Fashion Hacks We Learned From The Royal Family

1. Clutches have multiple purposes.

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A clutch bag can really elevate the right outfit. A stylish pop of color, or something that totally matches, can really make you look more put together. But Diana devised a new purpose for her trusty clutch bags - she actually called them her 'cleavage bags', and used them to hide her cleavage from the greedy eyes of the paparazzi. Genius!

2. The solution to windy-day dress disasters.

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The official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II created this genius hack so that Her Majesty wouldn't have to feel any anxiety about going outside on a windy day in her signature dresses. He would actually sew tiny little weights into the lining of her dresses so that they always sat right, no matter the weather.

3. Hair nets never go out of style.

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Think hairnets are just for use in kitchens? Think again. Kate Middleton is a believer in hair nets for reducing flyaways and keeping fashionable hairstyles perfect all day. She often wears them for official events, and the versatility of a hairnet also means you could wear the same hairdo for more than one day!

4. The trick to keeping your hat straight all day.

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Hats are a staple of the royal family wardrobe, and nobody wore them better than Princess Diana. She always had a range of fashionable hats on rotation for events, all of them perfectly matching the rest of her outfit and all of them sat perfectly all day. How did she achieve this? Apparently, she had combs sewed into her hats so they grabbed her hair just right to keep from slipping.

5. Bodysuits are a must for on-the-go royals.

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Ever wondered how Meghan Markle keeps her outfits looking sleek and stylish even as she rushes from one royal appointment to the next? Well, the secret is a bodysuit. Some of Meghan's most stylish shirts are actually part of a bodysuit, which is made so that the shirt never comes untucked and stays looking perfect even on-the-go.

6. Always go for natural nail varnish.

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Now, royals technically aren't permitted to wear flashy nail varnish at official events. That's why you'll rarely see Kate Middleton sporting a bright colour like orange or red. However, there's another reason why natural is the way to go, and that's because it naturally matches everything. So, no outfit stress.

7. Designer isn't always better.

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You would expect that royals would prefer designer brands over anything that us non-royals can pick up from high-street brands. But in fact, Kate Middleton has made a name for herself as a lover of high-street fashion. She's frequently seen in dresses that are widely available from brands like Topshop, and has shown that you don't have to spend a lot to look good.

8. Heavier fabrics can be more fashionable.

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Another trick for choosing the best clothing is to think about the fabric you're buying. Royals frequently opt for tweed co-ords, like this blazer and fabric worn by Kate Middleton. Not only are thicker fabrics like tweed ideal for looking stylish in colder weather, but the heaviness will also prevent your clothing from blowing around in windy weather.

9. Opt for bigger heels.

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We're always told to buy shoes that fit us right - too big, and we risk heels falling off and too small and they'll pinch us in all the worst places. But Meghan Markle bucks this advice by buying high heels that are purposely slightly too big for her. Why? It avoids any potential blisters from wearing them all day at royal events.

10. Coat dresses are perfect for autumn weather.

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Not sure what to wear when the weather starts to turn but you still need to look stylish? Royals have the perfect hack for that: the dress coat. These one-piece styles aren't always popular with the general population, but Kate has proven they're the perfect choice for autumn weather.

11. Low buns are the perfect versatile hairstyle.

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Meghan always looked beautiful as she attended royal events and charity outings. Part of this is down to her timeless sense of style, and some of it can be attributed to something as her simple low bun. Not only does a low bun look effortless, but it can also easily be taken down later in the day and turned into care-free long curls for an evening event.

12. Sticky tights are a lifesaver.

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It's actually a royal rule that pantyhose must be worn for events, never bare legs. However, this can create some problems when you add high heels into the mix - what about if your tights shuffle around in your shoes? Kate Middleton found a way around this by buying specific tights that contain sticky silicone on the feet, ensuring your shoes stay on all day.

13. Do re-wearing smart with accessories.

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There's absolutely no shame in re-wearing an outfit - at least, that's what Kate has proven. She frequently steps out in the same (high-street) outfit that she had on at a previous event, but does it so smartly that you might never notice. Switching up coats, hats, and bags can make the same outfit look subtly different - so pay attention to your accessories next time you want to wear the same thing again.

14. A pillbox hat is the least fussy headwear.

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Not sure what hat to try with your outfit? There's a reason that the royals keep going back to the classic pillbox style, once favorited by Jackie Kennedy. These simple hats never go out of style, and are an easy way to elevate an outfit from something simple to something truly sophisticated and elegant.

15. Make your shoes comfy the easy way.

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When you're a woman in the royal family, you spend a lot of time walking around in high heels. They're the preferred shoe of choice for a formal event, and that can take its toll on your feet. Apparently, Kate Middleton is a big fan of leather insoles in all her high heels to make them more comfy and easy to wear all day.

