On Tuesday, the Duchess of Cambridge was in London, performing her royal duties as usual, visiting the Lawn Tennis Association at the National Tennis Centre. What was unusual though, was her attire. For the outing, Kate Middleton sported a decidedly athleisure look, wearing a pair of tapered Monreal London track pants with a wide stripe, a fitted Nike shirt (with the collar peeking out just so), and — wait for it — Nike VaporMax sneakers in a shade of icy blue.
When the shoe was introduced, Brett Holts, Nike’s VP of Running Footwear, called it the brand’s most innovative sneaker yet. This is the thing though: this sneaker is the latest in a series of Nike styles that the "cool kids" have completely adopted. People like Travis Scott and Gucci Mane, are habitually photographed in a pair of the fresh style, and Justin Bieber even sported a pair during his Purpose tour. As if that wasn't proof enough, the athletic shoe with the gummy bottom was also a part of a limited-edition collaboration with Comme des Garçons. So we’re a little surprised that Middleton would rock such a statement sneaker, switching it up from her usual classic style we’ve come to know and love, but we have to say it definitely works.
Of course even though she's dressed like one of us, her jewelry, namely that 12-carat-sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring that's barely noticeable keeps the outfit at royal levels. Middleton’s look not only reminds us that she’s down with a good high-low pairing but that she’s athletic, too. The mother-of-three looked every bit the part of a tennis star as she encouraged the children at the center, helping them to play her favorite sport — and we’d say she served up an ace, in more ways than one.
Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit sneaker, £169.95, available at Nike.