All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Fans of royal fashion love the grandeur of it all. Who else but a future queen could step out of a car, like Kate Middleton did earlier this year, wearing a crown? Such royal pageantry has a quality that’s at once old-world and out of this world. Yet slowly, the globe’s most stylish royals have also begun wearing fashion that’s more down-to-earth. In fact, some of today’s most-watched Duchesses and Princesses have been gravitating toward very affordable pieces. In honor of the rising trend, Vogue is looking at three particularly well-dressed royals who made the case for accessible dressing this year—and in so doing provided us commoners with some great fashion inspiration.
Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex has become synonymous with a casual-cool style that’s all about easy wearability. This year, her choice of affordable pieces really ran the gamut: She wore everything from a Madewell denim jacket (under $150) to a chic, expensive-looking Everlane black jumpsuit ($120). In the summer, she was also spotted in a Reformation jumpsuit for under $200, proving refined style doesn’t always require a splurge.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge is known for effortless polish: There isn’t an outing where she doesn’t look perfectly put together, whether it’s for a casual appearance or an evening gala. Still, her refined aesthetic had its budget-friendly moments. When she wore a floral Michael Kors belted shirtdress in September, the garment instantly sold out across many retailers. Luckily, the label has brought it back (it’s $175). The Duchess has also worn a J.Crew mock-neck sweater that is still stocked for $89, as well as a classic espadrille wedge by Castaner.
Queen Letizia of Spain
Queen Letizia of Spain has long promoted accessible dressing. For the past few years, she has favored designs by the Spanish fast-fashion label Zara, wearing its pieces to galas and more casual meetings. Back in January, she participated in the hottest skirt trend of the season—snakeskin—with a Zara style that retails for less than $20. A month later, she wore a leather shirt dress that was just as trendy by Other Stories ($449—a tad pricy, but relatively affordable for leather). This summer, she switched back to Zara with a checkered dress under $130.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
