Mother-of-three reveals how to dress like Kate Middleton from the high street

Home Top

The beautiful, the breathtaking and the bizarre are among the stunning images submitted for the 2016 Sony World Photography Awards
Kidnap victim moves on 10 years after surviving two-month captivity with man who murdered her family: Survivor is expecting a 'miracle' first child after fears lingering injuries would make it impossible
Latest installment of 4,432 emails from Hillary's secret server contains 272 classified messages - that's 1 out of 16 - but State Department aide says 'we have better things to do' than catalog them
Being obese IS in your genes! Well, just one to be precise: Mutation 'triggers weight gain by stopping you feeling full'
Deputy arrested on meth and gun charges makes a Houdini-like escape from squad car after getting out of his cuffs and walking off as cops fill out papers just a few feet away
EXCLUSIVE: Teacher of class where student was brutalized by cop suffers wave of abuse and is told: 'Can't manage class? Leave teaching.'
U.S to deploy up to 50 special forces to Syria to 'advise and assist' groups fighting ISIS - White House promises 'these forces do not have a combat mission'
'This is child abuse': Father under fire after sharing a photo of his FOUR-YEAR-OLD daughter tattooing a strawberry on his arm
Hungry for more! The Walking Dead is renewed for a seventh season by AMC after latest shocking episode pulls in 18million viewers
First pictures of Giants player's mangled hand after he blew off two fingers and his thumb in fireworks accident
Former Chicago bears lineman 'said he was devil and threatened to kill staffers' children' a day before getting cut by the team last week
Freeze, political correctness police! Colleges tell students to ask faculty if their Halloween costumes are offensive or not
Who drew a swastika on the steppe 8,000 years ago? NASA images reveal riddle of giant drawings that can only be seen from the air
'The reality is they are splitting for a long time': Insiders claim the 'massive divide' between Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson is the real reason behind 1D's hiatus
Republican Party CANCELS the next NBC debate after CNBC debacle: GOP chairman lets rip at the network for 'inaccurate or downright offensive' questions
New York's ultra-liberal mayor finally endorses Hillary Clinton 'enthusiastically' after months of vacillation in blow to Bernie Sanders
Trump lashes out at 'crooked people in the press' after third Republican debate - but says 'I've become immune to it'
George W. Bush bursts into LAUGHTER at idea of Kanye West running for office while Republican insiders urge his brother Jeb to end his primary campaign
Leaked campaign document outlines how Jeb thinks he can win - by attacking Marco as a man of 'no accomplishments who has 'never been in charge of anything larger than two dozen people'
Crowd boos New Hampshire man who questions Hillary on past scandals as Clinton now goes two weeks without taking press questions
White House: Emails between Obama, Hillary will be kept private because of past precedent guarding presidential communication
Son is named a suspect in disappearance of couple who vanished without a trace three months ago after racking up millions in debt - as cops find human remains at his friend's home
Still stuck on what to wear for Halloween? No problem! Beauty guru reveals how to create a spooky spider-themed make-up look in mere MINUTES
Millions of starfish along Pacific coast are dying due to a mysterious disease that causes the sea stars to 'essentially devour themselves'

Suzanne Baum, 41, set out to discover how easy it is to dress like the Duchess of Cambridge without a royal budget
Writer, who lives with husband Lewis Cohen, 41, a lawyer, in north London, found similar looks on the high street
The mum of three children Zack, 14, Leo, 13, and Jake, six, tried fitted dresses that she wouldn't normally choose
For more of the latest style news on the Duchess of Cambridge visit www.dailymail.co.uk/kate

Published: 02:49 EST, 30 October 2015 | Updated: 08:49 EST, 30 October 2015

218

View
comments

It has been a busy week for the Duchess of Cambridge who has made headlines attending a series of charity events and premieres dressed in a succession of gorgeous gowns.

But while Kate has designer Jenny Packham on speed dial should she want a stunning diaphanous bespoke dress like the one she wore to the Spectre premiere, how can real women with less-than-royal budgets copy her style?

As a mother-of-three, I took on FEMAIL's challenge to dress like a princess on a budget, scouring the high street for seven of her most popular looks - including her jewellery - and discovered that while some of her outfits can be recreated, some of the Duchess's designer looks are challenging to create for less.

