While her life may not be accessible to us, the Duchess of Cambridge's wardrobe remains perfectly balanced between being what a member of the Royal Family is expected to wear (fancy, princess-y) and yet still something the rest of us can actually buy. When she's dressed down, she's known to mix up her wardrobe with more affordable pieces from the high street—she's worn Warehouse, & Other Stories and loves to wear a Zara blazer (same, Kate, same). But for the bigger, more formal occasions, she'll regularly whip out a Jenny Packham or Alexander McQueen gown—dresses which can cost thousands.
However, yesterday, at a reception to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit at Buckingham Palace, she opted for an affordable brand she's never worn before: Needle & Thread. While it's not inexpensive (Kate's piece cost over £400), for a super fancy dress that makes you look like an actual princess, it's pretty good-looking. Ideal if you're looking for a dress for a really really posh event.
Kate paired the red sparkly dress with a pair of red Gianvito Rossi heels, a Jenny Packham clutch bag and a pair of earrings by Soru. And if you're wondering if that frock will actually make you feel extra special, then you're in luck: Who What Wear UK's Shopping Editor, Joy Montgomery, had the chance to wear the exact dress back in December and had this to say about it:
"I've never been someone that feels particularly comfortable in a full-length, black-tie dress, but this Needle & Thread gown somehow managed to make me feel like myself thanks to its high neckline, long sleeves and vibrant hue. It felt very Valentino in the best way possible, and it's so much chicer than most of the formal dresses I've worn over the years. I'm not surprised that K-Mids chose it for such an important occasion."
If that's not an endorsement, then we don't know what is. Keep scrolling to see the Duchess of Cambridge's look in full, and then shop Needle & Thread dresses below.
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