I'm not sure whether Kate Middleton's style is getting trendier lately or if the current products on offer all happen to be inspired by the duchess. Either way, the royal's fashion sense has never been more current and I can't help but get giddy thinking about at all the winter trends she's participating in (or setting, depending on how you look at it). Since royal style skews conservative, there's a plentiful list of items Middleton, Meghan Markle, and every other British royal can't wear, and consequently, the list rules out a number of trends.
So, you can imagine my surprise and delight to discover Middleton getting behind five of the biggest winter trends right now. From styling a cropped cardigan just like all the fashion girls to accessorizing with pretty headgear that mirrors everything we're seeing on Instagram, the duchess officially just became our winter trend style muse. Naturally, she pulled off them all off with the polished style she's known for. Keep reading to see the winter trends Kate Middleton nailed and then shop our picks of each royalty-approved style.
PICTURE PERFECT IN WINTER'S IT SWEATER
Middleton's cropped cardigan takes a note straight from the books of the fashion set. The sweater may be an old-school style, but the duchess (along with our very own Who What Wear editors) made it feel so fresh by buttoning it all the way up and wearing it as a top.
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HAIR ACCESSORIES THAT HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES
Middleton's got a thing for on-trend hair accessories, which she's been wearing quite a bit these days. It's her XXL padded headband that feels extra current—the style has been blowing up for winter and the evidence is all over Instagram.
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She's at it again with the trendy hair accessories, this time wearing a chic velvet bow tying up her ponytail. The accessory is a little detail she added to her winter ensemble, but it made a big impact.
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DRIPPING IN CRYSTALS: ROYAL EDITION
The heavy crystal trend, which we've dubbed chandelier dressing, has arrived just in time for the holiday party circuit, and none other than Middleton herself (and Markle, too) broke out her finest crystal earrings from the royal family's jewelry collection to celebrate Prince Charles' 70th birthday. The duchess no doubt adorned herself in genuine diamonds, but retailers are dreaming up affordable styles that hit on this trend, too.
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WESTERN BOOTS FOR THE WIN
Middleton hardly ever wavers from her denim collection (skinny jeans are her forever style), so we were delighted to discover her nod to the Western trend via a pair of cowboy-Chelsea boots, which she tucked her black skinnies into.
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SHE LOVES A NOVELTY BUTTON AS MUCH AS WE DO
The duchess is beaming in these royal family portraits wearing a now sold-out Alessandra Rich dress. This is exciting to a fashion editor for two reasons: Alessandra Rich's party dresses are a staple for It girls everywhere, and more precisely, the unique buttons on Middleton's dress are part of a larger trend afoot.
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Speaking of winter trends, you need to try these four affordable styles ASAP.
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