Since their wedding in April, Kate Middleton has become a style icon, and this is no more true than with the nude shoe trend. What's more, fashion experts are now suggesting that nude heels can actually create the illusion that the wearer has dropped a dress size, compared to what they would look like when wearing other footwear.

After both Kate and sister Pippa were spotted wearing the nude heels, women have gone nude heel crazy and so too has the celebrity world with the likes of Victoria Beckham also following suit. However, it would appear that it isn't just because Kate Middleton wore them that has seen them flying off the shelves, but Debenhams have revealed that the shoes can actually give the illusion that the wearer has dropped a dress size, if included within a magical winning formula.

They conducted a survey where they asked women to look at two images of the same woman and guess her dress size; and the results showed that they estimated a one size smaller dress size on the image of the woman wearing the slimming shoes.

Speaking about the survey, Debenhams' head of accessories, Natelle Baddeley had this to say; “If followed to the letter, this formula gives women the chance to walk in the shoes of the famous tricksters of our time – creating a slimmer silhouette in an instant.”

Are you ready for the formula? (C + P + H + HW) – AS = S. Confused? Then here's how it breaks down (Colour + Platform + Height + Heel Width) – Ankle Strap = Slimming. This magical formula is then supposed to create the look of a flatter stomach by lengthening the legs, tightening the thighs as well encouraging the torso to be pushed outwards.

Ms Baddeley continues; “This is a diet shoe. Once you have found the perfect pair all you need to do is slip on your shoes to instantly transform your silhouette. It's the perfect party cheat.”

Despite the fact that nude shoes have really been thrown into the headlines recently because of Kate's choice of footwear, they have actually been popular since 2009. Tessa Hartmann, Scottish Fashion Week's founder commented to The Scotsman that; “Christian Louboutin was among the first designers to feature them in his collection and now every designer has them.

“Although the fact Kate Middleton has worn them is definitely a factor in the high street, as she is a real fashion icon for that market, people have been wearing them for a lot longer than she has.

“There is no science in this. Nude is a popular colour because it goes with everything, but the colour palettes which will be popular are being worked on by fashion designers long before they find themselves in our wardrobes.

“The reason this trend has been so enduring is that it is versatile and flattering – nude tones go very well with skin tone and they have been very popular in Scotland as well as elsewhere in the UK.”

Thus, whilst some may not believe that the nude heel is the answer to ladies dieting problems, a high heel in a nude colour could help to create the illusion of lengthened legs and a flatter stomach – and what's more, if it makes you feel better then it's got to be a good thing!