dress while attending the Guiness Storehouse’s Gravity Bar in Ireland in 2002 and, later that year, in a royal blue Jenny Packham gown for a Place2Be dinner gala.
To see all of Duchess Kate’s best style moments, fabulous frocks and gorgeous gowns since become a royal, keep scrolling!