Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 11-17 December

Here's what Charlene wore from 11-17 December:

1. At the Arbre de Noel for Monaco's children, 14 December. See, appearances like this are what get me. Elegant silhouette, great classy hair...beige beige beige.
2. a and b) Spreading more Christmas joy, 15 December. Much better with just even a little pop of blue!
3. Visiting College Charles III (a school), 16 December. If it isn't beige, it's black! This one has a little off-duty nun flair to it.
4. Receiving an award and attending a charity gala in Berlin, 17 December. Color! A whole outfit of it! A shade of red I'll call "almost brown". I think she looks fab, in what I'm guessing is Akris (of course).

Photos: Daylife/GettyImages/Frederic Nebinger/WireImage/Purepeople/Junior/BestImage

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 4-10 December

Here's what Charlene wore from 4-10 December:

1. Opening a Christmas market, 5 December. That's a great coat.
2. Visiting her first swimming pool, 7 December. This is not a great skirt, though it may make a great burlap sack.
3. At the Climate Action Networking Reception in South Africa, 7 December. This one just does nothing for her, I'm afraid. Points for killer shoes, anyway.
4. a) At the Polaris Project Presentation and b) meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 8 December. Much better! She always seems happiest when home in South Africa, and particularly with Archbishop Tutu, which is wonderful to see. And this powder blue dress is a great neckline for her.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Profimedia/Zimbio/GettyImages/Oryx

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 13-19 November

Here's what Charlene wore from 13-19 November:

1. Attending the Parish Saint-Martin Centenary Anniversary Celebration Mass, 13 November.
2. a) Handing out packages at Monaco's Red Cross Christmas celebration, 17 November, b) in an Akris suit with a boxy little jacket. This outfit inspired some of you to ask me if I think she's pregnant...and I have to tell you, the whole Bump Game gives me a case of the mehs. Until it becomes smack-you-upside-the-head obvious, I'm perfectly happy to be surprised when the parents-to-be decide to share the news. This is, like, the one area in which I actually do consider how I personally would feel if someone placed the same microscope on me. (Usually, my response to that argument would be: "Give me a tiara and you can say what you want, yo." Only without the yo because I can't actually pull that off in real life.) Yeah. Those that want to analyze the state of my belly should be forewarned that I have ninja skillz and I am not afraid to use them. ANYWAY: rant over, to each their own. Not my deal, is all I'm saying.
3. At the annual presentation of the Order of St. Charles and Grimaldi, 17 November, hiding behind Albert.
4. National Day, fierce day activities, 19 November.
5. National Day, tragic evening activities, 19 November (also in Akris).

She also visited the No Finish Line charity, but since she did (and wore) the same thing on the 20th too we'll just chat about it next week.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Palais Princier/Marcio Madeira/Firstview.com/Style.com

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 2-8 October

Here's what Charlene wore from 2-8 October:

1. Attending the Akris fashion show, 2 October. I do like the makeup here, it's helping give her a little more color.
2. Meeting with the President of Croatia, 4 October. My guess is that this is the missing dress from Charlene's wedding ensembles, meant for the brunch the day after and described by the Palace as a "strapless cocktail dress by Giorgio Armani Privé in silk satin duchesse in bright green color" with a "pleat detail on the bodice and skirt," and she's had a little cardi made to cover it up. Whoever designed it, I'm all in: it's a color! Yay!

Oh, and on that Akris show...you can see the whole collection here, but I have to say I'm not impressed. I found it very hard to imagine any of those looks on Charlene. What do you think?

Photos: Lehtikuva/Zimbio

Royal Trend Watch: Paris Fashion Week

The fashionistas have been out in full force for quite some time now at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and finally this past week in Paris. It was Paris and the Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collections that brought a few select royals and their front row styles out to play. Princess style at a fashion show is a curious phenomenon: to stick to your regular royal uniform, or go fully fashion-forward decked out in your designer of choice?