Scroll down for video

Kate turned heads in a bespoke Jenny Packham gown at the Spectre premiere on October 26; Suzanne found a close match in the Fernanda dress Coast for just £179

Kate turned heads in her diaphanous floor-length oyster gown for the premiere of Spectre on October 26.

The gown was bespoke Jenny Packham so doesn't come with an exact price, but similar dresses retail for around £2,600.

I picked up a flowing evening dress from Coast in the same shade for £179 and loved it.

I felt like a princess in it although I was conscious of my arms which are not my best feature. It glided on and I would happily wear it to any black tie event as it is so striking in colour and style. It definitely felt like a Kate dress.

One of her easiest outfits to copy was the blue coat she wore on October 23 to visit Dundee with William.

She chose the slim-fitted tailored coat with belt was a bespoke item by Scottish designer Christopher Kane which she coordinated with Aquatalia suede knee-hight boots from Russell & Bromley, a simple clutch bag and suede gloves.

The outerwear for the Scotland trip - where the royals are known as The Earl and Countess of Strathearn - was similar in cut to the Christopher Kane dress coat she wore to the Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2012.

I managed to find a similar tailored wool coat on the high street in French Connection. For £180 it is far cheaper than Kate's designer version. Christopher Kane made it specially for her but other wool coats under his label retail for around £1,400.

I loved the colour of this coat but it did feel quite heavy on. I think it is similar to Kate's style but the material may be too heavy compared to her light, often flowing look. I would wear this again as it is perfect for autumn but not warm enough for the winter months.

Kate wore a bespoke Christopher Kane knee-length coat, worth approximately £1,400, on a trip to Dundee on October 23; Suzanne recreated her outfit with a French Connection oversized wool coat for £180

Another challenge was picking a Galaxy-print dress like Kate's £365 Tabitha Webb 'Space' dress which she wore to a BAFTA event on October 26.

The mother-of-two took her inspiration from the stars in the loose fit-and-flare dress by a designer who is also popular with her sister Pippa to enjoy the premiere of the new film by British animators Aardman, Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, take part in a Shaun the Sheep-themed model making workshop and craft activities session.

It was a fun and fabulously chaotic affair, which saw the VIP guests take part in a 'welly wanging' competition - Kate admitted her efforts were woeful but William raised his hands in victory - and try their hand at making model Shaun the Sheep.

I picked up a Dalice print dress for Damsel In A Dress for £111.75. It has a similar blue-based painterly pattern to the Duchess's frock, had three-quarter length sleeves and fell to below the knee but came well below the price she paid.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a £365 Tabitha Webb 'space' dress to a BAFTA event on October 26; Suzanne Baum picked up a similar Galaxy-print number from Damsel In A Dress (right)

Dress like a Duchess in a midi by Tabitha Webb

Tabitha Webb 'Meg' dress in Space print

Click to buy it now!

Buy now

It's been a busy few days for the Duchess of Cambridge but all these official outings mean plenty of opportunities to scope out her style, which is one of our favorite pastimes.

With a red gown by Jenny Packham at her first state banquet, a bespoke coat by Christopher Kane for a trip to Dundee and a lovely lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana for a visit to Lancaster House in London, it's fair to say the Duchess has gone high end.

And today is no different as she stepped out in a pretty dress by British label Tabitha Webb, a brand her sister Pippa Middleton collaborated with earlier this year. This 'Meg' dress is classic Kate. Cut just below the knee, with a slight fit-and-flare silhouette, it's demure and appropriate for her royal duties, but the space print in bold blue is cheerful for a bright autumn day.

The good news for all Kate fans is this cute little number is available to buy now and can be yours at the click of the mouse (right). If, however, your budget is more discount than Duchess then check out our edit below for similar dresses by French Connection, Diane von Furstenberg and Girls On Film at Asos.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

...NOW GET ONE LIKE IT

Kate wore a £1,850 Dolce & Gabbana dress to spend the day with Chinese president Xi Jingping on October 21; Suzanne sourced a JD Williams lace and velvet dress for a bargain £75

Next up was seeing if I could recreate her Dolce & Gabbana look.

For a day out with the Chinese president Xi Jingping and his glamorous wife Peng Liyuan, Kate wore Dolce & Gabbana for the first time with a high-necked, knee-length Guipure lace dress that was both demure but body conscious.

She teamed it with a matching clutch and court shoes.

