Royals

Duchess Catherine proves you can be stylish on any budget in a chic $30 Zara frock

How you can recreate her affordable look.
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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has appeared for an event in London in her usual elegant style, but there’s a secret behind her latest ensemble.

Dressed in a flowing black and white midi dress for a visit to University College London’s Centre for Longitudinal Studies, it would be easy to assume the royal’s outfit cost hundreds of dollars.

But it turns out Catherine’s belted, checkered frock wasn’t from some high end designer label.

The royal actually picked it up for around $30 at Zara, it has been reported, and she’s apparently worn it out and about before.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge donned a $30 Zara frock for the event.

(Getty)

Catherine has been known re-wear many of her frocks, and has regularly incorporated more affordable clothing and accessories into her wardrobe.

This outfit was no different, the duchess styling the chic budget dress with a pair of grey Hugo Boss pumps and dainty silver earrings.

She was at the university for an engagement centred around the early years, one of Catherine’s passions as a royal and a mother.

There she met with researchers who have been studying how the first five years of a child’s life plays a major role in their development.

“Our early childhoods shape our adult lives and knowing more about what impacts this critical time is fundamental to understanding what we as a society can do to improve our future health and happiness,” the duchess said in a statement.

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“I am committed to supporting greater in-depth research in this vital area and I’m delighted to be meeting all those behind the study at this early stage.”

Catherine has been working hard on projects geared towards the early year for, well, years.

In June she opened the new Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which came hot on the heels of her landmark 2020 survey into the Early Years in the UK.

The future queen-consort shares three children of her own with Prince William and has spoken many times about her approach to motherhood.

The belted dress cinched Catherine’s waist perfectly.

(Getty)

“Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother,” she said in a 2017 speech.

“It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together.

“Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.”

But Catherine is much more than a mother; she’s also a royal, a wife and a fashion trend-setter.

In honour of her chic yet affordable style, we’ve collected a few dupes for her trendy black and white Zara dress under $100.

Tussah Jenny Midi Dress, on sale for $64.98, from The Iconic.

(The Iconic)

Savel Sadie Maxi Dress, on sale for $77, from The Iconic.

(The Iconic)

Atmos&Here Katie Midi Dress, $99.99, from The Iconic.

(The Iconic)

Black and white dress, $55.95, from Zara.

(Zara)

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