Left to Right: Princess Charlene at Akris, Princess Beatrice at Elie Saab, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont (Clotilde Courau) at Balmain

Charlene and Beatrice both stuck to outfits that they would wear any day of the week; though Clotilde looks like she dressed special for the show, she's really doing the same. Beatrice wins this group for sure. Her simple Elie Saab sheath (quite similar to what we've just seen Kate in, by the way) is a master class in the power of color.

But Bea doesn't win the week. No, for that we have to go with a princess that really did put a royal spin on the fashion week trends: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand (she's the daughter of the Crown Prince of Thailand).

L to R: At Balmain, Christian Dior, Lanvin, and Hèrmes

Princess S. (one time typing the full name is enough for me) is quite the fashion girl, you see. She's a designer and a student of fashion, and has even showed in Paris herself. Also, she's an international badminton player. Everybody loves a princess of all trades! (Well...maybe not everybody. There was a bit of a kerfluffle when she tried to introduce herself to Princess Beatrice at the Elie Saab show and was rebuffed by Bea's bodyguard. Awkward.)

L to R: At Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Elie Saab

I'll admit it was a bit jarring at first to see her go full-on Morticia when we last saw her in demure national dress in Monaco, but I'm ending the week a big fan. There are loads of princesses working the sensible trends; we have plenty of room for one that loves fashion and isn't afraid to let you know it. I say: work it!

Which one's your favorite royal outfit from Paris Fashion Week?

Photos: lehtikuva/Getty Images/Daily Mail/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 31 July - 6 August

Here's what Charlene wore from 31 July - 6 August:

1. Attending a benefit concert for the charities of the Order of Malta, 31 July, repeating a Christian Dior dress worn for one of her photoshoots before the wedding. So she got to keep the clothes, hmm? Nice work if you can get it.


2. Visiting the "The Magnificence of Royal Houses" exhibit, 3 August. Repeated Akris dress, typical Charlene.


3. Opening Van Cleef & Arpels' newly renovated boutique in Monaco, 4 August, in the dress she wore to the brunch held the day after her wedding.


4. a) and b) at the Red Cross Ball, 5 August, in c) Akris. Some of you had a problem with the sapphires in combo with that dress; I don't have a problem with blue and pink, but I do have a problem with the fact that the sapphires just faded away in contrast with that bold dress. Maybe that makes it a more versatile piece, but I think it looks...off.

Back to the boutique opening for a moment: the new boutique includes a whole area named for Charlene, and she wore a VC&A necklace of white gold, turquoise and diamonds from the "Princess Charlene Magic Alhambra" set. And there's another gem to be spotted from the opening as well:

What's that behind Charlene? It's a portrait of her wearing the Ocean Tiara in its proper tiara format, taken by Karl Lagerfeld. Looks...interesting. I am still waiting until she wears it for an event to judge.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Reuters/Van Cleef & Arpels

Royal Fashion Awards: The Red Cross Ball 2011

The annual Red Cross Ball in Monaco was held last night: scene of Stephanie's superhero attempt last year, scene this year of Princess Charlene's Grand Debut. Let's investigate...

Best Try

Princess Charlene

She tried, you guys. She wore a color! (Fuchsia, Akris, love it.) She wore the Ocean Tiara, just like she said she would...only she didn't wear it in her hair (not that she was expected to, but that's never stopped me from whining in the past), and the lines just do not go with that dress, and it most especially does not go with that tragic makeup job. Poor Charlene.

Best in Stephanie

Princess Stephanie

On anyone else, this would elicit one of my tired drapery/bedding/lingerie snipes. But in this case: her cleavage is contained, her skin seems to be a slightly lighter shade than usual, and it's not a tinfoil dress mullet. Sometimes you have to judge things on the Stephanie Scale.

