Style + Beauty - Page 329
Just in time for spring, the Duchess of Cambridge is already taking note of one familiar fashion trend.
READ: Add Some Flower Power to Your Wardrobe
Just days after wearing the coveted Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress that sold out in eight minutes, Kate Middleton flaunted not one, but two floral-inspired dresses. On the 18th, Elle Magazine reported the 32-year-old mother of future king Prince George revealed a crisp white Zimmermann dress featuring a blossoming pattern, pairing it with nude Stuart Weitzman espadrille wedges. The royal must have been super comfy in her ensemble because she channeled her inner beach babe that day in Sydney, doing her rendition of the “Baywatch” run.
PHOTOS: The Kate Middleton Dress That Sold Out in 8 Minutes
But Middleton’s spreading of flower power didn’t end there.
A day later, Middleton wore a body-hugging L.K. Bennett dress featuring azure-hue poppies while visiting the Royal Australian Air Force Amberley Base. The outfit was paired with sapphire-toned pumps with a matching clutch.
READ: How To Make Your Waist Look As Tiny As Kate Middleton's
The dress was so popular, one star already wore it and she was quick to let the world know that.
“UHH, Miss Duchess Whoever, I WORE this dress last week!” joked actress/comedienne Mindy Kaling on Instagram, as reported by US Magazine. And sure enough, the 34-year-old did wear the exact same outfit.
PHOTOS: That Time Kate Middleton Wore The Same Dress As Kim Kardashian
But how can anyone channel their inner royal with a flower-themed outfit for spring? Fortunately for your wallet, you don’t have to wear the exact same dress to make it happen.
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton Stuns in Two Slimming Outfits
“Florals are universally flattering. There’s really no age group, skin tone, or style that flower motifs don’t work for,” Shannon Davenport, the fashion and media editor for Stylesight.com, says. “We’re still in a very print-heavy moment in fashion, and in many ways florals are sort of a neutral print. This means you can combine them with other patterns, like stripes or dots, or you can wear them on your own.”
Want to enhance your personal style during the sun-soaked months and achieve a slimming effect? Stylist Cecelia Myers recommends wearing a floral pattern to sculpt your body.
“If you’re curvy, be sure to put a solid, dark belt with your floral piece to show off a tiny waist,” she states.
READ: How To Recycle Your Wardrobe Like Kate Middleton
Check out some of the floral fashion Middleton wore during her visit to Sydney below:
They don’t call it “The Kate Effect” for nothing!
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton Stuns in Two Slimming Outfits
Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is recognized the world over as a thrifty style icon who loves recycling her outfits and showing her dedication to certain designers, including UK-based Jenny Packham. But when the 32-year-old mother of future king Prince George stepped out in a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress during her tour of Australia, apparently everyone else needed that same outfit, too.
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Skirt Goes Flying at Charity Appearance in London
The Daily Mail is reporting that Middleton’s blue-and-white patterned dress, which is from the designer’s spring collection, sold out in approximately eight minutes. The lightweight DVF creation, known as the “Patrice Printed Cotton Wrap Dress,” was being sold for $325, and it features a subtle flare skirt and ¾ sleeves for the cool spring season. And to Queen Elizabeth II’s delight, the dress also falls right at the knee.
READ: Queen Gives Kate Tips On How To Avoid Publicly Showing Her Underpants
However, there is some hope for shoppers hoping to channel their inner royal.
PHOTOS: Prince George Gets Grumpy In Australia
According to DVF.com, while sizes 2-8 are out of stock, 0, 10, 12, and 14 are still available for preorder (as least as of this writing). The piece is expected to ship on or around April 30th.
READ: How to Make the Wrap Dress Work for Your Body
While you’ll have to wait to pick up one of Middleton’s latest closet must-haves, you can see the Duchess herself rocking the coveted style below:
Everyone’s grandma dishes out heaping helpings of advice. But when your granny happens to be Elizabeth Taylor, you definitely take notes.
READ: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Marilyn Monroe
And that’s exactly what granddaughter Naomi deLuce Wilding did.
In the May 2014 issue of Glamour Magazine, the “down-to-earth Brit” and head of Wilding Cran Gallery in Los Angeles gave a rare interview in which she shared what it was like growing up with “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World” as her grandmother.
“I don’t think I associated the Elizabeth Taylor I knew with the movie star,” explains the 39-year-old. “She was just my grandmother–well, my granny. We were very close, and she had a strong influence on my life…She hosted my wedding reception, and I was even a bridesmaid in her wedding to Larry Fortensky. More than anything, my grandmother gave me confidence. She made me feel like I could do anything.”
READ: 15 Vintage Celebrity Quotes on Sex, Love, and Men
Wilding dishes on what it was like growing up with the glamorous screen siren, a woman who loved dressing other people up and sharing her wealth.
“In my grandmother’s house in Switzerland, she had a bomb shelter that she’d turned into her wardrobe,” says Wilding. “Everybody would go down to pick out something to wear. If it looked good on you, chances are, she’d let you keep it.”
