Styling Kate Middleton: Drinks in a Swanky Bar, London

As promised, here is my second post on styling Kate.

For anyone who didn't read my post yesterday, I've decided to pretend to be Kate's stylist over this bank holiday weekend. I have an unlimited budget, and pretty much any thing goes. Please see yesterday's post for a more detailed description and to check out my post on styling Kate for a red carpet event/awards ceremony.

Today, I have decided to style Kate for a night out in a swanky London bar. I have also decided to do one for Pippa. Although they both share a similar style, when it comes to clothing, Pippa has a more French-feel about her style and she is a little more playful. But, you want be surprised to learn I have put one of the items as the same thing!


Look 1

Kate

Kate Middleton Style, inspired by Issa

Outfit:



I love this dress. It's fun, sexy, classy and definitely not trashy. The hem-line is perfect.  It's quite similar to the sequined black dress Kate is wearing in the picture, but it's a brighter and in a more youthful colour. I've kept the outfit modern by teaming with metallic accessories, but I have thought about Kate's wardrobe. The shoes aren't too dissimilar to the LK Bennett nude shoes, but they are more fun and add a touch of modern for a night out. The bag is glitzy, again similar to ones Kate has worn before, especially by Anya Hindmarch, but it can be worn as a handbag or a clutch.


Wear with:

Hair: Down, loose and tussled.
Make-up: Black eye-liner, bronze blusher, a natural-looking tan, and nude lips
Nails: French manicure
Jewellery: A fancy watch or silver bangle


Reasons:

Before becoming a member of the royal family, Kate was often seen in Boujis wearing some really fun outfits. I'm sure in her student days, she wore a few glitzy outfits for nights out, too. Also, for charity Kate has been known to wear some very funky sequined hot pants!!

Where to buy:

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg £1,130 netapoter.com
Bag: Jimmy Choo £495 netapoter.com
Shoes: Jimmy Choo £395 netaporter.com

Look 2

Pippa

Pippa Middleton Style inspired by Issa

Outfit:

I love Oscar De La Renta, they are one of my favourite designers, but it's a mega expensive brand. When I saw this dress, I instantly thought of Pippa, which is why I decided to include her in this post. It's perfect for Pippa: fun, frilly, waist-detailing, good length. The bag and shoes are modern, fun and playful, and they turn the outfit from evening wear to 'drinks in a swanky bar' wear.

Wear with:

Hair: down in loose tussles
Make-up: Black eye-liner, bronze blusher, a subtle brown lipstick, a natural-bronzed tan
Nails: Black nail polish
Jewellery: none, the bag is the main accessory


Reasons:

Pippa is fun and flirty, and this outfit definitely has these elements. It's got that je ne sais quoi that normally only the French can get away with. The lip handbag proves some youthfulness to quite a class frock, and it makes the whole outfit age-perfect for Pippa. I picked the same shoes as the ones I picked out for Kate's outfit - very much for the same reasons. This outfit has something very Sarah Jessica Parker about it, but I think on Pippa she can definitely get away with it and turn it into something very unique.

Where to buy:

Dress: Oscar De La Renta £2,950 netapoter.com
Bag: Charlotte Olympia £345 netaporter.com
Shoes: Jimmy Choo £395 netaporter.com

Which outfit do you prefer? Who is most likely to wear the outfit? Don't forget to let me know your reactions!!!

Styling Kate Middleton: Red Carpet Event/Awards Ceremony

Hi Style Stealers!

It's the bank holiday, so I thought I would take time out to do a few new blog posts. I've had a think about what I would like to post about over this weekend, and I've decided to do something a bit different and fun (hopefully for you, the readers, too). There will not be any styles to steal today (unless you have an unlimited budget). However, there will be ideas for you to think about applying to your own wardrobe.

So, what's this new idea I hear you shout!! Well, I have decided to pretend to be Kate's stylist, who has been tasked with dressing Kate for various functions. This could have been a very easy task - looking at Kate's favourite designers, including Issa, Temperley, McQueen, picking something royal appropriate,  being frugal, and then just picking a dress by them. But I thought I would have a little more fun with these few posts. There is an unlimited budget, somethings are not typically Kate and some designers are not British. I wanted to take Kate a little way out from her comfort zone and imagine she isn't restricted by her royal status as much.

Today, I will be dressing Kate for a red carpet event or an awards ceremony.

