Kate Middleton is named 'best fashion influencer' for her lockdown wardrobe - beating Meghan Markle and Holly Willoughby

Her outfits have seen sales soar for the retailers

Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Kate Middleton always looks picture perfect - and now her wardrobe has won her the title of top 'fashion influencer' - beating the likes of sister-in-law Meghan Markle and This Morning host Holly Willoughby.

·    Fashion experts have revealed that outfits the Duchess has worn have seen
     spikes in sales and searches for similar dresses or tops.

·    Holly's fashion eye was a close second, followed by The Duchess of Sussex's
    wardrobe.

·    In other Royal News,  the Duchess of Cornwall makes this CEO teary-eyed in a
    surprise video.

The data, which was compiled by Love the Sales researched the biggest sales spikes after celebrities wore certain outfits last year.  

The undisputed winner was Kate Middleton’s floral dress, which is by brand Faithfull The Brand. She wore the dress in the summer at a socially distanced event. The brand saw a 112 percent spike in sales after the Duchess wore the summer dress.

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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Shop the look with The Kooples V-neck floral print crepe dress

£147.50, Selfridges

Kate wore the multicolured dress when she made a socially distanced visit to children's hospice The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk.

After the Duchess wore the floral printed 'Marie-Louise' it sold out in under 24 hours. Owners of the Australian womenswear brand said at the time they were 'flattered' that Kate opted for one of their dresses.

Another popular style from the royals wardrobe was the white scalloped cardigan. Even though she was just making an appearance on Zoom the Duchess made sure to dress up - teaming the cardigan with black trousers. This in turn saw an increase of searches for scalloped cardigans - rising by 67 percent.

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The House of Bruar Scalloped Edge Cardigan in Off White

£59.95, The House of Bruar

This Morning host Holly Willoughby came a close second in the fashion stakes, and was named runner up to the Duchess.

The TV hosts daytime TV wardrobe always seems to win points with her fans, but some of her choices have also seen sales soar for the brands she wears.

Her most popular look was a £38 faux leather skirt, which she wore in March. After she wore the look, which she teamed with a black jumper, Lovethesales.com saw an increase in searches for leather skirts by 82 percent in 48 hours.

The brand also admits that searches for polka dot dresses and floral gowns both increased after Holly wore them.

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Black Leather-Look Peplum Mini Skirt

£14, New Look

Of course, Meghan Markle had to be near the top too - ever since she came into the public eye we've looked to the Duchess for fashion inspiration.

Known as the 'Meghan effect' - every time she wore something it has sold out within hours. In 2018 when she wore a striped Altuzarra dress it sold out within a day, while when she wore a crossbody bag by Scottish brand, Strathberry, it only took minutes for it to sell out - while a waiting list of over 3,000 people quickly formed.

However, since the move to the US last January, the couple has attended fewer public engagements, therefore less Meghan fashion moments. However, it was Meghan's utility-style khaki joggers that inspired many, after she wore them to volunteer last year. Her fashion choice saw a 74 percent increase for utility joggers on the sales website.

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Cargo Utility Tapered Ankle Grazer Trousers

£29.50, M&S

We wonder if Kate will retain the title this year, or if Meghan will swoop back in to pip her to the post?

Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance journalist - writing about the royals and celebrities for Woman & Home, fitness and beauty for the Evening Standard and how the world of work has changed due to the pandemic for the BBC. 

 

She also covers a variety of other subjects and loves interviewing leaders and innovators in the beauty, travel and wellness worlds for numerous UK and overseas publications. 

 

As a journalist, she has written thousands of profile pieces - interviewing CEOs, real-life case studies and celebrities - interviewing everyone from Emma Bunton to the founder of Headspace.