Amanda Wakeley is one of my favorites female designers, not only because of her luxury but practical, alluring and understated, body enhancing yet comfortable collections, but also because of her self-taught experience and her pure passion for creating clothes that women really love to wear regardless of age.
That’ why I was so thrilled to see Kate on Amanda Wakeley‘s sleek, elegant white dress when she went to the Royal Marsden Hospital last year and even more thrilled to see Kate on the exactly same dress but different color-grey couple of days ago when she went to Imperial War Museum:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Kate Middleton wore Grey Amanda Wakeley Sculpted Dress](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Kate-Middleton-wore-Grey-Amanda-Wakeley-Sculpted-Dress.jpg?resize=463%2C520)
I really appreciate the way she accessories this simple sleek dress. Many of us may choose silver tone jewelry, but Kate chose gold ones with details: from her unique girandole earrings (similar here) to hergold chain embellished leather belt (great style here).
The luxury of gold balances the understated grey while the unique designs of her earrings, belt and her girly half-updo add life to the simple dress. Kate kept the rest of the outfit simple with black Anya Hindmarch clutch and black heels from Jimmy Choo:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Kate Middleton wore Grey Amanda Wakeley Sculpted Dress in details](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Kate-Middleton-wore-Grey-Amanda-Wakeley-Sculpted-Dress-in-details.jpg?resize=351%2C545)
Similar dress at Amanda Wakeley:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Grey Amanda Wakeley Dress](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Grey-Amanda-Wakeley-Dress.jpg?resize=306%2C409)
Below left is the same dress in white Kate wore last year. Right are similar ones available on Amanda Wakeley this year:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Kate Middleton wore the same Amanda Wakeley Dress in White last year](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Kate-Middleton-wore-the-same-Amanda-Wakeley-Dress-in-White-last-year.jpg?resize=344%2C498)
Self-taught designer Amanda Wakeley:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-amandawakeley](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-amandawakeley.jpg?resize=478%2C232)
Grey is my favorite neutral. Sometimes Black can be heavy and formal, while white can be light and harsh. Grey is the perfect in between. It’s elegant and understated, can be worn year-round.
It’s definitely not the first time Kate chose grey, below are the other looks of Kate on grey during the past year:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Kate Middleton wore different shades of grey](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Kate-Middleton-wore-different-shades-of-grey.jpg?resize=580%2C439)
Many stylish royal members also love this color:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-queen rania,Princess Letizia Carla Bruni chose grey dresses](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-queen-raniaPrincess-Letizia-Carla-Bruni-chose-grey-dresses.jpg?resize=580%2C499)
Celebrities whose style is city sophisticated and effortlessly chic also love grey, especially these three icons:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Victoria Beckham,Angelina Jolie,Kate Moss and Renee Zellweger in their sleek grey dresses](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Victoria-BeckhamAngelina-JolieKate-Moss-and-Renee-Zellweger-in-their-sleek-grey-dressed.jpg?resize=580%2C399)
Sleek grey dresses I love from Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Lela Rose:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Sleek grey dresses from Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, and Lela Rose](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Sleek-grey-dresses-from-Calvin-Klein-Banana-Republic-and-Lela-Rose.jpg?resize=548%2C432)
For those who love this color but think simple design is too boring, consider those grey dresses having embellished details or unique designs:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Eva Longoria,Kate Beckinsale,Zoe Saldana and kim kardashian chose grey dresses with details.](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Eva-LongoriaKate-BeckinsaleZoe-Saldana-and-kim-kardashian-chose-grey-dresses-with-details..jpg?resize=580%2C390)
Some options from very affordable MANGO, HELMUT LANG to high-priced labels like MOSCHINO CHEAP AND CHIC:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Grey dress with details from MANGO, HELMUT LANG and MOSCHINO CHEAP AND CHIC](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Grey-dress-with-details-from-MANGO-HELMUT-LANG-and-MOSCHINO-CHEAP-AND-CHIC.jpg?resize=459%2C365)
If you still want to go one-step further, below are some good examples, from Eva Longoria’s grey leather dress to Sarah Jessica Parker’s casual relaxed vibe:
(I love the beautiful neck design of AnnaLynne McCord’s dress. Can you believe this look of her is from 2009? High design grey dresses are truly timeless pieces)
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Eva Longoria,Michelle Williams,AnnaLynne McCord, and Sarah Jessica Parker's grey dresses in different styles](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Eva-LongoriaMichelle-WilliamsAnnaLynne-McCord-and-Sarah-Jessica-Parkers-grey-dresses-in-different-styles.jpg?resize=580%2C425)
Grey dresses in variety of styles from Porter Grey, Diane von Furstenberg and Zara (great style from T by Alexander Wang):
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Grey dresses in variety of styles from Porter Grey, Diane von Furstenberg and Zara](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Grey-dresses-in-variety-of-styles-from-Porter-Grey-Diane-von-Furstenberg-and-Zara.jpg?resize=428%2C369)
Last but not least–stunning grey gowns on red carpet:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Angelina jolie,Miranda Kerr,Keira Knightley and Kristin Cavallari on grey gowns](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Angelina-jolieMiranda-KerrKeira-Knightley-and-Kristin-Cavallari-on-grey-gowns.jpg?resize=580%2C407)
Affordable versions from J Crew(similar here), Amsale and Doo.Ri (similar here):
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Grey gowns from J Crew, Amsale and Doo.Ri](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Grey-gowns-from-J-Crew-Amsale-and-Doo.Ri_.jpg?resize=501%2C396)
Grey goes well with so many colors. My favorite combination is grey with pink or purple:
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Pairing grey with pink](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Pairing-grey-with-pink.jpg?resize=500%2C63)
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Pairing grey with purple](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Pairing-grey-with-purple.jpg?resize=487%2C66)
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Pairing grey with neutrals and pastels](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Pairing-grey-with-neutrals-and-pastels.jpg?resize=396%2C55)
You can also brighten up the grey with solid colors. My favorite is pairing grey with yellow (don’t forget to consider gold as a yellow tone too, as Kate did with her grey dress).
![The Art of Accessorizing from HelenHou.com-Pairing grey with birght colors](https://i0.wp.com/helenhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Art-of-Accessorizing-from-HelenHou.com-Pairing-grey-with-birght-colors.jpg?resize=471%2C93)
Enjoy playing around your LGD(little grey dress) and have fun!