The Kate Middleton trickle-down effect

Thanks to Kate Middleton are the women of this nation becoming classier in their clothes choices? The stats show that Kate's engagement dress from Reiss sold out rapidly after the television announcement, as have a number of her other outfits, including another dress she wore when she met the Obamas.

No doubt, Middleton has become a style icon with clothes from the higher end of the high street. She wears pieces that are simple, elegant and most importantly affordable. Her style is tangible and within the reaches of us mere mortals. From the high end of the high street to the lower end, Middleton's style has left its mark and it's apparent from the shops which are currently awash with blazers and pretty dresses that ooze class.

She has inspired a generation of women to want to dress like princesses with her knee length dresses and well cut coats. Classy outfits where more is more is catching on. Perhaps part of the charm lies in the fact that although we can't all marry princes, we can at least feel as graceful as princesses. Will we finally become a nation of chic females to rival Paris or New York? I certainly hope so and continue to look forward to Kate's next outfit.