Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, recently seized the shoe spotlight with a very different choice—ankle booties. This trendsetting move came during her 2017 visit to Berlin. Meghan carved out her own sartorial space, appearing in a pastel-green and blue printed dress along with what are widely deemed her highest heels yet. The gladiator-style shoes featured three straps that climbed up her foot and ankle, showcasing a striking departure from her typical polished aesthetic.
Claerchens Ballhaus is the last original one of Berlin dancehall. That would have created the ideal stage for the Princess’s bold shoe choice of the day. The stiletto heel of the gladiator footwear finished them harmful and risky. It was a daring move that turned heads in the high-fashion world.
Kate is often praised for her timeless, elegant shoe selections. Angela Kyte, a fashion expert, noted the significance of this shift:
“The Princess of Wales is typically known for her polished, classic footwear, so the choice of strappy, nude gladiator-style heels here was a rare, unexpected shift.” – Angela Kyte
Kate has certainly been bolder with her styles lately. This decision prevents her appearance from getting futuristic while still embracing that trend. The strappy sandals brought a summery, bohemian vibe to her otherwise-prim look.
I liked that in the past, Kate has gone for classic silhouettes. Look how she stunned in fabulous Prada pumps and a to-die-for Elie Saab dress when she made an official visit to Germany with Prince William. On this particular instance, she lowered the designer stilettos with a graceful outline that accented her traditional trend aesthetic.
We first spotted Kate’s chic Prada scalloped sandals on display during a garden party in Berlin. She styled them with a gorgeous off-the-shoulder red Alexander McQueen gown. This decision was illustrative of her ability to take the new and fresh, push it together with the elegant and classic.
Kyte remarked on this balance:
“They work well in context for a summer garden setting, but feel a little informal compared to her usual court shoe polish. It’s a look that subtly nods to trend, but without fully embracing fashion risk.” – Angela Kyte
In 2023, Kate further demonstrated her versatility in style by wearing four-inch heels, a pair of scalloped suede sandals by Prada, paired with a Markus Lupfer printed midi dress.
Kate is always – ALWAYS – surprising us with her fashion. She breaks the mold in the fashion industry by uniquely combining timeless sophistication with contemporary flair.
