The Duchess of Cambridge has remained loyal to her tried and tested wardrobe staples over the years, but 2019 has seen a refresh in the royal’s fashion department.
Kate, 37, has injected new energy into what she wears by introducing seven new brands alongside her usual favourites.
Normally the Duchess would rely on designers including Alexander McQueen or Jenny Packham for her red carpet engagements, and dress down in high-street brands such as Zara, L.K. Bennet, or Gap for casual appearances.
But in the past few months the mother-of-three has discovered French brand Sandro, Spanish shoemaker Castañer, and turned to Massimo Dutti for her every-day staples.
And she’s also added a touch of A-list edginess with the addition of Elie Saab, whose designs are worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Halle Berry and Kristin Stewart.
The Duchess of Cambridge attended Hampton Court Garden Festival in the £260 midi dress from chic French label Sandro, and her favourite shoes
Kate’s wardrobe rejuvenation comes after Virginia Chadwyck-Healey, 36, a former editor at British Vogue, was revealed as Kate’s new wardrobe adviser earlier this year.
Despite being fairly new to the role, it is believed Ginnie has known the royal for years, having spent time with her at St Andrews University, and understands her style down to a tee.
She has been credited with imbuing the royal with a renewed sense of confidence in her sartorial choices after her regular fashion counsel Natasha Archer, went on maternity leave in December 2018.
RIDLEY
On June 25. Kate arrived at a photography workshop for Action for Children at Warren Park, wearing a paisley print dress by British brand Ridley London.
Founder of the brand Camilla Ridley set up the label in 2016 to empower more women to look and feel their very best.
According to The Telegraph the designer makes every dress to order so she can ‘really understand each individual and how they feel’.
The brand, which offers a range of high-end high street dresses for around £400, boasts celebrity fans including broadcaster and fellow mother Deborah James.
Kate opted for the £449 Virginia dress, which is described online as ‘playful and chic’, with a flattering a-line skirt and pretty hem.
The Duchess of Cambridge was dressed perfectly for summer at an event for the Royal Photographic Society, wearing a patterned floaty dress by Ridley and her Castañer wedges. IT took place at Warren Park on June 25, 2019
CASTANER
While Kate has long-loved a comfortable espadrille wedge, the multiple outings of the Castañer are likely to have caught everyone’s attention.
Creator of the first ever espadrille wedge for Yves Saint Laurent in the 1960s, the Spanish footwear brand is surprisingly affordably priced with wedges costing between £80-£100.
The royal has rarely been spotted out of the stylish shoe this summer, pairing them with her Ridley and Sandro dresses for a casual day-time look.
She proved the wedges weren’t just for day wear when she donned the shoes to walk the Queen around her specially designed garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2019 – and paired them with an Erdem dress.
The brand is a favourite of many fashionistas, including Kate’s sister-in-law Meghan Markle, who sported an identical black version during her tour of Australia in 2018.
Kate donned the wedges again – along with an Erdem dress – as she walked The Queen around the garden she had a hand in designing at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show alongside Prince William on May 20, 2019
ELIE SAAB
Kate departed from her typically tailored silhouette and stepped out in a flowing powder blue ensemble by Elie Saab at Royal Ascot on June 19 – the first time she has worn the Lebanese label that has a host of A-list fans, including Beyoncé, Halle Berry and Kristin Stewart.
The delicate shirt with a pussy-bow neckline was likely a custom creation by the couturier, as it features longer sleeves than the version available on the label’s website.
Despite looking like a dress, the ensemble is in fact a co-ord, with a high-end price tag of over £3,000. It sold out online shortly after the Duchess was spotted in it.
It’s not the first time the designer has found itself a royal fan – Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden – regularly wears the popular designer, while Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg also cites the brand as a favourite.
Both royals wore the designer to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in April 2011.
