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.

L.K. Bennett nude platform pumps

One of Kate's most favored shoes are her nude L.K. Bennett platform pumps.  They are arguable one of her trademarks since she seems to wear them with just about everything.

The pump itself is closed toe in a light neutral color.  The heel is high and I'd almost call it a stiletto with a slight 1/2 inch platform.  It also has a very versatile rounded almond toe, which is neither too pointed nor too round, which is a detail that I think really "makes" this style.  A pointed toe can be restrictive and look too trendy but a round toe while roomier, can look less sophisticated.   That makes a rounded almond toe a great compromise between the two because it is still sleek yet classic.

This style of shoe retails for ≈ £195 or about $304 U.S. plus international shipping.
(Also available at Nordstrom for ≈ $345.)

L.K. Bennett - "Sledge" patent pump in taupe.

This isn't a hard item to find a repli-Kate for but the details that you want to keep in mind for this neutral style are the shiny patent leather, the nice slim heel, the slight platform, and the almond toe shape.


A great look-a-like is this Nine West style.  The toe is not too pointed and it retains the slight platform style, only with a slightly thicker - some would say sturdier! - heel than the original.
Retails for ≈ $99 U.S., currently on sale for $79.

NineWest - "Homage" patent pump in dove.

Another dead ringer for this style is the Christin Michaels pump.  The color is a camel which is a slightly stronger shade of neutral but still soft and buttery, and it may even be a more flattering shade than paler options.  Again we have the nice slim heel that is slightly shorter and the platform.

Retails for ≈ $65 U.S. 

Christin Michaels via Zappos - "Elektra" pump in camel.

This last one is the most expensive of the look-a-likes and is a great option if you were willing to splurge on the originals but have to been able to find any in stock.
This one again has the high slim heel, platform, and rounded almond toe.
 Retails for ≈ $325.

Stuar Weitzman - "Platswoon" pump in adobe aniline.

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.