The princess of partywear!

 Her embrace of dark partywear that has garnered the Duchess the highest number of headlines, beginning with the stunning Diane von Furstenburg gown worn to meet stars - among them One Direction's Harry Styles - at the Royal Variety Performance late last month.

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Dazzle like the Duchess in a deep blue chiffon dress

Second time around: The gown was on its second outing this year, having been worn to the Portrait Gala in London in February

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Stay spot on like the Duchess in a sheer top from Hobbs

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Good look: The Duchess began her tour of New York in black Beuhlah (right) but chose Hobbs and Jenny Packham for a reception last month

With its pretty lace sleeves and sweetheart neckline, the dramatic number added a shot of demure glamour to the night - and eclipsed the more colourfully dressed A-listers who also attended.

A day later and Kate was back in black, this time for a Kensington Palace reception. This time though, the Duchess dispensed with designer in favour of High Street staple Hobbs, teaming a sheer polka dot blouse by the brand with a skirt by Jenny Packham.

And the Duchess certainly isn't alone in her love of an LDD. Both Little Dark Dresses and the classic LBD have long been a party season staple, with sales of the dresses increasing by 29 per cent as December approaches, according to department store Debenhams.

'The garment that the majority of clients have said they want is that elusive little black dress,' commented a spokesperson for the store. 'The perfect one will take you from a cocktail party to an opera, from a Michelin starred restaurant to a night club, without missing a beat. A dress that can do that is certainly worth the effort.' 

Look chic like Kate in a Diane Von Furstenberg lace gown

Glamorous: The Duchess concealed her tiny bump in a gorgeous Diane von Furstenburg gown for the Royal Variety Performance in November

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Stunning: Kate's love of black lace reappeared once more at last year's SportsAid ball when she chose a Temperley cocktail dress

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Dazzling: Kate opted for Jenny Packham on her final night in New Zealand and picked black for a London charity gala earlier this year

Dramatic: The Duchess loves a black lace gown for evening and opted for this show-stopping number at the War Horse premiere in 2012

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Early outing: Despite her youthful penchant for brights and whites, the Duchess did occasionally embrace black in her pre-royal days

 THE SECRET OF THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE'S MATERNITY STYLE 

It isn't only her clever way with LDDs that has made the Duchess a sartorial sensation during her tour of the Big Apple - her chic maternity style has made headlines as well.

This, says style expert Lisa Haynes, is all down to her embrace of the coat-dress which manages to combine formal glamour with space for the royal bump.

'The Duchess of Cambridge has toured the world's style capital wearing a succession of winter dress coats,' she explains. 'It's clever one-piece dressing that doesn't overtly draw attention to her bump. 

'Note that we've barely caught a glimpse of the outfit underneath - Kate's chic coat choices do all the work. She's even kept accessories to a minimum.'

But it's not only pregnant women who can benefit from a tailored coat. 'As Kate demonstrates, these tailored coats are surprisingly versatile whether you're pregnant or not,' adds Haynes.

'For a formal vibe, she teamed her monochrome Goat crepe coat with black opaques and heels but gave her Tory Burch bouclé coat a more relaxed spin for the basketball layering it over a pair of skinny trousers.

'Her overcoat collection struck the perfect balance for the couple's royal tour duties. Floaty maternitywear and stretch waistbands could have looked too casual, while clingy bodycon would have been inappropriate.' 

From: the Mail