Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 20-26 November

Here's what Mary wore from 20-26 November:

1. Day 1 of the couple's trip to Australia, 20 November, beginning with (a) flats and a hat to open the Sculpture By The Sea exhibition and then (b) ditching the hat and switching to heels for more events. Prefer the hat version, myself.
2. Meeting the Governor-General, 20 November. Simple but lovely dress, the perfect background for what we're all really looking at: the twins!
3. Day 2, 21 November. Ah, yes! Much better without some strange winter jacket on top.

4. a) Dinner on day 2, 21 November, in (b) a repeated dress from Diane von Furstenberg. Look familiar? It's the short version of the dress Carole Middleton wore to the evening bash after William and Catherine's wedding.
5. Day 3, 22 November, in an outfit that morphed as the day went on. She took a repeated dress (which many of you will be happy to see again, its last appearance was much loved) and topped it with a hat (a) and then wore it without the hat (b) and then added a ruffled front cardi (c - while checking out a portrait of herself, which must be a surreal experience) and also wore it with both cardigan and hat. And that's what we call coming prepared for all eventualities!

6. Day 4, 23 November. I usually just go for whatever picture shows the outfit fully, but I couldn't resist the ridiculous chicness of this pose in that Egg chair. I like the outfit, too, but the chair...sorry, I'm an interior designer. Can't help myself.
7. Dinner, day 4, 23 November, repeating another dress from when she was pregnant with the twins - early on, during Nikolaos and Tatiana's wedding festivities.
8. Day 5, 24 November. Love the more casual shirt with the slim fit white skirt.
9.  Dinner, day 5, 24 November. Oh, no. Not a fan of the random patchwork business.
10. Day 6, 25 November. Hmm...a lovely pop of color and print, or way too much of a 1970s flashback?

11. a) Reception on day 6, 25 November, wearing b) a new Georg Jensen necklace. (Here's the full fantastic red dress.) This whole trip was a showcase of jewelry from all Mary's regulars: Marianne Dulong, Ole Lynggaard, and of course Georg Jensen. Several items were new, too, which makes one wonder if she's sitting on a stash of unimagined size, or if she's found other ways to work out loans for herself.
12. a) Day 7, 26 November, repeating outfit #2 but adding a brooch (b). Strange positioning there, no?
13. Gala dinner to finish out the official portion of the trip, 26 November. I do believe this is a reworked version of the dress she wore to Victoria and Daniel's wedding - the strange lace on the top has been removed, and the shoulder drape has been added. I did not like it then at all, and now I am in love. Perfect!

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Reuters/Zimbio/Georg Jensen

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 13-19 November

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

1. Remembrance Sunday, 13 November, which we discussed last week.
2. a) Out shopping, in b) a skirt from Mulberry, working the "schoolgirl gone beatnik" look.

She also paid a private visit to an art therapy charity at a school in London - she's been making these secret visits as she decides which charities she'll use her royal weight to support - wearing a sweater and jeans, which apparently disappointed the kids who felt she "didn't look like a princess". (I hear ya, kids. I'd demand a tiara, myself.) Sounds like a basic miscommunication to me - she must have thought she was just going to slip in and out relatively unnoticed, while the school lined all the kids up like it was a legit royal visit. A simple mistake, and yet something tells me that's the last we'll hear of her trying the dressed down approach!

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Xposurephotos.com/Popsugar

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 6-12 November

Here's what Mary wore from 6-12 November:

1. a) Naming a ship in b) a Diane von Furstenberg coat, 7 November. While others are busy wondering if she's taking style inspiration from that other royal brunette, I'm busy wondering if she was tempted to change up her pre-planned wardrobe at the last minute precisely to avoid those comparisons. (I kid, by the way. It's a red coat with black accents...not exactly groundbreaking stuff requiring an inspiration!) Anyway, this is a great coat. Maybe I like it more than Kate's even.
2. Opening an exhibition, 9 November, in a fantastic repeated suit.

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 6-12 November

Here's what Catherine wore from 6-12 November:

1. a) Attending a dinner for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal, 10 November, in a custom version of this (b) Jenny Packham gown and (c) a pair of earrings which have been identified as silver with "crystal paste stones" by Beaut Jewellery who supplied this design to Jenny Packham. I won't lie and say I wasn't disappointed to learn she didn't have a new set of diamonds in her jewel box, but they sparkled on video nevertheless, and they're a great Deco-esque design. As for the toga dress, I think it's great but I wish she'd done her hair up (it was only sort of half up on the one side) because I think there's too much going on with the flutter sleeve and the asymmetrical neckline plus all the hair. In other words: an utterly typical assessment from one who is permanently on Team Updo.
2. a) At a meeting for the Prince's Charities Forum, 11 November, in a b) blazer from Zara. Basic wool blazer with an interesting detail: I like it. Can't really make out what she had on underneath, though.

