Dress like Kate, without breaking the bank!
Kate Middleton has been taking the fashion world by storm - becoming an instant style icon since her engagement to Prince William was announced.
It seems as if she creates a fashion frenzy every time she steps out in public, with women flocking to stores, seeking outfits she's seen in.
She happens to have been spotted in many reasonably-priced stores - but if you want to dress like she does and are still concerned about the cost, you don't have to be.
It doesn't take the crown jewels to dress like a royal, as stylist Lisa Cannon, host of the popular Irish entertainment show "Xpose"proved on "The Early Show" Monday, showing how to copy Kate's best-known looks, for less.
Style your hair like Kate does!
Complete Coverage: The Royal Wedding
Kate's clothing is popular, Cannon says, because any woman can wear them and look good in them, pointing out that. Kate chooses classic, elegant looks, which mean women 18 - 80 years old can wear the same thing and look equally as smart.
Look #1: Kate in her blue engagement dress
Kate wore a $625 sapphire silk jersey dress by Issa to her engagement announcement on Nov. 16. Naomi Campbell and Madonna have both been seen in Issa pieces, but Kate has become their most famous client and sort of an unofficial ambassador of the brand. The deep blue hue of the Issa dress perfectly matched the sapphire stone of her ring, and the wrap detail showed off her slender waist. The dress, which was both sexy and demure, was a perfect choice for the bride-to-be.
Lisa's budget version includes a wrap dress for $146. Jewelers have wasted no time offering copies of Diana's heirloom sapphire and diamond stunner.
BUDGET LOOK:
Pepita Dress Navy with draped waist detail $146 from www.ingenuelondon.com
Royal Heirlooom necklace $40 availalbe from www.sterlingtoncollection.com
Royal heirloom ring by TeleBrands $19 available from www.RoyalRing.com
Look #2: Kate's outfit for lunch with Camilla
To have lunch Feb. 9 with her future step mother-in-law, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate wore a 2009 Diane Von Furstenberg dress (which averages $850), khaki-colored short jacket, black knee-high boots and black tights. And Kate was spotted in nearly the same outfit (no heavy boots or tights) this Saturday on her way to a hair appointment at the Richard Ward Salon. It's rumored that Kate spent more than five hours in the styling chair!
BUDGET LOOK:
Short fitted faux leather camel color jacket $107 from Miss Selfridge available from www.missselfridge.com Black and white print dress $58 from M&S available from www.marksandspencer.com
Black leather square shaped clutch bag $44 from Oasis available from www.oasis-stores.com
Royal heirloom ring by TeleBrands $19 available from www.RoyalRing.com
Steve Madden Ashleey Boots, $160 available from piperlime.com
Look #3: Kate wearing ruffled trench and fascinator (from a different outfit)
Kate wore a $1,000 ruffled Burberry trench coat in Belfast on March 8. Lisa paired the trench with a fascinator (the smaller head piece). Kate wore a similar fascinator at a different event -- a lifeboat launch in Angelsey, Wales.
BUDGET LOOK:
Cream trench style coat $141 from Miss Selfridge available from www.misselfridge.com
Ronnie Ryan Fascinator $70 available from www.ronnieryan.com (Ronnie Ryan created this exact replica for our show - was just finished this morning. this fascinator will be available soon)
Black round shape clutch bag $36 from Oasis available from www.oasis-stores.com
Replica blue sapphire as the engagement ring ($34) from Marks & Spencer available from http://www.marksandspencer.com
Look #4 - Kate wearing red skirt suit
Kate wore a red Luisa Spagnoli suit, which costs about $800, with a black belt and matching black gloves to an event celebrating the 600th anniversary of the University of St. Andrews, where Kate and William met and fell in love. The label, Luisa Spagnoli, is known for classy daywear and fashionable and knits. The color red is perfect for her pale skin and shinny brunette locks.
BUDGET LOOK:
Suit Studio's Red Skirt Suit Two Piece Set - $99 available from macys.com Black plain round neck top $10 from Marks & Spencer available from www.marksandspencer.com
Black slimline belt $9.75 from Marks & Spencer available from www.marksandspencer.com
Black clutch bag $36 from Oasis available from stores.com www.asos.com
Black PVC daytime shoes $28.60 from Marks & Spencer available from www.marksandspencer.com
Look #5 - Kate wearing pink evening gown
Kate wore a $1,100 pink Issa dress to Boodles Boxing Ball in June of 2008. The amateur boxing fundraiser was for Starlight Children's Foundation, and a close friend of William's was boxing.
BUDGET LOOK:
Coral Chiffon Nicole Miller Gown coral, chiffon halter gow coral, chiffon halter gown retails for $440, but Lisa got it from Renttherunway.com for only $100. After joining the site (which is free), you can search for dresses (even selecting a free backup size) and accessories and schedule a delivery date. You can keep the dresses and accessories for 4 or 8 days and mail back the items (in pre-paid packages), and the site will take care of the dry cleaning!
Replica Royal Proposal Ring by Stauer $99 available from www.stauer.com