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.

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.

The Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William: The Day After

The title sounds dramatic--too bad there wasn't some near-miss cataclysmic natural disaster to go along with it, like in the movies.

Date:  30 April 2011
Place:  London
Event:  Day after the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

First we see the happy couple walking the grounds of Buckingham Palace, preparing to depart for the first leg of their honeymoon.

In fact, this is just a mini-honeymoon for the couple.  They spent a few days at a yet undisclosed location somewhere in the UK.  They left the palace via helicopter--a great way to keep people off the scent.

The newly minted Duchess looked lovely in what seems to be her signature color--blue.  The dress is a pleated, sleeveless, belted number from a store called Zara.  In fact, the dress was available for sale online, but seems to have now sold out.  Inventory in-store varies, and yes there are Zara stores in America!  (Mainly on the east coast.)

The Duchess also wore a tailored black jacket (designer yet unknown) and a pair of patent wedges that we actually saw her wear the day before the wedding, as well.  The "Greta" wedges are by LK Bennett and are in the process of being reissued, as they are a slightly older model, to meet the demand to dress like Kate.

Finally, we have the sister of the bride leaving the hotel the day after the wedding with her family.  Rumor has it that she was up partying until 5 a.m. and only managed a few hours of sleep before this photo was snapped.  I want to know what her secret for looking so well-rested is!  Anyway, Pippa, too wore Zara the day after--in this case, she is wearing a Zara blue blazer.  (Did they plan that, do you think?)  She is carrying a Bristol medium grab handbag by Modalu London.  There's been a feeding frenzy for it, too, but if you're interested in buying, look here.  My favorite part of her ensemble is her footwear--she's purportedly wearing a pair of Tory Burch ballet pumps.

So, now we conclude our royal wedding 2011 coverage.  That is, until Zara Phillips gets married in a couple of months.  Hurrah!

Now, back to the regular schedule!  Thanks for reading and stay tuned.