*The Duchess of Cambridge in a Range of Her Tour Outfits [Getty]
Now the Cambridge family is well on their way back to Blighty’s shores, we can take stock on the truly important matter at hand: namely how well did Kate Middleton work her New Zealand and Australia Tour Wardrobe? As every little detail, accessory and accoutrement was bound to be picked over by the world’s press, the pressure was always on to wow the crowds.
Before the tour commenced there was much talk of the Queen exerting her influence on the DoC’s fashion choices with demands for longer hemlines and a more regal attitude mooted. Indeed the evidence does suggest that K-Middy may have taken this advice on board as many of her ensembles – especially the Catherine Walker outfits – were traditional in every sense. However, that doesn’t mean that K-Middy wasn’t true to her own style signatures. From her high street choices (LK Bennett and Hobbs) to her wedges (in and out of the sand) to her penchant for recycling (that Rebecca Taylor suit and the Roksanda frock), Kate has played her tour wardrobe by her own rules.
For the full Grazia run down on the Duchess’ tour wardrobe scroll down to read out Senior Fashion News & Features Editor, Katherine Ormerod’s Fashion Jury verdict…..
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Catherine Walker for the arrival in NZ
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Catherine Walker
As Kate emerged down under wearing a stiff, buttoned up coat in pillar box red, the critics were sharp. Some said she looked like an air stewardess (the jet backdrop certainly didn’t help) while others commented that the look was aging for a woman in her early thirties. Both lines of argument are not entirely untrue – but you have to remember the context. This was the moment that the British monarchy landed in the Commonwealth country and it was important that the regal tone was set. The combination of all those buttons and the brooch was however ill-advised.
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Zimmerman dress for a trip to the beach
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Zimmerman
When Kate lets things go a little looser she looks more accessible, beautiful and young. This pretty broderie anglaise frock by Zimmerman also had the benefit of hailing from Aussie shores – Kate wore surprisingly little from Australian designers, taking the opportunity instead to promote Brit based talent from Rokanda Illincic to Erdem. The Stuart Weitzman espadrille wedges rose eyebrows in the sand, but every girl needs a good leg lengthener in the sunshine.*
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A printed DvF wrap dress for the Blue Mountains
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Diane Von Furstenberg
This ‘Patrice’ classic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress reported sold out a mere 8 minutes after Kate stepped out wearing it – the Kate effect in action. Again there’s nothing revolutionary about her look, but it's appropriate and timeless, no wonder Middy is such a fan. The navy wedges were another safe choice, it would have been more interesting if she had mixed it up a bit more with a harder shoe option.
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Roksanda Illincic dress for arrival in Sydney
The Duchess of Cambridge Wearing Roksanda Illincic
Kate has gone for a plethora of strong pigments during the tour – in a way that very much evokes the Queen’s tendency to wear head to toe strong colour. This sunshine yellow number by Roksanda Illincic, complete with white colour block inserts is a great combination of regal and London-style chic. The square neckline would have suited a necklace with a shorter chain – something which sat on the collarbone.
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An Alexander McQueen coat for church
The Duchess of Cambridge Wearing Alexander McQueen
This beautiful grey-blue hue is an ultra chic choice for the Duchess. Here we can certainly see the new regal rules in action - the longer hemline and austere cut empahsises Kate's svelte figure and the hat tones in well. Where Kate could really make some more style noise is with her accessories. When you go this plain with your wardrobe, you need the accoutrements to do the talking.
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LK Bennett's floral dress for Easter day
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing LK Bennett
'Cut Price Kate' has earned a reputation for making high street work at even the most formal of occasions. This pretty floral fitted dress from LK Bennett certainly doesn't look out of place in her tour wardrobe. Indeed you could never say that Kate doesn't have a signature look. It would have been great to see her experiment with seperates - skirts and blouses a la Michelle Obama or even - shock horror - some trousers. While her silhouette is immediately distinguishable, every look does somewhat blend into each other.
