Let’s be clear: there is nothing wrong with Kate Middleton’s style or beauty game. Her hair is glossier than a model’s in a shampoo commercial; she always wears the best designers (yay, Erdem!) and she knows how to dress her body shape. We just want her to push the envelope a wee bit more in 2017. 

 

Wear a pink or red lip

Kate’s signature bare lip is practical – when she’s making the royal rounds she has to talk to teems of people and she doesn’t have any time to check whether or not she accidentally gets lipstick on her teeth. That said, even the Queen loves a pink lip.

 

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Our advice, Kate? Try out a bold lip on a day you know you don’t have to speak to a large crowd, like Christmas at Sandringham, perhaps. As for colour, we like a rosy pink (dab onto the lips with your finger, not from the tube, for a more subdued hue.) Or try a sheer red gloss, which will be less pigmented than a matte colour.

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Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain in Georgia ($59), at sephora.com.
 

 

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Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Lip Glass in Chocolate Raspberry ($26), at bobbibrown.com.

 

 

Try balayage

The duchess has dabbled with highlights over the years, but has since returned to her trusty rich brown. We’d love to see her lighten up her hair in 2017 with some hand-painted caramel highlights, which are more natural than traditional foils.

Our inspo? Halle Berry. 

 

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Switch out the updos for a loose braid.

Kate has thick curly hair, which will easily hold a plait. We love the loose style that Gigi Hadid sported when she hosted the 2016 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards.

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Stash the nude heels and wedges.

You know what’s just as practical – loafers. These leather Mansur Gavriel “Venetian” loafers have a slight heel so they can dress up her jeans.

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Mansur Gavriel Venetian Leather Loafers ($549.62), at netaporter.com.

 

Or, to get her through the winter, may we suggest a chunky, mid-heel ankle boot.

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Robert Clergerie Black Preen Ankle Boots ($642), at ssense.com.
 

Play with power stripes

She is the future queen after all. We’d love to see her swap out her fave Me + Em Breton striped shirt for a #boss dress.

This long-sleeved Chinti and Parker dress is modest enough for royal engagements – it has a long sleeves and long hem – but it’s super playful.

 

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Chinti and Parker Ribbed Striped Merino Wool Maxi Dress ($293 USD), at net-a-porter.com. 

 

For something more budget-friendly, but equally as stylish, we recommend:

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Opening Ceremony Lotus Striped Midi Dress ($235), at saksfifthavenue.com.
 

Wide-legged jean

Like all of us, Kate loves her skinny jeans. But these Victoria Beckham wide-legged pants are a must for her closet. (Not to mention they’re by a fellow Brit.) Just be sure to balance out the look with a flouncy top.

 

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Victoria Beckham Denim High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans ($198 USD), at net-a-porter.com.