Kate's Style: Smart, Chic Fashion from a Royal Role Model

by Caroline Jones

The moment Kate Middleton stepped in front of the camera with her then fiancé Prince William to announce their engagement, a style icon was born. The electric blue Issa dress she wore on that day sold out in just 24 hours and sparked an international trend in "little blue dresses." Classic and ladylike, yet fresh and youthful, the Duchess of Cambridge's style has been like a breath of fresh air in a world that seemed to have forgotten the undeniable appeal of dressing like a lady.

Now, author and lifestyle writer Caroline Jones captures that elusive style and tells us just how to create it in our own wardrobes. In Kate's Style, Jones offers a range of tools for achieving the Duchess's celebrated look. Readers will find--

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Royalty

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

Caroline Jones was named Health Journalist of the Year in 2014 by the HMFA and was formerly Woman's Editor of the Daily Mirror.
Caroline lives in London with her husband Colin, daughter Mia, and dog Rufus.

Reviews

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this up I didn't realize it was almost ten years old. She is a beautiful woman who has put together a great style over the years. I like that it is not all designer wear. Of course there are some I liked much better than others. I think her best look is in the jewel tones. There are 40 looks in here and they are analysed by clothing pieces, jewelry, shoes and accessories, including who the designer or source is for each. Someone else mentioned that all the sources are not correct, but Id never know. Fun read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to other "Kate Fashion" books this, in my opinion, is the best one so far. However, that being said, the author gets some things wrong. Like calling Kate's Tiffany & Co. diamonds by the yard bracelet a Links of London bracelet (page 40) and calling Kate's black Imperia Pied a Terre wedges the L.K. Bennett "Maddox" shoes (page 48). I'm sure there are other mistakes as well, but those two really stood out to me. For me, there was no new information in this book. If you follow Kate blogs and know a fair to a good amount of information then there will be nothing new for you here. If you are just diving into the world of the Duchess of Cambridge you'll really get a lot out of this book.

My main reason for purchasing this book was for the updated pictures. Most of the pictures are from just pre-engagement right up to Kate's appearance at the National Portrait Gallery on January 12, 2013 for the unveiling of her portrait. That being said there are a couple of older pictures of Kate and Kate with Pippa as well. I found most of the pictures to be of good quality, there are a couple that are weird looking, probably taken by a phone camera (like Kate's attendance at the 2012 London Olympic Games Closing Ceremony). And just as an FYI there are no engagement photos in this book, either from the announcement or when Will & Kate had their picture taken by Mario Testino, however, they are in many of the other Kate fashion books.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total fluff, but I love to look at clothes and I like Kate.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just say that Kate is amazing? For one reason or another she's become the forerunner of royal fashion, and she's INFLUENCING and I love it! After 2011 wedding dresses snapped from satin strapless corset-backed horrors to traditional with sleeves, long or short. Stores began stocking more dresses that didn't show boobage or mid-thigh. Even in patterns for home made clothes I noticed the "Kate effect". The effect has now faded, and been largely replaced by more of-the-moment fads, but the after taste lingers on, and I'll be forever grateful to my big sister on the other side of the pond for swinging the pendulum back to "classy", however briefly.

This book is fun and surprisingly isn't as dated as I thought it would be on this re-read. If you're preppy, more formal or simply looking for ways to be more modest while remaining fashionable, (or vice versa), the tips and principles in this book will guide you.

[Mae Ricci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frivolous but hurray for the designers, great ad placements. Lovely pics.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection about her life pre-motherhood. Had there been no Diana I wonder how much fashion would be a focus for the modern Royal women.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally just in it for the outfits.

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but detailed book going over 40 different styles the Duchess has worn, how she styled them, how they worked well together plus any symbolism to the event she was attending. However this focuses from a bit before her wedding right up until it was announced she was in hospital for morning sickness. I would like to see a more updated book on the following years, plus even maybe a special maternity edition.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun light read on some of the style choices of a modern day fashion icon. Lots of great photos & info on the various designers for further research ;) But of course the blog WhatKateWore is the place to go for current updates!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that I just flipped through the book to look at all of the photos. The Duchess of Cambridge is lovely and I adore her classy sense of style.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of boring.

[Susie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this out because it needed to be shelved and I was feeling lazy. I'm also a sucker for fashion titles.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. If like Kate's style and want to see how she pulls it off this a good resource. It would be a good book to own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous hair, make-up, apparel advice. lots pics, loved it!

[Anna Lembke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of Kate and interesting facts about her clothing!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything Kate Middleton!!! =)