Princess Kate has long been celebrated for her incredible fashion sense, seamlessly blending classic elegance with contemporary trends and favouring both high-end designers and high-street fashion. Among the designers she frequently turns to, Emilia Wickstead stands out as a favourite, and she is often spotted wearing her designs at royal engagements and events.
Wickstead’s designs are known for their modern silhouettes and vibrant colours and align perfectly with the Princess’s refined aesthetic. I jumped at the chance to visit a sample sale in central London by the designer, to browse her collections and see if the clothes, shoes and accessories were affordable for those wishing to emulate Princess Kate’s fashion. Held in Mayfair, I visited a showroom to try on some designs and see if I could spot any styles the future Queen has been seen wearing on royal engagements from her iconic bright blazers to simple A-line dresses.
Princess Kate has often been seen at royal events wearing a simple knee-length custom-made dress by Emilia Wickstead with a slim-fitting bodice, and bracelet-length sleeves. The Princess has been seen wearing this design in multiple colours, including lavender, green, and royal blue. The lavender dress was once seen on the royal during her trip to Germany in 2017.
A similar design has been spotted on Kate in 2022 during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration. Kate stunned at the occasion, wearing the pastel yellow Emilia Wickstead coatdress featuring a crossover front.
I was on the lookout for similar dresses as I entered the showroom to marvel at the clothes available to purchase. Although I could not see the exact replicas, there were many knee-length pretty pastel dresses available for sale starting from a price range of £150.
As well as stunning in occasion dresses, Princess Kate sometimes opts for a tailored look, with fitted trousers and blouses, and I was surprised at how affordable I found these items at the sample sale. Smart tailored trousers suitable for work, started at a price point of £80, whereas chiffon long-sleeved blouses were priced at £75. This would mean you could purchase a full outfit for roughly £155.
The designer is also known for her bold prints, and I spotted the Kora floral-print faille maxi dress which is cream with large dark flowers for £150, down from the original price of £1,750 – an absolute bargain.
Emilia Wickstead, as a designer, is known for her perfect tailoring. Her dresses and coat dresses often feature cinched waists, A-line or pencil skirts, and structured shoulders, which create a polished and feminine look.
I have noticed her pieces have a minimalist approach rather than containing excessive embellishments, and she uses romantic elements such as pleats, draping, or delicate fabrics like crepe, wool, and silk.
The sale also contained plenty of footwear, but mostly had sizes left for petite feet (a dainty 3-4 UK size). Options ranged from black and white slingbacks to black flats with embellishments.
In my opinion, the brand represents understated luxury – perfect for women who want to look effortlessly elegant without being overly flashy. Her designs strike the right balance between tradition and modernity, making them ideal for both royalty and working women who need polished outfits for important events, or to just feel good.