The Duchess of Cambridge is celebrating her birthday, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by copying her enviable style.
Diana, Princess of Wales, became the first great media princess. If there has ever been a royal influencer, it was Lady Di, even in the days before the term existed. She used fashion like no other, and the fashion world adored her. She is one of Kate Middleton's biggest role models, and it shows. The Duchess of Cambridge has taken careful note of her would-be mother-in-law and her husband's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. Almost from the beginning of her relationship with Prince William, she committed to a particular style and has remained faithful to it with few variations. From her long, wavy hair to the feminine and romantic cut of her dresses, she has managed to get everyone, even those who don't share her sense of style, to praise her impeccable taste. How does she do it? On her birthday, we'll review some of the key elements of her enviable wardrobe.
Try every Pantone shade
This is something she has clearly learned from Queen Elizabeth II. No one is better suited to advise her on the matter. Her husband's grandmother was probably the first woman in the world to exhaust the entire Pantone color swatch. It's an essential practice, firstly, to avoid boring everyone, and secondly, to surprise yourself and find the shades that suit you best. Kate Middleton has shown she's not afraid of any color, which creates the effect of her constantly changing her style: bubblegum pink, apple green, a delicate lavender, white, yellow, black...
Never underestimate the importance of a coat
Having a classic black or camel coat, a versatile piece for any occasion, is fundamental, but even more important is having a wide variety of styles and giving this garment the importance it deserves. Unless you live in the Caribbean, it's normal to live with the cold for at least six months, and that's a lot of days to always wear the same coat. Kate Middleton knows this, and that's why this garment is the (undisputed) star of her looks. Banish that "what's the harm in just taking it off when I get there and showing off my outfit" mentality. The outfit starts with the coat, darling.
Find your best feature and flaunt it.
A toned arm, endless legs, a swan-like neck, a stunning décolletage, balanced shoulders... Find the part of your body you love most and make your dress highlight it. In Kate Middleton's case, it's her shoulders, and the Bardot neckline is her favorite when she wants to make a statement. Important note: if you think your entire body is worth highlighting, do it in parts. One day your legs, another your décolletage, another your arms, and so on. Scandal, for certain occasions, isn't always appropriate.
Let's reclaim romance for the evening. It's all well and good to be modern, to want to make a splash, to wear the latest trends, but... how relaxing is it to simply follow, even just for once, the classic beauty ideal? A feminine dress in delicate colors and striking jewelry.Most of the time, that's all it takes for a perfect result. Kate Middleton always gets it right with simple designs, materials that evoke the most exquisite romanticism, like lace or chiffon, and a perfectly balanced selection of jewelry—not too much, not too little.
(And for daytime)
Rain or shine, day or night, Kate Middleton has the uncanny ability to make a romantic floral dress a guaranteed success. Because, in truth, it always is. Try it. The world seems better with a floral dress.
Kate, the queen of the 'hatinator'
It's said that this word was coined in her honor. The term 'hatinator' comes from 'fascinator,' a type of headpiece that became fashionable in England in the 1990s. This more recent version is characterized as a hybrid of a fascinator and a hat, and Kate Middleton is its ultimate representative. In Spain, we don't have as many opportunities to wear fascinators, nor do we have as much tradition, but the Duchess of Cambridge's knack for wearing the 'hat-maker' could be applied to any other accessory. The important thing is to make it your own and not let the rest of the world wince when they see you wearing it.
Update your folklore
Another great success of Kate Middleton's is her ability to give any classic garment a trendy twist. Perhaps she didn't start it, but if the kilt—what a convenient coincidence—is in fashion, she takes advantage of it and adds her own stylish touch. Polka dots, ruffles and frills, or a Cordoban hat, espadrilles... Believe it or not, there's always some trend inspired by traditional garments. You just have to know where to look.
Don't lose sight of your style icons.
Most importantly, find your closest source of inspiration. It could be your mother, your grandmother, or even—and this might seem strange—your mother-in-law. In fact, Kate Middleton's late mother-in-law is a major influence. Diana, Princess of Wales, finds her way into the Duchess of Cambridge's wardrobe when you least expect it. That vintage touch is important because: 1. It shows you have a good grasp of fashion; 2. It stands the test of time; and 3. It adds personality to your looks.
Laugh (A lot. Heartily. All the time).
That's something you can't buy, but with hard practice, you can achieve it.
