Kate Middleton's new look: short hair, plunging necklines and racy heels - we chart the Duchess of Cambridge's brave new style

From Marchesa to Prada, we deconstruct the Duchess of Cambridge's new sartorial direction
Charlie Teather14 July 2017

Despite being known for her impeccable style and having one of the world's most envied wardrobes, it wouldn't be unfair to note that the Duchess of Cambridge's aesthetic is often a little safe.

Recognised all over the world, Kate Middleton has long been a fan of a Hobbs jacket and a classic LK Bennett nude heel.

But despite experimenting more recently with her look - much to the delight of Erdem and Emilia Wickstead whose clothes she is frequently spotted wearing - the fashion pack have been caught off guard more than once over the last fortnight as the Duchess made some bold sartorial moves.

With more than one of her signature moves having been challenged, we deconstruct the new direction.

The Duchess of Cambridge - style file

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THE HAIR

Taking to her Centre Court seat in the Royal Box on Wimbledon's opening day, Kate Middleton turned even more heads than usual. Famed for her long and lustrous locks, the Duchess arrived at the tournament sporting a new shoulder-skimming cut, complete with a loose and softly styled curl.

Having lost several inches, the Duchess's new look is not only more youthful and flattering but also feels decidedly more modern.

Providing her stylists continue to let go of the rollers and avoid over-curl, the new barnet direction gets the thumbs up from us.

THE NECKLINE

Providing her second sartorial shock of the fortnight, Kate arrived at a Buckingham Palace banquet with Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia wearing a plunging pale pink gown by Marchesa.

A semi-sheer lace neckline and sleeves, the gown featured one of the lowest necklines we've seen worn by the Duchess and provided an inevitable talking point.

Low enough to be surprising and directional but not too low to be seen as inappropriate, the confident new Kate is going down favourably with style critics.

THE SHOE

The Duchess's latest style surprise came in the form of a rather racy Prada sandal.

Joining Sir David Attenborough to unveil the Natural History Museum's new blue whale feature, you'd be forgiven for thinking Kate had slipped back into her old ways at first glance.

A blow-dried bob and demure pastel Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress, it is only in a full-length shot that the mother-of-two's fashion fowardness comes to fruition.

Unlike her trusty black courts, the scalloped stilettos prove the perfect antidote to an otherwise unassuming look.

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