What Will Kate Middleton Do for Fashion?

Ever since the world found out that Prince William was in love, people's fascination with Kate Middleton went beyond her common status. With her printed pencil skirts, elaborate hats and tailored coats, the 29-year-old bride-to-be has been crowned as a bona fide fashionista.

Middleton did, of course, work as an accessory buyer for high-end U.K. clothing boutique Jigsaw. And with what seems like every major fashion geniuses from Karl Lagerfeld and Jason Wu to the design houses of Valentino and Alexander McQueen wanting the chance to design her wedding dress, it is pretty safe to say she's a fashion force to be reckoned with. People has noticed her fashion sense way before she started sporting the iconic sparkly sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The magazine named her one of its British fashion favorites in 2007. Style.com has also named Middleton a "beauty icon."

And even though Middleton has been known for her simplistic style, clean lines and just enough of a deep neckline that never shows too much, she recently trumped avant garde popstar Lady Gaga and took the number one spot on this year's "Top Fashion Buzzwords" list. Noted stylist and fashion expert Sharon Haver said it best when expressed that people are tired of Gaga's edible or see-through outfits on the red carpet. So Middleton's prep-girl style is a nice change of pace.

"Kate is British, but she looks like a classic, all-American girl," Haver told AOL News. "She looks like she could be a Ralph Lauren model. She's classy but not dowdy -- modern, approachable and effortless. I think she's a good fashion icon for young girls to look up to globally."

Middleton has already made an impact on women's shopping habits since she got engaged to a prince. The blue dress that she wore to the couple's official announcement to the press about their engagement flew off the racks literally in minutes despite the fact that the Issa-designed frock retailed for $500. Fashionistas and fans of the couple were disappointed to find out that the cream ruffled blouse Middleton wore in one of her engagement photos was from the fall 2008 collection of U.K. brand Whistles -- meaning it was no longer on sale. And lastly, a white, knee-length dress from Reiss' fall 2009 line also became a hot item even though it'll set you back $300. But like the top, this too was sold out. However the British brands have announced that they will be reissuing the two pieces in the following year due to high demands.

While Middleton seems to be fitting nicely into her role as a trendsetter, she does have some big shoes to fill. Princess Diana was probably one of the most fashionable royals of her time and to take her place is quite a feat. However designer Diane Von Furstenberg thinks that Middleton will do well in that department. "She reminds me more and more of Diana," she told the Telegraph. "Everything about her. I think she's there to avenge Diana's memory -- that's clearly what William wants. Giving Kate his mother's ring was a great gesture, and I think that theirs will be a happy version of his parents' marriage. But he absolutely chose a woman who was like his mother -- that was deliberate."

However Vivienne Westwood begs to differ. "I would have loved to have dressed Kate Middleton but I have to wait until she kind of catches up a bit somewhere with style," the fashion designer said during London Fashion Week.

Clearly the jury is still out on this one, and only time will tell how she'll impact fashion. But no matter how much you like her style, there's no doubt that all eyes will be on her when she steps out in her wedding dress on April 29.