Kate's Super 7: What Would the Duchess of Cambridge Do Without Her Fashion Favorites?

Before Kate Middleton was married, she relied on a simple wardrobe of high street favorites, occasionally boosted with a designer handbag or splash of Issa, but since she became a member of the royal family, she has built her look using a trusted set of seven key fashion favorites. We're taking a look at the small pool of favored designers and stores that Kate just couldn't do without . . .

01
Alexander McQueen
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Alexander McQueen

The British designer set up his company in 1992 and swiftly became known for an edgy an controversial style, which saw him win British designer of the year four times. He designed a tour wardrobe for David Bowie, and Lady Gaga was also a fan, but after Alexander's suicide in 2010, his long-time assistant Sarah Burton took over, and it was she who designed Kate's wedding dress.

Kate had never worn McQueen before her wedding day, but it's thought she was first made familiar with the design house when she attended the 2005 wedding of Camilla Parker Bowles's son Tom and his bride, Sara, wore a McQueen creation. Now Alexander McQueen is Kate's number one clothing favorite, and she has called upon the company for full-length evening gowns, fashion-forward formal day dresses, clutches, belts, blouses, skirts, and coats. Key McQueen looks for the duchess have included several Trooping the Colour outfits, the coat she wore to Princess Charlotte's christening, and the scarlet dress she wore to the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant.

02
Jenny Packham
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Jenny Packham

Jenny set up her company in 1988, adding a bridal line to the mix in 1997. The cream of showbiz are fans, and Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Blake Lively and Adele have all worn Jenny's designs, while her creations have also appeared in hit TV shows Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, as well as blockbuster movies like Casino Royale and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Kate first wore Jenny Packham to a charity gala shortly after her wedding and now calls upon the designer for diaphanous evening gowns and pretty silk formal day dresses. Kate also wore Jenny Packham's designs when she left the hospital with both Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

03
Temperley London
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Temperley London

British designer Alice Temperley set up her company in 2000, and Kate has been a fan since before she was married. The duchess chose Temperley for her first royal engagement back in 2010 and has gone back time and time again for lacy evening gowns (including the classic number she wore for the premiere of War Horse), formal day dresses, blouses, and coats. Kate wore a floral-print dress for a family dinner ahead of sister Pippa's wedding that was from Somerset by Alice Temperley — the fashion house's high street diffusion line — and Pippa is also a fan. She wore emerald green Temperley for the evening portion of Kate and William's wedding.

04
Zara
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Zara

Kate has become known as the "High Street Duchess" because of her love of adding lower-price-point pieces to her wardrobe, and her favorite of the lot is Spanish company Zara. The first store was opened in 1975, and Kate was a fan long before becoming a member of the royal family, so the brand has easily taken her from single girl to dazzling duchess. Kate loves Zara skinny jeans and owns many pairs in assorted colors, however, she has also worn dresses, jackets, blouses, capes, jumpers and jewelry by the brand and chose a favorite blue dress as her "going away" outfit after she got married.

05
L.K. Bennett
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L.K. Bennett

Another British favorite of Kate's is responsible for one of her most iconic items — her nude Sledge pumps — as well as many of her beloved clutch bags. The company was set up by English-Icelandic businesswoman Linda Kristin Bennett in 1990, and she has said her mission was to create "Something in-between the designer footwear you find in Bond Street, and those on the high street." Kate has also worn many dresses from L.K. Bennett, as well as her trusty wedges.

06
Jane Taylor
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Jane Taylor

Kate favors a number of milliners, but her most called-upon is Jane Taylor, who has created dozens of hats for the duchess. Jane has been in business since 2008 and has numerous other high-profile clients including Sophie Countess of Wessex (who introduced Kate to the brand), Princess Eugenie, Kate Winslet, Kate Moss, and Beyoncé. The duchess has gone to Jane for all of the most important dates in the royal calendar, including overseas tours, church services, Trooping the Colour, and Ascot — as well as for the christenings of both Prince George and Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton's wedding.

07
Kiki McDonough
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Kiki McDonough

Kiki is another designer who Kate has worn since before she was married — she wore Kiki's white topaz and diamond studs for a visit to St. Andrews and citrine drops for a lifeboat launch in Anglesey. Kate now has 15 pairs of Kiki McDonough earrings and has chosen them for the most fancy of occasions, as well as when she's dressed down and casual. Kiki has said of designing versatile pieces for Kate, "My jewelry is very wearable so it is easy for her to put it with jeans, skirts and dresses . . . She is a busy working mother like me, and I design jewelry that goes with that lifestyle. My designs have always reflected the way we live now, dashing from work to an event."

Kate chose a triple whammy from her "super seven" at her sister Pippa Middleton's wedding in May this year, accessorizing her blush-colored silk McQueen outfit with a matching Jane Taylor cocktail hat and pink morganite Kiki McDonough drops.