If you've been on the internet lately (or in a store that sells clothing) you already know that 2000s style is back in a big way. When it comes to fashion trends, everything is a cycle — and that means if you are a millennial, there's a good chance that you've realized that some of the staple pieces of your high school wardrobe are en vogue again. Fellow millennial Kate Middleton is probably feeling the same nostalgia right now, and as it turns out, the Princess of Wales is a big part of this trend resurgence.
Before she married Prince William in 2011, Kate had a lot more freedom to dress how she pleased, and that means that her style was far more eclectic and edgy than it is these days now that she's the Princess of Wales and married to the man who is currently first in line for the throne.
Members of Gen Z are discovering Kate's pre-royal style for the first time, and videos of her "noughties fashion" are going viral on TikTok (and making us wish we kept all those clothes from the early 2000s that we donated long ago).
Want to jump on this trend and try Kate's Y2K style for yourself? Keep reading for looks you can shop right now.
A Casual Blank Slate
It's hard to believe that the Kate we know today once went out looking like this, but it happened. Sometimes, less is more, and whether or not you plan to wear it with a pair of light wash jeans and a belt like Kate did, a white cami top is a great style staple for your closet.
Blazers Are Back
Kate still wears a lot of blazers, but not any quite like this. The business-casual influence was big in the early 2000s, and not even Kate was immune to it. You can bring this style into today with a similar fitted tweed blazer paired with jeans and a shoulder bag.
Howdy, Partner
When Kate attended the Gatcombe Horse Trials in 2005, she absolutely looked the part — and thanks to this inexpensive dupe of her hat, you can, too. Fun hats are coming back, y'all, and if you don't want to splurge on leather, this more budget-friendly version reminds us so much of the one Kate wore nearly 20 years ago.
A Flirty Red Sundress
We will probably never see Kate in a flirty dress like this again (at least, not with a plunging neckline like the one featured here), but when she was William's girlfriend and watching him compete in a charity polo match in 2006, nothing was off-limits for her yet. Such a cute look for summer!
Make a Statement
It feels no outfit was ever complete without chunky statement accessories in the early 2000s, and far be it from Kate to skip out on that trend. If you want to bring the party back, this necklace from Etsy is similar to the look the future princess was sporting in 2007.
Party Chic
Lace dresses were once a major trend, and even now, they've remained a bit of a staple. You can be like Kate and bring this dress back to the 2000s with a cropped cardigan like the one she's wearing in this photo from a London book launch party in 2007.
Scarves for Every Outfit
How adorable does Kate look here, taking in the horse races? We're loving that blazer/scarf/hat combo, especially when it comes to the scarf. Paisley hasn't been as popular in recent years, but we have a hunch that it's on the way back, along with the rest of the trendy 2000s patterns.
White Denim
$27
from
Lord & Taylor
Denim skirts have already come back into fashion, but this white one adds an extra preppy edge. When Kate was photographed wearing this, she and William were on a break, but we'd never be able to tell by looking at her. Paired with boots and a sweater, she looks so put together.
Simple Stripes
$14.98
from
Abercrombie & Fitch
This is the perfect outfit for a casual night out with friends — who knew that early 2000s Kate would inspire us in that department? A laid-back striped tank top and black jeans is an easy enough look to put together. Heels optional.
Carry It All
These days, we more commonly see the Princess of Wales using clutches that perfectly match the rest of her ensemble, but in the early 2000s, just about everyone was carrying their belongings around in big, slouchy bags like this one. Hey, cellphones were bigger back then!
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