Look 1

Kate Middleton Style

Outfit: 
The moment I saw this dress, I fell in love with it. The back - it's main feature, in my opinion - is simply exquisite and the bow detail at the front is the perfect finishing touch. It exudes glamour.
The clutch is delicate enough not to distract from the dress, but works as a very eye-catching accessory - the ultimate evening combination. The shoes won't really be visible under the floor-sweeping dress, but will tease through with every step, offering just enough detail to perfectly coordinate with the rest of the outfit.

Wear with:
Hair: tied up
Make-up: Black eyeliner essential, pink blush, bronzer for a glow, and nude lips
Nails: french manicure and pedicure
Jewellery: simple stud earring

Reasons:
The reason why I think Kate would look amazing in this dress is because of the bow detail. It sits right on the waistline, which would enhance and elongate Kate's slim figure, while creating curves. Plus, we all know Kate loves waist detailing. The dress is also reminiscent of the Alexander McQueen dress Kate wore to the Military Awards, so surely it would be a winner.

Where to buy:
Dress: Burberry Prorsum £2,195 netaporter.com
Clutch: Stella McCartney £1,335 netaporter.com
Shoes: Diane von Fustenburg £199.56 saksfifthavenue.com

Kate Middleton at the Military Awards dress in McQueen.

Look 2

Kate Middleton Style

Outfit:
I love the colour of this dress, and that's mainly why I chose it. The design is siren worthy, the silhouette reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, mostly due to the tail of the dress,  and the crimson colour radiates all around. Like the Burberry dress, there will only be hints of the shoe, so a simple strappy silver sandal will suffice. This also keeps eyes firmly on the dress. Tuck the strap into the bag, to create a clutch, to add a modern touch to an otherwise vintage inspired dress.

Wear with:

Hair: a loose bun
Make-up: very light and natural because the dress is very dramatic (for Hollywood stars, red lipstick is a must)
Nails: French manicure and pedicure
Jewellery: none because of the silver accessories

Reasons:
Again, this dress is reminiscent of the McQueen design, but this time because of the strapless design, so I think Kate would like it. I also think the colour red really suits Kate's skin tone and hair colour, and this is the perfect shade for her. This dress is also cinched in at the waist.

Wear to buy:

Dress: Zac Posen £4,395 netaporter.com
Clutch: Jimmy Choo £495 netaporter.com
Shoes: Jimmy Choo £350 netaporter.com

Please let me know what you think of these designs. Do you think Kate would approve, or have I had too much fun creating these looks? What kind of style would you like to see Kate wear on the red carpet? What has been your favourite look? 

Don't forget to vote stole it, steal want, steal fail on the 'reactions' bar below!

Tomorrow: Evening drinks with Pippa Middleton

Kate Middleton's Style Gets Olympic Gold

Wow! We have been seeing a lot of Kate recently! London is buzzing, Great Britain has gone wild with excitement and Kate has been right at the heart of it all, experiencing the Olympic highs and lows. I have to say, despite not being a big sports enthusiast, I've become completely wrapped up in nearly every single event. While I know the Olympics isn't really about fashion, it doesn't mean it has to ignored completely.

As fashion editor Melanie Rickey pointed out, Lizzie Armistead's pearl earrings, which she wore to complete the 140km cycling road race, caused quite a stir, and Sanya Azealia went one better with interlocked Cs of Chanel for her ear adornment. Not only that, but Melanie pointed out that Sanya's most impressive fashion statement was her Banks-esque mermaid hair she wore very long and loose.I couldn't agree more.

All this leads me nicely on to Kate. I love how she has embraced Olympic fashion. For starters, there has been all the official Olympic gear, including red Adidas trainers!, and secondly there has been those pretty dresses, including the Stella McCartney dress worn for it's second outing, but lastly, it's all been very patriotic: red, white and blue.

Personally, I love Kate's casual style. In fact, I would go as far as saying it's probably when I think Kate looks her prettiest; it's just so natural. In particular, I love her casual look worn with her hair up. Don't get me wrong, her hair is to die for, but when she wears it up you can actually see her face properly; it just suits her.

My fav looks have been the stripey top, spotty top and white polo shirt with hair tied back.

A few of Kate's outfits have been accessible for us mere mortals, including the Zara blazer, but here are a few more inspirations for you in case you want some alternatives.

Glamorous top from HOF £12.50

LK Bennett Mac wedges £55

Mango red jacket £54.99

Twiggy jeggins from Marks and Spencer £25

Gap stiped crewneck top £24.95

Whistles Edie spotty top £55

Enjoy the rest of the Olympics, wherever you may be.
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