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Kate Middleton Wore The Most Unexpected Shoes For Her First Engagement Of 2019

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Just about the only time the duchess has left Kensington Palace without her signature pumps has been for a pair of preppy riding boots. On her latest outing, however, the royal introduced something new — and rather unexpected, too — to her shoe rotation. Kate Middleton's brown ankle boots just gave this always-elegant style icon a touch of edge.

On Tues., Middleton had her first engagement of the year at King Henry's Walk Garden. She mingled with volunteers and learned about how the community project "brings people together through gardening and food growing," a tweet by Kensington Palace said.

The royal stuck with her usual look for all outdoor engagements, too, including a casual jacket, Zara jeans, and boots, all in her favorite earthy hues. Her chunky, lace-up ankle boots were the star of the outfit, of course. The chocolate-colored shoes, by Chloé, feature a wooden tread sole, gold-toned eyelets, and a sleek suede finish.

She tucked her khaki skinnies into them and layered a Dubarry button-up tweed coat over her maroon turtleneck, accessorizing with yellow gold pavé diamond leaf earrings by KIKI. If you're going to snag one thing from the 37-year-old's outfit, though, make it the boots (which are currently 40 percent off).

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

It's not that the duchess was ever shy to a boot in the first place. In fact, her Penelope Chilvers riding boots have been a staple in her wardrobe for 14 whole years. Middleton has worn them all around the world.

During her and Prince William's Christmas party at Kensington Palace, she opted for a pair of black suede boots with a sleek heel and pointy toes. Nonetheless, she's never before worn this kind of edgy, combat-style boot, but it works so well with her casual look.

Pair the duchess' boots with your own earthy skinny jeans or go for a bolder look and wear them with feminine florals and flowy dresses instead. Ahead, Middleton's Chloé boots and The Zoe Report's favorite similar pairs.

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