Tour de Force: American Vogue on Kate Middleton's Style Icon Status

We recently read an article on Vogue.com by Alexandra Macon about the Duchess of Cambridge's royal tour fashions and the impact that Kate Middleton's fashions are having on the world. Because a lot of what Ms. Macon wrote echoes what we also believe we thought we'd excerpt some parts here and discuss.

Because that's what we like to do here. Present. Breakdown. Analyze. Discuss.

"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," Macon writes. "She shops where regular girls shop—Topshop, Reiss, Whistles, and L.K. Bennett—and wears looks that regular girls wear—wrap dresses, shifts, and J Brand 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 [ABK Note: Check out the article on skirt lengths, it's an interesting one!], the neckline, the sleeves (she’s a one-woman endorsement for the comeback of sleeves!)...She repeats looks, too, which is both endearing and, in the midst of a difficult financial landscape, respectable."

And this is exactly true, isn't it? Kate Middleton might not be a fashion icon per se, especially not for those who think that anyone worthy of the title has to be completely out there. Rather, she's something of a style icon. A woman who knows her station in life, what's appropriate, what suits her, what she likes, and goes with that, mostly turning up in pretty outfits, even if they're sometimes admittedly boring. Sure, we'd all like to see the Duchess take some fashion chances, but we can't fault her for staying on the straight and narrow. Not with the British press and the way they bare their teeth at any opportunity.

Macon's also right that Kate Middleton is pretty much the antithesis of a Man Repeller. Rather, let's-call-her-Catherine-now has been pretty consistent through the years when it comes to dressing like, well, a woman. Even in jeans and t-shirts you can see what the appeal was for Prince William. And, no, she's not especially confusing or complicated in her choice of clothing, which probably helps when what you're wearing is analyzed by so many people around the world.

"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."

Well said, Ms. Macon, we couldn't agree more. Although we still would like to see Kate in some neon Christopher Kane. Pretty please? For us?

We'd love to know what you think of Kate's style!

Photos: Wahl/Vanity Fair

Royal Tour of North America: Day 11 - Kate in Navy and White in L.A.

And we're baaack...to the navy and white, that is.

Can we be honest for a second, KMidd?

We'd be lying if we said we were feeling this outfit.

What with crochet being involved and all.

May be best to leave it at that.

We're not even sure why crochet gives us the shakes.

Probably because it gives us flashbacks of the

palazzo pants we sported in elementary school.

Kate's pleated white skirt is the Whistles Dobby Pleated Skirt, currently available at John Lewis. There are photos of the same navy and white crochet top that Kate is wearing floating around the interwebs that clearly show a Whistles label, but, to date the company is denying the shirt is theirs.

Cute, right?

Kate accessorized with her new diamond and sapphire earrings, as well

 as those mystery navy pumps and nude clutch and a half-up bun 'do.

William and Kate were flown to Canada on the dime of the Canadian government, but it appears that they were on their own to find their way back. Rather than opting for a private jet the royal couple decided to fly commercial instead--albeit it in first class.

So, we think we'll take a little break to process all this Kate Mania (we've had enough of mystery nude clutches and unidentified ruffled blouses for now). We hope you'll join us as we continue to follow Kate Middleton's--rather, the Duchess of Cambridge's--style evolution in the months and years to come.

Photos via The Daily Mail

Royal Tour of North America: Day 10 - Duchess of Cambridge Wears Lilac McQueen at BAFTA Event in L.A.



via dailymail.co.uk

So we all know that Kate Middleton loves her white and navy, but now it seems we may have discovered a new hue that makes the Duchess' heart sing: lilac. The third L.A. outfit to feature this shade is Kate's much anticipated gown for the BAFTA event, namely a beautifully draped cap-sleeved Alexander McQueen.

Look, we'll be honest. We wanted some drama. A tiara or two. Some sizzle. And while Kate looked very nice (we especially like the beaded belt and her sweet waistline) we would have liked something a bit more...well, more.

We have to admit that Kate's evening show--the Jimmy Choo Vamp Glitter-Finish Sandals--were to die for. Glam and sparkly. Two thumbs up!

