The Duchess of Cambridge came, she saw, and she conquered North America on a nine-day tour of Canada and California, but whether rowing crew, visiting a hospital, meeting and greeting, or attending the black-tie BAFTAs, the former Miss Middleton was perfectly outfitted for each and every occasion. In an effort to keep the entourage small (leaving plenty of room for those reported 40 dresses that she packed in her luggage), the duchess traveled sans stylist. She did, however, bring along her go-to hair guru, James Pryce, from the Richard Ward salon in London’s Chelsea, and woke up before Prince William each day to have her hair done before heading out for their official engagements—clearly, Catherine knows the power of a good blowout. That smooth and effortless-looking hair translates to the duchess’s overall approach to dressing: classic and easy, yet polished.
In a time when most public figures are trying to push the envelope and shock and awe with their outrageousness when it comes to fashion, the Duchess of Cambridge is bringing an understated elegance (not sexy) back, while still managing to dress in a way that men clearly appreciate. She never wears pieces that befuddle the boys, like gladiator sandals, rompers, or platforms. Instead, she’s the rare creature whose look appeals to men, women, and the fashion industry alike. She shops where regular girls shop—Topshop, Reiss, Whistles, and L.K. Bennett—and wears looks that regular girls wear—wrap dresses, shifts, and skinny jeans. She’s pretty—but not intimidating; she looks like someone we could be friends with. Of course, she also wears Alexander McQueen and Erdem, but even when it’s “designer” it looks like “her”—the shape, the length, the neckline, the sleeves (she’s a one-woman endorsement for the comeback of sleeves!). Even at the BAFTA awards, her McQueen dress wasn’t a recognizable runway look—it was streamlined and modified by her. She repeats looks, too, which is both endearing and, in the midst of a difficult financial landscape, respectable. And she supports her hometown houses, boosting morale by working tirelessly yet tactfully to promote British labels while traveling.
Above all, she understands that flirty, feminine frocks are always pretty and never fail. She keeps her accessories simple and pulls off a look that’s straightforward yet somewhat normal. Not normal in a banal way, but normal in a way that it’s empirically attractive and universally appealing. Sure it’s safe, but stylishly refined: exactly the right way for her to dress. She’s not alienating anyone—and no one is going to misunderstand her look. Her approach sends a powerful message that is stylish, thought-out, and position-appropriate—suggesting the best about British public life and decorum.There’s no subtext or hidden agenda when it comes to the Duchess of Cambridge’s style, and it’s refreshing that an aesthetic like this is finally having a well-deserved moment in the limelight.