Outside our regular time frame, but no doubt this is fresh on everyone's minds:

1. At the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph with fellow royal family members (top row includes the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence; bottom row is Princess Alexandra of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester), 13 November, wearing a Diane von Furstenberg coat and Jane Corbett hat. Not a huge fan of the forward tilt on Kate's hat or of Sophie's choice to repeat the flamboyant gray hat she wore to Monaco's royal wedding for this particular event; however, it doesn't matter. That's just not what this event is about. 

Members of the royal family that lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. (Front: the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Second: the Duke of York and the Princess Royal. Third: the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales. Fourth: the Duke of Kent and the Earl of Wessex.)

Photos: Paul Rogers/Daily Mail/Just Jared/British Monarchy Flickr/Zara/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 31 July - 6 August

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

1. Attending a symposium on the Antarctic, 3 August. The Diane von Furstenberg again. This might be one I can like only in small doses, but I am liking this loose take on her ubiquitous ponytail.

Photo: Svenskdam

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 24-30 July

Here's what Catherine wore from 24-30 July:

1. a) and b) Attending the pre-wedding cocktail party for Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall, 29 July in green Diane von Furstenberg repeated from Los Angeles.
2. a) At Zara and Mike's wedding, 30 July in a DAY Birger et Mikkelsen gold coat repeated from two weddings past (most notably Laura Parker Bowles' wedding in 2006) with the infamous LK Bennett shoes and clutch, b) a new hat from Gina Foster Millinery and the same diamond earrings she wore in the evening on Canada Day, and c) a repeated Collette Dinnigan lace dress underneath (picture from a previous appearance). A somewhat boring week for those of us that prefer shiny new things, but a classy move from the Duchess. She definitely did her best to let the bride be the star of the weekend.

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Daily Mail/Reuters/Daylife

Royal Fashion Awards: Zara and Mike's Pre-Wedding Cocktail Party

Everybody in royal wedding mode? Cupcakes and cocktails at the ready? Excellent.

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall tie the knot in Edinburgh Saturday, and they kicked things off on Friday by hosting a cocktail party on the retired royal yacht Britannia. A good indicator of what's to come tomorrow? Maybe yes, maybe no...

Best Relief

Zara Phillips

The first glimpse I got of the bride's ensemble this evening was from a wee pic on my mobile phone, furtively checked while I was supposed to be tending to far more important things. And I'm telling you, I thought - just for one panicked minute - that the girl had fashioned an acid-washed denim toga for herself. So you can imagine my relief when it turned out just to be some sort of tie-dyed and/or watercolored affair. I may be relieved, but I am slightly baffled still: a leopard/giraffe clutch? Huh?

Best Crystal Ball

The Duchess of Cambridge

This repeated Diane von Furstenberg from L.A. might as well be a crystal ball: we can see the future right here. I'll jump in with the rest of you and guess that we're about to see a weekend of repeats for Kate. A noble attempt to divert the attention on what is not her weekend. (I think we all know that won't work, but it's the thought that counts.)

Best Double Act

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

Eugenie in my very favorite color for her? Beatrice in my very favorite color for anyone (and a much improved appearance from the last time we saw that dress)? Sign me up! Also: a butterfly belt. Cheeky! Foreshadowing another memorable royal wedding ensemble, are we?

Best Glow

The Countess of Wessex

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Sophie's stepping up her game, and I like it. She's tanned, freshly coiffed, and looking fantastic!

Worst Uniform

Princess Anne

Somebody didn't get the memo: this is a par-tay! Live it up! Don't come dressed in your regular old work uniform, even if you have busted out some cleavage. (While we're at it: anybody want to pool together and buy her some new shades? PLEASE?)

Best in Cocktail

Autumn Phillips

Much better. This is how we do cocktail. A great all-purpose flattering dress for Autumn!

Photos: Hello/Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Zimbio/Daylife/Reuters/Michael Dunlea/Barcroft Media/Daily Mail/Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Week in Review: Crown Princess Victoria, 10-16 July

Here's what Victoria wore from 10-16 July:

1. Out for a walk.
2. Attending a ceremony to unveil trees that she and Daniel received as wedding gifts, 13 July, a) on Victoria and b) from Diane von Furstenberg with those YSL heels. This is one of those things that I hate on the hanger, but actually on her it looks pretty good. (And hey: no ponytail!)
3. Celebrating her 34th birthday, 14 July. Simple, but effective. 
4. At her birthday concert, 14 July. 

