Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 3 July - 9 July, Part 1

Here's the last installment of Kate's North American trip wardrobe, now on to the next:

 1. Attending a morning prayer service and visiting Quebec City on day 4 of the trip, 3 July, a) on Kate and b) from Erdem, worn with her LK Bennett nude heels, nude clutch and sapphire/diamond earrings.

2. Finish up in Quebec and arriving on Prince Edward Island, 3 July, a) the Joseph dress on its own, b) with a jacket (see the tweed in c), d) the LK Bennett clutch.

Fact: Erdem makes things that are not blue lace dresses. I thought I'd tell you, just in case you didn't know. I'm a little bit flabbergasted that the "Frugal Duchess" bought two such similar dresses from the same pricey designer! I like this one much better (not navy, not so much lace, blue for Quebec), so I'm left with regrets that she'd switched up the first frock of the trip. I have no regrets on outfit 2, though - as soon as she added the pink tweed jacket, I fell in love! A perfect princess outfit, but still fresh. The waist on the dress and the length of the jacket are a match made in heaven. So far, my favorite outfit of the trip.

3. Visiting Province House in Charlottestown, 4 July, a) and b) from Alexander McQueen, worn with navy pumps and her diamond/sapphire earrings.

4. Watching William practice water landings in a Sea King, 4 July, a) and b) a ponytail shot. Then racing dragon boats (c) in a Nike windbreaker, boat shoes and skinny jeans, and pulling a Grace van Cutsem (d), in black wedge slingbacks.

The McQueen is jaunty in a sort of old-timey croquet way, like she could have borrowed her inspiration from something the Queen Mother would have worn for sport in her day. Fitting for a visit to Prince Edward Island, land of Anne of Green Gables. It's much better in movement, hence the second shot there, because it needs a little more shape and a little more attitude (which might be why I like it better on Sarah Jessica Parker - and you know how I feel about navy). She made a good hair choice for a windy, rainy day with her ponytail, and I don't have much to say about the sportswear - other than I am ashamed of Prince William for busting out those nasty trainers again (and am very, very sad for the person that had to clean them up), and I wish they would have worn the Canada jerseys they were given for the dragon boat race. They broke the rules! Should've been festive and gone for it, kids.

5. Arriving in Yellowknife for the next leg of the tour in the navy trench and navy heels, 4 July.

After careful consideration, and in spite of my Kate-spawned animosity towards navy blue, I have decided that I need that trench. I promise to wear it in a fashion that will make it easy for you to tell that I've not gone stripper underneath without a squint and a prayer.

Do you have a favorite outfit so far? How are you feeling about navy?

Photos: Reuters/Daylife/AP/Daily Mail/Bancroft Media/Michael Dunlea/Just Jared

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 26 June - 2 July, Part 1

During the Cambridge's North American tour, I'll be splitting Catherine's looks into multiple review posts since even I don't write posts as crazy long as a full week would be. So, Part 1:

1. At the royal box for Wimbledon, 27 June, a) on Kate and b) with the LK Bennett shoes on display; c) the dress from Temperley London, and d) Secret Agent Wills at Wimbledon, just because I find him entertaining. Kate also wore those diamond and sapphire Are-They-Or-Aren't-They-Diana's earrings again, as well as the famous Bracelet of Controversy, and carried a beige clutch and a brown jacket.

I said it on Twitter, and I'll say it again: kicky little tennis dress. I like it, and I'm ever so glad she didn't have to put the jacket on top. The detail on the back of the straps would bug the crap out of me if I wore this - looks like the kind of thing that would get all messed up on your seat back, or that someone could stand behind you and flick at. (I guess this means we know Secret Agent Wills isn't the kind of husband that annoys his wife for sport.)

2. Leaving Heathrow Airport for Canada, 30 June, a) on Kate, b) the dress from Roland Mouret, and c) the jacket from Smythe. Her shoes are Manolo Blahniks and her bag is Mulberry.

Basically, if I had the money - and the body, but that's a different discussion - my daily uniform would be Roland Mouret and Manolos. Kudos are due to Mrs. Cambridge here: she went French (Mouret), Canadian (Smythe), British (Mulberry) and Fabulous (Blahnik), all in one outfit. That's the mark of a black belt in international political dressing. And this is just the ho-hum, excuse me while I board my private plane look.

3. Arriving in Canada and the first events of the day in Ottawa, 30 June, a) on Kate, and b) from Erdem, with the same shoes and clutch as at Wimbledon. She also wore the diamond and cabochon sapphire earrings she wore on engagement day.

