William and Kate Visit California

I know I'm starting at the end, but as a Yankee I somehow feel it my patriotic duty to look at what Kate wore in California before heading north of the border.

Date:  July 2011
Place:  California
Event:  Royal Tour of Canada and California (lots of individual events)

The Duchess of Cambridge touched down in style in Los Angeles wearing a bluish-grey dress by Roksanda Ilincic, a London-based designer.

The heavy zipper in the back took away from the otherwise airy quality of the dress.

Kate's tiny figure got a bit lost in the swag of the dress, but standing next to a man in that bold of a pinstripe suit . . . she could have worn a garbage bag and still looked presentable.  Anyway, she teamed the dress with an L. K. Bennett clutch, an unidentified pair of shoes (U. P. S.), and a pair of earrings by Kiki McDonough ("Grace").

The next day, Her Royal Highness attended a reception held by the British Counsel-General and smartly wore a green dress by Diane von Furstenberg.

The shoes look the same as the day before, but they're still U. P. S.

With her outfit, she wore the so-called "Camilla" bracelet and carried a coordinating leopard-print clutch also by Diane von Furstenberg.

On the same day, Kate went with her man to the polo wearing a Jenny Packham dress (hurrah).

She carried, again, the same L. K. Bennett clutch from the day before.  She debuted a pair of shoes, also by L. K. Bennett ("Silver Sandal").  Word has it this was the first time on the tour that the former Ms. Middleton went without hosiery.  Oh my!  (PS:  We love how the lady on the right is wearing a similar dress.)

Next up, what everyone has been buzzing about--what would she wear to the BAFTAs shindig.

Well, she looked stunning (though a bit repetitive) in a flowing lilac gown by Alexander McQueen.

She wore taller than normal heels (5.5 inches)--a pair of Vamp Glitter Sandals by Jimmy Choo.  The coordinating clutch is also by Jimmy Choo called 'Ubai'.

The next day, we saw Kate in just one California get-up.  And a gorgeous half-up, half-down 'do.  (Look at that lovely snail!)

Kate donned lovely jewelry, including a bejeweled cross pendant and sapphire and diamond earrings.  The earrings are rumored to be reworked from stones that came from jewelry that Princess Diana owned.

Both the top and the skirt are by British brand Whistles.  The top is from several year ago, though the skirt is on the new side (and just £95).  She carried a tried and true nude-colored clutch.

We love how enraptured Reese Witherspoon looks here.  (Though her clothes make her a look a bit scrunched up!  We wonder what on earth the woman in the purple frock was thinking with that . . . thing in her hand.)

!

Aaand off they go.  I had heard a talking head on CNN mention that the Duke and Duchess would depart on a commercial flight for London, "like any normal people."  Yeah, this looks normal.

That's all for this time.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.  Stay tuned--we've got lots in store!

ARK Gala and the First Royal Garden Party of 2011

In an effort to get caught up a little more quickly, we're combining some events.

Date:  June 2011
Place: Perks Field, London; and Buckingham Palace
Event:  ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) Gala; and Royal Garden Party

First up, what I believe is considered the first official appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at a gala dinner for the ARK charity.

Kate wore a "pearlescent rose sequin gown with Swarovski crystals" designed by Jenny Packham.  She accessorized with a matching clutch by Prada, four inch heels ("Agata") by L. K. Bennett, and earrings that we've seen a few times--"Effervescence Bubble Stiletto" earrings by Links of London.

We really dig this dress.  Kate looks fabulous in it.  As another commentator pointed out, she wore the dress--the dress did not wear her.  Hurrah!  (We're fans of Jenny Packham.  More of that please!)

Next up, we've got the first royal garden party of the summer!

Her Majesty wore a lavender coat and hat with coordinating floral dress.  We love the color palette.  The Countess of Wessex wore a cobalt blue dress, white belted coat, and the same fascinator that she wore a few days earlier to Royal Ascot.  We tracked the fascinator down as being from Jane Taylor.  Oh, and let's not forget that patriotic flag clutch and . . . are those nude L. K. Bennett Sledge platform pumps, much beloved by the Duchess of Cambridge?  We don't want to be alarmist, but we might just have a copy-Kate on our hands.

We're just including this photo because we like artsy shadow pictures.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal!  Stay tuned.  We'll be looking back at William and Kate's North American tour soon and lots, lots more.

Wimbledon 2011

Tennis is a major passion of mine.  So, I enjoy this post more than is strictly necessary.  Game, set, match!

