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When Kate Middleton married Prince Williamin 2011 she would likely have had no idea the incredible amount of attention her wardrobe would receive from then onward. Dresses that she has worn have sold out within hours of her appearing in them – such awesome selling success is dubbed the ‘Kate effect’. In the year following her wedding alone she was worth over $1 billion to the U.K. fashion industry.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s timeless style allows her to recycle her outfits many a time, year after year. She often gives a new tweak to an old outfit by wearing her hair differently or using new accessorizes. Here are 17 times that she’s given an old favorite a new twist...
In lavender, with a purse change
In July 2017 Kate visited the Maritime Museum in this lavender dress by Emilia Wickstead that she later wore in October 2018 at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit. An almost identical look except for a change of purse.
In mellow yellow
Kate first wore this See by Chloe dress during a tour of Canada in 2016 and then again the following May in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. She wore her hair in a half-up do on the first occasion, leaving it flowing on the second.
V-neck with a pleated skirt
This low necklined pink dress with a pleated skirt by Alexander McQueen first saw the light of day in 2014 and then again in 2016. For its most recent appearance, she left her hair loose, paired it with matching shoes and a silver necklace.
Floral print loveliness
Kate wore this L.K. Bennett dress a second time in 2016 in Luton, having worn it initially at the Royal Australian Airforce Base in 2014. To change the look up this time, she left her hair loose, added a different colored purse and shoes and wore a watch.
Lemon fresh
Once again in 2016 – at Wimbledon – she opted for a dress that she’d first worn two years earlier during her royal tour of Australia with Prince William. This time her hairstyle was the only big difference to the styling of the outfit.
A royal blue favorite
This bright blue Stella McCartney dress is a firm favorite of Kate’s. She wore it in 2012 when visiting The National Portait Gallery, some days later at an Olympic Games event in London, in 2014 for the XX Commonwealth Games and in 2016 at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. She also recycled her Smythe blazer.
Knitted geometry
The Duchess of Cambridge chose the Tory Burch Paulina dress for a playdate in New Zealand with Prince George in 2014 and again in 2015 at an event to mark World Mental Health day.
Bright blue dreams
Kate has also re-worn another L.K. Bennet dress – named snorkel blue by the firm themselves – in 2014: for the inaugeration of the ICAP Art Room at Northolt High School and later on in the year at the poppy field installation at the Tower of London.
Floral prettiness
This Australian Zimmerman dress was also worn twice in 2014 - first during a trip Down Under and later at the Wimbledon tennis championships.
Subtle floral lace delicacy
She first wore this pale yellow lace dress in 2012 during her Diamond Jubilee tour and she donned it again in 2014 during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia.
Comfy style
The royal first wore the short-sleeved boat neck Hobbs dress in 2012 during a visit to Bacon's College in London, and she then wore it two years later during her trip to New Zealand. On the latter occasion she added a chunky necklace to freshen up the look.
Time stands still for Kate!
Just a hairstyle change marks the difference in an otherwise identical Orla Kiely look: the first time was in 2012 at a visit to Dulwich Picture Gallery; and the second in 2015 while participating in a Chance UK event.
A refreshing embellished look
And again in 2012 and 2015. Kate wore a dove-gray Matthew Williamson dress with turquoise and gold embellishments. In was an original choice for the Duchess but suited her perfectly.
Polka dot perfection
In 2013 when she was expecting Prince George, Kate wore this polka dot Topshop dress just a few weeks apart. The first time was during a tour of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London in April followed by at the wedding of a friend in May.
Asymmetrical neckline
And in July 2012 she re-wore the Peridot dress by Roksanda Ilincic coupled with a glamorous up-do and dangling earrings. The year before she had worn the dress with loose hair to a reception at the UK Venture Capital & Venture Capital and New Media Summit.
Classic sweater dress style
She chose this sweater dress by Alexander McQueen for her tour of Canada in 2011 and the next year at the Wimbledon Finals. Wearing her hair loose and carrying a black clutch purse differentiated it from her first appearance.
Pleated elegance
Kate also wore this Emilia Wickstead dress twice in 2012. The first time in May at a reception in Waterloo Chamber; the second time at a Buckingham Palace garden party in June.