It was a very cute week in Victoria Land, from delight at wedding presents and birthday fans...

...right down to getting drenched with the family while enjoying her birthday concert. Gotta love the trash bag rain protection!

Photos: Getty Images/AP Photo/Daylife

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 3 July - 9 July, Part 4

We last left off with William and Kate departing Canada for Los Angeles, and now we return for some royal Hollywood fun:

1. Arriving in Los Angeles, 8 July, a) on Kate, and b) from Roksanda Ilincic, worn with peach-ish shoes and her LK Bennett clutch.

2. Attending a reception, 8 July, a) and b) on Kate, and c) the front, d) the back of the dress from Diane von Furstenberg, carrying a leopard print clutch by DVF and in nude shoes.

The lavender...please. You know I love it. Shape, interest, perfection. (Everybody's calling it blue or blue/gray? Looks lavender as originally reported to me!) The green...that's a different story. I should love it, given how I always stand by the sidelines with my rainbow pom-poms in hand, rooting for some color. But I really really don't. DVF dresses are supposed to be magical curve-creating machines, but this one looks like an oversized sweatshirt re-cut into a dress.

3. Polo for their charitable foundation at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, 9 July, a) on Kate, b) from Jenny Packham, c) a close up on the hand-painted dress design, d) new shoes from LK Bennett, the Sliver shoe.

Wasn't sure how I felt about the general sleeve area, but I'm going with: LOVE IT. And not just because of the dress, but because of the way they blew through the red carpet (so awesomely un-Hollywood) and because of Polo Wills, which is right up there with Cowboy Wills in my affections. And hey: the LK Bennett Sledge shoes have been given a much-needed rest! New nude heels, and - sit down for this one - no pantyhose. (As we all breathe a collective sigh of relief that she's not an open-toe stockings-wearer.) I also love it because, when asked what she was wearing, Kate said: "I'm sure you know by now." See, I told you I like my Kate a little bit sassy.

4. a) At the BAFTA Brits to Watch event, 9 July, with b) earrings borrowed from the Queen, c) Jimmy Choo shoes and d) a diamond bracelet and Jimmy Choo clutch.

It really is a very pretty dress. It's lilac, and it's McQueen, and it's twirly. The shoes are positively Vegas-worthy, pure sparkle. There's borrowed bling and bling that's all her own. And it keeps fully in line with the right strategy: nothing special for Hollywood, one is not a starlet. And yet I really wanted an honest-to-gawd hairdo for a change. Go ahead, fine, stick me in the pillory if you must! I wanted something show-stopping. I tweeted that I knew I shouldn't get my hopes up, and I was right. But I'm always cheering for the greatest amount of fabulous humanly possible (especially when the Queen's earrings are involved!), that's just me. Et toi?

Photos: Just Jared/Net-a-porter/XclusivePix/Daily Mail/Polyvore/Matches/Lionel Hahn/PA

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Mathilde wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Laying a wreath at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery during the economic mission to the U.S., 26 June. What a pretty outfit. Shame about that dish sponge on her head.
2. Visiting the Whittal Pavilion at the Library of Congress, 27 June, a) on Mathilde and b) from Natan. I am required to like this, due to the Fifties flair going on here. We all have our weaknesses, and this is one of mine.
3. At the Flemish League Against Cancer, 30 June, a) full view and b) the top. Oh, no, thankfully I am not required to like this. Massive Natan fail, so shapeless!

4. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July. I think we need more Mathilde in sunglasses. It's sort of...dare I say it...bad ass. (Now there's a way to describe Mathilde that I never thought I'd use.)
5. Attending the concert/reception before the religious wedding, 1 July. Still a Christmas tree, still ruining whatever bad ass cred she just obtained.
6. At the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Monaco, 2 July, a) on Mathilde, and b) the style from Armani Privé.
7. At the evening ball, 2 July. I'd say getting the wedding gown designer to do you up a few pieces for the occasion is a pretty smart move indeed, wouldn't you?

Also, Mathilde did her piece to keep hold of her title of Blingiest Wedding Guest, which we can all appreciate.

Her brooch for the wedding belongs (or belonged, perhaps it was a gift) to Queen Fabiola, and in addition to her standard laurel wreath tiara, she seems to have brought a new necklace to the evening festivities. A+ for magpie effort indeed, especially considering she could have gotten away without a necklace on a gown like that!

