The Most Affordable Outfits Worn By Kate Middleton

When we think of the royal family — and especially the royal women — the first thing that comes to mind is opulence. From the tiaras to the gorgeous gowns to the literal castles they call home, it's easy to think that everything in a royal family member's life is top of the line — especially when it comes to their clothes. Princess Catherine, who adopted the Princess of Wales title shortly after King Charles III took the throne, has often been seen as a fashion trendsetter — just a simple jacket or button-up top on her can throw a brand into a sold-out tailspin, and royal watchers everywhere comment on her clothing options whether she's stepping out in a casual pair of sneakers or is dressed to the nines for a state banquet.

Though she is often seen as a royal symbol of sophistication, Catherine hasn't always sought out the most expensive items money has to offer. Instead, she has given new meaning to the term "workwear" and has often bought clothing from popular U.K. retailers, dressing in affordable options that have then sold out almost instantly. From Gap to famed British label Topshop to even bargain online retailer ASOS, Catherine has loved stepping out in a look that can be easily replicated by those at home who love her style. She might be known for amazing gowns and incredible crowns, but Catherine has worn some great affordable outfits that are at everyone's price point.

Nothing is more Irish than St. Patrick's Day, and you'll surely be pinched on the international day of drinking if you don't wear green. Princess Catherine certainly got the memo while ringing in the celebratory day in 2021, and during a video appearance with Prince William — who also sported a dark hue of forest green — she looked the leprechaun part in a perfectly appropriate green blazer (via YouTube). What made her choice even better was that it was wonderfully affordable — great for anyone who wants to replicate her look both on the holiday and throughout the work week.

Appearing on-camera, Catherine dazzled in a double-breasted suit jacket from Zara, in an appropriate shade of light green (per Page Six). The jacket retailed for about $90, and of course, was sold out immediately following the princess' look. Catherine also paired her festive ensemble with a gold necklace in the shape of a shamrock. She was definitely on trend.

Catherine and William definitely poked fun at one another during the video. After her husband spoke a little bit of Irish — and Catherine carried on in English — he quipped, "How come you got that easy bit?" before recalling the couple's visit to Ireland the year prior. "The warm welcome that we received everywhere was a testament to the friendship between our two countries, and the strength of the relationship between the U.K. and Ireland," Catherine said.

There are a few clothing brands out there that are known for embracing the British fashion sense of streetwear, and Topshop is absolutely one of them. The line has been around for a while now, and yet the designs continue to push the envelope on stylish looks that embrace a hint of sophistication — sounds like the perfect combination for a young royal, right? Princess Catherine has been a fan of Topshop for years now, and when she stepped out at an event while pregnant with her and Prince William's first child, Prince George, in 2013, she rocked an adorable dress from the label and had fun while doing so (per The Daily Mail).

Joining Prince William and Prince Harry at Warner Bros. in Leavesden, where they took a Harry Potter tour — it truly could not get more British — Catherine looked lovely in a white Topshop dress with black polka dots. She paired the dress (which is not a maternity-specific design, by the way) with a black jacket from Ralph Lauren and a pair of pumps (how she wore heels while pregnant we will never know), and of course, her winning smile. The dress was said to have cost about $46, and — in a surprise to literally no one — Catherine's white and black polka-dot dress was sold out on the Topshop website almost instantly after her appearance.

We truly don't think there is a look that Princess Catherine can't pull off. From her amazing evening gowns to casual shorts, she always looks effortlessly put together. Her visit to Landau Forte College Derby was no exception, and she looked chic in a white top, a pair of perfectly tailored jeans, and (gasp) sneakers. Of course, the details of the outfit needed to be accessible ASAP for anyone looking to replicate her ensemble, and it just so happens that Catherine returned once again to her Zara roots to complete the look.

While joining Captain Preet Chandi MBE at the event, Catherine capped off her casual yet chic look with a white blazer from, you guessed it, Zara (per Hello). Its textured detailing made the garment look expensive, and the gold buttons and shoulder pads gave it a sort of 1980s vibe that we absolutely loved on the princess. Pairing the look with a pair of the ever-popular Veja white sneakers, this is absolutely an appearance that's going on our outfit inspiration list.

Catherine has been seen in a number of Zara looks over the years, and while she seems to be moving away from affordable labels as she assumes the role and responsibilities of the Princess of Wales (which we'll get more into later), it's very nice knowing that she too has rocked Zara looks that many can replicate themselves. Blazers from Zara retail for about $90.

Princess Catherine proved in 2017 that affordability was the name of her fashion game at the time, and she chose Topshop once again while out and about in London. Specifically, she visited the Hornsey Road Children's Center and looked lovely in a neutral coat over a contrasting collared dress from the affordable label (per Kate Middleton Style). Of course, the dress — which likely set her back about $80 based on Topshop's dress prices – sold out instantly, proving once more that her power to create a trend was unstoppable.

However, this 2017 appearance marked the last time that Catherine wore Topshop — at least as of publication — and royal biographer Tom Bower estimated that the timing had to do with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement. Of course, any royal watcher will tell you that Catherine appeared to step up her fashion game once Meghan came on the scene, and has even been seen replicating some of Meghan's stylish looks, incorporating more pants into her wardrobe and more trendy moves. Coincidence? Bower doesn't think so.

"Ever since Meghan hit the scene, Kate has had to revise her game," he said of Catherine's fashion sense, noting the timing of her Topshop abandonment (per Express). "She could no longer be the docile middle-class shrinking violet. She had to appear good, she had to dress much better, have better makeup, and perform better."

There's nothing more we love than a comfortable bodycon dress — the style is where trendy, fashionable, and comfortable meet, which is arguably the perfect combination. Everyone either has one or needs to have one, and what better way to know what trend to follow than by looking at Princess Catherine's wardrobe? Luckily for those who want to replicate her look to a tee, her dress option worn at the Colham Manor Children's Center is incredibly affordable, music to the ears of those who want to shop on a relatively lower budget (per Vogue).

This look of Catherine's was a perfect example of how she mixes affordable fashion with designer looks. The ribbed dress that she chose, pairing it with a chic belt, was from retailer Mango, and designs like it sell for about $80 – of course, it was sold out instantly following her appearance. On top of the dress — and certainly while outside in the chilly English air — the princess paired the dress with a Hobbs coat and a pair of heels from Gianvito Rossi (per Kate Middleton Style). However, her look just goes to show that there's absolutely nothing wrong with mixing bargain and designer, and given how effortless she looked, you would never guess that the outfit's main star cost less than $100.

There's a saying out there in the world that you have to be better than Gap, and we absolutely disagree with that sentiment. There's something so incredibly timeless and approachable about the retailer, and we're not alone in our affinity for the store — Princess Catherine has been seen in clothing from Gap on multiple occasions, firmly solidifying that Gap is here to stay.

Perhaps our favorite look of Catherine's that features a garment from Gap was her appearance at the Amisfield Winery in 2014. On a three-week-long tour of New Zealand and Australia at the time, all eyes were on Catherine as she stepped out in royal fashion flare — certainly impacting trends for the foreseeable future. While at the winery, the princess wore a white and blue checked collared shirt from Gap and placed it under a chic blazer with gold button detailing (per Vogue Australia). Holding a glass of red wine and rocking just the most gorgeous smile, Catherine looked effortless and proved that you don't have to drop hundreds on a look for it to be classic, timeless, and trendy.

A collared shirt like the one that Catherine sported in New Zealand will cost you about $60, which is music to our ears.