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Web Exclusive: Shop in London for a Royal Look
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Here’s how to dress like Kate Middleton or Prince William—from inexpensive to cream of the crop
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BY MEG LUKENS NOONAN
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| Outside the Topshop flagship store on Oxford Street; inside Turnbull & Asser, shirtmaker to the royals. |
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It might be time to concede that your invitation to the wedding of the century is, alas, not in the mail. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dress like friends-of-the-royals—and we don’t mean kid gloves. Follow Kate Middleton’s shopping trail through London to score everything from fast-fashion frocks to couture classics.
YOUR WEDDING WARDROBE
First stop is Topshop (36-38 Great Castle St.), bordering central London’s Oxford Street. The budget-priced chain with a rabid following has stores in 20 countries (including one in the United States, in New York City), but this frenetic multi-floor emporium is the mothership. Some 300 new women’s and men’s styles, both original designs and knockoffs, arrive every week. After a photo was released of Kate wearing a $79* Topshop dress, the style sold out within hours.
Nearby is Whistles (12 St. Christophers Pl.), run by ex-Topshop brand director Jane Sheperdson. The regional chain offers floaty, feminine styles in beautiful fabrics, such as the $150 off-white blouse worn by the future queen in one of her official engagement portraits.
For mid-priced classics like the $250 petal-skirt ivory dress Middleton wore in the more formal engagement portrait done by Mario Testino, head to Reiss (10 Barrett St.), another British chain. Its strikingly modern flagship store opened in 2007 at the former site of the London College of Fashion.
Next, make your way to Fenwick (63 New Bond St.), a small, refined department store that started as a ladies’ tailor shop in 1891. The beloved, if a tad fusty, store was given a dose of hipness by major renovations last year. This is reportedly where Kate bought the $600 sapphire silk jersey dress by Issa London that she wore for her first engagement photo op.
Middleton is also a fan of Alice Temperley’s designs. Find the feminine but edgy styles, with dresses starting at about $900, at the Temperley London boutique (2-10 Colville Mews), set in a series of converted mews homes down a Notting Hill side street.
FIT FOR A PRINCE
Once you have the royal styles, turn your attention to your male companion. William favors pricey Italian cashmere sweaters, a look you can get for less at Uniqlo (311 Oxford St.). This Japanese chain, which also has stores in the United States, sells minimalist, logo-free cashmere basics for less than $100.
To dress like a true British gentleman, of course, you must turn to the tailors of Savile Row. Prince William’s shirts from Turnbull & Asser (71 & 72 Jermyn St.) are likely custom-made for about $400 each, but you can buy similar shirts off the rack there at about half the price. Turnbull & Asser also has stores in New York City and Los Angeles.) And for the ultimate splurge, have Gieves & Hawkes (One Savile Row), the official tailor to the royals since 1809, whip up a bespoke wool suit for about $5,000. It’s the perfect wedding-crasher attire.
BROWSE ONLINE
Can’t get to London? You can order from these websites:
us.topshop.com
whistles.co.uk
reissonline.com
temperleylondon.com
gievesandhawkes.com
These stores don’t offer online shopping, but you can still check out the merchandise:
fenwick.co.uk/
uniqlo.com
turnbullandasser.com
*Prices have been converted to U.S. dollars.
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
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Published: March 1, 2011
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Photos: Visit London Images/Britain on View/Pawel Libera; Turnbull & Asser
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