Photos: Newscom/Natan/Style.com/Svenskdam/Hola/Bekia

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 19-25 June

Here's what Mathilde wore from 19-25 June:

1. Starting an economic mission to New York, 22 June.
2. Day 2, 23 June. Have to be Natan, these first two ensembles. Not bad at all, just typical.
3. At a reception on Day 2, 23 June. Repeating from her sister's civil wedding ceremony. Love this dress for her.
4. Day 3, 24 June. Well, you know how I feel about purple. But even if I wasn't a grape fanatic, I'd like this one for her. The draping covers just what it needs to cover. This one might be my favorite of the week.
5. Attending a concert, 24 June. YELLOW. But this is a princess, second to Máxima, that can pull off the colors.
6. Day 4, 25 June. Look: Mathilde has caught Kate fever. This is a blue version of the black Issa wrap dress Ms. Middleton was spotted shopping in just before her wedding. I'm really surprised to see Mathilde in Issa! I will never be a huge fan of the brand, but a dress with a design that can flatter both of these ladies is a design feat indeed.

Photos: Belga/Diane von Furstenberg/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 15-21 May

Here's what Mathilde wore from 15-21 May:

1. At the presentation of the Federal Prize for Poverty Reduction, 18 May, a) on Mathilde and b) from Diane von Furstenberg. Love this for her, and love the earrings too. Can't see the shoes, but I'd bet they're the ones from outfit 2 - you know how our Mathilde likes a matching shoe.
2. At the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, 19 May. Love this for her too. She can carry off these colors, so why not go for it?
3. Another music competition event, 19 May, a) on Mathilde and b) from Natan. Now, this is strange. Sort like they stuck a crumpled up plastic floral bag on top of a regular dress. Huh.

Photos: Isopix/Svenskdam/DVF/Natan

Royal & Non-Royal Fashion Awards: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge's Evening Wedding Party

After the wedding, the lunch and a "time of reflection" for the bride and groom at Clarence House (which the talking heads on the broadcast I watched were quick to toss innuendo at), it was time to party. A très exclusive evening bash at Buckingham Palace was hosted by Charles and orchestrated by Harry and The Pips, and lasted well into the morning hours. And you know what that means...more fashion to judge. Let's go:

Best in Hair

Zara Phillips

 

Top, left to right: Zara Phillips with Mike Tindall, Princess Anne with Tim Laurence

Bottom, left to right: the three eldest Spencer sisters with their brother Viscount Althorp, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (and is that her daughter Emily behind her?)

Being a private party, photos were limited to guests coming and going. Endless questions about what gowns they wore will never be answered. So, hair evaluation it is. Princess Anne and Lady Sarah may win in the bling department, but their hair is nothing to chat about. In the young and blonde category, Zara's sleek updo wins out over the assorted peroxide Spencers. Her hair throughout the wedding festivities has been excellent; I hope this was a trial go for the hairdresser she'll use for her wedding.

Best in Questionable Gowns

Chelsy Davy

L to R: Princess Beatrice in purple Marchesa, Chelsy Davy in blue Alberta Ferretti

Even among the guests that we did get full-length shots of, I still have some questions. For example: WHAT is happening with Bea's dress in that second picture? Should we just be glad those kicks don't have toilet paper stuck to them? (I do love the shoes, though. Good for her for not pretending like a day in 4 inch heels doesn't take a toll.) I also question Chelsy's second Alberta Ferretti concoction of the day. The sketch looks great, but so did the sketch for her teal number, and we all saw what happened there. Nevertheless, I'll give it a prize. Awarded for sheer potential, I guess.

Best of the Rest

Pippa Middleton

 L to R: Princess Eugenie, Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cornwall, Carole Middleton, Rose Ruck Keene, Olivia Hunt, Lady Rose Astor

Eugenie's looking fab in another great shape which must be Westwood. Camilla stuck with the same designer for the whole affair as well, and Anna Valentine certainly suits her - but this is a repeat. Out of funds for more new clothes? Mrs. M.'s showing off that diet she was supposedly on in her Diane von Furstenberg, but I do love her hair up. Of the last three friends, Olivia Hunt is my favorite in a true red carpet gown, Lady Rose Astor's doing some sort of updated flapper thing, and Rose Ruck Keene's...fine. It's The Pips that takes my  prize, as she plunges low yet again in another step on her quest for world domination. A perfect example of the prettiness that is so uniquely Temperley.

One last attendee, in a category all his own:

The Party Prince himself, working the open tuxedo look. You're welcome.

And in other party news...

Pavlos and Marie-Chantal hosted a party for some of those that didn't warrant an invite to the exclusive Buck House bash. Among the attendees were Victoria and Daniel and Katherine and Alexander.

