Kate Middleton royal tour rules: 10 steps to being a fashion queen

 

Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive at the Foundation Polo Challenge held at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club (Pic: Getty Images) 

HIS ‘n’ hers hoodi? No problem. A cowboy hat? Easy. An elegant, floor-length gown? Of course.


High fashion, low fashion, no fashion. Only one woman can look just as good in all of them – the new Queen of Style, Kate.


Glammed-up in couture or roughing it in a canoe, the Duchess of Cambridge is fashion royalty – but how does she do it? And do normal women – with no Prince on the horizon – have any hope of doing the same? Good news girls, the answer is definitely yes.


Kate looks stunning in a designer dress, but she knows how to wear high-street style too and her simple style tricks don’t need a royal budget to pull off.


Here we look at the 10 style rules Kate lives by and the – very few – occasions she got it wrong, so you can make sure you never repeat her fashion failures.


1. Keep it fun


The cowgirl look could have been a disaster, but Kate showed she had a sense of humour and pulled it off with a smile.

Kate is the Duchess of cowgirl

That hat was just perfect with bootcut jeans and a buckle belt.
And she avoided tasteless tassels.


2. Accessories are your friend

Kate switches her accessories

One dress, two looks. By day she played safe with matching accessories but at night went glam with black shoes and bag.


3. Covered up elegance

Kate in trendy lace

Royals don't flash the flesh, but too much covering up can be frumpy. Kate uses lace to stay on-trend.


4. Heels, heels and more heels

Kate at the polo

Yes flats are more practical in a polo field but heels are just right with this dress. Kate knows looking good is what counts.


5. It's in the detail

Kate's blouse lifts her outfit

This outfit could have been dull, dull, dull, but Kate keeps it interesting with this fabulous ruffled shirt - and that great belt.


6. Bold brights and nude shoes

Kate's favourite nude shoes

These nude shoes were the hardest working things on the tour and Kate teamed them with a selection of bold, bright, block colours for eye-catching looks. And the patterned clutch adds fun.


7. Practical but still glam

Few people could look stylish in an oversized red hoodie, but Kate did.

Teamed with skinny jeans and flats, she kept it looking cute.


8. Subtle details draw the eye

This could have been a boring shift dress but the shoulder detail keeps it lively and the pulled-in waist accentuates curves. Look and learn.


9. Don't take theming too far

Kate's Canadian theme

The maple-leaf brooch is simple and understated. But the red hat... well, you decide. I'm not a fan.


10. Belts create a waist

Kate's go-to fashion trick. Nearly every dress has a belt to show off her best bits. Works every time.
And what one mustn't do...


No one in the history of the world has looked good in chef's whites. Swerving the hat is a saving grace.

Kate in a chef's jacket

Sometimes, whatever a girl does she's beaten by the weather. At least Kate's Marilyn moment showed she's got a derriere every bit as pert as sister Pippa's.

Duchess of Cambridge Kate has trouble with her dress