The frugal duchess: Kate Middleton’s 5 best looks(that even you can afford) |Marriage/Couples| Golden Girl Finance

Thanks to the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton (and what an event it was!), this summer’s wedding season is kicking off with fantastic wardrobe ideas. Lucky brides (and fashionable guests) can take inspiration from the stylish and frugal fashions worn by the ever practical and perky Kate leading up to her big day.

The temptation to splurge like mad on your wedding wardrobe is huge. Just say “wedding” or “honeymoon” to a salesclerk and their eyes light up with those little dollar signs before parading out all the most fabulous designer creations that fit you like a dream (and are more costly than any outfit you’ve ever bought before).

It is not only the big white gown a bride must budget for, it’s all the ancillary outfits as well. Your engagement parties. Your dress for the rehearsal dinner. Your wedding night lingerie. Your chic little “going-away” outfit for the next-day brunch. Your honeymoon sundresses. Your white bikini with “Just Married” stamped in rhinestones on the butt (ahem). Planning your wedding trousseau is not only overwhelming, it can be ridiculously expensive!

This is why we love taking inspiration from Kate. You would think that the highly photographed young woman would be regularly decked out in the finest fashions the world has to offer. There is no doubt that she has had offers from the biggest fashion houses who are all dying to get their designs on her stylish young figure.

Instead, Kate shops retail. Yes, retail. And we love her for it. Any one of us can go online and buy up the same kind of fashions that the future Queen of England wore for her pre-wedding festivities. (Though one must be quick, seeing as items spotted on Kate tend to sell out the moment she is photographed wearing them!)

If Kate can shop for her trousseau without falling prey to big-name, big-price-tag designs, surely you can too. Here are five great, non-ridiculously-priced styles that the royal bride wore and for what occasion. (All prices in approximate Canadian dollars.)

1) The engagement announcement

Kate wore a lovely “royal” blue dress (to match her sapphire ring?) by one of her go-to clothing brands, Issa. Reportedly, sales of Issa designs have skyrocketed by 600 percent ever since! A fuchsia version is available here for less than $600.

2) The formal engagement photograph

In what would seem to some a critical point to shop for a new dress, Kate shunned buying something new and pulled out this dress from her own closet – a long sleeved, ivory dress called the “Nanette” made by Reiss, from their fall 2009 collection. Approximate retail price in 2009? Less than $300.

3) The casual engagement photograph

When you marry into royalty, there are certain traditions that cannot be ignored, and apparently two official versions of photographs must be done. For this shot, Kate wore a blouse she bought at Whistles (a women’s clothing store chain) in 2008 for around $150. The store re-issued the blouse and in a recent shopping trip, Kate couldn’t resist buying another, now that it has been named after her and all. Buy it for yourself here.

4) The honeymoon wardrobe

Caught shopping just a week before the big day, Kate bought a handful of sundresses and cotton separates at Warehouse, a reasonably priced women’s clothing shop in London. See the pieces she bought (each around $100) and shop online here.

5) The wedding gown

Kate considered a number of independent gown designers before choosing her dream dress by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton. One of the designers she consulted with was Libélula, whose now sold-out black velvet Dulwich Coat, which Kate wore to a friend’s wedding, was available to buy online for around $500 here.

The lovely and levelheaded Kate proves that you don’t need to break the bank to look royally poised and perfect. Princess Diana was affectionately called “The People’s Princess,” though her glamourous lifestyle and extravagant fashions would be tough to emulate on a budget. We think Kate (though technically a duchess) with her down-to-earth shopping style and real-girl appeal, is first in line for the title of the new “People’s Princess”.

Psst – Whether you are tying the knot or content with “+1” status, weddings can be expensive! But if it’s your big day, we recommend you check out great honeymoon savings on flights at CheapOair and Flight Network . You can also book discounted sun swept accommodations at Beaches Resorts and Riu Hotels. (From your friends at Golden Girl Finance)

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