Best Scapegoat

Princess Caroline

I know what's happening here. I've figured this one out. Here it is: Caroline's seen all the headlines about the supposed sad state of her brother's union, and she decided to take action. She thought she'd give the newlyweds a reprieve from the body language speculation by distracting everyone with this dress. They'll be so busy trying to figure out what in couture hell I've done, they'll pay no attention to Albie and Char! This is the sartorial equivalent of jumping up and down, waving your arms, and setting off fireworks. She's a fashion martyr. What a good sister, eh?

Best of the Rest

The Wittstocks

Look who else turned up: Melanie de Massy (left) looking slightly unfortunate in black, and her mother Elisabeth-Anne de Massy (center, the daughter of the late Princess Antoinette), lovely in blue. But as with the wedding, the Wittstocks (right) win this category. Charlene's brother Gareth and a lady that I have seen identified as his companion and sometimes as his fiancée were in attendance, both looking dashing.

Who was your best dressed for the night?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 29 May - 4 June

Here's what Charlene wore from 29 May - 4 June:

1. During an interview for French television.
2. At the Grand Prix, 29 May. I must say, I find this adorable. Seems a departure from most of her Akris stuff, and I like it. And you know I love the shoes.
3. Grand Prix gala dinner, 29 May. Ooh, I love a little sparkle. She's like a bronze sculpture.
4. Attending a fundraising event for the Special Olympics, 31 May. Is this the most random print ever? And does it only go on the front of the dress? Je suis confused.

We mustn't forget about the Casiraghis and their assorted plus ones, as they all remembered to turn up for the Grand Prix:

Left to Right: Tatiana Santo Domingo and Andrea Casiraghi, Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi, Alex Dellal and Charlotte Casiraghi

Now, as you know, I am slightly afraid of TSD, even in the summer edition. But I am amused that she has so thoroughly stuck to her apparition-esque appearance, even at the race track. She's an entertaining contrast to Beatrice, who seems to have sought out the least-clothed way to remain respectable on the arm of a pseudo prince. Charlotte's my fave here: bright, weather-appropriate, royal-appropriate. (And it seems that her boyfriend is trying to fill the gap left by the lack of zebra shoes with his own green kicks. Alas, he's going to have to try harder than that.)

Photos: Bauer Griffin/Zimbio/Hola

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 8-14 May

Here's what Charlene wore from 8-14 May:

1. Opening a garden at Carnolès Palace in France, 14 May. Again with the neutrals, but I love it anyways. The Akris jacket could have aged it, but she threw in some kicky earrings to keep it young. well played, Char.

Photos: Profimedia

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 24-30 April

Here's what Charlene wore from 24-30 April:

1. Attending the pre-wedding dinner in advance of the royal wedding, 28 April. "A dove-gray silk dupioni evening dress with laser-cut silk organza appliqué and a silk chiffon stole," according to Akris.
2. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, 29 April. Gray again, with the Allegra ostrich clutch from Akris.

Many people, including yours truly, had assumed that Charlene would wear Armani Privé for her highest-profile royal engagement to date. Armani takes special care of her, is making at least one of her wedding gowns (yes, she'll have more than one, since she gets separate civil and religious ceremonies), and has always been her go-to designer. The fact that she opted for Swiss brand Akris was quite the shocker. She's worn Akris before, of course, notably in her engagement photo; and Akris was a one-time favorite of Princess Caroline. But this has still been interpreted as an Armani snub.

What do you think: did she snub Armani? And what do you make of her gray week?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/AP 

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 23-29 January

Here's what Charlene Wittstock wore the week of 23-29 January:

1.  At the circus, 25 January. Dress from Akris.
2. Sainte-Devote celebrations, 26 January.
3. At the cathedral for Sainte-Devote, 27 January.

What kind of dress codes are we working with here, kids? Is all this black truly necessary? I buy it at the cathedral, I might buy it for the other Sainte-Devote festivity, but at the circus too? Oh, for the love of some color.


