One of Kate’s more famous looks is her chic classic country style. We were so excited to read about how WWKD reader May Sanders, an American Kate fan, is inspired by Kate’s country look when she gets to escape to her family’s country home. Without further ado, here is how Kate’s country style inspires May’s look.
When I get a chance to visit my family’s country home, in the southeastern United States, I am reminded of Kate’s home in Amner Hall, her country home set amidst many acres in Norfolk. As I head to our family home, my lifestyle slows down, changes, transforms, becomes, well, natural. This drastic transformation of my life reminds me of Kate; How her fast paced life in London complete with engagements and paparazzi, disappears as she sets foot on her property in Norfolk, her escape to a true home that is natural, unspoiled, and liberated.
It is in Norfolk where we see Kate’s innate fashion (not what people want her to wear ) while residing in this world, unharnessed from societal pressures, stylists, itineraries and appearances. It is what I call Kate’s classic and chic country style, wardrobe that looks flattering on any size or shape, is relatable, appealing, feminine, comfortable, and casual. As I set foot onto my natural retreat (with two young kids in tow like Catherine), I use Kate’s easygoing classic style to guide my countryside fashion choices.
I imagine Kate’s solo outings to Norfolk towns for shopping for antiques or the local butcher or veggie shop, where, when the day is cold, she would don her LK Bennett suede and fur jacket (we have seen Kate wear this coat during Christmas time watching William play polo and shopping around London as well), black slim jeans and her Iris and Ink Grace gray sweater. I spotted a jacket on sale at Orvis.com that is similar to Kate’s LK Bennett suede jacket – dark suede exterior and faux fur lining collar…perfect for my cooler days shopping around the local shops like Kate!
I pair it with my cowl -neck sweater like Kate’s and black boots for a day out on the town. A warmer day shopping when the sun peeks through the clouds? Kate would don her trusty J Brand jeans or Zara figure hugging green pants and add a cream or plain silk top from Zara or Temperley, tucked in with a brown belt. Kate’s easy jewelry tops off the outfit, such as her C dangle bracelet, gold pendant necklace, or her citrine Kiki McDonough drop earrings that add a touch of classic elegance. Flat, tall boots or Sebagos are comfortable for Kate when making quick runs to the market. Borrowing a play from Kate’s country fashion book, I also choose JBrand jeans in ink, a cream or tan silk shirt top from Ann Taylor Loft (my go-to shop for casual, feminine, and classic), and a brown leather belt from Orvis with faux crystal drop earrings. I throw on my Sebago’s brown loafers as well, or Sole Society tall flat boots for comfort and ease while toting shopping bags or fruit and veggies.
Kate has many friends with young children in neighboring towns near Amner (her royal circle friends are dubbed the “Turnip Toffs” due to their wealth and land ownership). One couple is Lucy and Charlie Savory, who have 2 children also, who live in North Norfolk in Great Snoring. For these royal circle playdates in the country, Catherine must go for classic, comfort, versatility, and the ability to get dirty with her two young kids! Her tight khaki jeans by Zara, a Breton striped shirt from ME+EM or a Petit Bateau and her Sebagos.
If chilly, Kate would don a gingham Gap shirt paired with a navy cotton sweater, or her red Really Wild Clothing red cotton sweater, and even trendy white sneakers by Supergas or Plimsolls. When I have our own playdates with college friends at the neighborhood park, I take a play from Kate’s fashion playbook and wear my Breton shirt from Talbots and my taupe Supergas to hide dirt from our outdoor adventures. In case of spills or mud, jeans by Old Navy are the key. I choose the Rock Star brand because it has a little stretch, easy to wash and still quite trendy with zippered ankles. Kate often grabs a quilted Barbour jacket on cold days that she often wears when taking the kids to Snettisham Park, and I borrow my husband’s Barbour or throw on a cheaper version of the coat, the JCrew waxed field jacket. Of course, like Kate, I wear my Le Chemeau leather lined boots for muddy and cold days (my husband splurged and gave them to me as a Christmas gift one year!), just like Kate wears visiting William at polo matches or taking the kids out on adventures during play dates.
When day turns into night and Kate excitedly gets a night off from the children with William (parents know that feeling of a tiny bit of freedom!), she would stop by local pubs or have private dinner at a friend’s house like William and Rosie Van Cutsem who live in nearby Swaffham on a 4,000 acre estate, or Sophie Carter, Kate’s best friend since Marlborough College, who is Kate’s tennis buddy and whose parents live in the Norfolk country.
Kate would wear her Sentaler Signature Ribbed Sleeve Wrap coat in Gull, J Brand jeans, Russell and Bromley black suede boots, and fun Monica Vinader green drop earrings. In my small American country town, a night off from my two kids, we hit the local brewery or dinner dates with neighboring friends and my outfit is inspired by Kate that night- wrap sweater, boots, sparkly drop earrings, and tight jeans!
As I enter serenity of the countryside, I leave behind the stress of work, just like Kate feels when she retreats to her Amner home, distant from her work commitments and prying eyes of London. Kate’s country and mine, where classic and comfort fashion reign.
We loved featuring how Kate inspires May’s classic country style with today’s post and hope you enjoyed it.
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Very inspiring and spot-on! I will try these ideas for my fashion choices on the farm or play dates. Thanks for the tips!