Kate Middleton, Seeing Double, and that Issa Dress in RED!

The first waxwork model of the Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled at Madame Tussauds, London, this week. Kate made her debut alongside an updated model of her husband Prince William.

The couple are shown on the day in November 2010 when they publicly announced their engagement, posing outside St James’s Palace.

Kate is wearing a blue Issa dress, while William is in a navy Gieves and Hawkes suit, with a replica Omega Seamaster watch on his wrist.

It was the day the nation went crazy for Kate, and it was a day the fashion world got caught up in a Kate frenzy. The blue Issa dress that Kate wore sparked a massive global interest and the dress soon sold out. Not only did Kate sell out the dress, it spawned replicas all over the world. 

Well, I'm pleased to tell you that the blue Issa dress has been revamped, reinvented and is available in poppy-red!!!! I love it. As I always say, don't be a Kate clone but replicate with your own touch, and what better way than getting the dress in a fiery shade of red for this spring/summer.

The Royal Engagement silk-jersey dress is available on netaporter.com for a whopping £530. If you have the money it really is an investment piece. (I know I say this a lot, but Kate and Pippa Middleton both buy investment clothing that can be worn again and again, year on year.) The site recommends you wear the ever-classic silk-jersey dress at the office with a tailored jacket and simple black pumps, switching to colour-pop sandals for dinner out with friends. 


While I agree the dress could probably be dressed down for office, I think it's such a beautiful item of clothing it's better saved for dinner dates, evenings out and for occasion wear. I'd recommend teaming the dress with wedge sandals instead of colour-pop sandals, as this is much more Middleton-esq. 

LK Bennett Rose Black Wedge

LK Bennett's Rose Black peep-toe cork wedge sandals are the perfect match. They cost £165, but again they are worth the investment. Buy them in black to compliment the red dress. They are also available in pink and navy (a perfect match for the blue dress if you are lucky enough to own it, or a replica). Marks and Spencer also have a wonderful pair of espadrille wedges, and they are much cheaper than the LK Bennett pair. They also have Insolia, which I couldn't recommend more - all you need to know is that it makes the shoes super comfy to wear! 

Marks and Spencer Espadrille Sandal

Both pairs of shoes would look fantastic with nearly all those Middleton-esq pieces in your wardrobe because they are classic, versatile and timeless. If you don't like wedges, you could get a basic pair of black court shoes, which would be equally nice and compliment the outfit.

Complete your outfit with a staple Kate bag - the clutch. This Anya Hindmarch Valorie Cluch is to die for. It cost £350 but is worth every penny. I love the glitter, which would add sparkle to the outfit (especially if you don't have a blue sapphire sparkler on your finger, like Kate!)

The alternative is LK Bennett's Avon Black clutch (£165). I love the clasp detailing and the fact it comes with a thin metal strap if you get tired of holding it all night. 

There are loads of wedge sandals and clutches out there - both expensive and cheap. I picked out my favourites, which just happen to be quite costly, but if you search around you can find similar on the high street for less and still look fabulous like Kate. 

Rate the outfit below and feel free to comment on the look - I'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks! 

Sara