Kate As a Fashion Icon - Some Thoughts

photos via Daily Mail

The Daily Mail ran an interesting article today on how "Kate Middleton is single-handedly changing the face of fashion". While the Kate Middleton effect has proven to be quite a powerful selling tool for a few high street shops, changing the face of fashion might be just a stretch. A better headline may have been "Kate Middelton inspires young women to dress more conservatively". What was more interesting than the article though, were some of the comments.

There were those in the "Kate is Elegant and Beautiful Camp":

Kate is very elegant , chic and very much at ease with the way she looks which gives her poise.More important than trying to be a fashion idol in some ridiculous uncomfortable "get up" She is a member of the Royal family and fast becoming a great asset to them .......not a model on the cat walk !!!!

This person actually refers to something called "royal clothes" (huh?):

I think her hemline, heel height, etc. are choices grounded with common sense. She needs to be comfortable so that she can stand and talk to people for the duration of an event. The hemline needs to be reasonable for sitting on a stage, walking down airplane stairs or getting out of a vehicle. Royal clothes must be hard-working, diplomatic, suitable for the occasion, photograph well, etc. etc. I think Catherine is doing very well juggling it all.

From the "Kate is Too Skinny" camp (lots of those):

Loving the clothes. Not loving the very bad example she's setting for being super skinny. She'd look better with hips, her dresses would hang better too. Someone tell her being a size 12 is healthy... even a 10 would be an improvement!

THIS interesting take on not overshadowing William (an interesting theory indeed considering his mother and father's legacy):

I think her paired down, understated look has been deliberate. If she had chosen bright, flirty 'novelty' pieces, she would have been accused of deliberately trying to steel the limelight from her husband, and comparisons with Diana would have been rife. As it is, the simple, elegant outfits she has chosen may be a little bland, but no one can accuse her of drawing deliberate attention to herself. Instead, the media have chosen to do that themselves by focusing on her wardrobe so much. But there is no way you can accuse Kate of being responsible for this - you can't get much more discrete than a high necked grey dress, and matching grey shoes!!!! I think she is trying to ensure that William stays in the spotlight with her. And dull though her choices may be, you cannot deny she looks polished, elegant and classy. Bang on fashion may be creative but it often isn't flattering, and I think she looks great for the role she is performing.

And, finally the "Kate Is No Fashion Icon" contingent:

Okay....yes she does dress neatly and conservatively but she is in no way a style icon...please! Sling back espadrilles, sheer pantyhose and twee matchy accessories (red shoes especially) and are hardly cutting edge stuff in 2011. That purple dress was very ill fitting and the sleeve and hem lengths on everything are more suited to a middle aged woman with bingo wings. It is all rather boringly understated and tasteful.

Yes, it seems everybody has an opinion.

What it comes down to is this - Kate is a conservative dresser who looks elegant because she chooses styles that flatter her frame. She is also confident in who she is and no amount of "fashion" can replace the effect that has on how she is perceived. Those of us who love the world of fashion, would be thrilled to see her make more interesting choices, or at the very least accessorize a bit more appropriately for her age. Mostly, I would love to see her at least consult with a stylist - she is a live canvas for fashion and the self-portrait just isn't as interesting as what could be painted by a professional. There is just something a bit off - almost as if her mother has had just a touch bit too much influence on her and that keeps her from being young and relevant. Her hair is a bit too long, the style a bit too tacky. Her lack of imagination in accessorizing seems lazy. Is that the right word? Maybe, not. For those of you who might be thinking - the Duchess of Cambridge cannot dress like Paris Hilton - I totally agree. Paris Hilton is not fashionable either - nor are most of the heiresses and actresses who are regularly over-exposed in the media. I'm thinking more along the lines of Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy. Or, her famous mother-in-law, Jackie Kennedy. These were both women who understood how to be conservative and incredibly fashionable. Kate is so close, but just not quite there. But, as my husband loves to say, "It is what it is". And what it is IS an ever evolving story that has only just begun. Stay tuned and please weigh in below. What do you think of Kate as a fashion icon?