16. Stand out when you want to.

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Sometimes, all you want to do is stand out from the crowd - and that's what Queen Elizabeth did most of the time. She actually had a good reason for wearing her signature bright colors, though, as the monarch had to be readily seen at an event for security reasons. But we could all take her comfort in pastels into our lives.

17. Hats have all sorts of advantages.

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Hats aren't always a popular choice for an outfit, especially as they can be hard to style. But sometimes, they can actually come in handy. Here, Kate Middleton opts for a fascinator as she steps out of the plane. The reason? Becomes it keeps her hair out of her eyes as she faces the paparazzi!

18. Every outfit is made better with a scarf.

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Here, Kate Middleton rocks a bright red scarf that she's had for over a decade. The royal is known for her collection of scarves, all of which brighten up an outfit and add a bit of style to those dreary winter dress days. Because royals aren't allowed to take coats off in on official outings (I know, what?!), an added scarf makes it easier to stay warm even in a light coat.

19. And headscarves can be even more stylish.

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Just as Kate Middleton is known for her love of scarves, Queen Elizabeth was known for her love of headscarves. They don't have to feel old-fashioned at all - here, Queen Elizabeth sports a stylish print that wouldn't look out of place on a Gucci runway. As always, it's how you style it that matters.

20. For days when you can't be bothered.

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A monochrome outfit never looks out of style - and that's a really valuable lesson we can learn from the royals. Everyone from Meghan Markle to Kate Middleton and the late Queen have sported monochrome outfits before, as they keep you looking sharp even when you don't want to think too hard about what to wear.

21. Fitted dresses make looking stylish easy.

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Why do you often see royals wearing fitted clothing? From suits to dresses, their clothes always seem to hug them in all the right places - and there's a bigger reason besides from 'it looks good.' A well-fitted dress or suit can also reduce the risk of any embarrassing problems with the wind, especially if you're attending an outdoor event.

22. Bodysuits are useful for all kinds of reasons.

image source: harpersbazaar.com

We know that bodysuits are great for keeping your outfit looking sharp all day, and avoid any embarrassing times when your shirt decides to leap up out of your trousers. But apparently, there's another reason Meghan wears them - and that's because increased static from certain bodysuits helps things like shirts and skirts stick to the body better.

23. Sleek hair is a toothbrush away.

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How do you get beautifully sleek hair like Meghan Markle? You keep a toothbrush in your bag. Apparently, this is Meghan's favorite fashion hack for keeping any flyaways at bay on the go. Just keep a small bottle of hairspray in your bag along with a toothbrush and pat away any stray hairs while you're out and about.

24. Keep away bra lines with this hack.

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Have you ever noticed that royals never, ever show their bra straps or underwear lines? It's royal etiquette never to reveal that to paparazzi, and they have a clever way of hiding them. Sometimes, bras are directly sewn into their clothing so they don't even have to wear one, or they use shapewear to ensure that their clothes stay beautiful on top.

25. Don't wear the same dress twice - wear an altered version.

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We know that thrifty Kate isn't embarrassed about wearing the same outfit again. But sometimes, she even hides the fact that it's the same outfit by altering it just slightly. She's done this many times before, sometimes changing the style of the shoulders on a dress or the neckline to suit a different type of event.

26. Nude tights can give you flawless legs.

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Nude tights may be part of the typical royal wardrobe, but they're not afraid to make them work for them. Meghan buys her nude tights from a particular brand that makes them for a huge range of different skin tones, making it easier to find a perfect match, and making your legs even more flawless.

27. An easy way to keep your hat in place.

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Princess Diana may have opted for combs inside her hats, but Kate has a different preference. She actually uses elastic bands to help keep her hats on, ensuring that it's tied just tight enough on the back of the head so that it doesn't fall off. And always make sure to choose an elastic the same colour as your hair!

28. Belts never go out of style.

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Belts on dresses aren't necessarily the classic style today, but the royals have proven that they're a great way to take an ordinary outfit and turn it into something elegant and professional. Kate frequently uses belts to change the style of a coat or dress, taking the same outfit to different events depending on the formality and dress style.

29. Geographical fashion is in.

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By this we mean: always match your style to the location you're going. Kate has done this well before, pairing symbolic brooches with her outfit depending on the country she's visiting, and she loves doing it when she's in Scotland where she wears tartan. It's a little nod of respect to heritage, and makes you look knowing and respectful.

30. Gloves are elegant and essential.

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There's a reason Queen Elizabeth often wore gloves on her royal engagements (and it's not just because it made her look very professional.) When you're meeting lots of people, there's a big chance of germs, and gloves helped protect the Queen as well as pulling all her outfits together. They're not for everyone all the time, but a beautiful pair of gloves can go a long way.