Shop like the Duchess: Where would Kate bargain hunt?
I recently read the book I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style (Harper Collins, 2009) by Amanda Brooks and was so inspired! And not just to head to my usual shopping spots. She wrote a lot about mixing pieces and sources to create a style all your own-and owning it!
It's a great read for anyone into fashion. And as an avid fan of thrift, vintage, and resale shopping, I got the bug to get out there and hunt for more gems.
This got me thinking...there are so many places to find great style, and not just high-end designer stores, which we all know Kate is a fan of. They are definitely not the only places for great finds. Plus, most of us don't have the budget Kate does (if only!) so it's always great to have new places to search for repliKates and Kate-inspired style. With that in mind, would Kate...
1. Thrift shop?
Well, I'm not expecting to see the Duchess of Cambridge at a local Goodwill anytime soon. But places like Goodwill and other thrift stores can be great places to find repliKates and other great pieces for your home and wardrobe. Depending on the neighborhood and the inventory, if you look closely and have some luck, you might just find a great, discarded high-end piece. The best part about thrift shopping is that sometimes the store doesn't know what they have, which means you get an amazing bargain (my $5 Goodwill Frye boots are proof!).
2. Resale shop?
I definitely think Kate would resale shop! In fact, it's been reported that a gray Jesire dress (a label that is now defunct) that Kate wore was picked up by an assistant for her at a store called The Stock Exchange, a resale shop in Berkshire near the Middleton's home. Kate loves a good bargain on a great piece, and this shows she can also think outside the box in terms of where to find hidden designer gems. And, from high-end to bargain brands, that is exactly the thing to look for at resale and consignment stores.
3. Vintage shop?
Kate hangs onto new items for a while and rewears older purchases, but we haven't spied her vintage shopping yet. Celebrities will pull out a great vintage designer dress for special occasions like the Academy Awards and I think Kate would look great doing the same. Vintage stores are another great place to find really unique classic styles and sometimes even a designer piece, too. I hope to see Kate wearing vintage in the future!
4. Discount designer shop?
This one is easy-absolutely! Kate is a regular at an outlet mall in Oxfordshire and was seen discount shopping for Prince George this past summer. And the beautiful, blue M Missoni dress sported below? Bought from a Missoni outlet store. Even a Duchess knows there's nothing better than a great deal. You can steal her secrets, too. Outlets and discount retailers like Nordstrom Rack, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls are great spots to buy high-end discount items, cheaper basics, and trendy items you don't want to invest a lot in.
And don't forget that you can always mix and match! Vintage, thrift, designer, and bargain finds can all work together in the same outfit if you love the pieces and know how to mix them. If Kate shops resale and discount stores, so can (and should) you! Happy shopping!
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