After over eleven years filled with iconic outfits, the Duchess of Cambridge has firmly cemented herself as the style icon of the Royal Family. Of course, her stunning Alexander McQueen wedding dress which she wore back in 2011 certainly marked the arrival of a true fashionista to The Firm, but Kate's workwear has sent fans of the royals wild, too.
And now, new research has revealed Kate's most popular workwear outfits which she wears when completing royal engagements, with her white Zara blazer being the fan-favourite item in her wardrobe. The research, carried out by fashion experts Karen Millen, analysed Google Trends data to discover which of Kate Middleton's clothing has made the most impact over the last five years.
The mum-of-three appears to be a huge fan of statement blazers, often teaming them with trousers to create a classic professional look or styling them with jeans and trainers for a casual, dressed-down outfit. The Duchess' most popular blazer is from high street brand Zara, which was searched a massive 1,567% above the average after her appearance at the Euro 2020 final.
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Kate paired the blazer with a white top and bright red beaded earrings, sporting the England team’s colours, with the ‘Kate effect’ in full swing as fans rushed to snap up the affordable blazer. The Duchess' second most popular suit jacket is her coral pink Chloé blazer, which was searched 1,333% above the average for the search term ‘Kate Middleton blazer’ when Kate wore it to a Natural History Museum visit last year.
The blazer features peak lapels and a nipped-in waist to create the epitome of smart-casual. Rising 650% above average, Kate’s third most popular blazer look is her red Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini jacket which she wore on a North Wales visit in 2019, which features brass-tone buttons and darting detail on the pockets.
When it comes to her collection of suits, Kate's most popular ensemble is her purple Emilia Wickstead suit, which soared 614% above the average for the search term ‘Kate Middleton suit’ when she wore it on a visit to Northern Ireland in 2021. The piece is double-breasted, with defined shoulders and welted pockets to create a striking and professional look. Emilia Wickstead has described the suit as “softly tailored to offer a structured yet untimely feminine silhouette”, capturing the Duchess’ bold and timeless style perfectly.
Kate's light pink Alexander McQueen power suit she donned whilst hosting a roundtable with her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is her second most popular suit, rising 529% above average. Following closely behind, Kate’s third most loved suit is her white Alexander McQueen worn on her most recent tour of Jamaica, with searches rising 500% above average. To complete the business chic look, Kate paired the suit with matching Jimmy Choo pumps and a vibrant orange blouse.
Taking the top spot for Kate’s most popular workwear trousers are her Marks & Spencer Autograph bottoms in dusty pink, with searches for ‘Kate Middleton trousers’ soaring 456% above average after her appearance in Battersea Park in September 2020. The versatile slim-fit trousers are tailored and cropped at the ankle, giving them a stylish finish, and have been worn by Kate on multiple occasions, both with the matching suit jacket and without.
Kate’s second most popular workwear trousers are her Massimo Dutti camel brown buttoned culottes, with searches soaring 417% after wearing them at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. Kate’s classic navy blue wide-leg trousers from Jigsaw are the public’s third favourite of hers, with searches rising 383% after Kate visited the Ukrainian Central Centre in London in March.
Kate often opts for long flowing skirts to create a comfortable yet professional outfit. The Duchess’ most popular skirt is from Zara, which was searched a vast 1,150% above the average after first wearing it in January 2020. Kate dressed up the long-pleated leopard-print skirt with a black turtleneck and heeled boots to create a bold and stylish office outfit.
Heading to Evelina London in 2020, Kate recycled her favourite Dolce & Gabbana co-ord, which consisted of a tweed jacket and matching flared skirt. Consequently, searches for the ‘Kate Middleton skirt’ rose 662%, making it her second most popular workwear skirt. Kate’s bright red Christopher Kane skirt is the public’s third favourite of hers, with searches rising 650% after wearing it to a speech for a Forward Trust event in 2021.
Taking the top spot for Kate’s most popular workwear shoes are her nude Aldo Nicholes block heel pumps, with searches for ‘Kate Middleton shoes’ spiking 260% after Kate was first spotted wearing them at the 2019 Wimbledon final. A reliable and comfortable pair of nude heels is an office must-have, and these chic pumps are the perfect go-to heels, featuring a comfortable block heel and pointed closed toe.
Closely following behind, Kate’s second most popular workwear shoes are her navy-blue suede Rupert Sanderson heels, with searches rising 253% after her appearance on Commonwealth Day in 2018. Increasing 233% above average, the Duchess’ third most popular shoes are her black Gianvito Rossi pumps which she wore to a parental support group in February, a classic black heel that goes with absolutely every workwear look.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Karen Millen said: "While Kate Middleton's work attire is often very different from most people’s due to her working Royal title, the Duchess is an absolute inspiration for working women up and down the country.
"This research highlights that Kate relies on classic and colourful statement pieces that validate her status as a style icon. From power suits to comfortable heels, all of Kate’s iconic workwear looks are soft yet powerful, that demand the attention of every room she enters."
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