In February 2014, Kate Middleton wore the L.K. Bennett Detroit dress during a visit to a school in West London, where she opened new facilities on behalf of The Art Room charity.
Although she visited the school on St. Valentine’s Day, she shied away from the usual reds and pinks associated with the lovey-dovey holiday and instead chose this brilliant, vibrant blue hue. The colour is described by L.K. Bennett as ‘snorkel blue’. It featured heavily in their spring/summer 2014 collection.
The Duchess wore the dress again later in the year; this time visiting the poppy installation with Prince William at The Tower of London:
The bright blue colour ensured Kate stood out while walking around the sea of red poppies.
About the Detroit dress:
The L.K. Bennett Detroit sheath dress is made from polyester crepe fabric, features a cinched waist, three quarter length sleeves and a ‘notch collar’ detail neckline. It originally retailed retailed for £225 GBP / $395 USD.
In addition to the snorkel blue colour, L.K. Bennett sold the dress in a bold shade of violet and a soft, creamy white too:
Buying the L.K. Bennett Detroit dress today:
The dress is from L.K. Bennett’s 2014 spring and summer collection, which means it’s no longer available to purchase. Sometimes, the dress pops up on eBay. It’s worth checking there if you’d like to buy it.
Very similar dress:
L.K. Bennett regularly release dresses that are very similar in style to the Detroit. Often, they’re updated to suit the new season. For autumn/winter 2016, there’s the ‘Hendra‘ dress in pink:
The Hendra and Detroit dresses share many of the same features: the flattering cut, a skirt that hits below the knee and panelling detail at the bust. Here’s how the company describe the dress:
Don’t underestimate Hendra’s figure-sculpting abilities. This rich pink dress is expertly cut and panelled for an ultra flattering fit, and distinguished by an architectural neckline, complete with stand-up collar. Style with an updo to showcase this, finishing with vertiginous pumps to elongate the silhouette further.
The dress comes in ‘rosehip pink’, which is a beautiful, rich hue chosen by L.K. Bennett for the new season (most of their AW16 collection features items in this colour too).
The Hendra dress costs:
- £225 GBP at L.K. Bennett UK/International
- £225 GBP at John Lewis
- £225 GBP at Very Exclusive
- $395 USD at L.K. Bennett USA/Canada
- $395 USD at Saks Fifth Avenue
About Kate and L.K. Bennett:
It’s fair to say that L.K. Bennett is one of Kate’s go-to brands. The Duchess wears frequently wears clothing, shoes and accessories from the premium high street store.
Arguably, her most famous piece from L.K. Bennett is her Sledge heels. She frequently wore them for years:
It appears that she’s retired the Sledges now and regularly wears L.K. Bennett’s Fern heels instead:
Kate frequently carries her L.K. Bennett Natalie straw clutch bag.
She also owns L.K. Bennett’s Lasa dress in a wonderful bright blue poppy print; the Darwin jacket, made from sheepskin and shearling; the black patent and raffia heeled Maddox wedges, which she famously wore the days before and after the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Agata sandals, which are pink and feature a cute bow, the red Cayla dress worn to Wimbledon in 2015 – and many, many other items.