4. An evening barbecue with young people, 30 June, in an Issa dress.

I'd say Erdem's the biggest Canadian name in high fashion, so the second outfit of the day is a smart move indeed. There's that black belt again, karate-chopping her way into Canada's arms. As for the actual dress...eh. Maybe I'm just a little burnt out on the navy overload, or maybe I'm just not a fan of navy lace dresses. I have no complaints of substance here, it just doesn't flip my skirt up. Sadly, neither does the last dress (which she's had for a long time and was last seen the day before the wedding), and I blame it on one thing: the shoes. Can we have the Manolos back, please? (And yes, I know, more comfortable, long day, etc. But my shoe-loving heart wants what it wants.)

How's she doing so far? Do you have a favorite look yet?

Photos: PA/Daily Mail/Film Magic/Getty Images/Daylife/AP Photo/Net-a-porter/Globe and Mail/Chris Wattie/Reuters

Royal Fashion Awards: Trooping the Colour 2011

I was right, y'all. Beatrice didn't even show up to Trooping the Colour, so the parade today was all Kate, all the time. And she sure did give us something to discuss, and we will do that, but we will also give everybody else some much-needed attention. It's the least we can do, right? Per usual, our attention will be in the form of awards. Everybody loves a trophy.

Best Birthday Girl Prerogative

Queen Elizabeth

Another repeat, kind of boring...but she's the (official) birthday girl. When you're in charge, you can wear whatever you please. And it is one of her better repeats, so I shan't be picky. (Well, I'll save my picks for others, at least...)

Biggest Omission

The Duchess of Cambridge

Omission number one: Kate, you forgot the candy that's supposed to go in that dish on your head. How 'bout some nice M&Ms? Perfect for that mid-parade "oh hell, more bagpipes" energy dip, plus a little extra color never hurt ya. Omission number two: What's a fierce McQueen coat without a proper riding crop? Giddyup!

Most Disturbing Genetic Sign

Princess Eugenie

You know who else has a tendency to stick superfluous bows on things? Sarah Ferguson. (And Princess Mabel. And Hello Kitty. Not exactly esteemed company.) Fight the genetic urge, Eug, fight hard! Because that jacket is kinda cute, you really could've had something here!

Most Acceptable Repeat

The Duchess of Cornwall

How many times have we seen this ensemble and it's various iterations on Cams? Approximately 8,698, I'd say. The only reason I'll give her the nod here is that she wore that choker - gah! I love that thing. She can wear that to as many Troopings in a row as she likes, as far as I'm concerned.

Best Dynamic Duo

The Countess of Wessex and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

Adorable, these two, in their matching pink outfits. Adorable and a wee bit saucy, I might add - that's a lot of Countess shoulder! (How prudish do I sound?! It's just not what you're expecting to be in for at the military parade, is all. It's sort of like when Anne's cleavage just came out of nowhere, right in your face, that one time. Or, not really.)

Best in Uniform

The Princess Royal

Left to Right: the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Kent

If it's color you long for, to the military you must turn. And today's toy soldiers made an excellent display. Which one to pick as best? Philip's always a good choice - come on, he's rocking the bearskin hat at 90. And the Duke of Kent is rocking the bearskin hat while on a horse, at 75. William and Harry hold down the under 30 fort nicely, but I have to give this one to Princess Anne. Any gal that can roll with the boys while absolutely owning a hat that culminates in a feather to the skies deserves all the prizes she can rack up.


Now, there are two types of Trooping the Colour people, really: the carriage people and the balcony people. The carriage people get to ride all fancy, and get their picture taken a lot, and get their names spelled right in the photo captions and things like that. Those people are above. The balcony people cram on at Buck House, fearful the facade might give way from all the Windsors on board, are at the mercy of long-range lens, and usually get identified as "royal family members". There's not much to look at when it comes to the balcony people. Luckily, judging on little information is a specialty of mine, and so we will forge ahead:

Best on the Balcony

Lady Frederick Windsor

 L to R: The Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Lady Nicholas Windsor, Julia Ogilvy (and I believe the Countess of Ulster peeking over her shoulder), Viscountess Linley (with Lady Rose Gilman peeking out from behind), Lady Frederick Windsor, the Duchess of Kent, the Countess of St. Andrews

It's a shame they don't pay more attention to these ladies: some of them really turned it out! Princess Alexandra did her usual thing, but hey - she can do what she wants. That's got to be Roland Mouret on Serena Linley, which I LOVE, but you're not getting anywhere with that ever-so-ebullient expression. The Duchess of Kent and her daughter-in-law the Countess look ladylike as can be, but I'm giving this one to Lady Frederick, a.k.a. Sophie Winkleman. You gotta love that she turned it this far out (that has to be a new hat, probably a new suit) for such a quick appearance (and her first Trooping the Colour, too). She flew in from Los Angeles for this shindig, she deserves a prize.
UPDATES: I have added the Duchess of Gloucester, in a lovely repeat, Lady Nicholas Windsor and Julia Ogilvy - both wearing repeated hats (Lady Nicholas from Garter Day last year, Julia from the Cambridges' wedding). Excellent appearances, all!

