RepliKate Shoe Update

I haven't put much thought into planning any posts.  Sure I have a few ideas but nothing that I've really put into motion yet.

But for some reason I managed to do a bit of online window shopping for one of my favorite Kate items, the L.K. Bennett patent espadrille.  These shoes have made various appearances over the years but perhaps most notably on the day after the wedding as the Cambridges were leaving London.

Image via StyleBistro.

The style Kate is wearing above is the discontinued "Greta".

L.K. Bennett Greta wedge.

However L.K Bennett re-issued versions of the "Greta" wedge under the new style names "Maddox" and "Zella", as previously mentioned on the blog.  Aside from a slight difference in style to the "Greta" - namely the lack of espadrille-covered platform and a difference in height between the two new styles - the shoes are fairly true to the original style.

L.K. Bennet styles "Maddox" (left) & "Zella" (right).

I found last year that this was a spring issue shoe, and while I did conduct an exhaustive search in the spring of this year, that searched turned up nothing.  However much to my delight my search this time around did yield results.

First I was delighted to find the "Zella" version by L.K. Bennett at a reduced price.  Although it should be noted that this is the navy colored version and sizes are limited.
I myself already have a replikate version of this shoe yet I find myself so enticed by the sale price of these L.K. Bennett beauties that I may not be able to resist (a dilemma easily resolved by telling myself that I don't have any shoes in navy!)
Originally $295 USD, they are currently on sale for approximately $177 (in limited sizing only).

L.K. Bennet style "Zella" in navy,
via Bloomingdale's.

I was surprised to see the Aerosole style "Plum Tree" (as mentioned in the previous post) was still available, until I was alerted to its availability by a commenter.  Sure enough I managed to find this version.
This style retails for approximately $79 USD.

Aerosoles style "Plum Tree" in black
(also avail. in other colors), via Macy's.

New to the list are these leather versions by Vaneli.  As you can see this style is a very good dupe - and for those of you interested it also comes in navy (albeit a darker shade than the Zella above).

This style is currently retailing for approximately $129 USD.

Vaneli brand style "Urrike" shown in black
(also avail. in navy and other colors) via Amazon.

Another new-to-the-list shoe is this version from ASOS by the brand Oasis.  While this version has the similar glossy patent upper look, the clear distinction is the stacked wedge heel.  It still seemed to me like a good enough repli-kate so I included it, though you may have noticed that I have largely shied away from featuring stacked wedges for dupes of this shoe.

This version retails for approximately $75.94 USD, currently on sale for approximately $53.16.

Oasis brand patent wedge shoe via ASOS.

I also came across a fairly decent repliKate of Kate's Stuart Weitzman "Corkswoon" style cork wedges.  You may recall she debuted these (and wore them to death) at around the time of the London Olympics of 2012 and broke them out again for the Cambridges Asia Tour.

Image via StyleBistro.

These Nine West denin canvas wedges are a pretty good knock off.  The glaring exception is of course the ankle strap and lack of a cork finished wedge, but all in all its a pretty good dupe
Approximately $89 USD, currently on sale for approximately $49.95.

Nine West style "Luicy", shown in denim canvas
(also avail in other colors).

In the style of... RepliKate Accessories Updates

I've been meaning to do this accessories update for a while and only now managed to find time.  And its great timing now that the Duchess has actually been working more often recently.

This patent cork wedge from C. Wonder is not an exact dupe.  However it is very much in the style of both Kate's L.K. Bennett patent espadrilles and the Stuart Weitzman cork wedges she debuted at the Olympics.  Its a mix of both actually and she has not worn either recently so those old posts will do for now.

C. Wonder - patent leather cork wedge pump in black.

Now a nude pump is a nude pump is a nude pump.  But Kate recently busted out her trusty signature L.K. Bennet nude pumps for a couple of her visits -- to Naomi House Children's Hospice (below left) and the Windsor Castle Scouts ceremony (below right).  She wore the neutral pumps with bright colors so many Kate followers heralded the outing of these shoes as her official debut to spring.
While I'm not feeling the minty green number, the peach is a nice color on her.
And I have to say I am not a fan of her recent thigh high hemline with stiletto heel pairings from a stability standpoint.  It would be embarrassing, not to mention hazardous, to have a repeat of the St. Patrick's day snafu in one of those recent short numbers as she is this far along and the Sledge heels are particularly high with an added platform.

Credits: Left, Right - Zimbio.

Anyway recent repliKates of the Sledge include these patent leather platform pumps in nude from C. Wonder.  Another spot-on dupe if you ask me!

C. Wonder - patent leather platform pump in nude.

This next item is an oldie but its a first for this blog because it features jewelry!

Kate has frequently (but not lately) been pictured wearing a pavé diamond "Button" pendant from Asprey.  Below is the best angle I could find from the 2011 Canada/USA tour but for better close-ups visit Diana's Jewels.

Via IBTimes.com.

It is a silver tone round pendant with pavé set diamonds and a center amethyst.  This pendant design has also been identified as resembling a variation of an "evil eye" pendant.  While simple in design, the necklace clocks in at $3,750 USD.

