Is Kate Middleton Savvier Than We Think?

Get updates from Ellen Stewart:

We thought that the so-called Kate Middleton effect had Royal fans flocking to the shops to grab the latest Duchess-inspired garb, but perhaps not...

The designer who dressed Kate for a dinner at the world-renowned Claridge's last year, Roland Mouret, has revealed that his business didn't benefit as much as you'd think from copy Kates.

He noted: "The kind of people who like Kate’s style are not the kind to rush out and copy her dress. You don’t see hundreds of women running around looking like her. To be honest, we’re more likely to get orders on a dress that Kim Kardashian’s worn." Yup, it seems that KK is more likely to set shoppers into a frenzy that KM *sigh*.

kate middleton style

"She’s [Kate] highly attuned to those details that will provoke a tabloid frenzy and above all, she does not want a tabloid frenzy," the French designer continued. '"She doesn’t seem to feel the need to dress sexily to woo the world. She’s dressing for William and herself."

Now we understand why the Duchess is so adamant on recycling outfits from the great fashion yonder, and why she even raids Mamma Middleton's wardrobe. It seems she's SO aware of making an understatement that she even requested that her cream Mouret gown was cut slightly looser than the sample size in attempt to avoid a Pippa-like bum fiasco.

kate middleton style

Roland isn't the only fashionista to cite the K-Middy anticlimax. CEO of Whistles (a brand that hangs proudly in Kates closet) Jane Sherpherdson was one of the first to kick the 'Kate Effect' to the curb.

K-Middy wore a cream blouse by Whistles for her official engagement portrait with Wills, and although the pic raised the brand's profile the sales impact was pretty insignificant - it probably didn't help that the shirt was over two years old.

"It raises profile, it’s great, we get known in countries we’re not known in. But it’s not going to turn us into a success overnight because she wears it," Jane said. Well, we certainly weren't expecting that, were you?

Are you a copy Kate or are you so not bothered?

Either way, here's a peek at her perfect 10. What's your style verdict?

Loading Slideshow...
  • November 2010

  • April 2011

  • July 2011

  • July 2011

  • July 2011

  • August 2011

  • September 2011

  • December 2011

  • January 2012

  • February 2012

  • May 2012

  • May 2012

  • June 2012

  • September 2012

  • September 2012

  • September 2012

  • September 2012

  • September 2012

  • September 2012

  • October 2012

  • November 2012

  • November 2012

  • December 2012

Like This? Read These

  • Comments
  • 17
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
01:07 AM on 01/09/2013
Wow, get those wheels!
07:27 PM on 01/08/2013
Let me see, She's a graduate of one of Scotland's top Universities. She has the advice of several civil servants and can pick a wardrobe with no monetary limit. The choice of high street brands and recycling outfits is a clear PR decision in austere times.

Is she more savvy than we think? No she's doing exactly what is expected of her
01:55 PM on 01/08/2013
i would rather see my taxes clothing a hungary child
02:38 PM on 01/08/2013
A child from Hungary - or a hungry child with no ffod?
02:39 PM on 01/08/2013
woops = food
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mchooksis
03:15 PM on 01/08/2013
Wouldn't it be better to feed the hungry child? Or maybe chillidiver really does wamt to cloth a child in Hungary.......why? don't they have clothes in Hungary?
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
01:36 PM on 01/08/2013
why do you keep calling kate duchess kate ? she's duchess of cambridge , and you dont call william duke william do you ? and what is all the middleton and middy etc ? if memory serves me right ( i dont think i'm gaga yet ) she ceased being a middleton when she married on 29th april 2011 !
09:14 AM on 01/09/2013
I was about to mention the Middleton thing, then it occurred to me that women these days do like to retain their own identity. Many work under their maiden name and the maiden name is frequently added to the husband's surname. It could just be that the Duchess doesn't actually want to cease being a Middleton.
Not that I'm suggesting journalists are actually privvy to her thoughts on the matter - but it may be that she's happy with the continued connection.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
12:00 PM on 01/09/2013
i had'nt thought of that , your probably right then wizzybar , it's just that i have'nt heard her still use middleton herself , so i thought it might be a my daily thing and not her personaly , hence my comment , but yes , i think your right thinking about it now .
01:35 PM on 01/08/2013
Kin boring !!
01:25 PM on 01/08/2013
I don't think of her as savvy or not savvy.
12:11 PM on 01/08/2013
That's because, sadly, young women today look up to supposed role models such as Kardashian, Katie Price et al and think that to look attractive you must have your goods on display for the world. The Duchess of Cambridge dresses elegantly - how many other young women in the public eye can you label with that word?
11:38 AM on 01/08/2013
All of this is exaggerated assumption at best !

To exude style and understatement and effortless good taste , look at Charlotte Casiraghi . Beautiful.

Also , Heidi Klum can wear all sorts of clothes beautifully ,as can Natalie Portman.
10:56 AM on 01/08/2013
Her straight up and down figure, is not showing the clothing off at it's best, so no surprised folks don't want to look like that.
07:54 AM on 01/08/2013
I would rather see a classy KM than a trashy KK any day

Top Video Picks

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

X