Worst on the Balcony

Lady Helen Taylor

 L to R: Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Helen Taylor, Lady Amelia Windsor, Flora Ogilvy (possibly, thanks to Nora)

What in Canadian fashion hell is happening to Lady Helen?! Girl, Erdem has done you WRONG. (And just when I was wondering if Kate would take a look at his stuff for the Canada trip, the nerve.) I put it on the batty radar when we saw it with the matching coat at the royal wedding, but now that I've seen the dress underneath, I'm prepared to commit it to the mental ward. And yeesh, that inside-out/upside-down paper umbrella on her head isn't helping. Everything else pales in comparison, like Amelia's bit of fluff on her head, and that mystery lady's Flora's shapeless outfit (somebody, please, tell me who that is for sure!). And Princess Michael definitely looks out of place next to Helen, since she's only in this category for being stuck in a Trooping rut anyway.

Who makes your best- and worst-dressed for this year's Trooping the Colour?

(And if you see more royals, or better pics, let me know!)

Photos: Ken Goff/Isopix/Reuters/Daylife/Getty Images/Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Tim Rooke/Rex Features/PPE/Nieboer

Royal Fashion Awards: Windsors at the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding

SO much to talk about. So, I'm breaking this wedding up into multiple posts. Multiple awards shows, if you will. We'll get started with the Windsors, who haven't had a major royal occasion to get all dolled up for in quite some time. And they proved their point: they still got it.

Best in Traditional

The Duchess of Cornwall

Left to Right: the Duchess of Kent, the Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth

Sometimes it's best to stick with what you know. There's nothing crazy here from these three senior family members, but it's fancy nonetheless. The Duchess of Kent was absolutely charming, and much happier in the footage than this photo shows. At one point, entering the Abbey, she grabbed her husband's arm, and it just gave me the warm fuzzies. They've been through a lot, but those two crazy kids will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary this year. All of which is a major sidebar just to say: she's pretty in pink, even though from some angles it looked like she plopped her fascinator/hat thing right on top of her head like a gift-wrapped Duchess instead of off to the side where it belongs.

The Queen stuck to what she knows too, in a simple but neat sunshine yellow frock. If she'd have added some shape to that hat brim so it looked less county sheriff and more proper Queen, she'd get the prize, but instead it goes to the Duchess of Cornwall. Big ol' Tracey hat like only she can pull off, simple but flattering coat and dress with just enough color to keep it out of "OMG she's wearing cream she's stealing the bride's thunder" territory. In short: the perfect understated outfit for a day on which the ghost of her husband's ex-wife was looming large.

Best in Shine

Zara Phillips

 L to R: Autumn Phillips, Princess Michael of Kent, Zara Phillips, the Countess of Wessex, Lady Frederick Windsor

Easiest way to get your fancy on: throw a little shine in the mix. These ladies brought it something fierce in the shine department, and they all have their merits. I loved the full skirt on Autumn's coat. It's a retro flair and a clever way to mold a post-baby figure. She brought shine and shape to the party, so she gets bonus points. Princess Michael's suit doesn't bring anything in the shape department, and she's clearly attempting to make up for it with her enormous chapeau. Don't get me wrong, if anyone can pull that hat off, it's Marie-Christine; but with that jacket? No, honey, no prize for you.

Sophie's doing alright in the shape department, but where she shines (amongst her shine...I'm really tired, guys) is in the details. Check out her sleeves in this picture. That's worth paying couture prices for. The other Sophie (Lady Frederick Windsor, of course) has no doubt also paid couture prices for her Armani ensemble, which would be boring and too old for her if it weren't for that fierce hat. 

And speaking of fierce: ladies and gentlemen, I give you our category champion, Zara Phillips. Just look at her. Yacht-sized hat, shiny coat with amazing back detail, high heels...even the bag is fierce. Don't get me started on that facial expression. You guys, I can't wait to see how she brings it at her wedding.

