From high street to designer, check out Kate Middleton's go-to shops
If you had your pick of Kate Middleton's dresses, how many fashion gems do you think you’d find? There’s a plethora of McQueen, sure. Boxes and boxes of nude L.K. Bennett courts, obviously. But the Duchess Of Cambridge is also really good at introducing us to niche new brands that we would never previously have heard of.
She's the ultimate fashion diplomat, whose impeccable style choices have been known to build bridges between nations (remember when she tactically wore Canadian-born British designer Erdem to kick off her royal tour in Ottawa, or wore this dress in Poland?), and the Kate Middleton effect leads to an instant sell-out of any item she wears.
'There is no question that Kate choosing to wear Reiss has impacted our brand,' David Reiss, Founder and Managing Director of Reiss told us. 'We have noticed a significant increase in terms of brand interest and awareness globally, strengthening existing markets and attracting attention in markets we are yet to enter.'
Getting Duchess Kate’s seal of approval is the ultimate honour for any fashion brand, but the impact her endorsement can have on small businesses in particular has been known to literally see tiny labels launch into fully fledged companies overnight.
'I was so excited the first time I found out that the Duchess had chosen to wear one of our dresses,' Natasha Rufus Isaacs, co-founder of ethical fashion label Beulah told us. 'We were a relatively unknown and young label, and it definitely helped spread the word about us and the cause that we support.'
Kate Middleton's favourite fashion brands
Find out more about Beulah, Reiss and all of Kate Middleton’s favourite high street and designer fashion brands below, plus shop our edit to recreate her royal wardrobe. Don’t forget to check our Marie Claire vouchers site before you shop for the latest offers and discounts.
Let’s start with the Duchess’s ultimate fashion go-to, shall we? Kate loves Sarah Burton’s designs at Alexander McQueen almost as much as she loves Wills. From that stunning lace wedding dress to an entire collection of chic, sharp dresses and occasion coats, Sarah always strikes a perfect balance between McQueen’s house hallmarks (extreme silhouettes, Victorian corsetry and dramatic presence) and Kate’s softer, approachable personality. Every time the pair collaborate, the resulting look is pitch perfect.
This elegant white midi dress is crafted from pure cashmere for a luxury feel. It features a flared skirt and ribbed panels which add a stylish twist.
For clap for carers in April 2020 (to show her support for the NHS working during the pandemic), Kate wore a blue floral dress by Ghost, the colour of which was also a nod to the NHS.
The 'Emilia' dress by Ghost comes in the most beautiful blue floral print. It is made from the brand's signature georgette fabric and is fully lined.
We update our Ghost discount codes daily, so make sure to check those out.
The Duchess is known for supporting small brands as well as big designers, and she is a fan of British-Turkish bag brand Manu Atelier.
This bag is the perfect spring accessory. It has a rectangular body with gold-tone hardware and a snap-button fastening.
In 2021, Kate stepped out in a bold pink outfit from one of her favourite high street stores, Hobbs. Her tailored coat and matching roll neck definitely caught our attention.
This cashmere jumper looks super similar to Kate Middleton's bright pink number. Pair with a matching coat for the ultimate statement.
British jewellery brand Monica Vinader has been one of the Duchess's go-to brands since 2014. She wore the label's delicate crystal-studded Riva necklace and matching earrings, with a combined cost of £2,750, to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year gala at the National History Museum that year and has since modelled them on multiple engagements. On her tour of Canada in 2016, she accessorised with the brand's more understated Siren Wire earrings in green onyx to match her emerald hued Dolce and Gabbana dress.
The Siren Wire earrings are ideal for everyday wear. They can be stacked or worn alone for an elegant touch.
When Duchess Kate wore Reiss’s Shola dress to meet the Obamas in 2011 the impact on sales was instant. 'The surge in web traffic following the release of the images caused our website to crash, David Reiss, Founder and Managing Director of Reiss told us. 'The dress promptly sold out online when service was resumed.' The Duchess’s wardrobe is full of Reiss’s classic dresses including the Nannette and the Trina – both of which also experienced the ‘Kate effect’ in full force when they too sold out in a fashion flash.
Sadly, Kate's exact style dress is no longer available to shop, however we bet the royal would love the 'Olivia' dress. With a sweetheart neckline and a midi length, this will see you through spring and beyond.
Oh those cream courts. Never has anyone ever been so faithful to a signature shoe. And yet they always look box fresh? We have reason to believe that Kate’s L.K. Bennett collection is housed in a mini-wardrobe of its own and comprises of even more classic heels, a few pairs of showstopper sandals and a dozen or so boxes of stockpiled nude 'Sledge' pumps.
You can't go wrong with your own pair of nude court shoes. They will quickly become a staple in your wardrobe.
Another go-to for red carpet wow gowns and chic maternity ward nighties alike. True glam prevailed, though, when Kate wore an emerald gown by Jenny Packham for an evening at the Royal Variety Performance held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Recreate Kate's iconic look in this mint green sequin number. It features a flattering wrap-effect silhouette with a row of sparkling crystals along the waist. Simply stunning.
Kate’s a country girl at heart and always goes to Le Chameau, manufacturer of the ‘world’s finest rubber boots’ for her, erm, wellies. A ‘maître bottier’ handcrafts each pair of the French heritage brand’s shoes. Because apparently Hunters are just too general public these days.
Channel your inner country girl with these wellington boots from the royally-approved brand. The Vierzonord style comes with a warm, insulating neoprene lining that will keep you comfortable all day.
A fan of the established Brit label since her uni days, Kate Middleton’s Mulberry bag collection includes a classic black Polly Push Lock and a bright pink Araline, which she once wore with yellow disco hot-pants (well you would, wouldn’t you?).
We can totally see Kate rocking the Amberley Clutch bag. What's more, the chain strap can be fully detached, so you can wear it in so many different ways.
Kate’s £245 Russell and Bromley wedges have become one of her wardrobe staples. Her go-to styling choice when dressing up those J Brand drainpipes, she’s even played volleyball in the 4inch cork platforms. What a pro.
These wedge espadrilles by the brand are perfect for the spring and summer months. Pair with skirts, dresses and jeans for a range of chic looks.