What never ceases to surprise us about Kate Middleton’s style is that it’s always full of beautiful contradictions: high and low designers, fashion forward yet classic, and most tellingly, royal while always reflecting her personal flair. Since we can’t get enough of the ladylike fashion sense of probably the most watched style icon in the world, we rounded up 6 ways to get the Kate Middleton look (fascinators always included).

Get the Kate Middleton look: It’s all about the nude pumps
Elongating, elegant and Kate’s go-to look, the nude heel is the playful alternative to the classic black heel—and pairs beautifully with a pastel summer dress (more on that later). The Duchess is known to be partial to London designer L.K. Bennett’s glossy beige heel.
Your royal upgrade: Get inspired by Kate with L.K. Bennett Sledge Patent Leather Platform Court Shoe in light taupe (approx. $299), at lkbennett.com.

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Get the Kate Middleton look: Mix high and low fashion
The definition of true, refined style is someone with an appetite for the finer labels (Erdem, Alexander McQueen) and can rock an off-the-rack summer dress—in polka dots— from universally accessible stores like Topshop, which the Duchess has proven on numerous occasions.
Your royal upgrade: A pattern (and price point) that the Duchess would be proud of, try Topshop capped sleeve lace summer dress in allover china blue and white lace ($30), at thebay.com.

Get the Kate Middleton look: Add a fascinator

This one’s a given, but we sometimes daydream of Kate Middleton’s fascinator closet—arranged according to their favoured status—with her Canada Day red maple leaf headpiece lined up beside a crushed rose cocktail fascinator by milliner Jane Taylor.
Your royal upgrade: Ease in to your headwear with a dapper 1920s-inspired bowler hats—also seen at Emporio Armani this season. Try BCBG Mesh Overlay Fascinator in lemon grass ($41. 96), available at nordstrom.com.

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3 more ways to try the Duchess’ ladylike trend on the next page…

katepastelcanvas.jpgGet the Kate Middleton look: Have a great jacket on hand—at all times
Since outerwear is the first thing people will see you in, make it a statement piece that’s uniquely you. Kate’s baby bump-revealing Mulberry coat in mint green perfectly encapsulated the Duchess’ signature ladylike style.
Your royal upgrade: Kate is known for pairing a classic, fitted blazer—in either black or coral just as seamlessly—over a dress. Try Rag & Bone 42nd Street Blazer in tangerine ($565), at saksfifthavenue.com.

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Get the Kate Middleton look: No pants, please
Other than a stop at the Calgary Stampede during Will and Kate’s visit to Canada in summer 2011, where she sported blue jeans and cowboy boots, there’s hardly a public photo-op of the Duchess wearing pants (unless you count the off-duty paparazzi snaps of her casually shopping around London). This, friends, is a very conscious style choice, and reveals her principles when it comes to important occasions: dresses always win.
Your royal upgrade: Start by pledging to a dresses-only style code for formal events, and then gradually transition them into your daily work wardrobe. Eventually casual Saturdays in a summer dress will become completely natural to you. Channel Kate’s equestrian look in a French Connection hatched horses cap sleeve dress ($148), available at canada.frenchconnection.com.

Get the Kate Middleton look: Pastels, always pastels
Whether it’s a gumdrop pink peacoat worn over a nude-coloured summer dress or brocade jacket in periwinkle blue (with a matching fascinator, naturally) soft, watercolour shades are essential to the Duchess’ daintily ladylike style.
Your royal upgrade: Ease into a full-blown Easter egg colour palette with a Chloé fluid ruffled peach crepe top ($995), available at net-a-porter.com. Or a pair of peach and mint colour block sandals by Stuart Weitzman ($397.33), available at shopbop.com. Both?

Read more:
Kate Middleton style: All-time best fashion and beauty looks

10 reasons we love Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton’s top fashion moments
Style showdown: Kate vs. Pippa