The Duchess of Cambridge – her style at 30.

Mixing up highstreet and high end, Kate dresses in the likes of Reiss, Issa, Whistles, often with LK Bennet shoes, with high end magic from Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Diane Von Furstenberg.

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Kate clearly takes time and pride in the detail of putting together her outfits and accessories. She chose a double breasted Alexander McQueen dress and shamrock brooch to present medals to the Irish guards. On Canada day she wore a red hat featuring Maple leaves as a mark of respect to her host country during the day, switching to a purple dress with the Queen’s maple lead diamond brooch for the evening.

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The reason I like Kate’s style is that she’s not afraid to get involved in an idea or a theme – I hope that for her 80’s themed 30^th birthday party organised by Pippa and Harry, she’ll be donning some crimped hair, leg warmers and luminous accessories – although I’m sure while the rest of us were growing up in the 80’s avoiding open flames in our shell suits, Kate was already mastering the chic, timeless glamour she’s demonstrating she’s nailed today.

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2012 is the year Kate turns 30 (me too, so much in common) and the start of her new official royal roles.   The Duchess briefly worked as the accessories buyer for Jigsaw and she clearly has a flair for elegant fashion and jewellery.

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Kate’s engagement ring as we all know was Diana’s.  A 19 carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Diana chose the ring herself after her engagement to Prince Charles in 1981 from Garrard Jewellers – the Royal family’s official crown jeweller.   Many highstreet stores have created replica’s, which understandably are best sellers.

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The Wedding Dress we were all waiting for - a beautiful white gown designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director for Alexander McQueen.   The wedding ring was made from rare Welsh gold by Wartski– a tradition for royal family members.   The Tiara worn on the day was from 1936 by Cartier loaned by Queen Elizabeth.  Her bespoke earrings commissioned by Kate’s parents, inspired by the new Middleton family’s crest which incorporates acorns and oak leaves, crafted by small company Robinson Pelham Jewellers echoing the design of the tiara.

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Kate is a fan of Vinnie Day for her less formal attire, often choosing the vermeil (silver which is gold plated) leaf earrings.  With Kenya being so personal to Kate and William, it is a very fitting tale that the designer behind the brand grew up in Kenya and draws inspiration from the country in her designs.

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At the Ark Gala June 2011 kate wore Rose coloured Jenny Packham with links of London effervescence bubble stiletto earrings.  Kate also wore Links of London white topaz “hope” earrings for their official engagement photo’s.

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For more formal occasions Kate is also often seen wearing Kiki  Mcdonough earrings, namely the citrine drop and diamond grace

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For The Sun’s Military awards in December 2011, Kate wore a black velvet Alexander McQueen strapless dress, accessorised with a ruby and diamond necklace and bracelet, supposedly a wedding present from a family friend.  I wonder how The Duchess’s style may grow over the coming year under the influence of step mother Camilla Parker Bowles who has taken Kate under her wing and encouraging her to dress like a future Queen – the statement jewellery worn at the Military awards citing a move to bolder accessories. 

I love to see “what Kate wore” and hope she continues strong in her own style supporting the British fashion industry from both high street to high end. 

I would love to be able to pull off such effortless glamour