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.

Stuart Weitzman cork wedge

Its safe to say Catherine stuck to a fairly basic "uniform" during the Olympics, often pairing navy jeggings with a navy blazer, with only one or two variations of this outfit.  The one constant the Duchess sported were the Stuart Weitzman "Corkswoon" style cork wedges, seen here at a jumping equestrian event.

This wedge shoe boasts a significant 4 1/2" high heel -- with added platform!  It is a closed pump style in a dark blue fabric upper and cork finished wedge with a button tab detail at the back.  Kate's version, the "antique denim" upper, appears to be an on-line exclusive; other available variations of the style come in patent leather.
Retails for: ≈ $375 U.S.

Stuart Weitzman "Corkswoon" in navy antique denim.

I thought finding a look-a-like of Kate's shoe would be easy but it actually was not!  Who would have thought a fairly standard platform wedge pump would be rather difficult to find.

One of the closest repli-Kates I found is actually a bit removed from the style in that it is an espadrille wedge, not a cork finished version.  It is the shoe brand Aldo, via ASOS.  But I chose it because it best matches the details of the original, including the insane heel height, denim style blue fabric upper, and tab detail at the back.
Retails for:  ≈ $99.42 U.S., as low as $51.09.

Aldo (via ASOS) - "Drewel" canvas espadrille in navy.

I included this ASOS Collection version (in cornflower blue) because it is true to the cork finish of the original, but just in case that height is too much for someone who loves the look and style of the original.
Retails for: $42.58 U.S., as low as $20.44.

ASOS Collection - "Skye" wedge in cornflower blue.

I almost don't want to include this next Gap shoe because it is so far removed from the original inspiration and actually looks a bit cheap in the picture.
At 4" it is a slightly shorter height, with black leather and a wood style wedge.  True to Kate's form it is a closed toe pump style.
Retails for: ≈ $79.95 U.S.

Gap - wedge pump in true black.

Finally the last and probably my favorite of the repli-Kates is this cork wedge from Charlotte Russe.  The heel is over 5" and in a closed toe pump style in linen-like pink.  It even has a similar rounded almond toe shape of the original.  I even find that the fabric texture mimics that of the original's denim.
I think I like it even more than the original because it is pink!  That makes it a bit funner and makes for a great pop of color, though it might be a bit less versatile.

Retails for: ≈ $34.00 U.S., as low as $12.50.

Charlotte Russe - linen round toe cork wedge.