See ALL of Kate's looks in the gallery below and let us know which gets your vote...
Kate Middleton Style - Best Dresses & Outfits
1 Kate Middleton style green coat
2 Kate Middleton style wimbledon 2014 dress
Kate Middleton at the mens singles final of the Wimbledon Championships - July 6, 2014
3 Kate Middleton style pink dress
Kate Middleton visits an M-PACT Plus Counselling programme - July 1, 2014
4 Kate Middleton style anzac day coat
Kate Middleton at the ANZAC Day commemorative service - April 25, 2014
5 Kate Middleton style d day blue coat
Kate Middleton at a service during the D-Day 70 Commemorations - June 6, 2014
5 Kate Middleton style military outfit
Kate Middleton during an official visit to Bletchley Park - June 18, 2014
6 Kate Middleton style prince george jeans
Kate Middleton and Prince George of Cambridge at the Royal Charity Polo - June 15, 2014
7 Kate Middleton style white black dress
Kate Middleton at the Ben Ainslie Racing America's Cup Launch Event - June 10, 2014
8 Kate Middleton style jonathan saunders
The Duchess of Cambridge wearing Jonathan Saunders in Scotland - 29th May 2014
9 Kate Middleton style hobbs
The Duchess of Cambridge in Hobbs at Ayers Rock - 22 April 2014
10 Kate Middleton style lela rose dress
The Duchess of Cambridge in Lela Rose in Canberra - 24 April 2014
11 Kate Middleton style pink dress alexander mcqueen
The Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen at Adelaide - 23 April 2014
12 Kate Middleton style green dress
The Duchess of Cambridge in Catherine Walker in Canberra - 24 April 2014
13 Kate Middleton style yellow dress sydney
The Duchess of Cambridge at Taronga Zoo in Sydney - 20 April 2014
14 Kate Middleton style grey dress
The Duchess of Cambridge in Roksanda Ilincic in Uluru - 22 April 2014
17 Kate Middleton style white dress manley beach
The Duchess of Cambridge in Zimmerman at Manley Beach - 20 April 2014
15 Kate Middleton style alexander mcqueen
The Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen at Easter service, Ausralia - 20 April 2014
16 Kate Middleton style white blue dress l k bennett
The Duchess of Cambridge in L.K. Bennett at Amberley Air Base - 19 April 2014
18 Kate Middleton style red outfit
The Duchess of Cambridge in Christchurch, New Zealand - 14 April 2014
19 Kate Middleton style yellow dress roksanda ilincic
The Duchess of Cambridge in Roksanda Ilincic arriving in Sydney, Australia - 16 April 2014
20 Kate Middleton style prince george rebecca taylor
The Duchess of Cambridge in Rebecca Taylor leaving New Zealand - 16 April 2014
21 Kate Middleton style diane von furstenberg
The Duchess of Cambridge in Diane Von Furstenberg in Blue Mountains, Australia - 17 April 2014
22 Kate Middleton style zara new zealand
The Duchess of Cambridge in Zara wine tasting in New Zealand - 13 April 2014
23 Kate Middleton style jonathan saunders
The Duchess of Cambridge in Jonathan Saunders at rugby in Dunedin, New Zealand - 13 April 2014
24 Kate Middleton style erdem green coat
The Duchess of Cambridge in Erdem at Avanti Drome in Hamilton, New Zealand - 12 April 2014
25 Kate Middleton style emilia wickstead blue dress
The Duchess of Cambridge in Emilia Wickstead at Dunedin - 13 April 2014
26 Kate Middleton style zara
The Duchess of Cambridge in Zara and J Brand at Auckland harbour, New Zealand - 11 April 2014
27 Kate Middleton style jenny packham new zealand
The Duchess of Cambridge in Jenny Packham at State Dinner, New Zealand - 10 April 2014
27 Kate Middleton style prince george tory burch
The Duchess of Cambridge in Tory Burch in Wellington, New Zealand - 9 April 2014