Despite being a key member of the British royal family, Kate Middleton remains as a relatable yet iconic style figure. We had previously written about her frugal fashion ways that involved repeating wardrobe essentials for various social occasions and high-profile events.
This time around, we’re zooming in at the various ways the Duchess of Cambridge styles one of her most-worn fashion clothing item – the wide-legged pants – and see how you can follow her heed to jazz up the humble trousers for work, running errands and more.
Despite being dressed in a simple combination of a purple pussy-bow blouse and black high-waisted wide-leg trousers, Kate looked nothing short of tall and regal while performing her royal duties in the UK.
How? High-waisted silhouettes provide a continuous visual line extending from the belly button to the feet, which tricks the eyes into thinking that the person is taller than they really are.
Finally, remember to tuck, or french tuck, your top or pick a cropped design so that you don’t chop off the lengthening effects of the pants.
The Form is a Singaporean label that aims to create evergreen, versatile pieces that you would wear repeatedly. These wide-leg pants hold true to that ethos with its clean, minimalist design. Besides this dark grey-green colourway, it is also available in black.
Going monochromatic is always a foolproof way to ensure that your ensemble looks congruent and stylish. However, going tone-on-tone can look flat if you aren’t being thoughtful with your choices.
For a SportsAid event at the London Stadium in February 2020, the Duchess wore an appropriately sporty-chic outfit comprising forest green separates – a short-sleeved top and Zara culottes (you can find a similar version here!) – and a pair of white sneakers, reportedly from Marks & Spencer.
To pull off this style, follow her heed and pick like colours in different tints and shades. In this case, her long-sleeved top is a brighter forest green while the pants are in a darker shade.
This Klarra iteration was specially chosen for those who love to wear crisp white shirts to work. The subtle off-white shade would contrast with any shades of white you pair it with as well as other light nudes including beiges and other earthy tones.
Similar to the first point, Middleton sported similar looking black high-waisted wide-leg trousers. What we love about this outfit are the gold button details. Not only does it add a touch of colour to her overall black and white look, but it also gives flair and an almost nautical feel when paired with the striped top.
Other details you can look out for when shopping are slits, pleats and panelling and appliques.
From the brown swirl buttons, wide-leg silhouette to the pale blue shade, we’re loving the vintage feel of this creation from The Editor’s Market. We suggest matching it with a floral blouse and mules to play up the retro vibes.
Cotton and polyester are the usual materials when you purchase a pair of trousers. However, opting for a different fabric can add dimension to your outfit, such as this beige number Kate wore that has a weightier feel.
For starters, you can look at denim and corduroy, which impart a similar heavier vibe, or choose lightweight and breathable fabrics such as linen and silk to suit Singapore’s weather.
As mentioned before, linen is a great choice for hot and humid climates because of its moisture-wicking abilities and lightweight composition. This clean white number from Cos would be great for the office or paired with your weekend or holiday wear for beach and summer vacations.
Besides full-length cuts that graze the ankles, consider adopting wide-leg culottes. These are three-quarter-lengths long and usually stop a few fingers above the ankles, such as the pair Kate wore to a visit to London’s Natural History Museum back in 2019.
Word of caution though, culottes tend to look more informal so they might be more suitable for a workplace with less strict dress codes or for dress-down Fridays.
For those who hate how stuffy long pants can feel, this Bershka design will change your mind. The culottes length and slit details ensure that your legs can feel the breeze and wick away excess sweat and heat to keep you cool throughout the day.
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Text: Ho Guo Xiong