Photos: PurePeople/Abaca/Getty/Zimbio

Royal Fashion Awards: Monaco's Circus

The circus is in town! In Monte Carlo, to be exact. Quite an event, this International Circus Festival, and as usual it brought those crazy Monegasque royals out in droves. They're always good for discussion, so let's get down to business:

Best Couple

Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo

Snuggly and cute, these two. Demonstrating two correct scarf-sporting methods, I might add: for decoration without overwhelming your outfit as in the first picture (most astutely noted by reader Alpa who emailed me pics) and when you're required to wear them, as in the second picture.

Most Formal

Charlene Wittstock

Wearing the winter version of her summer engagement dress, Charlene here is a whole lot of done up for the circus, right? It was her birthday that day, I suppose we're all allowed to dress up to whatever version of the nines we please. Not that I would know what the appropriate dress code for a circus visit is anyways. Nothing's scarier than a clown, if you ask me.

Most Appropriate

Princess Alexandra

Now, see, this is what I expect at the circus. Complete with what looks to be a repeat of the mouse shoes from National Day.

Best Sport

Pauline Ducruet

How many teenage girls can you think of that would be willing to sport a ridiculous wig in public? In front of cameras, no less! Points to Ms. Ducruet for that alone. The rest is typical teen, right down to the skinny trousers, but she looks happy to support her mom. Hey, Albert gets points too:

Most At Home

Princess Stephanie

I'm just going to say it: she looks good. She looks comfortable and happy to be circus-ing it up (she's the president of the organization, I believe). Still clearly not in the couture realms of her sister, but for Stephanie, this'll do. Oh, except for the SHOOTIES on display in that last picture. That will never do.

Best Circus Outfit

Charlotte Casiraghi

Well, she didn't actually go to the circus, but you wear clown pants, this is what you get. She's at a Gucci party, she's wearing a Gucci outfit. The same thing was worn by Jennifer Lopez. Not a lot of crossover there, royalty and J.Lo., usually. (Preferably.) This is kind of steezy though; you know, she's working the whole "I just woke up and threw on this old designer rag, and I could care less what you think" look. Which is sort of her thing, I guess.

So, what do you think: is Charlotte working it? Is Charlene overdressed? Do clowns scare you too?

Photos: Zimbio

Month in Review: Charlene Wittstock, June

Here's what Charlene Wittstock wore in June:

1. Attending the 40th birthday party for Jimmy'z nightclub in Monaco, 4 June.  Well, it is at a nightclub, I guess?
2. Monte Carlo TV Festival, 9 June.  Glad to see Albert took my everyone's advice on resolving the awkwardness here.
3. World Cup opening ceremony and South Africa vs. Mexico match, 11 June.  I missed a royal in my trend watch, didn't I?  Despite the national scarf spirit for Charlene's home team, the game was a draw.
4. Inauguration of Ikhaya Lemidlalo humanitarian sports and recreation project, 12 June.  Looks like some kind of dress or long top over leggings and knee high boots, maybe?
5. Pre-wedding concert and dinner, 18 June.
6. Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, 19 June.
7. Engagement portraits, 23 June, a) on the runway and b) in portrait.  Have to say I'm shocked she didn't go for an Armani number; Giorgio's been her regular sartorial boyfriend for some time now.  Nice posing on the portrait there - this is a number that looks better from the back and side views.
8. Attending a synchronized swimming event in Monaco, 30 June.  Sleek and simple, though I can't help but think it would have been more at home at a proper cocktail hour rather than in a stadium.  The real question, though - Charlene doesn't seem to have worn her whopper of an engagement ring.  She looks like she's sporting a smaller diamond instead.  Did she get two rings?

Best and Worst of the Month

The beige Armani may have been a near duplicate of the dress she wore the night before, but it's gorgeous nonetheless.  It was a very appropriate choice for a not-yet-engaged girlfriend of a sovereign.  Not appropriate, on the other hand, was that tropical number.  The dress and the hair should have stayed at the beach.

Photos: PurePeople/Abaca/Michelly Rall/WireImage/Stella Pictures/Belga/Marcio Madeira/PPE/Palais Princier-Monaco/Getty Images