Kate Middleton: Is she going for French chic with this newly chosen business outfit?

Kate Middleton proves her flair for trends again and surprises us with this very feminine silhouette

Once the Duchess of Cambridge was a keen believer in skinny jeans, in recent years Kate Middleton has developed a style that's more sophisticated than suburban, while always keeping an eye on the latest fashion trends. Yesterday, however, the Queen proved that a pair of well-tailored, slim-leg trousers is a great piece of clothing that is not to be scoffed at in an era of relaxed silhouettes and baggy jeans.

Kate Middleton goes French chic with a business outfit

During her visit to PACT (Parents and Children Together) in Southwark, Kate combined her black LK Bennett pants with a matching light knit sweater, a classic one gray check Catherine Walker blazer and pointed block heel pumps. The outfit was simpler and more sophisticated than the business looks the Duchess has been sporting lately, but gave the impression of timelessness and comfort.

Simple black trousers are an old but very safe classic, favored by Audrey Hepburn, but with Kate's chic blazer her look looked more like Catherine Deneuve. Swap out the signature Gianvito Rossi shoes for a pair of ballet flats and Kate would have looked suspiciously French indeed.

The royal signs came, as so often, through the jewelry of the Duchess. Kate, who is always smiling, updated her outfit with a pair of pearl earrings and a small pendant necklace by Astley Clarke, which she chose for its lightness. The message was clear: this is a woman who means business and is ready for whatever the day throws at her.

This article originally appeared on Vogue.co.uk.

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