For anyone harbouring doubts as to the Duchess of Cambridge’s sartorial know-how, let yesterday’s double whammy of sublime green ensembles firmly put the notion that Kate is anything but a seriously snappy dresser to rest.
The duchess kicked off the first day of a three-day visit to Ireland yesterday wearing a bright green floral high-neck dress from cool-girl label Alessandra Rich.
A favourite among influencers and the street style set, Rich’s designs are bold and quirky, and certainly not for the sartorially faint of heart.
Rather than dress it down, Kate amped up the impact of the pleated-front, puff-sleeved dress with a matching bright green clutch, a tonal green Catherine Walker coat and a black velvet Zara headband.
Changing for an evening visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Kate opted for her second fashion-forward look of the day, in a shimmering metallic chiffon dress from British independent label Vampire’s Wife.
Sticking to her shamrock-hued theme, the green 'Falconetti' dress (£1595 pre-order online here) looked gorgeous paired with a pair of green velvet Manolo Blahnik heels (£525, shop them here) gold statement earrings and a gold clutch by British brand Wilbur & Gussie (which can be bought here for £245.)
The dress was remarkably similar to one worn by Princess Beatrice back in October, and featured a high neck and fitted bodice, fluted sleeve and three quarter-length ruffled hem.
Vampire’s Wife is a British label founded by ex-model Susie Cave - wife of “Prince of Darkness” musician Nick Cave - in 2014. Equal parts kooky and cool, Cave’s gowns – all high necked, most long-sleeved and invariably ankle grazing – manage to be dramatic but demure (think Addams Family meets Little House on the Prairie), and have quickly become favourites among celebrities such as Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Florence Welch and Daisy Lowe.
As brand choices go, it’s a far cry from Kate’s safe and steady days of DVF wrap dresses and L.K. Bennett wedges.
The Duchess of Cambridge has honed her high fashion confidence, and perfect look after perfect look, is proving she's a total natural.
