Although Kate has been seen in jeans before, they have almost always been in dark colours. The Duchess of Cambridge has previously paired black jeans with a smart blazer, or navy-blue jeans with a casual jacket, but never pale blue jeans. What’s more, both times she opted to wear the light jeans, the events called for more formalwear, instead of leisurewear or sportswear.
Fashion expert and personal stylist Samantha Harman spoke to Express.co.uk about the similarities between Kate’s new jeans look and Meghan’s “laidback”, California-chic style.
Samantha also referred to Kate’s other pairs of jeans, and how she chooses to style them.
She said: “Kate’s recent looks are great examples of how versatile jeans can be.
“You could get away with a very dark wash or black jeans in a professional setting, and if you work in a creative industry, Kate’s jeans and blazer look is a great example of how to do smart-casual.
“A high-waisted mom-cut in a light wash is great for off-duty looks. Kate looked impossibly laid-back glam for her Covid vaccine, with shiny voluminous hair, in a light wash, high-waisted pair of jeans and a cream top – very 90s.”
Samantha went on to compare the Duchess of Cambridge with the Duchess of Sussex. She said: “We know that Meghan’s style is influenced by 90s style icons – she namechecked Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy as a source of inspiration.
“And we can see similarities in Meghan’s off duty, laid-back California style and some of the recent looks from the Duchess of Cambridge.
“Meghan may no longer officially be a working royal but you can’t argue that she was a breath of fresh air when it came to fashion in the royal family.”
Samantha said she predicts royal fashion will continue to change, with the female members of the family leading the way. She said: “There are lots of conventions when it comes to royal dressing, but I predict that we’ll see some of the old style rules phase out.
“And I think we are already seeing more relaxation – we’ve not seen Kate in a wash of jean this light since she became a royal.
“But she hasn’t yet tried a ripped jean in public yet, and I think she’ll probably draw the line there.”
Meghan, on the other hand, has worn ripped jeans in public.
The Duchess of Sussex was photographed in a pair before she married Prince Harry in 2018.
Samantha added that Kate wearing jeans shows “how she’s grown in confidence”.
“I think the older you get, the more at ease you become with yourself, and Kate’s style and seeming confidence evolution is one I see lots of women go through during their 30s and early 40s,” the stylist said.
“She has never looked better.”