Kate departed from her typically tailored silhouette and stepped out in a flowing powder blue ensemble by Elie Saab on day one of Royal Ascot which took place on June 19. It was the first time she’s worn the Lebanese label that has a host of A-list fans
&OTHER STORIES
Proving her affordable fashion credentials, Kate chose chic high street brand &OtherStories for the official launch of her Chelsea Flower show garden on May 19.
The cool Swedish brand is regularly worn by hip fashion bloggers and is a favourite for trendy celebrities including Dakota Fanning, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift.
It’s known for it’s stylish and chic garments that look more expensive than their affordable price tag.
Kate caused a frenzy when she was photographed playing with her children Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one, wearing a maxi floral dress from &Other Stories which cost just £89.
She’s not the only royal to wear H&M’s trendier younger sister brand recently, with the Duchess of Sussex having stepped out in a polka dot dress whilst on tour in Australia.
After Kate appeared in the dress, listings of the garment on eBay were selling for between £175 and £375 in the UK.
The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Louis where she wore a floral & Other Stories maxi dress at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 19
MASSIMO DUTTI
On May 20, Kate opted for a more casual look as she returned to the Chelsea Flower Show wearing Massimo Dutti trousers – a brand which is part of Spanish high-street chain Zara.
The brand is renowned for it’s excellent tailoring, and affordable price-tag, with the camel culottes retailing at just £69.
The Spanish brand is yet another favourite of Queen Letizia, who regularly steps out in affordable pieces from the much-loved store.
Kate opted for a more casual look as she returned to the Chelsea Flower Show wearing Massimo Dutti trousers on May 20
DUBARRY
The practical royal was first spotted in the Irish heritage brand on January 15, when she stepped out in a £400 jacket by Dubarry.
The royal wore the tweed jacket as she stopped by a community garden in Islington, and was later seen in coat as she worked on her community garden at Chelsea.
The brand is more traditionally famed for its hiking boots, which have been worn by celebrities such as Kate’s sister Pippa and American musician Bruce Springsteen.
Kate isn’t the first royal to wear the brand’s clothes however, with the Danish royal family opting for the designer’s coats on several occasions in the past few years.
Kate opted for a more casual look as she returned to the Chelsea Flower Show wearing Massimo Dutti trousers. At a community garden workshop she ditched her signature stilettos in favour of a pair of sturdy walking boots costing £252 by See by Chloe and a £400 jacket by Dubarry
MANU ATELIER
For a visit to Blackpool on March 6, Kate recycled an emerald coat by Sportmax, which she teamed with a midi dress by Michael Kors, boots and a bag by young-brand Manu Atelier.
The Istanbul-based accessories brand has been popular with the fashion crowd for a couple of years, with celebrities including Bella Hadid, Sarah Jessica-Parker and Eva Chen all proving to be fans.
It was launched by sisters Beste and Merve Manastır in 2014 after the sisters were brought up by one of the oldest hand-craftsman and leather goods manufacturers in Istanbul, Turkey.
The royal was first spotted carrying the emerald green Micro Bold bag, in leather and suede with gold hardware, at an engagement in Dundee in January, before she was pictured carrying it again in March in Blackpool.
For a visit to Blackpool, Kate recycled an emerald coat by Sportmax, which she teamed with a midi dress by Michael Kors, boots and a bag by Manu Atelier
SANDRO
At the Hampton Court Garden Festival, Kate wore a patterned dress by très chic French label Sandro.
The royal stepped out in a £260 stunning green wrap dress, pairing it with her trusty beloved tan suede Castañer espadrilles and earrings from Accessorize.
The brand is perhaps one suggested to her by younger sister Pippa, who has been spotted in it several times over the years.
Founded by Evelyne Chetrite in 1984, the Parisian designer continues to work as artistic director for the brand.
The label is regularly spotted on other royals, including Princess Eugenie, as well as Queen Letizia of Spain.
Kate donned a stunning Sandro dress over the weekend as she attended the Hampton Court Garden Festival