Kate's equally shimmery silver clutch is the Ubai, also from Jimmy Choo.

The Duchess' also wore a bracelet borrowed from the Queen. No information was made available about Kate's tasteful chandelier earrings.

Royal Tour of North America: Day 10 - Kate Middleton Wears Floral Jenny Packham to Polo Match

Pattern! Open toed shoes! Bare legs!

We feel like we're making progress here, Kate.

Real progress.

Don't get us wrong, we think you pretty much always look chic, but you don't always look your age or, simply, as attractive as you could.

We love this floral Jenny Packham because it not only does justice to Kate's ultra trim figure, but also because it makes her look young and happy and all that jazz.

Outfit win!

Oh, and Wills? This is the best we've seen you look all tour. Props.

Kate's pale pastel floral dress is the hand-painted chinoiserie De Gournay from Jenny Packham's Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

The strappy, open-toed taupe sandals that the Duchess wore to the polo match are the LK Bennett Silver Sandal in Taupe. Kate also wore her monogrammed bracelet, Kiki Mcdonough citrine drop earrings, and the L.K. Bennett Natalie straw box clutch, which we've seen many times before.

Photos via The Daily Mail 

Royal Tour of North America: Day 9 - Kate Middleton Wears Green to Reception

via dailymail.co.uk

Day 9 has been quite a busy day for us. Four, yes four, outfit changes. This evening Kate attended a reception in Los Angeles in a grass green Diane Von Furstenberg Maja belted dress. We're not sure why, exactly, but we're feeling this look for Kate.

The back of the dress features a V neckline and a row of buttons.

Kate accessorized with her Jimmy Choo Lovely pumps and a fab leopard-print snakeskin box clutch with gold branch-style clasp, also from Diane von Furstenberg.

Kate's gold earrings are the Temple of Heaven
Girandole Earrings by Cassandra Goad.

The eagle eyed folks over at Diana's Jewels recalled that Kate also

wore these earrings to the wedding of Emilia d'Erlanger in 2010.

And, kind of off topic, but we really need to know:

What the EFF is up with your hair, David?!

Royal Tour of North America: Day 9 - Kate Middleton Arrives in L.A.

William and Kate have touched down in the U.S.--Los Angeles to be exact--for a whirlwind visit. The Duchess exited the plane wearing a perfectly draped pale lavender dress.

Kate arrived in L.A. and attended a business conference wearing a Peridot dress by Roksanda Illinic with nude/pink Jimmy Choo Lovely pumps and her Kiki Mcdonough Grace stud earrings, L.K. Bennett Natalie clutch and that diamonds-by-the-yard bracelet.

Royal Tour of North America: Day 9 - Kate Middleton Says Goodbye to Canada in Red Catherine Walker

For their last day in Canada the royals also toured the Calgary zoo.

Kate sported a red Catherine Walker coat and matching dress,

plus the Queen's Maple Leaf pin. Judging from the styles on the

Walker website this coat seems to be a custom amalgam.

Kate also sported her L.K. Bennett Sledge2 pumps, that mystery nude envelope clutch, and her Kiki Mcdonough Grace earrings. We like the fit of this coat on Catherine and even the colour. Sure it might be a tad old, and maybe a little warm looking for July, but we think she wears it well.

Royal Tour of North America: Day 9 - Kate Wears Temperley to the Calgary Stampede

AP via Daily Mail UK

William and Kate's last day in Canada started with the kick-off to the Calgary Stampede Parade. Wills was dressed exactly the same as yesterday, while all Kate changed was her shirt. Would it have been nice to see something more? Sure. But we can respect smart and efficient packers.

Kate's white blouse is the Temperley London Rodeo shirt.

The blouse is available on net-a-porter for $660 and

is described as being "cut from a gossamer silk

and cotton-blend and trimmed with lace."

It was worn with the same GoldSign jeans, R. Soles brown suede cowboy boots, and Western belt as Kate's blue-and-white Temperley blouse from yesterday. Kate also wore what looked like small turquoise drop earrings.

