When Kate Middleton was studying and dating Prince William (and wore the best fashion of her life)
The nostalgia for the aesthetics practiced during the early 2000s has led us to review the wardrobe of the then art history student and future Princess of Wales.
© Art by Mar Lorenzo. Photos: © GettyImages.
To get closer to the life that Kate Middleton led at St. Andrews University, just watch episode 7 of the last season of The Crown. Once again, the series created by Peter Morgan offers a fairly accurate vision of what the school days of the current Princess of Wales could have been like. Art books, days dedicated to study, training mornings in the pool and, yes, the occasional party. The life of the young Catherine developed with apparent normality, oblivious to what would happen in the coming months, although the version raised by Morgan also considers the “intervention” of Carol Middleton (Kate’s mother) essential. Especially when it comes to Prince William’s appearance on the scene.
Regardless of whether the couple met casually or not, the images of the Princess of Wales then make up a perfect album about the aesthetics that were practiced during the early 2000s and, to be more specific, the most natural and sophisticated decline of it. Catherine went shopping with a Longchamp bag and a tweed jacket in baby blue, went to the fashion club in a comfortable midi skirt with a floral print or indulged in the perfect simplicity of an Austrian jacket. A wardrobe supported by the pillars of simplicity, comfort, sophistication and the occasional pinch in the form of a trend.
The nostalgia of that time is actually an excuse to review some of the best outfits that Kate wore then and that fashion has made relevant today. Even more so than they were in those early years of the 2000s. Just as it happens with what is done well and has weight, and depth, and needs time to be considered in its proper dimension. This will be the case with the teams that Middleton rides today, in 2024, in ten years’ time. And so it is today with what she wore in her St. Andrews days.
When Kate Middleton was studying and dating Prince William (and wore the best fashion of her life)
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1/9
At the University
Where: At her graduation ceremony at St. Andrews in 2005.
The best thing about her look: without a doubt, that mini bag from Longchamp in brown. The model that is now everywhere when it was just another classic bag.
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
2/9
At the polo club
Where: At the Beaufort polo club.
The best thing about her look: those black pants that are the perfect mix between a skinny model and a flared model, and the choice of belt. The Navajo touch that such a simple outfit definitely needed.
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3/9
In the club (partying)
Where: At a party hosted by Sony Ericsson in London in 2006.
The best thing about her look: with the permission of that flowered skirt and that fitted blazer, we love that the princess of correction has left the club on duty with the cup in her hand. A movie smile, of course.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
4/9
In the races
Where: At a horse race held in Cheltenham in 2007.
The best thing about her look: too many details to highlight. From the cloth fabric outfit to the long hippy earrings to those legging boots.
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5/9
In department stores
Where: In a department store in London.
The best thing about her look: the mix of a garment as sophisticated as a tweed jacket with jeans. Pure balance.
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
6/9
At a wedding
Where: At the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles & Harry Lopes.
The best thing about her look: how to turn a coat into an elegant and perfect dress.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
7/9
In the races (part II)
Where: At another horse race held at Cheltenham in 2007.
The best thing about her look: absolutely everything, from start to finish. But the mix of colors and the beret as a star accessory are, possibly, the details that make the difference.
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
8/9
At a military parade
Where: At the Sovereign Military Parade in Berkshire.
The best thing about her look: that she chose the color red for one of her first appearances at an “official” event. A declaration of intent
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
9/9
In an equestrian competition
Where: At an equestrian competition in Badminton in 2007.
The best thing about her look: the wrinkled suede boots and the detail of pulling the collar of the shirt over the sweater.