Date:  June-July 2011
Place:  Southwest London
Event:  The Championships, Wimbledon

First up, Camilla in what seems from a distance to be a cute and appropriate ensemble.

But look a little closer and it gets weird.  Her dress is jutting out through holes in the jacket.  This is not an attractive look on anyone.  On top of that, her jacket does not fit at all well.  Those buttons look like they're about to wave a white flag.  And, can we just take this opportunity to beg the Duchess of Cornwall to get a good bra?  To be frank, the Queen has perkier looking bosoms and she's 85.  Camilla's clothes would fit so much better if she could be bothered.

Next comes Princess Beatrice (and her boyfriend Dave Clark again, yay!).  We've not yet identified the makers of her dress, but we think it's adorable--especially on someone her age. 

One little quibble--the pockets on the jacket help keep the large lapel balanced and when her arms are at her side, the pockets are hidden throwing the jacket balance off.  Looks good clapping, here.

You can see the flamingo pattern on the dress here and better see the trim on the jacket.

THEN!  A few days later, Bea came back for more.  (If I were a royal I would be glued in that box every day!)  This time she wore a white jacket and black and white patterned dress.

The jacket looks just a bit too baggy and we lose sight of her trim figure.  The Issa dress was a bit blah, but not terrible.

Finally, we have the Duchess of Cambridge.  I'm a bit conflicted about this one.  I want to like the effort she put into looking tennis-appropriate, but it comes off just a bit too literal.  In the end, though, she looks pretty and seemed to be having fun.  So we'll let her slide.

The tiered, white dress is a Temperley London creation (the 'Moriah') and is slightly higher end than Kate usually wears and can be bought online here.

There's been a lot of chatter about Kate's bracelet, too, supposed to be a gift from Camilla.  I'm more skeptical, though.  It's said that Camilla's cypher is on one side and Catherine's cypher is on the other side (seen here).  However, I've not been able to find a photo of any other cypher on the bracelet than this one--the cypher of the Duchess of Cambridge. 

Well, that's all of the royal spotting to be done at this year's Wimbledon.  Now, if only some of them would turn up in New York for the US Open in September.  Stay tuned--lots more to come.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

Trooping the Colour 2011 (with bonus coverage)

What is ostensibly a military parade has become an all-out royal affair.  Trooping the Colour marks the monarch's official birthday in June each year (opposed to the Queen's actual birthday, in April).  So, we get to see some royals in their military get-ups and others in the latest (or not-so-latest) fashions.

Date:  11 June 2011
Place:  London, England
Event:  Trooping the Colour

The Princess Royal is wearing the outfit of a colonel in the Blues and Royals (in which her nephew Harry serves), an honorary role for Anne.

Here, the Countess of Wessex is wearing an unidentified outfit that commentators have noted is just a bit too low-cut for such an occasion (but then again, the Countess doesn't mind showing off her assets, does she?)  At one point on the balcony, her bra was in plain view.  But at least she wears underclothes.  In any event, her hat is a repeat from Ascot 2006.  She was criticized at the time for the gigantic cabbage rose plastered on it.  One wonders why she has failed to prune it back in the intervening years.

Oh, and for the first time in my memory, Prince Edward got to wear a military uniform to the Trooping.  Here he is seen wearing the uniform of Colonel in the London Scottish regiment--also an honorary role for him.  We'll get to Eugenie in a bit.

Prince Harry is wearing the outfit of a Captain in the Blues and Royals, a position in which he actively serves.  His uncle Prince Andrew looks a bit plain in what looks to be a morning suit and top hat.  (His waistcoat has nearly disappeared!)

Royal watchers usually enjoy the balcony appearance during Trooping the Colour as it is when the extended family (including some far-flung cousins) is most likely to make a public appearance.

This is only about one-third of the folks on the balcony!  Look how happy the Queen looks.

Now back to Eugenie....

What . . . what is that thing on her head?  To me, this is worse than what her sister Beatrice wore to Kate and Will's wedding.  This wouldn't fetch anything for charity if sold on eBay.  The bow alone should be a prosecutable offense.

Also, whatever she has on from the neck down is doing her no favors.  She's a curvier girl than her sister and thus needs more structure in her clothing to keep her from looking dumpy (which, actually, she isn't).  The smocking on her belly adds a stone of weight that she hasn't got.  Why, Eugenie, why?  Silver lining:  we can happily distract ourselves with how adorable Lady Louise is!

