Frugal Fashion: Kate Middleton, pretty as a princess

Kate Middleton is the envy of every girl who has ever dreamed of being a real-life princess. She is asked to lunch with the Queen of England at Buckingham palace, has the design of her much anticipated wedding gown causing a media frenzy and could well be a future queen herself.

As if becoming part of the English royal family weren’t enough, she took a prince off the market. That handsome man at her side is none other than the swoon-worthy, dashing Prince William, second in line to the throne.  After little deliberation, I have to revise my earlier statement:  Middleton is the super envy of every girl everywhere!   

As princess-bride-to-be, the 28-year-old is already preparing for her royal duties by accompanying her prince to their first official event since their engagement: the Thursford's Christmas Spectacular show in England for the Teenage Cancer Trust where they spoke with young people battling cancer.

Middleton looked poised, elegant and every bit the modern-day princess in a black and white Alice Temperly dress, textured black blazer, plain black heels and her best accessory, her 18-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

Even if it's unlikely that any of us will become British princesses, it is possible to look like one -- and on a budget too. Feel like royalty in this London Times' black and white banded dress from overstock.com for $45.99. 

Any fitted black jacket or cardigan you already have in your closet will help keep you warm in this dress, but if you want Middleton's complete look go for a black velvet blazer like the Apt. 9 velvet blazer for $72 from Kohl's.

Step into some moderately high heels and stockings and you're almost at princess status, but what would a princess be without her jewels? We don't have any real sapphire and diamond rings in mind but what about some sparkly costume jewelry to give you a special touch of glamour without having to dip into a royal-sized bank account?

Slip one of these pretty faux rocks on your finger, or at these prices, all of them.

Forever 21 gems, from left: framed oval ring or the sophisticated faceted bead ring, $5.80 each; faux pearl rhinestone ring or faceted bead cocktail ring, $4.80 each; and the picture frame jewel ring,  $3.80.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Photo, top: Britain's Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton arrive to view the Thursford Christmas Spectacular gala in Thursford, England, Dec. 18. Credit: Sang Tan / Associated Press.

Photo, right: London Times black and white dress from Overstock.com. Credit: Overstock.com.

Photo, left: Black velvet blazer from Kohl's. Credit: Kohl's.

Photo, bottom from left to right: Framed oval ring, sophisticated faceted bead ring, Faux pearl rhinestone ring, faceted cocktail bead ring and picture frame jewel ring all from Forever 21. Credit: Forever 21.

Comments

[sarahcharles]

boy ! are they trying to sell the cups with kate and william picture........they said the same thing 02 of kate middleton and william...i guess they must be the same cups......getting their money worth because they would last like their relationship........

[rach - UK]

"the super envy of every girl everywhere" you're kidding! Prince William lost his looks long ago and the rest of the family are nuts!

She will be hounded by the tabloid press every day for the rest of her life. Sounds like a hideous nightmare!

[Leila Gabriel]

I hope and pray the couple to be will be successful in everything they do. I love them. And they can stand the paparazzi forever.

[Leila Gabriel]

I can't wait to see them get married. Am happy for them!

[kate middleton fan]

Wow... Kate Middleton Looks absolutely gorgeous with those outfit.

[VJ in London]

Trust me, I am in London and she is not so popular here. And no, it is not jealousy. We are being told that she (along with her husband) will "rule" us. This woman never achieved anything in her life, at all. Never held down a job, never had a career, therefore, has nothing really to even promote her as a role model. She is not special. She is very normal in terms of her family background, which is great for democracy but not so great in terms of her being in a position of power over other normal people. She has nothing at all to recommend her over anyone else. My opinion is that William is a special person and he has campaigned tirelessly for causes close to him. He is part of his mother. Personally, and many seem to share my opinion, wrong choice.

[Timber]

"She has nothing at all to recommend her over anyone else"

Isn't that true for everyone? Kudos to William for not being the prig he could've become. If they're drawn to each other, who are we to judge? Just because his family is a horror show doesn't mean he forfeits the right to marry, and after his father's sorry example, I don't blame him. And as constitutional monarchs, "rule" is a formality only. She's not going to be sending anyone to the Tower.

Let's hope she and William bring value and sense back to the house of Windsor.

[Timber]

"after his father's sorry example, I don't blame him..." for being cautious. Sorry.