The Kate Effect

Such is the power of the ‘Kate effect’ that a British fashion house was recently saved from bankruptcy after the duchess randomly decided to wear one of their dresses to an event. The ensuing demand for that one dress propelled the brand back into profit, and while they are not completely out of the red just yet, it goes without saying that they are in a much healthier position than they were previously. The phenomenal demand for Kate’s style really only began directly after she wore that famous Issa silk wrap dress for the announcement of her engagement to Prince William. Since then, her fashion choices have been watched with a sharp eye, with each look dissected right down to the brand of jewellery. One designer almost saw her website crash after die-hard Middleton fans discovered that she was the creative hand behind the earrings worn by Kate for the Jubilee celebrations. The designer herself didn’t even know Kate owned a pair of her earrings until she saw the newspaper photographs that had catapulted the traffic to her website.

If, like most women, you are in love with Kate’s wardrobe, then you will be pleased to hear that you don’t exactly need a royal bank balance in order to acquire it. (If the royal expenses released this week are anything to go by, Kate’s clothes this year so far have cost Prince Charles around €35k!) Here, at the Claregalway Hotel, we will reveal where you can find the duchess’s designer looks for a fraction of the price!

Kate’s fondness for lace dresses is nothing new. If anything, it dates back to the early days of her romance with William. This particular dress was probably one of the first of her lace collection, however it still remains as stylish now as it did back then; proof, if ever proof was needed, that it’s a worthy investment piece that will still be the epitomy of class in ten years time. The dress featured in the picture is an exact replica of Kate’s and hails from an Irish fashion website called ‘Glam Temptations’. Replica’s of this dress are quite rare, and for €45, this one is practically a steal. Source: www.glamtemptations.com

Another hit from the Glam Temptations site, this particular lace dress is from the wardrobe Kate paraded during her trip to Canada earlier this year. The replica dress featured in the picture, priced at just €47.50, is made from a soft stretch fabric and is fully lined.

Source: (www.glamtemptations.com)

The combination of the blue dress and black blazer is a favourite look of Kate’s, and one which she has donned several times. The replica items featured here were sourced from River Island and can be dressed to suit whatever the occasion. This blue dress would also work beautifully with a white blazer however if its the Kate look you want to emulate, then stick with the black blazer and clutch! All items are available from River Island on Galway’s Shop Street.

Source: Bianca cobalt hi-lo pleated dress – €50

Cutie black long sleeve blazer – €41

Black lock clutch – €15

A British website called ‘I Want That Dress’ features a number of Kate’s most famous regal looks. I find they are particularly good for stocking replicas of her floor length gowns, sometimes within a day or so of her wearing them. The dresses featured in the picture are just a selection of some of the gowns and dresses available from the site. Each one varies in price however most are within the £200 mark. Not bad considering the designer originals would have cost a few thousand!

Source: www.iwantthatdress.com

Kate adores printed dresses and she particularly loves to pair them with wedges. The day before her wedding, she greeted the crowds in a look that was equally as stylish as it was comfortable. River Island’s Harriet heart print dress is quite similar to Kate’s, and while the accompanying cardigan, also from River Island, is not a replica of Kate’s Reiss version by any means, it still captures the overall ‘Kate look’ when twinned with the dress.

Source: Harriet heart print dress – was €45 now €10

Cream Pointelle Fall Away cardigan – €25

Possibly one of the most elegant replica offerings, this was another dress Kate debuted during her trip to Canada. This particular dress from dressesi.e however is slightly deeper in colour and in fact, somewhat nicer than the one Kate wore! The bodycon style means it will highlight your figure and femininity in a very elegant fashion, the trademark style of Kate herself! For just €49, it’s a million dollar bargain!

Source: www.dresses.ie – €49

This was the public’s first introduction to Kate’s new royal wardrobe, and it couldn’t have hit us with more impact if it had tried. Iconic, timeless, feminine … these are words that you will always hear associated with the Issa classic. While the cameramen were busy clicking shots of the new royal bride-to-be, women worldwide were busy clicking on their keypads in search of the dress she was wearing. Within hours, it was impossible to find; gold dust would have been an easier ask by comparison. There and then, did we see the first spark of the ‘Kate Effect’ ignite. Over a year later, that particular dress is still very much in-demand. Fortunately, Dresses.ie have a very beautiful replica on their site, and, unlike the original, it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. In fact, its just €49! This wrap dress also comes in a sandy brown colour, as well as in the famous Versace chain print.