Royal Tour of North America: Day 8 - William and Kate in Cowboy Gear

Kitschy but cute, that was William and Kate watching bull riding in Calgary. The Prince rolled up his sleeves--literally--in a plaid shirt and white cowboy hat, while his Mrs. wore a matching hat paired with a white-and-blue Temperley blouse that we really like. They actually look like pretty natural cowpeople.

Kate's embroidered blouse, which features a pretty scallop detail, is the Armonia blouse from the Alice by Temperley Resort 2012 collection.

Kate wore the Vinnie Day gold leaf earrings again.

As well as a yet-unidentified Western style belt with cross buckle.

It is definitely an older "from the closet of Kate Middleton" piece, though, as Catherine was papped wearing it while watching Prince William play polo back in 2008.

Kate's jeans look a lot like the GoldSign Passion Boot-Cuts to us.

Although we haven't seen a pic that confirms KMidd's

pockets have the same stitching.

Kate's brown cowboy boots look awfully like

the Vegas Setter from R. Soles.

Photos: The Daily Mail, Mirror UK, thefashionreporter.com

Royal Tour of North America: Day 8 - Kate in Yellow, Arriving in Calgary

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

After spending the night in a remote cabin that had been retro-fitted especially for their visit, William and Kate headed to a chalet in Lake Louise to change and get ready for the day ahead. Arriving in Calgary they had to deal with some ridiculous wind that wreaked havoc with Kate's flirty dress, and also spent time with an adorable cancer patient whose wish it was to meet a Princess.

REUTERS/Todd Korol

So we finally get some colour and, yet, we're not really feeling it. This dress is nice and all. Cheery and summery, but it feels kind of old. Kind of...Little House on the Prarie or Sister Wives or something. Maybe its the high neckline and those fabric-covered buttons. We think Kate's yellow Jenny Packham could have benefitted from some personal styling like a chic belt.

The dress above is similar in style to the yellow

primrose dress that Kate wore.

via mirror.co.uk

Accessories included the L.K. Bennett Sledge2 nude pumps and Natalie straw clutch, as well as the Kiki Mcdonough citrine drop earrings and the unidentified diamond-by-the-yard bracelet.

Kate Middleton's Navy Suede Pump Found?

We've been trying to ID the navy suede pumps that Kate Middleton has been sporting lately, but have come up pretty much empty. Prada, Choo, Sanderson, none seemed right. Then we happened on the above collage from the lovely Kate Middleton Style blog. An eagle eyed reader of the blog suggested that Kate's pumps may be the Belle and Mimi Suede Pointed Court Shoe from Barratts. They look like a pretty good match to us.

Kate's navy pumps also look similar to the Ralph Lauren Ceara Pointed Suede Pumps, although we're not sure if these come in navy. The purple is available on net-a-porter. We'd love to know what you think!

Royal Tour of North America: Day 7 - Slave Lake

Today was supposed to be a day off for William and Kate, but instead the royals decided to visit the town of Slave Lake in Alberta, which has been ravaged by fire. This has to be one of our favourite Kate looks so far.

via The Daily Mail

Kate looked chic in those cropped navy J Brand 811 Mid Rise Skinny Jeans, her Dolce Vita slingback espadrilles, a still-to-be-ID'd ruffle blouse and the navy Smythe blazer she wore when leaving Heathrow.

Kate was wearing the same Linda Camm belt she has sported before.

UPDATE: 08-07-11 - Pied A Terre posted the following on their Facebook:

"There seems to be some confusion over Kate Middleton's shoes. To clarify there are pictures of her wearing both Imperia (last seasons style) and Ivy P (this seasons style). They are very similar, practically identical. For those who love this look, Ivy P comes in black and cream (£75). However online its only available in cream at present...check the website for more stock."

We're still not convinced the above shoes are the Ivy P,

rather they look like the Imperia, but we'll let it go.

UPDATE: 11-28-11 - After nearly going blind trying to source Kate's ruffle blouse we're happy to report that Clare (via WKW) has ID'd it. The chiffon ruffle blouse that the Duchess of Cambridge wore under her Smythe blazer in Slave Lake is from Lauren by Ralph Lauren.