The fashion item Kate swears by

From her vibrant pink jeans to her royal blue Issa engagement dress, whatever the Duchess of Cambridge wears turns to gold.

And it seems that the Kate effect is striking again ahead of the summer season, with high street stores filling their shelves with Kate-approved wedges, reports the Daily Mail.

Whilst Kate has long championed cork wedges, the high street hasn't noticed - until now.

Wedge heels have quickly become the go-to shoe for Kate, no matter what the event. Photos/Getty

The likes of H&M, Topshop and M&S have packed their shelves with a variety of wedges in varying styles and colour-ways - and experts say it's because they're versatile, chic and, crucially, extremely flattering.

Discussing the comeback of the wedge, Rosie Wray, fashion buyer at Brand Attic said: "Wedge heels are fiercely making a comeback, they combine convenience, comfort and style."

"They also give women the height without the excruciating pain stilettos inevitably cause. The ever so stylish and beautiful Kate has made this style her go-to 'shoedrobe' piece."

Photo/Getty

"She has become a fashion icon for successful women with busy lifestyles, who want to achieve practicality and beauty simultaneously."

Footwear buyer Francesca Leach also confirms the wedge is set to be the shoe of the summer - hailing them the "perfect transitional day-to-evening sandal".

She explained: "As the modern leisure trend for comfort continues to evolve, wedges are back for SS17 because they are the perfect transitional shoe."

"They can be dressed up or down and combine all the new season's trends, from soft suedes to textured raffia and embellishment."

Francesca maintains that style icon Kate always has a way of finding a classic style and putting a modern twist to it.

By offsetting her ditsy tea dresses and skinny jeans with a pair of wedges (Kate often plumps for her trusty Russell and Bromley version), the royal puts a sartorial spin on a classic look.

It's little surprise, then, that the high street is filling shelves with the shoe. Dorothy Perkins, for one, has plenty of wedges on sale - and the brand's design manager, Caroline Briggs, says it's because they will become the hero shoe of the summer.

"The wedge espadrille is one of the most versatile easy to wear summer wardrobe essentials," she said.

"There is something effortless about being able to easily wear it with a pretty summer dresses or paired back with a cropped jean and simple tee. They provide height that elongates the silhouette but are comfortable enough to spend all day in."

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is republished here with permission.