I headed down to JD Williams which had a knee-length velour dress with a similar lace detail and its shade of purple wasn't too far off the Dolce frock's burgundy hue.

And at £75, it was a £1,775 saving on her £1,850 gown.

My verdict? Considering I never wear anything tight because I'm conscious that anything too clingy enhances my curves this glided on and was a beautiful fabric.

I'd wear it again as I felt comfortable and loved the colour and fabric, and I was pleased that it matched Kate's style well.

Kate often wears her engagement ring which was passed down from Princess Diana (right); for those who want a similar look, Suzanne found diamonfire.co.uk's Royalty Blue Ring for £105

When it comes to copying the Duchess of Cambridge's jewellery, the high street is particularly obliging.

I found a near-perfect take on her sapphire engagement ring, the Royalty Blue Ring, passed down from Princess Diana on the website diamonfire.co.uk for £105.

Made with blue and white variations of cubic zirconia on platinum-plated silver I felt like I was wearing the real thing.

It was in top-notch condition and really jazzed up my look.

One of the Duchess's most iconic looks - worn when she was still Kate Middleton - was her wraparound blue Issa dress, chosen for the first interview to announce her engagement to Prince William in 2010.

The now-iconic royal blue wrap dress by London-based label Issa flew off the shelves after the 33-year-old wore it, while delivering the news of her future nuptials to media at St James's Palace.

Much to the delight of Kate's fashion followers, luxury department store Harvey Nichols brought the 'Phylis' dress back this July for £575.

But those without nearly £600 can pick up a knee-length dress in a similar shade at Hobbs for just £69. The 'Emma' dress is made from cotton but it has similar ruching at the waist.

Plus, it fitted like a glove, really flattered my shape and I felt great in it. I would definitely wear it as a work dress as it felt so lovely on. And I would definitely wear it again especially as it captured Kate's elegant style.

Kate recycled an old grey Orla Kiely dress as she attended child mentoring programme (left); Suzanne found a body-con grey dress of her own at Hobbs for £159

Kate then wore one of her old Orla Kiely dresses to attend a child mentoring programme on October 27.

She first wore the grey wool dress, which is thought to be priced at £300, on an engagement in Dulwich, south London with her father-in-law Prince Charles in 2012.

I picked up a similarly sober grey frock from Hobbs, where I found its Juliane Dress for £159, but this is one look that left me cold.

I don't often wear grey and this dress did nothing for me, I actually felt quite drained in it. I also think it is quite a boring look however, the fabric was beautiful and it has a good cut if you have the right figure to pull it off.

I wouldn't wear this again only because it didn't flatter me in any way.

Kate stunned in a £2,660 Erdem dress on October 27; Suzanne rummaged in her wardrobe to uncover a bold graphic print Marni gown for £240 from the Outnet

For the gala celebration of the 100 Women in Hedge Funds, the Duchess went for a stunning eye-catching Erdem gown worth £2,660.

The floor-skimming gown featured a tiered panel which the brand says showcases a 'full and feminine silhouette', a boat neckline and concealed zip fastening at the back. The frilled creation also has a fitted bodice and slip pockets at the side.

The Duchess complemented the Ohana tulip-print outfit with the late Queen Mother's diamond and sapphire fringe earrings, a diamond bracelet which is believed to have been a wedding present from Prince Charles, plus a £450 Anya Hindmarch 'Maud' satin black clutch.

I found a designer dress but at a far more reasonable price, with this bold graphic-print Marni look for £240.

It's an item from my own wardrobe and have only warn it once. I love the dress, the colours and the fabric but as a style it didn't do anything for me. It actually looks like a maternity dress on me!

Better suited for someone younger and who has the height to carry it off.

OVERALL VERDICT

I quite enjoyed dressing like Kate for the day as it gave me a chance to wear fitted pieces which I often avoid. It was very easy to find similar replicas of her clothes, although without the sparkle and added glamour of her jewellery it can feel a bit dowdy.

I absolutely love dressing up but only on special occasions as it makes you feel good about yourself. I'm a mum-of-three and journalist so I'm used to racing about on the school run and Tube so often prefer comfortable clothes like tracksuit, leggings and gym-wear.

But having worn some of these dresses I think I'd feel a lot more confident striding into work in a fitted dress and coat, although I'd probably keep the jewellery for when I'm going out at night.