Asprey - 167 Button pendant.

So for the following keep in mind that these aren't exact dupes but rather they fall under the category of in the style of repliKates but all are well under $3,000.  They also all have pavé settings like Kate's and in this case the pattern is concentric circles around the center set stone.  Pavé means the stones are closely set, and the literal translation means "paved".

First up is this black and white diamond pendant from Kohl's.  It has a bit of extra colored stones on the outer rim however.  If Kate's pendant is a variation on the evil eye, this one would be an evil eye with a pop of eyeliner!

Kohl's - sterling silver black diamond accent round pendant.

This next pendant necklace from Target would be a pretty decent approximation since Kate's Asprey pendant also comes in gold, all save for the lack of a colored center stone.  I should note that while only the gold is available online,  I did see a silver tone version in store.

Target - gold over silver cubic zirconia circle necklace.

This colored pendant from Zales with purple tanzanite and diamonds is slightly the opposite of Kate's pendant with more color and less white diamond.  But is sure is a beauty.

Zales - tanzanite and diamond round frame pendant in sterling silver.

Finally this pendant also from Zales is the bling-iest of the bunch but it is the one that most matches the color ratio on Kate's pendant, with much more white in the surround and the bit of color in the center.

Zales - enhanced blue and white diamond circle frame pendant in sterling silver.

L.K. Bennett patent espadrille wedge

Yes we all know Kate loves her L.K. Bennett shoes and she wears them often.

One of her more popular style of shoe is the patent leather espadrille wedge pump.

She wore them before her wedding, after her wedding, and shopping as a married lady.

Kate's version was marked as the "Greta" style of the L.K. Bennett brand in black, shown in a file photo below.

L.K. Bennett Greta wedge.

However  L.K. Bennett had subsequently discontinued that style and instead issued a new similar style by the name of "Maddox".  The glaring differences are the style of roping on the wedge and the inch platform on the Greta style which is missing from the Maddox.
Retails for ≈ £175, or ≈ $274 U.S. (plus international shipping).

L.K. Bennett - Maddox wedge in black.

Another similar L.K. Bennett style is the brand's own "Zella" wedge.  The Zella is more similar to the Maddox than the Greta, with the difference only in height.  

Retails for ≈ £165, on sale for £145, or ≈ $258 U.S. marked down to $227 (plus international shipping).

L.K. Bennett - "Zella" style wedge in black.

The only supplier I have found for L.K. Bennett in the U.S. is Nordstrom, which carries both the Maddox (retails for ≈ $285) and Zella (retails for ≈ $265) wedges.


There are hallmarks you want to look for in a Repli-Kate version of this piece to imitate the original inspiration pieces as closely as possible, which are:

• black in color - or you can cheat with a darker navy shade because honestly who can tell.
• optional detail: patent or shiny leather or leather-like material similar to the Maddox/Zella style.
• a true pump style - i.e. closed-toe.
• a visibly contrasting natural or natural-look covered wedge or true rope espadrille style wedge
• optional detail: a wedge with a platform, similar to the Greta style.

These are actually closer in style to the Maddox and Zella than the original Greta, but I actually think the slightly thicker sole of this one mimics the Greta's thicker platform.
Aerosoles (via Famous Footwear and Aerosoles.com)  has a patent leather pump + espadrille wedge combo shoe in a style called "Plum Tree".  It comes in a variety of colors and heel options but the black patent leather color is very similar.
Retails for ≈ $79.

Aerosoles - "Plum Tree" style in black patent leather.

What's what by Aerosoles (via Famous Footwear) has a similar wedge pump style called "Coco Plum" that is currently on its its final stocks and therefore hard to comeby.  It comes in two style of black canvas: one with a graphic raffia wedge (which is just about sold out in most sizes) and one with a leopard print wedge.  This one is slightly further from the original style, but still very much captures the essence.  The canvas I think is probably more summery and comfortable than the patent leather but of course not as sharp!
Retails for ≈ $39.99 or as low as $14.99 (other colors.)

What's What by Aerosoles - "Coco Plum" in black canvas.

The Antonion Melani brand has a wedge style called "Tate" that is also a dead ringer for the newer L.K. Bennett versions.  FYI, this style (and the Aerosoles Plum Tree above) are probably on the "higher end" of the cheapie versions.

Retails ≈ originally for $89.99 but is as low as $59.99.

Antonio Melani - "Tate" espadrille wedge.

The J. Crew Seville wedge espadrilles in black canvas are also a very close look a like with the rope platform and covered wedge.  The only blip on this style is the every so slight rope cap toe, which isn't too obvious in its own right but is perhaps not what you are looking for if you seek a close representation.  

This style retails for ≈ $128, but the black canvas style is as low as $79.99.

J. Crew - "Seville" wedge espadrilles in black.

What do you think of the look a likes?
Which would you pick, or would you just as soon splurge on the originals?
I think I might just lean towards the Aerosoles version for many reasons.  One is because I think it is the closest approximation to the original inspirations.  Although the Antonio Melani version is cheaper, Aerosoles is a brand that is known for its comfort and that edges out its slightly higher price point.