Style Icon: Duchess of Cambridge

What makes a style icon? I believe that a style icon is a person followed by the media for her/his fantastic taste in clothing, design, and self presentation. Of course, this person is most likely being followed by the media for other (probably more important) reasons. But for today’s purpose, I shall focus on the frivolous act of getting dressed. So, I ask you, who is your style icon? Whose style do you try to emanate while picking out new pieces of clothing?

As a 20-something trying to make her way in the real world, I’ve taken up with channeling my inner Duchess of Cambridge. I have taken a long and strange fashion road to get to this point (ask my sister about my favorite sweater from 6th grade, affectionately called the Band-Aid sweater by my family). I’ve muddled through the awkward years of middle school, trying on trends faster than the Road Runner from the Warner Brothers cartoons, before settling in with the crowd later in high school. Now, I’ve finally found a grown woman who knows how to dress appropriately in public without looking like a circus side show. You could say that I’ve had my Jackie O. moment.

I’ve been intently following the Duchess since her royal wedding last year, completely enamored with the tradition and style of the entire royal wedding process. As she began her duties as a royal family member in the following months, the press began to call the Duchess out on her “recycling” of clothing pieces. You know, wearing the same pair of shoes more than once? Even if she happened to wear her shoes like a normal person and rock the same blouse twice in one month, she still looked fabulous. That was my ah-ha moment. Gorgeous, smart, and always pulled together.

I now strive to buy well fitting pieces that are simple in design when shopping, so I can dress them up with my Lia Sophia jewelry and other accessories. My shopping cart is increasingly filled with brighter colors (even some neon, ha!) and pieces of clothing that I know I can wear twice in one month, too. The Duchess of Cambridge must be on to something if she was just awarded the top spot on the International Best Dressed list this morning. What more could I ask for? 

Tell me, who is your fashion icon? Are you a Jackie O, Lady Gaga, or a Real Housewife of somewhere? Or, do you think I'm just another fashion nut (which is okay, too)?