We all know that the Duchess of Cambridge is the queen of re-wearing her royal wardrobe, whether her chosen item is a more affordable find from L.K. Bennett or Zara, or a luxe investment piece from Gucci or Alexander McQueen. She knows what she likes and how to subtly tweak any given item to inject a dash of newness. Sure, she's not going to start wild or complex layering, but in a simple switch up of shoes, jewellery, hair and bag choice, a classic (and recognisable) item can feel revitalised.
Case in point? Today's look from Kate as she stepped out solo to visit the D-Day exhibition at Bletchley Park. She chose to wear a sassy (see that thigh slit?) navy polk-dot 1940s-inspired dress that we saw her debut not so long ago. We're glad she's giving such a statement piece some extra time in the spotlight.
Alessandra Rich is one of fashion's most adored dress designers and has put K-Mids into a very reputable realm when she chose to wear this strong-collared, button-through dress back at the tail-end of last year for Prince Charles's 70th birthday party. However, the pictures the royal family supplied to the public at the time only revealed the top half of the DoC's look. Now we get to see the whole dress in full (and with accessories).
From the off, we could tell it was a piece from Brit designer Alessandra Rich. We’d recognize her retro-inspired items anywhere. But we knew Kate Middleton wasn’t the only celebrity to fall for this flattering, modest style…
Then it hit us. Back in June of last year, Sarah Jessica Parker wore it for a swanky soirée in NYC. Pairing it with sleek white courts, it was a look Carrie Bradshaw herself would have been proud to wear. Unlike SJP, who styled hers with a black belt, white pumps and an unbuttoned neckline, Kate chose a more tonal route today, opting for cornflower blue suede courts and a navy clutch. We happened to notice that the entire look beautifully matched her whopper of a sapphire engagement ring—never a bad idea.
Related: See Kate Middleton's Sheer Red Carpet Dress From Every Angle
It also proved to be a hit in May when Meghan Markle’s former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer chose the very same dress to see Meghan wed Prince Harry in May 2018. Who knows? Maybe she and Kate exchanged style notes post-ceremony.
As anticipated, the £1750 dress sold out some time ago, but there are still many Alessandra Rich dresses to be had, and one, in particular, that's quite similar. It has shorter sleeves and a navy (rather than a white) collar. Keep scrolling to see and shop our favourite frocks from the designer, which now come with royal style bragging rights as standard…
With a dress this chic, it’s only a matter of time before Kate, the queen of re-wearing clothes, gives it a second outing…
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
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