Source: www.dresses.ie – €49

When photographs of the presidential visit to Buckingham Palace were released to the press, the subsequent reaction from the public could be best described as an online stampede. Hoards of fans made their way not to the political forums, or the news websites, but rather to the Reiss website, all in search of Kate’s sandy brown bandage dress. For many, it was too late, as it had already sold out worldwide within in an hour. Since then however, the look has been recreated by many brands and still remains as in-demand as when the pictures first went viral. This particular dress from Wallis (Terryland Shopping Centre, Galway) is one that you will have in your wardrobe for years to come. It refuses to date and thanks to the ‘Kate effect’, it’s style-factor is guaranteed for life. This dress is also available in black, white, orange and lime.

Source: Bandage bodycon dress – Wallis – approx €55

Possibly my favourite dress of all the ones featured in this entire write-up, the navy dress is a cocktail version of Kate’s famous McQueen wedding gown. If you prefer a little colour however, then you will be pleased to hear it also comes in red. The dress was constructed using a jersey fabric which means it is not only incredibly comfortable to wear, but also very easy to maintain. The lace detail on bodice and sleeves gives it a very glamorous feel thus making it suitable for any occasion. According to the Glam Temptations website, this dress is quite a generous fit so if you’re between sizes, the smaller one is recommended. If, however, you prefer a high neckline, then you will appreciate the option of the ‘Eva dress’. The lace immediately draws the eye upwards, which, as a result, makes this dress a particularly good choice for someone who is quite conscious of either their tummy area or bust-line.

Source: www.glamtemptations.com

Navy / red lace and jersey dress – €47.50

Black lace Eva dress (far right) – €39

While this offering from Wallis is obviously not a replica of Kate’s long-sleeved floor-length number, it is however perfect if you are looking for a white dress that encapsulates the elegance of the duchess. This particular maxi dress from Wallis can be styled to suit whatever occasion you are attending, (unlike Kate’s gown, which is quite formal.) If you like the Grecian look, the play up to the gold detail on the dress by pairing it with either gold or copper coloured gladiator sandals.

Source: White gold trim maxi dress – Wallis – was €80, now approx €50

Green Girl (Pic 11)

If you loved Kates gorgeous green Diane Von Furstenberg dress (which she has worn on two occasions, most notably, at Zara Phillip’s pre-wedding party) then you will love this particular offering from Dresses.ie. The dress itself is actually a replica of the Reiss dress Kate wore when meeting the Obama’s, however it would pass quite convincingly as a replica of her DVF favourite. According to the site, the dress is of a small fitting, and so, you would be advised to go up one size when ordering. This dress is also available in red, pink, white, blue and black.

Source: www.dresses.ie – €49

Kate rarely gets it wrong, however in my opinion, this long-sleeved teal dress was a horrendously bad decision. It seemed more frumpy rather than feminine, the colour quite bland, and the shape not in any way flattering to her figure. If, however, you like teal print and would like something similar, (just not as frumpy), then check out this very pretty offering from Awear. As you can see, the colour of the dress is far more vibrant than the one donned by Kate, while the cinched-in waist means it will really flatter your figure. Best of all, its on sale for just €20.

Source: Print Angel sleeve dress – Awear – was €40 now €20

This sparrow print dress is a favourite of Kate’s, and one she has worn on several occasions over the past two years (sometimes with nude heels, other times with her beloved LK Bennett wedges!) If you would like to recreate the look, Awear have two dresses that will do the job just nicely! The black polka dot dress (left) is of a fitted peplum style, while the navy sparrow print dress is quite loose but with a cinched-in waist. Both are quite typical of Kate’s causal wardrobe, and if its timeless items you’re looking for, then I would strongly advise that you snap these up as Kate will more than likely be continuing her love affair with prints for quite some time yet!

Source: Mela Navy Dot print dress, and Mela Sparrow ruffle dress  – Awear  – both €30

Twin this gorgeous lace dress with a headpiece and a silk belt and you will have yourself one of Kate’s amazing jubilee outfits! I defy anyone to find an event they cannot wear this dress to. For added elegance, just pair it with a cream shawl. Let the lace be the statement piece by keeping the accessories to an absolute minimum and by limiting the heels to the colour nude. This lace number is also available in green, black, blue and purple.

Source: www.dresses.ie – €49