By: Abby Waters
Since the royal wedding in April 2011, women of all ages have become mesmerized by the latest British style icon Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
With her flowing brown hair, statuesque frame and warm smile, she has become one of fashion's most influential figures and possibly the most copied royal of all time.
The 'Kate Effect', which was originally noted by the UK Guardian, reflects her powerful influence on clothing purchases. Within hours of wearing an item in public, you can be sure the design will sell out worldwide.
Kate is a designer's dream. She has been selected as "Hat Person Of the Year" by The Headwear Association, "Best Dressed Woman of The Year" by Harper's Bazaar, and she has landed on Vanity Fair's "International Best-Dressed List" for the first time. Not bad for a beginner.
When Kate arrived at the BAFTA 'Brits to Watch' event in Los Angeles last July, she appeared to be taller, thinner and more beautiful than just about every A-list female celebrity at the gala. Some of the ladies in attendance were Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez and Blake Lively. The Duchess of Cambridge selected 5.5" Jimmy Choo sandals which -- already 5'10" in stocking feet -- had her towering over most of the men. Her cleverly pleated lavendar Sarah Burton gown, accented with a beaded belt, made her waist look super tiny.
Kate has several secrets when it comes to dressing that make her look larger than life, incorporating elements that make her seem taller and thinner than she already is. Do you want to know Kate's dressing secrets? Shhhh, here they are...
Nude Pumps
Nude shoes are a fashion favorite of the Duchess. She wears great looking pumps by L.K. Bennett which often include a front platform. By combining the nude shoes with nude hose, it makes her look taller. Lifting the hemline of her skirt makes her legs look like they go on forever. A similar effect can be achieved by wearing dark pumps and exact matching hose or tights. For many glam events, she selects very high heeled sandals by Jimmy Choo.
Nude shoes are a fashion favorite of the Duchess. She wears great looking pumps by L.K. Bennett which often include a front platform. By combining the nude shoes with nude hose, it makes her look taller. Lifting the hemline of her skirt makes her legs look like they go on forever. A similar effect can be achieved by wearing dark pumps and exact matching hose or tights. For many glam events, she selects very high heeled sandals by Jimmy Choo.
Fit and Flair Designs
Kate loves fit and flair coat-dresses for royal appearances. These are designs that are fitted at the top and cinch at the waist with a bottom flair. The pieces make her waist look very slim. She often adds a wide belt for even more focus on her waist. Kate made her first royal solo appearance in Oxford for the Art Room program wearing an Orla Kiely "Birdie" jacquard-printed fit and flair style coat-dress. Kiely is a favorite designer of the Duchess of Cambridge.
Kate loves fit and flair coat-dresses for royal appearances. These are designs that are fitted at the top and cinch at the waist with a bottom flair. The pieces make her waist look very slim. She often adds a wide belt for even more focus on her waist. Kate made her first royal solo appearance in Oxford for the Art Room program wearing an Orla Kiely "Birdie" jacquard-printed fit and flair style coat-dress. Kiely is a favorite designer of the Duchess of Cambridge.
Skinny Jeans
Skinny Jeans are exactly what the name implies. They are very narrow legged jeans that pair well with tailored blouses, blazers and overcoats. The Duchess often selects loose fitting knee-high boots to wear over the jeans to make her legs look even trimmer.
Simple Jewelry
Clothing flows better when jewelry is kept at a minimum. Kate wears delicate chains, studs and simple drop earrings to frame her face. Framing the face draws the eye upward and makes her appear taller. The pieces add just the right amount of sparkle and color for a well-balanced look. Big statement pieces of jewelry can tend to chop a look and can also take attention away from the beauty of the person wearing it, because the jewelry then becomes the focus. Two favorite jewelry designers for the Duchess are Kiki McDonough and Tiffany.
Clothing flows better when jewelry is kept at a minimum. Kate wears delicate chains, studs and simple drop earrings to frame her face. Framing the face draws the eye upward and makes her appear taller. The pieces add just the right amount of sparkle and color for a well-balanced look. Big statement pieces of jewelry can tend to chop a look and can also take attention away from the beauty of the person wearing it, because the jewelry then becomes the focus. Two favorite jewelry designers for the Duchess are Kiki McDonough and Tiffany.
Asymmetrical and One-Shoulder Designs
These styles make the wearer appear taller by drawing the eye up to the shoulder area. Kate selected a stunning silver Grecian-inspired one-shoulder Jenny Packham gown to attend a fundraiser at St. James Palace. She looked so elegant in this design. Packham knows how to create fantastic high profile pieces, and Kate always selects the perfect design to compliment her figure.
These styles make the wearer appear taller by drawing the eye up to the shoulder area. Kate selected a stunning silver Grecian-inspired one-shoulder Jenny Packham gown to attend a fundraiser at St. James Palace. She looked so elegant in this design. Packham knows how to create fantastic high profile pieces, and Kate always selects the perfect design to compliment her figure.
Tailored Blazers
Tailored blazers are something that Kate wears over jeans and pencil skirts. They show off the beauty of the wearer because of the simple nature of the design. The form-fitted garment showcases a great body and has a slimming effect. Kate wore a Roland Mouret "Smythe" blazer on her trip to Canada.
Tailored blazers are something that Kate wears over jeans and pencil skirts. They show off the beauty of the wearer because of the simple nature of the design. The form-fitted garment showcases a great body and has a slimming effect. Kate wore a Roland Mouret "Smythe" blazer on her trip to Canada.
High Hats
Hats give you a boost in elevation. Royals wear hats for just about any and every event and occasion. Kate stole the show at the wedding of Zara Phillips in 2011 with a giant tilt hat by Gina Foster. It was an over-the-top look that had her towering over everyone at the event. The design was dubbed the 'Potato Chip Hat' because the shape and the color closely resembled the popular snack.
Hats give you a boost in elevation. Royals wear hats for just about any and every event and occasion. Kate stole the show at the wedding of Zara Phillips in 2011 with a giant tilt hat by Gina Foster. It was an over-the-top look that had her towering over everyone at the event. The design was dubbed the 'Potato Chip Hat' because the shape and the color closely resembled the popular snack.
Kate is a beauty who continues to look more incredible with each passing day, and her fashion followers can't wait to see what she will wear next. Not everyone is blessed with Duchess Kate's genes, but anyone can use her secrets to achieve a trimmer and taller look.
Abby Waters
Abby is a motivational speaker, writer and respected vintage fashion consultant, featured in Time magazine, UK Gaurdian and Palm Beach Illustrated. Her articles on style and fashion have appeared in numerous print and online publications.
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