I dressed like The Queen for a week, eating a KFC bucket in silk gloves and enjoying a pint down the pub in a tiara
After the Queen was named one of Britain's best dressed icons, Fabulous reporter Lauren Windle took up the challenge of replicating her timeless style using clothes from the high street
THE QUEEN was named one of Tatler’s best dressed for 2018 – and for good reason.
You won’t find another 92-year-old who can rock a silk headscarf, canary yellow hat or a calf-length trench like our beloved monarch.
But while her style is chic, elegant and classic, are the brightly-coloured ensembles accessible to us – her adoring public?
I took on the challenge of recreating some of Queen Elizabeth’s most memorable looks over the course of a week with just a high-street budget.
And – spoiler alert – one was highly amused.
Day 1: Don’t reign on my parade
Life channelling my inner monarch got off to a strong start with this London bus-red and faux-fur number.
A deviation from my normal style, the fluffy cuffs and pillbox hat made me feel slightly more Russian than regal but I embraced the head-turning look with aplomb.
Finding coats on the great British high-street in the height of summer proved to be a tricky feat so I settled for a New Look jacket, showing a little more leg than Liz – but then I’ve got the next 62 years to lower my hemlines.
The one swap I loved was the Queen’s comfy loafers – miles better than my six-inch work stilettos. Who says we should suffer for fashion?
Walking down the street I was met with some baffled looks, which I can only put down to people wondering why they hadn’t gone for the same, extremely cosy, outfit.
- Coat, £34.99, New Look –
- Hat, £42, Helen Moore –
- Collar, £45, Helen Moore –
- Cuffs, £31, Helen Moore –
- Gloves, stylist’s own
- Bag, £27.50, M&S –
- Shoes, £65, M&S –
- Brolly, £14.99, Amazon –
- Earrings, stylist’s own
Day 2: Keeping it fur real
With plans to meet some friends at the local for a quick drink, one of the Queen’s classy evening looks was on the agenda.
Again the fur provided some much needed insulation, but the glistening gems (Mine: £6. Hers: Priceless) attracted a lot of attention from passers-by.
This outfit was clearly a hit with men of a certain age giving me a cheeky wink as they walked by.
But it turns out that floor-skimming sequin gowns are not ideal for a trip to the boozer – unless you have no issue with your frock getting a bit grubby and beer-soaked around the hems.
- Dress, £50, ASOS –
- Bracelet, £6.99, New Look –
- Shoes, £19.99, New Look –
- Clutch, £27, Accessorize –
- Fur wrap, £12.99, Amazon –
- Gloves, £5.99, Amazon –
- Earrings and necklace stylist’s own
Day 3: Purple reign
It turns out head scarves are a granny’s best kept secret.
The silky material on the side of my face felt like a warm, expensive hug.
The only issue with the fabulously Audrey Hepburn accessory is that it slipped off every five minutes, making it a bit of a faff.
Perhaps the Queen has perfected a tying or clipping technique that I am yet to master.
It goes without saying that I enjoyed the shoes, but the coat was also right up my street in an on-trend purple (very autumn/winter 2018). All in all, a highly wearable look.
- Coat, £109, Hobbs at John Lewis –
- Scarf, £14, Accessorize –
- Bag, £27.50, M&S –
- Shoes, £65, M&S –
- Gloves, stylist’s own
- Earrings, stylist’s own
Day 4: It’s a dog’s life
There’s nothing out of the ordinary about this look, apart from the headscarf.
The Queen is embracing her inner ‘every-woman’ with a classic beige trench, black trousers and sturdy walking boots.
But, despite the reasonably mundane attire, my dog walk and tube trip attracted a fair amount of attention.
I’m willing to accept the possibility that it was carrying a toy corgi on a lead that did it…
- Coat, £44.99, Bershka at ASOS –
- Joggers, £17.99, New Look –
- Boots, £29.99, New Look –
- Scarf, £14, ASOS –
- Glasses, stylist’s own
Day 5: Queen bee
Canary yellow is not my colour of choice and rocking it around London in ill-fitting vibrant coat was not ideal.
A builder wolf-whistled, yelled “Ma’am” at me and gave a royal wave as a strode past him.
But, undeterred by my dislike of the eye-catching outfit, I took it on the road for a spot of lunch at KFC. The meal deal for one with an orange Tango helped cheer me up.
As did yet another opportunity to wear the world’s comfiest shoes.
My conclusion: wide brimmed hats are tricky to keep in place in the face of a gust on wind, but white gloves are perfect for keeping your hands clean when eating fried chicken.
- Coat, £34.99, New Look –
- Dress, £34.50, Monsoon –
- Hat, £12.99, Amazon –
- Gloves, £5.99, Amazon –
- Shoes, £65, M&S –
Day 6: Crowning glory
When recreating the Queen’s evening-wear style it would be wrong not to go all out with the bling.
How often do you get to wear your own version of the crown jewels?
My findings were as follows: tiaras are surprisingly comfortable and do a nice job of bringing out one’s eye colour, a sash is the perfect way to make a brooch stand out on a patterned dress, and don’t be afraid to pair a high-glam look with some Deirdre Barlow glasses.
- Dress, £45, Miss Selfridge at ASOS –
- Necklace, £30, J By Jasper Conran at Debenhams –
- Bracelet, £15, J By Jasper Conran at Debenhams –
- Brooch, £12, Accessorize –
- Tiara, £16.99, Amazon –
- Gloves, £5.99, Amazon –
- Earrings, stylist’s own
- Sash, stylist’s own
Day 7: Yasss Queen
Looking at this photo of the Queen gleefully cutting a cake it made me realise that we are more similar than I first thought.
The childlike excitement of anticipating marzipan icing is now the second thing we have in common, as well as a love of comfortable loafers.
Despite my impression that the royals are dripping in pearls, this is the first time in my week that the Queen’s outfit has called for any – although mine are plastic.
The powder blue number was perfect for a bit of office-based admin and the curving rim of my royal-replica hat meant I always had an ear free for taking calls.
- Coat, £39.99, H&M –
- Necklace, £15, M&S –
- Brooch, £9, Accessorize –
- Gloves, £5.99, Amazon –
- Hat, £120, John Lewis –
All in all my week as the Queen was a right royal adventure.
Both head scarves and sensible shoes are about to be incorporated into my real life wardrobe in homage to the chic monarch.
In addition, I now believe we should get the 92-year-old a medal to match that tiara.
Not only does she attend engagement after engagement, she does so in a fun rainbow-coloured array of elegant outfits (often featuring hard to tame hats).
Your Majesty, if we ever meet, you’ll get a knowing curtsy from me. A manoeuvre that is now much easier, thanks to my practical flats.
But this isn’t the first time journalist Lauren has recreated a royal look, she also proved that you can replicate Meghan Markle’s £700k designer wardrobe on a budget.
Plus we showed you how you could use the high street to recreate Meghan’s striped midi dress which cost £1,430.50.
And now you can see if Meghan Markle’s wardrobe suits your body shape with new digital tool… and even try on possible wedding dresses.