Kate Middleton's Reiss Dress Creates Online Selling Frenzy (PHOTOS, POLL)

As soon as the public saw Kate Middleton and Prince William's official engagement photos yesterday, online boutiques were rushing to sell the future princess' white dress. It's a simple belted Nanette gown by Reiss with a ruffle detail across the front, and the Daily Mail reported that it went for a mere £179 (about $284) on eBay.

Reiss sent out a press release on Monday announcing that "a version of the dress style Kate chose will be re-released and available beginning in January 2011, as part of the Reiss Spring/Summer 2011 collection."

Since the dress is last season, you can no longer hurry over to a Reiss store near you, but Kate's huge fashion fan base is already desperate for replicas of the dress. She has a wholesome girl-next-door appeal, but Kate's refined style has catapulted her to fashion icon status. So far it seems that whatever she wears is sure to fly off the racks. The £399 (about $630) royal blue dress by Brazilian Iabel Issa that Kate wore for the engagement announcement sold out after one day and created a craze of inexpensive imitations.

Scroll down to see the dress and the dress on Miss Middleton.

Quick Poll

What do you think of Kate's latest dress?

Gorgeous and worth all the hype.

It's pretty, but it's just a dress.

I don't like it.

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Comments

[MsNancyMitford]

08:06 PM on 12/15/2010

Buying frenzy, more like.

English, it's not JUST a 2nd langauge.

[MyrtleJune]

12:38 PM on 12/15/2010

It washes her out. Color is better.

[traceymarie]

07:59 PM on 12/15/2010

so for her wedding what color do you suggest? lol

[MyrtleJune]

09:23 PM on 12/15/2010

This isn't her wedding dress. Her other dress was way better. I don't know what happened here but they both look washed out ill, very flat. I think her wedding dress is a different matter and I'm sure she'll look beautiful.

[SoCalGrandma]

12:32 PM on 12/15/2010

Oh, my. I think Michelle and Kate are going to set the fashion world on fire in the next few years.

[Alex Geana]

11:53 PM on 12/14/2010

sigh, it's a Reiss dress, really ...

[jaslyn]

09:40 PM on 12/14/2010

the idea of a smitten public that runs out and buys a dress because someone else wore it indicates a weak sense of self and a sad over involvement in someone else's life.

[DCmykl]

05:54 PM on 12/15/2010

Yes, dear.

[whitemerlot]

01:13 AM on 12/14/2010

She probably wouldn't even care about him if he wasn't a prince. Imagine if he were just some guy who sat around and played video games all day- would she really be into him? But really, as a prince, born into a title, he has not achieved much more than the hypothetical hapless video game player.

[patriciacaldwell]

03:14 AM on 12/14/2010

You indicate no personal knowledge of two people who seem to love each other very much, yet you show up here to post ridicule. Why waste your time like this?

[wolfiegirl]

07:13 AM on 12/14/2010

Their body language indicates otherwise. I think, too, that William was mindful of choosing a mate who loves him for who he is.

[maidenofdforest]

08:10 PM on 12/13/2010

Seeing the dress, I know I can't do justice to the dress--or vice versa. Just doesn't have the height nor proportions. Besides, the style would not be me. But Kate Middleton simply looks astonishing!

[nancynancy]

06:58 PM on 12/13/2010

The dress looks lovely on Kate, but I don't think it would look good on most women. Lately, I've noticed quite a few models with long, glossy brown hair who look quite a bit like Kate. I'm sure this isn't just a coincidence.

[DemoMom]

06:44 PM on 12/13/2010

What is the matter with people? Don't they have their own fashion sense that they need to rush out and get something a famous person is wearing? They are not going to look like her in it anyway and they are certainly not going to catch a prince - a frog maybe, but no prince. She is built like a model and would look good in a paper sack. C'mon ladies - what happened to common sense?

[mssreader]

11:10 PM on 12/13/2010

DemoMom, I happen to agree with you. I don't want to wear what someone else is wearing but there are those who do as we are witnessing. I could wear the dress but not tall enough to do it justice and besides who needs a toad? Kate has her own style and others should develop their own as well.

I would have loved to seen a photo of the cream colored blouse she was wearing with her jeans!

[SonyaInTx]

12:30 AM on 12/14/2010

I'm with you on that. I don't like seeing anyone in clothes that I wear......and I'm not going to go rushing out to copy someone famous.

[lillibette]

04:46 PM on 12/13/2010

Here they go again..... ala Princess Dianna.... I hope this young woman knows what she is getting into.

[Hookedonfashion]

08:18 PM on 12/13/2010

I agree. I am already getting tired of the coverage of this couple.

[patriciacaldwell]

03:15 AM on 12/14/2010

Not me. Give me more!

[DCmykl]

05:57 PM on 12/15/2010

Of course you are dear. That's why you're here commenting on them.

[wolfiegirl]

04:12 PM on 12/13/2010

What level of fanaticism does a person have when they rush out and buy a dress some princess wore?

I personally think it's a beautiful dress, and I think it's the only one I've seen on any of these royal highnesses I'd actually consider buying.

[Sammieshoequeen]

09:55 PM on 12/13/2010

You would be surprised how many people can't think for themselves, and believe that by owning the same dress as her, that some of the lifestyle might rub off on them. Sad, but true.

[wolfiegirl]

07:15 AM on 12/14/2010

I think that's generally true, especially of younger and less self-possessed women.

[mssreader]

11:11 PM on 12/13/2010

wolfie, I like the dress on Kate and it's definitely her style but it's not my style at all. Do women think they'll look like Kate if they buy what she wears? It's best to develop your own style.

[TaurusRose]

02:50 AM on 12/14/2010

Its really simple.
They are not necessarily robotically 'copying a princess' who isn't yet.
It is a lovely dress and well priced and that alone can sell the dress,
especially when it is widely shown and given publicity.

[wolfiegirl]

07:17 AM on 12/14/2010

I don't know. Some, perhaps. Others, I think, are so confused as to what looks good and are so style conscious that they have to see it worn by someone famous in order to buy it.

If you carry yourself well, and wear what is right for your body type, you can never go wrong, IMO.

[Max Shaw]

03:24 PM on 12/13/2010

Slow day at HP headquarters...