While the fashion pack continue to squabble over her newfound status – iconic British designer Vivienne Westwood called her "ordinary" while the fashion director of Nordstrom in the US spat that you wouldn't look twice at her on the streets of New York – it's us women who have voted...with our wardrobes.

How else do you explain our renewed lust for chic court shoes, flesh-coloured stockings (who knew?) and a fabulous high street bargain? Yes, dressing like the Duchess has become de rigueur – go forth and conquer.

ROYAL NAVY.  It's long been the colour of royalty but navy officially became "the new black" when Kate donned a figure-hugging navy silk jersey dress by Issa (which sold out in hours) for her official engagement announcement.  Victoria Beckham followed suit with a boat necked navy dress of her own design – for the royal wedding no less. And on the recent spring/summer 2011/2012 international catwalks navy prevailed at Burberry, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Collette Dinnigan. "It looks so now and is a great choice for summer as it's much softer than black," says stylist and personal shopper Eva Timbs.

MCQUEEN.  Long live McQueen. That's avant-garde British fashion designer Alexander "Lee" McQueen who died last year leaving behind a legacy of sexy and exquisite tailoring.  For awhile the future of the label looked shaky, but the designer's former right hand woman, Sarah Burton, stepped up to the plate. She rebooted the label with - it must be said - a little help from a certain future queen who donned a fairytale lace Grace Kelly-esque strapless gown complete with Victorian style corset for her waltz up the aisle.  The Duchess's devotion to McQueen was also in full force during her red carpet Hollywood debut back in August when she wore a full length softly pleated lavender gown to meet the A-list.

PANTYHOSE.  While generations of women have long hung up their "granny's" (aka the Queen in this case) flesh-coloured pantyhose the Duchess has embraced tradition – and royal protocol – by slipping on the sheen. And where Kate treads others follow.

GEMSTONES. Diamonds? Pah. Ever since Prince William put a ring on it – asking his bride to marry him with Princess Diana's 18-carat oval sapphire and diamond ring - women all over the globe have gone mad for coloured gems.  "There has been an increase in engagement ring sales across the board and a renewed interest in coloured stones, especially sapphires. And on the back of the royal wedding there has also been more emphasis on the bridal jewellery including earrings, pendants, bracelets and even tiaras," says Angus Logan, the managing director of Jan Logan jewellery.

SENSIBLE NUDE SHOES.  Podiatrists around the world are no doubt rejoicing at Kate's sensible choice of chic court shoes and practical pumps, which has inspired even the most die-hard devotees like Posh to hang up her stilettos.  Sticking to her classic code, the Duchess favours nude pumps and ballet flats, which are bang on trend for this season and work back with everything in your wardrobe.

ZARA.  Only true fashionistas understand the power of working high-end with high-street and Kate has been applauded for her love of affordable fashion. "She's modern, really modern. She's smart to mix cheap clothes with, the likes of Alexander McQueen," said Anna Dello Russo editor-in-chief of Japanese Vogue. Indeed Kate's first outing as a member of the royal family was in a short softly pleated corn-flower blue dress by Spanish chain Zara – who incidentally is still reporting record sales six months after its Australian launch.

UNDERSTATED GLAMOUR.  Some say safe but we say chic, Kate M loves to play the lady in soft neutral shades – lavender, beige, yellow, green and is a fan of fresh florals (also on the radar for this coming summer). She also opts for classic pieces and uncomplicated cuts – this is a woman who would never underestimate the allure of a twin set or simple shift dress.  And it's her "ordinariness" that we can't get enough of.  Glossy bouncy natural looking hair, minimal make up (she did her own for her wedding), jeans and ballet flats for the grocery shop, and, let's face it, a body most of us would die for.  "I think she's great, she's the epitome of attainable aspiration and I don't care what they say about her weight, she has a great body that looks fabulous in clothes", says Timbs.

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