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M&S is selling an affordable dupe of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s favourite wedges
For a royal-approved look, opt for these affordable alternatives to Castañer’s sandals
There is no denying that both the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex have become style inspirations for many, with their fashion choices eagerly chartered and watched across the globe.
Despite their shared penchant for designer items, neither are strangers to high street finds. Kate, for example, has demonstrated her sartorial flair and become known as the queen of “high-low” dressing.
She recently paired a Max & Co pink coat with a scalloped-hem Boden jumper, which became the latest victim of the so-called “Kate Effect” and immediately sold out in the colour she wore.
Meghan has shown a similar approach to her wardrobe, accessorising a £4,148 Oscar de la Renta dress with a £29.50 fascinator to her first British royal wedding. And she’s been known to favour the likes of Veja trainers, Le Specs sunglasses and sustainable brand With Nothing Underneath.
Another firm favourite with the pair is Castañer espadrille wedges. Both Meghan and Kate frequently gravitate towards these heeled sandals during the warmer seasons for more informal, outdoor events.
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With the shoes being handmade in Spain, the brand is credited with creating the very first wedge espadrille after it was commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent in the early Sixties. The sandals feature a woven heel panel, are set on a jute-braided wedge and are the perfect smart-casual shoe that will go with everything from floral midi dresses to straight-leg jeans.
While they are on the more affordable end, at £85 a pop they’re still an investment. But we’ve got some good news for avid royal fashion fans – M&S has just dropped a cheap dupe, with its version of the shoes costing just £22.50.
Similarly to more high-end alternatives, M&S’s latest launch features a classic espadrille wedge and comes in a variety of colours, as well as a wide fit.
For an elevated, royal-approved look, here’s everything you need to know about the new sandals that we think both Kate and Meghan would love.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
M&S Collection ankle strap wedge espadrilles: £22.50, Marksandspencer.com
Both Kate and Meghan have put a strong case together for wearing this style of sandal for both formal and more informal events. When the Duchess of Cambridge attended the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019, she opted for a floral maxi dress with her pair of trusty wedge espadrilles, and we can see why they’re a firm favourite.
While we’re yet to try these for ourselves, the brand claims that they are made from a vegan-friendly, breathable canvas upper, which is ideal for hot summer’s day. As for comfort, it’s been designed with M&S’s signature sole, which makes sure your feet are supported for all-day wear.
Should you prefer a different colour to the royal-approved cream, these are also available in black and white gingham (£22.50, Marksandspencer.com) and blue. Similarly, in true M&S fashion, these are also available in wide fit (£22.50, Marksandspencer.com) in an array of colours, including sand, black and navy, all at the same pocket-friendly price.
M&S Collection suede ankle tie wedge espadrilles: £45, Marksandspencer.com
For a true royal-approved look, opt for these. With endless styling opportunities, this M&S dupe of Castañer’s wedge (£85, Net-a-porter.com) is second to none. The black Castañer espadrilles are clearly a staple in Meghan Markle’s wardrobe, with her having worn them during her royal tour of Australia and South Africa.
Featuring the signature wrap-around fastening, this pair is essential for summer dressing and will work to elevate even the dowdiest of outfits. While we’ve not got out hands on these just yet, they have received rave reviews, with one customer noting: “These look great, are super comfy and I know will go with lots of outfits this summer.” They went on to say that the shoes look “more expensive than they actually are”.
We’d recommend snapping these up fast as this is a popular style for spring and summer – we expect they’d look particularly great paired with a floral midi dress for alfresco dining.
For more fashion news from the high street stalwart, here’s what we’re buying from Ghost x M&S’s new collection – it’s perfect for springtime socialising