Victoria's so cute. I love the little mod shirt dress. Still don't like the YSL shoes, but with this dress, they work.

UPDATE: More attendees at the other after party at Pavlos and M-C's casa - Anne-Marie and Constantine and Prince and Princess Michael.

Who makes your list of favorites? And how long do you think it will be until The Pips achieves full world domination?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Aftonbladet/Big Picture Photo/Daily Mail/Splash/Isopix

Week in Review: Catherine Middleton, 17-23 April

Here's what Catherine wore from 17-23 April:

1. Visiting the hairdresser, 19 April, in the same outfit from 9 February and the jacket again from 13 March. Do you like it better with a ponytail and a bare leg? I think I might, though I'm still not a fan of that jacket in combo with that dress.
2. Out shopping on the King's Road, 20 April, a) on Kate, and b) from Issa. I'm no Issa fan, but this is a cute and simple LBD. Mostly I just love that she's already enacted the "never leave the house without princess-ing it up" strategy. A dress and a blowout for a quick shopping trip? Oh, yeah.

Sigh. This is the last ever "Catherine Middleton" week in review post, soon we'll have to call her something else. Pre-wedding nostalgia!

More of Kate's week, after the jump...


Thanks to nosy shop attendants and a high street chain WAY too eager to flaunt the royal patronage (seriously: Warehouse now has a "What Kate Bought" section on their website - methinks this is not how you keep the royal patronage), we have a peek into some of Kate's purchases on her high street shopping sprees this week:

These are from the aforementioned overly eager Warehouse, of course. What do we think? The two floral dresses interest me not, but I'd love to have the white top in my closet. Although, it's probably more suited to people that take frequent holidays to the Greek Isles than to me. Le sigh.

Photos: Daily Mail/Warehouse/Startracks Photo/Nick Obank/Barcroft Media

Week in Review: Princess Nikolaos, 20-26 March

Here's what Tatiana wore from 20-26 March:

 

1. At the U.K. launch of Loewe, Mount Street, 23 March. Very basic LBD with an intriguing sleeve detail. Well played.
2. Attending the Diane von Furstenberg Vital Voices cocktail party and the TOD'S Art Plus Drama Party in London, 24 March, a) on Tatiana, and b) on the Diane von Furstenberg runway. Love the wrap, the detailing and of course the shoes! An excellent week of little black frocks.

Photos: Life/Dave M. Bennett/Getty Images/First View/NYMag

Week in Review: Catherine Middleton, 6-12 February

Here's what Catherine Middleton wore the week of 6-12 February:

1. Lunching with Camilla, 9 February, a) on Kate and b) from Diane von Furstenberg.

I've heard a lot of different opinions on this, ranging from "stylish" to "OMGGTGASASAP!" (Translation: OMG get this girl a stylist ASAP! I speak fluent acronym.) Me? I'm just...bored. Criminally boring, that's my verdict: same old makeup, hair worn down again, yet another dress, yet another jacket thrown on top, same old boots. At this point, I just want to see something different. Anything different will do, even if it's total fug. Et toi, my lovelies?

Photos: Daily Mail/Ikon Pictures

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 12-18 September

Here's what Princess Mathilde wore the week of 12-18 September:

1. Attending a cancer symposium, 13 September, a) on Mathilde and b) from Diane von Furstenberg.  Fabulous dress, totally unfortunate shoes.  Yikes. 
2. Attending a function at the University of Leuven, 17 September.  Well, this one becomes the default best of the week because you know I can not abide by a bad shoe pairing.  Even if this one is...blah.

Update:  Here she is visiting the SOS Children's Village on 16 September:

Photos: Belga

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 25-31 July

Here's what Crown Princess Mary wore the week of 25-31 July:

1. Annual family photocall, 28 July.  This dress was last seen in public while Mary was pregnant with Isabella, so it's doomed to start speculation from now on.  I like it anyways.   UPDATE: And she's pregnant now!  With twins!!
2. Horse riding lessons, 28 July.  I think this has to be one of the most unflattering lengths for shorts ever, but she's pulling it off.
3. Visit to Legoland, 29 July.
4. Watching the changing of the guard, 30 July.

Best and Worst of the Week

Mary's back in action, continuing vacation with the rest of the Danish royal family at Gråsten Slot.  I love the casual look she sported while watching the changing of the guard with the family - the cardigan, shoes and jeans are perfect, and the ruffled top adds just enough interest and femininity.  The visit to Legoland, on the other hand, is none of those things - it might not be so bad, but the army jacket throws everything off.

Photos: msn.dk/Profimedia