Kate's summer style: 9 red-carpet trends she's mastered

<h2>SUNSHINE YELLOW</h2> <p>Kate brought the sunshine when she and Prince William touched down in Bhutan in April for the final two days of their official tour. In her choice of a pale-yellow coatdress by Emilia Wickstead, the duchess may have been taking cues from the red carpet, especially after actress Alicia Vikander's stunning appearance in custom Louis Vuitton at the Academy Awards in February.</p> Photo: &copy; Getty Images
Alicia's couture confection (left) may have initially brought to mind Disney's Belle from <em>Beauty and the Beast</em>, but it ushered in a new kind of fairytale moment for the star of <em>The Danish Girl</em>, who took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Kate's interpretation of the sunny shade ensured its must-have status this season – and in May, Kirsten Dunst (right) proved that blonds can find a flattering hue as well by wearing lemon Christian Dior couture at a photocall in Cannes. <br>Photo: &copy; Rex , Boot/Startraks
<h2>COLOUR BLOCK</h2> <p>Whether your style is sophisticated or eclectic, broad strokes of colour can go a long way. What makes the latest iteration of this trend so fresh is the inclusion of soft pastel shades alongside bolder tones, for a look that can be whimsical or modern. Kate embraced the trend in a cornflower-blue Roksanda Ilincic dress at the Queen’s birthday picnic.</p> Photo: &copy; Getty Images
Actress Rachel McAdams (centre) also played with colour blocking on the red carpet in Solace London, while style stars Olivia Palermo (in Delpozo) and Amal Clooney (in Valentino) have both coloured outside the lines by choosing eye-catching prints in unexpected shapes and combinations. <br>Photos: &copy; Rex, Getty Images, Splash News
<h2>WHITE HOT</h2> <p>For her Royal Ascot debut (right), Kate made a stylish statement in white. Journalist and fashion expert Hilary Alexander says the duchess looked “poised and beautiful” in her lace Dolce &amp; Gabbana dress. The tea-length look is the latest in a series of white outfits she's worn (Emilia Wickstead at left, centre in Alexander McQueen while on tour).</p> Photos: &copy; PA, Rex, Getty Images
Like Kate, stylish celebrities from Cate Blanchett (left) to Kristen Stewart (right) have also worn the new white to brilliant effect. The key to looking cool, not clinical, is to choose pieces with texture and intricate details. <br>Photos: &copy; Rex, Getty Images
And as Kate and Canada’s own Sophie Grégoire Trudeau (left) prove, the peekaboo lacy look that the likes of Olivia Wilde (right) choose for the red carpet can be easily adapted to suit more conservative occasions. <br>Photos: &copy; Rex
<h2>ROYAL BLUE</h2> <p>From the runway to the top award shows, royal blue is red-hot this year. The duchess made the intense hue her own in June in a form-fitting Roland Mouret gown for the 40th anniversary gala of SportsAid. Along with its sleek shoulder cutouts – another huge red-carpet trend – the floor-length number is one of her boldest fashion choices so far.</p> Photo: &copy; Rex
Savvy style stars like Eva Longoria (left) and Brie Larson (centre) – who wore a ruffled Gucci dress when claiming her Best Actress honour – would approve. Shortly after Kate’s rhapsody in blue, Blake Lively (right) gave a bold interpretation of the look for moms-to-be in an off-the-shoulder Cushnie et Ochs dress.</p> Photos: &copy; zuma/keystone press, Rex, Rex
<h2>BLUE &amp; WHITE</h2> <p>The classic pairing of white and blue in a floral motif immediately calls to mind memories of an ultimate summer escape – inspiration the duchess undoubtedly drew on when selecting outfits for her royal tour of India and Bhutan this past spring. She donned this romantic dress (right) by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan on the last day of her tour for a visit to the Taj Mahal. The look was chosen from his Resort 2015 collection, which was “Mexican inspired, but it had many Indian influences in it,” said the creator. “She makes it a point to honour the designer[s] from that part of the world – and I was lucky enough to be chosen for her to wear something from me,” he recalled. “[Her stylists] asked for certain styles and we sent it over. We were not sure she was going to wear it and there she was.”</p> Photo: &copy; Getty Images
The classic paisley pattern makes for the perfect garden-party look on celebs like Bo Derek (left) and Reese Witherspoon (right). <br>Photos: &copy; Rex, Getty Images
<h2>RED ALERT</h2> <p>There’s no mistaking the eyecatching effect of a bold red dress – or the confidence of the woman who wears it. And while crimson shades always stand out, this season’s designs turn up the heat with added prints and embellishments. Kate’s Beulah dress had an extra significance when she wore it on her visit to Bhutan; the oversized poppy print was an homage to the nation, reflecting its national flower.</p> Photos: &copy; Rex
Flower power also came through on Jessica Chastain’s (left) pop art-inspired cocktail dress and Helen Mirren’s (centre) Jacques Azagury gown embellished with 3D floral sequins. Actress Elizabeth Olsen (right) opted for a subtle take on Kate’s sweeping print in an Emilio Pucci gown with a delicate feather motif. <br>Photos: &copy; Rex
<h2>BOLD SKIRTS</h2> <p>Perhaps reflecting the fashion-forward influence of her personal assistant, Natasha Archer, Kate impressed in a knee-length Banana Republic skirt and Goat Fashion blouse at the Heads Together charity launch in May.</p> Photo: &copy; Getty Images
Full, printed skirts have also proven popular with the stars. Freida Pinto (left) wore a Kate Spade version in New York City and Melissa McCarthy (right) opted for a zig-zag print in London. Put a sophisticated spin on the trend by keeping your colour palette to cream, charcoal and blue. <br>Photos; &copy; Getty Images
<h2>MIX 'N' MATCH</h2> <p>With her wardrobe of playful yet elegant garments, the Duchess of Cambridge pulled off this trend brilliantly in India. During a cricket match, Kate wore a delicately printed georgette dress by Mumbai-born designer Anita Dongre paired with Mint Velvet suede wedges. “She’s amazing – it looks easy, breezy and so contemporary,” said the designer. She pulled off another lovely look in a printed silk-chiffon maxi dress by Anna Sui in Kaziranga.</p> Photos: &copy; Getty Images
Stylish A-listers Rose Byrne (in Bottega Veneta, left) and Sienna Miller (in Dolce & Gabbana, right) prove that bold mixed prints work best in sophisticated constructions and simple heels. Keep the hemline at midi-length or just above the ankle for a pretty look that doesn't overpower. <br>Photos: &copy; startraksphoto, Getty Images
<h2>SHEER ELEGANCE</h2> <p>In fashion circles, lace is no longer associated with prim or demure designs! The newest take on this trend highlights sheer panels, laser-cut details and unexpected pops of colour. Kate’s long-sleeved Temperley London dress from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection was a perfect example.</p> Photo: &copy; Getty Images
Kristen Bell’s (left) scarlet outfit for the NBCUniversal Upfronts by Philosophy perfectly illustrates lace's welcome pops of colour. And while <em>Girls</em> star Allison Williams (in Nina Ricci, centre) and actress Zendaya (in Self Portrait, right) went for sheer looks, Kate had panels of fabric added to her outfit to cover up for lunch with the Prime Minister of India. Even when hewing to a dress code, Kate knows how to push her personal style boundaries. <br>Photos: &copy; BEI/Shutterstock
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