Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will without doubt be the defining wedding gown of 2011 and quite possibly 2012.
In fact, an American dressmaker, Shala Moradi, has revealed that she will begin creating replicas of Kate’s dress the moment the royal bride steps out of the car at Westminster Abbey. Shala is confident that she will have an identical sample ready for viewing just hours after the new princess has walked down that famously long aisle.
As we have already witnessed through the media, Kate’s own personal style has long had a huge impact on the public, with any item usually guaranteed to sell out within hours of her being photographed in it.

Her sapphire engagement dress, created by the brand Issa, is probably the most fitting example of what is now being dubbed the ‘Kate effect’.

This beautifully elegant silk dress sold out worldwide within hours of the engagement interview being beamed across the globe. Replicas quickly followed suit and likewise sold out equally as fast. Despite being re-stocked, the original dress remains a top seller for its creator. If you want to recreate Kate’s engagement style, the Issa dress can be ordered from Harvey Nichols in Dublin however it will set you back in the region of €400. If however you would like to acquire the dress for less than €100, check out Chica Boutiques very convincing replica’s, all for €99. They also stock the dress in blue, grey, red and green. http://www.chicaboutiqueonline.com/

Another top seller was the cream ruffle-front cardigan worn by Kate in her official engagement photographs.

The cardigan, which she bought from the shop ‘Whistles’, instantly became a best seller when the photographs were released. Kate wore the cardigan again this week at the final wedding rehearsals in Westminster Abbey.

The cardigan, which Whistles have renamed the ‘Kate’, was originally part of their Autumn 2008 collection, however after Kate revived it for the engagement photograph, Whistles reproduced it due to the high volume of demand. If like most people you don’t fancy paying out over €250 for this cardigan, then take a look in Penney’s, Dunne’s Stores and Marks & Spencer in Galway where you will find a large selection of very similar cardigans.

While Kate’s look has changed considerably over the years, (thanks primarily to her Irish born stylist Leesa Whisker), a long standing staple part of her wardrobe has been her collection of boots. If anything, the knee high black boots have become synonymous with Kate’s trademark style, however on a recent public appearance in Anglesey, she chose to wear these ankle boots from Aquatalia.

http://aquatalia.com/spotlightpress/ELLE+UK/February+2011.html

If you like this style of ankle boot, then check out the Shoe Rack in the Terryland Shopping Centre in Galway.

On the same visit, Kate also wore her hair in a semi-upstyle complete with a feather embellished chocolate coloured bespoke headpiece.

The Penney’s branch located in the Terryland Shopping Centre in Galway are now stocking fascinators very similar to that worn by Kate.

The second famous engagement dress, which Kate wore for her official engagement photographs, is the Reiss Nanette Dress. This dress is actually part of a past collection however the Reiss brand was forced to re-released it following a surge in public demand.

The ‘Dulwich Coat’, created by the brand Libelula, came to prominence when Kate wore it to a friends wedding shortly after she had announced her own engagement. Made with beautiful silk velvet, it has become a favourite amongst copy-kate’s. It is available in the colours plum and navy.

http://www.libelula-studio.com/coats-jackets/dulwich-coat-488.html

When the royal couple visited Belfast recently, Kate clearly chose to dress with the Irish weather in mind. Within an hour of photographs appearing on the net of her wearing the Burberry Trench Coat, sales rocketed and it was sold out by that evening.

A £22 Asda imitation also saw sales soar by 300 per cent over the same period. A number of department stores including Dunne’s Stores now have similar versions in stock.
If you are interested in purchasing the real deal, then you can do so by clicking on the following link, however take note, the price has increased from £650 to £950 since Kate was photographed wearing it.

http://ie.burberry.com/store/womenswear/london/coats/wool-trench-coat-with-frilled-hem/sku-37423181004-wool-trench-coat-with-frilled-hem/

Coral has become a phenomenally popular colour in fashion this year, however Kate was already wearing it over two years ago! Beautiful as it may be, her Issa floor length gown will sadly see you over €800 out of pocket.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/114781

Fortunately, many Irish boutiques such as Fran & Jane, Chica and Lara often have similar gowns in stock.