Best in Batty

Princess Beatrice

L to R: Lady Helen Taylor, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie

It doesn't take much to derail a good look, you know. Everything's going along all smooth, and then all of the sudden, you're plunged into crazy town. Case in point: these ladies. Now, Lady Helen's faring the best here. She's very classy (as always), and the scattered floral print thing is an Erdem hallmark. But the random flowers plus the lace at the top of the dress just feels like the battered remnants of a shut-in grandmother's house instead of a proper look. Princess Anne is also faring quite well - and HOLD THE PHONE - I think we have a new outfit on our hands. It's the angle of the jacket flare and the way that hat is so precariously perched on her barnet that takes her into batty territory. This is Eliza Doolittle, pre-makeover. I'm a little afraid Anne's going to start heckling people in a cockney accent.

On to the stars of the batty show: Bea and Eug. God love 'em, they couldn't even sit upright in the car with those hats on. I said it before and I'll say it again: I love Vivienne Westwood for Eugenie, and this is no exception. I just wish they'd left the bows off the jacket, because now it's all kinds of marching band chic, and I can't handle that. Well, I can handle it better than I can handle her sister, I guess. OH BEA. That Valentino coat is divine: princess-y, proper, and prim to the nines. And she goes and steamrolls the whole thing by plopping Medusa's cartoon hair on top of CRAZY EYES. Now she's like some Ursula Disney sea creature, out to get me. As if sleeping tonight wasn't going to be hard enough already. Thanks a lot, Beatrice.

Now, note this: I'm missing a LOT of Windsors. I've only been able to find pictures of the backs of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Viscountess Linley, and not a shred of evidence of so many more that I saw on the broadcast. I expect more will pop up as photos continue to roll in, so check back for updates. And if you see something, as always, let me know!

Who makes your best- and worst-dressed of the Windsor ladies on parade?

UPDATES

More ladies have appeared! Yay!

First, the Gloucester crew:

L to R: the Duchess of Gloucester, the Countess of Ulster, Lady Rose Gilman, Lady Davina Lewis

Well, this is one color-coordinated family. Isn’t that a fierce hat on the Duchess? Too bad about that 1980s redux dress. Looks like something whipped up for Diana by the Emanuels back in the early years. The Countess of Ulster’s got a strange layering thing going on; clearly the jacket (cardi?) wasn’t a born match for that dress. Also, she has a triangle on her head. Lady Rose is my favorite Gloucester. Sure, her coat could be a few inches shorter, but it has great detailing and is just plain enough for that hat. I should say, actually, she’s my favorite Gloucester that we can see, because Lady Davina’s still in hiding. That’s her in navy hiding behind her brother, and a blurry shot from the Abbey. Looks promising. 

Next up, the rest of the Duke and Duchess of Kent's clan:

L to R: the Countess of St. Andrews, Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor, Lady Amelia Windsor (circled), Lady Nicholas Windsor

I’m all on board with the Countess here, but what’s happening on her skirt? Overkill, I think. But she’s classy and age-appropriate. Her daughter’s also age appropriate…if she weren’t 18. Did she borrow this from her mum? Still in hiding but also looking rather aged is Lady Amelia, circled there. Of all these, I think my favorite might be Lady Nicholas in her pale pink. Her fascinator’s fun and the waist detail is flattering. I’m a little concerned about her ankles, though. Those shoes can’t be comfy like that.

Now, some Ogilvys and a bonus royal...

L to R: Princess Alexandra of Kent, Julia Ogilvy, the Lady Saltoun

Oh, Princess Alexandra is doing her Princess Alexandra thing, and why not – it works for her. That’s class straight out of another era, and it looks like she’s passed  bit of that on to her daughter-in-law in her extremely refined suit and hat. The Lady Saltoun has gone for a bit of a youthful flair with her fascinator…and shades? Transitions lenses? Kicky.

And now, the ones I was most waiting for...

 L to R: Lady Gabriella Windsor (front and back), Viscountess Linley (front, close up, and back) and Lady Sarah Chatto (times 2, since we had to wait so long to see her properly)

Here we go, the three ladies that I most wanted pics of. How beautiful is Gabriella in these aqua shades? And how perfect is that hat-to-hair combo? J’adore. The Viscountess is also looking refined and chic with what must be a new short hair cut. There’s just enough detail on the front of this jacket to save it from blahs-ville. Last, but never least, is Lady Sarah. You know, she always works the minimalist angle. You’re more likely to see her in a beret and classic coat in either black or white than anything else. So the fact that she went retro with a swinging skirt and a fancy hat just makes this even better. Jumpy claps, am I right?!

Photos: AFP/Getty Images/Daylife/Reuters/Isopix/Mark Stewart/Camera Press/Rota