With their personal stylists, access to the world’s top designers and never-ending budget, you might think that replicating a royal look would cost the earth.
But this needn’t be the case, as eco stylist and fashion expert Faye De Lanty proves.
Using her expert skills, the sustainable shopper sourced six incredible outfits inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Princess Mary of Denmark.
Here, FEMAIL reveals how you can get the royal look for as little as $47.
When Kate Middleton stepped out in a chic green dress coat and Irish Guards brooch that belonged to the Queen Mother on St Patrick’s Day in 2012 (left), eagle-eyed shoppers were keen to get their hands on something similar on a budget. Faye styled a similar outfit (right) for just $64
1. Kate Middleton’s chic green St Patrick’s Day look for $64
When Kate Middleton stepped out in a chic green dress coat and Irish Guards brooch that belonged to the Queen Mother on St Patrick’s Day in 2012, eagle-eyed shoppers were keen to get their hands on something similar on a budget.
And Faye showed how you can easily get your hands on such a look for just $64, if you hit up your local charity shop.
Visiting Salvos store in Tempe, Sydney, Faye managed to find a 100 per cent silk vintage skirt suit for just $40, which she paired with a $10 vintage leather belt, $2 brooch and $12 shoes.
The resulting look is both regal and accessible – everything the Duchess of Cambridge strives to achieve with her outfit choices.
Princess Mary is one of those royals who rarely puts a foot wrong sartorially – and her red coated look when visiting an art gallery in Beijing in 2012 was no exception (left). To replicate the look, Faye located a red coat for $25 in Salvos, which she paired with a $5 vintage brooch and men’s belt for $8 (right)
2. Princess Mary’s stylish red coat look in Beijing for $50
Princess Mary is one of those royals who rarely puts a foot wrong sartorially – and her red coated look when visiting an art gallery in Beijing in 2012 was no exception.
To replicate the look, Faye located a red coat for $25 in Salvos, which she paired with a $5 vintage brooch and men’s belt for $8.
To create the look at the front of the outfit, Faye looped the belt in a certain way demonstrated on her Instagram profile.
‘Such a style tip will really transform an outfit,’ Faye told FEMAIL.
She completed the outfit with the same $12 shoes as before, worn in the Kate Middleton outfit.
What are Faye De Lanty’s for getting the royal look on a commoner’s budget?
Be picky about outfits and look for Princess-worthy details like nice buttons, natural fibres such as silk, wool, linen and good quality cotton (pictured: a Meghan Markle-inspired look)
1. Take your Princess inspiration photos with you when you hit a thrift store and challenge yourself to get your look as close as possible.
2. Be picky about outfits and look for Princess-worthy details like nice buttons, natural fibres such as silk, wool, linen and good quality cotton.
You should also be fussy about the way a garment falls and sits on you – take your time to try things on. They always look different in the flesh.
3. Embellish with beautiful details such as vintage brooches, stylish hats, gloves, bags and shoes.
4. Add highly styled elements that elevate your look – whether it’s looping your belt, popping your collar or folding your cuff.
5. Outfit repeat. The Duchess of Cambridge is especially good at rotating her wardrobe and wearing pieces more than once.
And if sustainable style is good enough for a Princess…
Source: Faye De Lanty
Meghan Markle’s wardrobe during her tour of Australia and New Zealand was a masterclass in laidback royal tour dressing (left). But you needn’t spend thousands to get the Markle sparkle. Faye managed to put together an entire look for $67 (right)
3. Meghan Markle’s laidback reception look in Sydney for $67
Meghan Markle’s wardrobe during her tour of Australia and New Zealand was a masterclass in laidback royal tour dressing.
But you needn’t spend thousands of dollars to get the Markle sparkle.
In fact, just $55 is all you need to imitate the Duchess. Faye managed to locate an old MAJE white coast with black ribbon trim for a steal at $25.
She paired this with a simple black turtleneck jumper for $8 and black Wrangler skinny jeans for $10.
A stylish $12 tote bag like Meghan’s Oroton number perfectly finished off the look, while the same $12 shoes added a final flourish.
‘If you’re looking to dress like a royal, be picky and look for Princess-worthy details like nice buttons, natural fibres such as silk, wool, linen and good quality cotton when you’re shopping,’ Faye said.
‘You should also be fussy about the way a garment falls and sits on you – take your time and always try things on.’
No one quite has the heritage look quite nailed like Kate Middleton, whose extensive wardrobe of Hunter, Barbour and Bally mean she always has a country outfit ready to roll (pictured earlier this year)
‘I found a khaki turtleneck for $10, which I paired with $12 khaki jeans and a $25 vintage blazer,’ Faye said (pictured: her Kate Middleton-inspired look)
4. Kate Middleton’s perfect heritage style for $67
No one quite has the heritage look quite nailed like Kate Middleton, whose extensive wardrobe of Hunter, Barbour and Bally mean she always has a country outfit ready to roll.
But you too can nail weekend chic at a charity shop, provided you have the know-how.
‘I found a khaki turtleneck for $10, which I paired with $12 khaki jeans and a $25 vintage blazer,’ Faye said.
The style expert even managed to find some unworn leather Windsor Smith boots for just $20 – a steal considering such shoes normally retail for upwards of $200.
The Australian-born royal Princess Mary (pictured) is a huge fan of a hat, gloves, belts and jewellery – which can often help to take your outfit to the next level
Faye found a number of pieces that looked like Princess Mary’s grey look during a Dutch state visit, including a grey felt hat for $10, a grey overcoat for $20 and a black dress for $15 (pictured)
5. Princess Mary’s polished grey look for $68
When seeking to replicate Princess Mary’s style, it’s a good idea to make accessories your friend.
The Australian-born royal is a huge fan of a hat, gloves, belts and jewellery – which can often help to take your outfit to the next level.
Faye found a number of pieces that looked like Princess Mary’s grey look during a Dutch state visit, including a grey felt hat for $10, a grey overcoat for $20 and a black dress for $15.
She also managed to locate some stylish brown boots for just $18, as well as a clutch bag for $5 in Salvos.
6. Meghan Markle’s Hollywood evening look for $47
The cheapest look of all the outfits was the replica of Meghan Markle’s Hollywood glamour asymmetrical black dress by Givenchy – which she wore on the night of the British Fashion Awards in 2018.
But while Meghan’s outfit might come with a few extra zeros at the end of it, you needn’t spend big cash.
While Faye didn’t find an exact replica dress, what she did find was a black body suit, which she converted into a one-shouldered top. This cost just $10.
She then matched it with a $15 pencil skirt, a $2 bangle, $8 clutch and the same $12 shoes as before.
‘Keep an eye out for vintage garments, they are quite often made with much more thought and detail than fast fashion and tend to have a natural “expensive” look that a Princess would be proud to wear,’ Faye said.
She also said she has seen all three royals wear vintage at different points.