Kate shows off new royal style in Down Under tour

Catherine, Britain's Duchess of Cambridge, runs across Manly beach in Sydney April 18, 2014. Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate are on the second leg of a 19-day official visit to New Zealand and Australia with their son George. [Photo/Agencies]

SPORTY CASUAL

In between all those state dinners and solemn ceremonies, the duchess had outings to the beach, the vineyard and the zoo - as well as a hands-on cricket match and a yachting challenge.

Casual wear is where Kate's choice of attire didn't get so much love from the fashion world. The British media noted that one of her dress-down outfits _ skinny jeans, a navy nautical-style blazer, a striped top and wedge shoes - was the exact same look she wore for at least two past sporty engagements in London.

"No one wants to be remembered for thinking that cork-soled wedges are the epitome of sporting chic," the Telegraph said.

RETHINKS FOR THE NEXT TOUR

First impressions count: When Kate touched down in New Zealand wearing a scarlet military style coat and matching pillbox hat, the outfit drew unkind comparisons to an air hostess's uniform.

And those 4-inch wedges were the subject of much amusement when Kate sported them running at Sydney's Manly Beach - a rather incongruous picture among the surfers and lifeguards.

The now-infamous shoes worked even less well when the royal couple visited a vineyard, causing a brief stumble on the grassy grounds.