Ah, Kate Middleton. Queen of high-low dressing, master of a structured Reiss number and the only woman we know that can pull off wedges all year round.
Kate has become a national style icon, starring on the cover of British Vogue, having an Aspinal tote named after her and sending high street sales soaring every time we get so much as a glimpse of her in an affordable ensemble. Even during lockdown, when most of us have been living in loungewear, the royal has pulled out some seriously impressive sartorial looks.
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Now that lockdown is gradually being lifted, Kate has been making some IRL appearances, with an epic wardrobe to match. Whether she’s donning a £1,635 Emilia Wickstead dress, a purse-friendly pair of Zara jeans or £1.50 Accessorize filigree short drop earrings, Kate has given us a whole roster of new ensembles to marvel at since she met Prince William back in 2001.
However, before she had a smorgasbord of stylists and designers on speed-dial, Kate was the proud owner of a much more pared back wardrobe, plumping for simple white tees, flared jeans and the odd patterned dress.
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And while we’d love to emulate the Duchess’s high-end designer looks daily under regular circumstances, we are actually more likely to be spotted dressing similarly to pre-Royal Family Kate. We’re talking vests and low-slung jeans, cardigans, and even some strappy sundresses in the garden during the odd spurt of sunshine.
Admittedly, we’re yet to wear our emerald green, sequinned, halterneck top, but boy are we now tempted…
Here, we take a nostalgic look back at Kate’s fashion sense in her early twenties before she officially joined the prestigious British Royal Family by marrying Prince William in 2011.
Kate Middleton grew up in the countryside and had a penchant for countrywear, as seen here at a polo match. 
Kate opted for comfort over designer looks – and we’ve pretty much been doing the same for the past year. 
Kate wore famously pared back and casual ensembles like this simple white vest and jeans. 
For a roller disco, Kate embraced the fancy dress theme with this look. 
For a night on the town, Kate teamed this green patterned jersey dress with tights and a white tote. 
Kate looked chic when she graduated from St Andrews, where she met her future husband. 
Looking ethereal at a society wedding in a colour block dress and understated cream blazer. 
Kate has long championed knee-high boots, tonal hued blazers and brown headwear.
