The Secret Element Of Kate Middleton's Wardrobe
Kate Middleton is admired around the world for a variety of reasons, including her keen fashion sense. In fact, some designers have in the past referred to the so-called "Kate effect," which is when the Duchess of Cambridge wears something out in public and it sells out within minutes.
Speaking to Marie Claire, David Reiss, the founder and managing director of Reiss, said there is "no question" that the senior royal has "impacted" his brand. "The surge in web traffic following the release of these images [of Kate wearing the brand's Shola dress in 2011] caused our website to crash. The dress promptly sold out online when service was resumed," he revealed.
Although she is one of the most photographed women in the world, Middleton isn't above recycling her beloved fashion items. "Sensible dressing is a big part of the Duchess of Cambridge's brand. She's sending a message that she's not going overboard," fashion writer Elizabeth Holmes previously told The Cut.
In fact, at the 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge asked attendees to wear a "recycled" ensemble they already had in their closets, with Middleton showing up in an Alexander McQueen Grecian-style gown that she first wore in 2011 (via Hello!).
Kate Middleton swears by one simple fashion rule
When it comes to building up her existing wardrobe, one of the rules Kate Middleton seems to live by is if you love it, buy more than one.
According to the Daily Mail, the Duchess often buys her favorite ensembles in two colors. In 2016, for example, she wore a red gown at an event in Canada, and then donned the same dress in black two months later to an awards ceremony in London. Middleton did the same thing with an Alexander McQueen design, showing up in light pink at Trooping the Colour in 2017 and then in fuchsia at Princess Eugenie's wedding in 2018.
It also seems that the Duchess has been keeping a careful eye on Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe choices in preparation for her future role as the Queen of England.
"I think they understand the power of clothes, the role it has in their public duties, and have remained consistent with their style," royal biographer Elizabeth Holmes told Insider. "There's a calming sense in that consistency because you know what to expect from them. It feels as though Kate has studied the Queen's wardrobe and what she does with those brightly colored coats and hats. I think that Kate is embracing the attention around her fashion," she added.