Next up, Camilla and Catherine--the two Cs are chumming it up a lot.  I wonder if they decided they should both wear cream.  It's sort of Camilla's signature color and she doesn't look half-bad in it.  Here, she's recycled the Philip Treacy hat she wore to her civil marriage ceremony in 2005.  It's an absolute stunner (even if we think it's a bit odd to re-use one's wedding apparel).  Also, her outfit looks similar (but still different) to the cream outfit she wore at Buckingham Palace when the Obamas visited last month.  Same designer perhaps?

The Duchess of Cambridge is also wearing a Philip Treacy topper, except hers is black (guess they forgot to coordinate that bit).  Her coat is by Alexander McQueen.  This whole white-coat-thing is starting to get to me.  The royal family may be a bit barmy, but there's no need to run about in straightjackets all the time! 

Also, this is quite a structural jacket that really loses something when the wearer is seated and covered by a tartan blanket.  Here's what it looks like:

Then, of course, there is Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.  Word has it that the Queen's ensemble is a repeat, but from when and where exactly we've not quite figured out.  Philip is wearing the uniform of a colonel in the Grenadier Guards, another honorary position.  Considering he's just turned 90, he's still pretty spry!

Later that day, Kate joined her sister Pippa at the wedding of friend Sam Waley-Cohen to Annabel Ballin.  Beatrice even showed up, though she was absent from the Trooping.  Kate's hat stayed put, but changed into a black print dress by Zara that she was first seen wearing in May 2007 at a nightclub with Pippa (during that famous, and temporary, break-up with William).  Or maybe she had this dress underneath the coat.  She carried a black silk purse by Anya Hindmarch, which she also carried when meeting the Obamas at Buckingham Palace this spring.

Pippa was seen wearing a poorly fitting coat in a most pungent color--it didn't seem to go with anything else she was wearing.  Not to mention the wrinkles!

Finally, Beatrice wore a cute blue lace dress and stylish high heels.  Unfortunately the fussiness of the jacket takes away from the whole look.  The mismatched hat doesn't help, either.  We are always glad to see Beatrice with her best accessory--long-time beau Dave Clark.

Stay tuned as we continue to catch up on June--our favorite month of the year!  Lots to cover in July as well.  Not to mention, blasts from the past.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal!

Epsom Derby 2011

The Royals do love their horses!  And fashion . . . .

Date:  4 June 2011
Place:  Epsom, England
Event:  Epsom Derby

First up, the ever blossoming Princess Beatrice.  She took the blossoming bit rather literally with this floral ensemble and fascinator with white leaves and ivory rose.

The fascinator is interesting and beautiful in its own right, but the unflattering hues and potato-sack nature of the dress clash with it.  Meanwhile, her sister Princess Eugenie wore a white cap-sleeve dress with black polka dots and a matching wide-brimmed white and black straw hat.  The structure of the hat is stunning on her, but the dress is a bit plain.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who is purportedly undergoing intense physical training sessions to slim down (though she's thin already, we would like to point out!), chose a champagne colored Bruce Oldfield concoction.  Sophie seems to be less than amused by Philip's humor.

The hat she chose is one of those hats that looks better from certain angles that from others--this angle being less than stellar.  (I could not locate a suitable photo from the other side, but you can see a hint of the feathers and flowers on the underside in the above photo.)

Her Majesty popped in a bright, crayon pink outfit and hat, which she wore before to Ascot in 2009.  Looks like Liz is pulling a Kate.  The hat is by milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan.

We here love the geometric pattern of the dress fabric and the fact that Prince Philip almost seems to have coordinated his look with his wife's.

Should I?  Or shouldn't I?  Okay, I'll do it.  "We are not amused."  Sorry.

Finally, we have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--Will and Kate.  William's suit looks ever so slightly like he may have borrowed it from his father-in-law's wardrobe.

Catherine continued her affordable chic trend by wearing a Reiss "Peacock" dress (£195), a JOSEPH "Nessie" tweed jacket, L. K. Bennett "Sledge" leather court shoes in light taupe (£175--she's been getting a lot of mileage out of these shoes), L. K. Bennett "Natalie" handclutch (£140--she's been seen with this several times), a pale brown straw beret by Whiteley, and Kiki Mcdonough citrine drop earrings (£495).

The Reiss dress is, sadly, hidden by the slightly straight-jacket-esque look that Kate had going on.  Here is what it looks like underneath.

Another small quibble we have, though it is indeed minor, is Kate's poor posture.  She naturally looks amazing in practically anything, but she would indeed take it to 11 if she stood up straight with less rounded shoulders.  Don't be shy, girlfriend!

So, that was it for the Epsom Derby this year!  Stay tuned for lots lots more.  Thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.