“After trips to LA, I’d returned to England with beautiful things and no place to wear them,” adds Wilding. “My mother would roll her eyes–‘Oh God, what has Elizabeth given her this time?’–but I loved it. I’d dress up my friends in Yves Saint Laurent dresses, and we’d put on our rain boots and walk through the field.”
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton Stuns with Giant Diamonds
But despite her famous lineage, Wilding didn’t always have a fairy tale life. During her years pursuing a career in fashion design, she tells the women’s magazine how her New York City studio apartment was robbed just a few days before Christmas in 1999. Among her missing belongings included jewels given to her by Taylor. After the unfortunate incident, Taylor asked her heartbroken granddaughter to live with her in Los Angeles, where she resided “on and off” for three years while kicking off her styling career.
“Nobody knew, but I borrowed clothes from her closet for my early shoots,” says Wilding.
Of course, you don’t live with Taylor herself without sharing some of her love for drama.
PHOTOS: Celebs Love Their Daring Dresses
“Most grandmothers would say, ‘You can’t leave the house wearing that!’” says Wilding. “Mine would see my bra strap showing, and say, ‘Just take your bra off.’ I am shy, but she pushed me to be daring. She’d accessorized my subtle outfits to be more eye-grabbing. She relished abundance. She didn’t always make the most tasteful choices, but she always had a great time.
“I’m the same way,” says Wilding. “My husband thinks I’m crazy when I go out in three types of plaid. But it’s from her that I learned that fashion is for play.”
Forget wearing one statement-making outfit. While you were sleeping, the Duchess of Cambridge wore two.
PHOTOS: Kate Middleton's Many, Many Stylish Hats
After sharing a royal playdate with son Prince George, Kate Middleton continued her official tour of New Zealand with more public outings, outshining her husband, Prince William, in two new gorgeous outfits.
READ: The One Thing You Need To Do To Get Kate Middleton's Style
For daytime, it was all about being regal. The Daily Mail is reporting the 32-year-old visited the town of Blenheim wearing a military blue coat by British designer Alexander McQueen, along with matching sapphire suede pumps, a box clutch, and sparkling jewels, matching the ring once owned by late Princess Diana of Wales. Staying true to her signature style, Middleton cinched her waist with one of her usual belts, often used to define her slim midsection.
READ: How to Recycle Your Wardrobe Like Kate Middleton
But rather than showing off those glossy brunette curls of hers, Middleton kept it casual with a looped ponytail, enhancing her flawless features. As expected, the crowds went wild for the Duchess and one could easily forget Prince William was also there by his wife’s side.
WATCH: How To Get Kate Middleton's Blowout At Home
For the evening, Middleton dazzled in a classic staple all women already own. Relying on one of her favorite designers, UK-based Jenny Packham, Middleton attended the Government House in Wellington to unveil a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a little black dress. While the long-sleeved, below-the-knee frock could have easily underwhelmed, the Duchess wore it like only she could. Also, US Magazine is reporting Middleton’s dress featured a glittering hand-stitched silver fern on the shoulder, honoring New Zealand’s symbol. And of course, the classic Middleton look wouldn’t be complete without letting those royal tresses down.
READ: Kate Middleton's Love Affair with Jenny Packham Couture
See the photos for yourself below:
Getting some style inspiration from Duchess of Cambridge and fashion trendsetter Kate Middleton isn’t difficult.
WATCH: How To Get Kate Middleton's Hair
Sure, there's the amazing way she shows up in the same clothes multiple times. But another way you can channel your inner royal? Stand out with a chic hat.
The 32-year-old mother of Prince George complements her sought-after tresses with head-turning hats regularly. Whether they're adorned with flowers or feathers, you won't find a sparkling tiara on this Duchess.
And this is one must-have staple the royal has been rocking for years now.
Back in 2012, the Daily Mail reported that after Middleton was spotted in a beaded cocktail hat, designer Jane Taylor was “bombarded with emails and orders from around the world” requesting the same piece.
READ: How to Recycle Your Wardrobe Like Kate Middleton
But fortunately, you don’t need to be married to a prince just to look just as chic. In time for the cool spring season, stylists say hats like those worn by Middleton, are a major do.
“When it comes to a special occasion in British society, a look is not complete without a hat,” says style expert Lindsay Albanese. “It’s both a social component and a fashion statement. Think of it like an accessory, such as wearing a necklace or earrings with a look. It’s also perfect for hair that’s hard to tame. Ultimately, all you need is the confidence to pull it off. A hat doesn’t need to be worn when it’s cold or there’s adverse weather. Think of your hat choice as a finishing touch to complete your outfit.”
Fashion expert Dawn Del Russo also agrees.
“Kate tends to match her hats to the wardrobe,” she says. “Consider the color palette of your outfit. Also, Kate wears fascinators towards the front and to the side, which is the proper way. Otherwise it can look like a hair accessory. Choose a style you feel most comfortable in, such as a ascot, fascinator, or even a bowler. Decide how the size and shape works for your face shape and hair style.”
READ: Kate Middleton Wears Kim Kardashian's Red Dress
For some ideas, check out some of many Middleton’s stylish headgear from over the years below:
