Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 23-29 October

Here's what Máxima wore from 23-29 October:

1. Opening an exhibition at Dutch Design Week, 24 October.
2. a) Two events on 25 October with an accessory swap (b and c) in between, starting with creepy spider brooches and ending with a gorgeous pair of earrings. This isn't the first time she's done this dress with gray tights and brown shoes. It baffles me.
3. Attending the "Development of Business" conference, 26 October. I told you I love capes and I won't be swayed, even if this is a bow-tie mess.
4. Arriving in Aruba for a 10 day official visit to the Dutch Caribbean with Queen Beatrix and Prince Willem-Alexander, 27 October. Mustard! Now there's a statement color.
5. a) Official arrival ceremony on day 1, 28 October.  Okay. Let's talk about this. At first glance, my reaction was: "FABULOUS!" She looked so glam. And then I sussed out what was really happening with the hat (b). And then I thought: "Is she making a pit stop poolside in Boca Raton later?" So...there you go. At least I still think her shoes are fabulous, even if I do fear for her toe circulation.

6. a) Visiting a music festival on day 1, 28 October in a hat fit for Mango from Saturday Night Live (b).
7. a) Official welcome reception, day 1, 28 October, repeating a dress worn at Nikolaos and Tatiana's pre-wedding reception. At least there's a brooch (b)!
8. a) Visiting a national park and a residence on day 2, 29 October, with hat (b) and some serious earrings (c). Oh, you don't pull out your bling for a trip to the national park? How sad for you.
9. a and b) At a women's shelter on day 2, 29 October. And this is exactly why our Máxima is particularly well suited for a Caribbean tour. Well, that and this too:

Right at home, no?

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Purepeople/Abaca/24ora.com/DutchPhotoPress/PPE/Nieboer

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 1-7 May

Here's what Máxima wore from 1-7 May:

1. Remembrance and Liberation Day, 4 May, a) with shawl and b) without. Oh....no. My poor Máx is looking a little rough. That's really just a black swimming cap. But really big. And with hair hanging out...oh, no.
2. Opening an exhibit celebrating her 10th year in the Netherlands, 7 May. Diffusing the awkwardness of attending an exhibit opening about yourself through clothes, maybe? It's just so...girlish. This is intended to be a little bit comical, right?

Photos: PPE/Nieboer

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 24-30 April

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

1. Arriving in London, 28 April, a) on Máxima and b) from NATAN. Oh, this is kind of a hot mess. I mean, great color on Máx, but it does not travel well. (Apparently.)
2. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, 29 April. Definitely my favorite from the week.
3. Queen's Day, 30 April, a) with cardigan, and b) without. Maybe for an indoor occasion, sans wind...

Photos: Hola/Getty Images/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 10-16 April

Here's what Máxima wore from 10-16 April:

1. Princess Ariane's first day of school, 11 April. I much prefer the kicky boots on any of the girls to Máxima's over-the-knee NATAN affairs. Too much, especially with the print, and the Run DMC necklace.
2. The welcoming ceremony during the first day of the state visit to Germany, 12 April, a) the beautiful purple dress on it's own and b) with the shawl, which ties in the pink hat and shoes perfectly. Fantastic. Just...love.
3. A second outfit for Day 1 of the visit, 12 April. This repeated outfit I could do without. The top looks as though she accidentally shrunk it in the wash. And the hat...well, it takes a lot of woman to wear horns without supporting your local sports mascot.

4. State banquet, 12 April. By all accounts, I should love this repeated gown. I mean, hello, drama. But instead I think it's just a wannabe maternity gown with Christmas garland for trim.
5. Day 2, 13 April, a) on Máxima, and b) from Valentino. I was wondering which one of our Valentino lovers would break into this collection first, because there's a lot there that could look like a little girl's party wardrobe from 1976. I think she handled it well; it's a fun dress, just like the wearer.
6. Attending the circus on Day 3, 13 April. Ah, bliss! This is perfect princess gear.

7. At a performance of the Dutch Royal Concert Orchestra in Berlin, 13 April. Hey, it's a dress AND a canvas for some delicious emeralds! Win.
8. a) Day 3, in Dresden, 14 April. Look, the World Cup suit comes with its very own smushed disco ball hat. I still like the suit, but that's a giant no on the headgear. We also get to see now the ornamentation (b) which may have been added straight from the hardware store. Crafty.
9. Day 4, in Essen, 15 April. Elegant in beige, but a bird flew right into the side of her head.
10. Day 4, second outfit, 15 April. And a pink turban (which is one of those things that I think only Máx could pull off) ends a fantastic state visit. Definitely making up for the other visits so far this year that didn't live up to my expectations!

Best and Worst of the Week

Oh, but what a good week! After the state visit got rolling, that is. Outfit 1 is my worst by far. Outfit 2, on the other hand, is divine. A lot of candidates for best this week, but the unique combo of pink and purple wins it for me.

Now, we can't leave a state visit without giving Beatrix some love:

(click the picture to enlarge, as always)

I'm a fan of the first blue outfit on arrival - yay for a belt that gives Bea some shape! - and I find myself surprisingly a fan of the second evening gown, which looks a little bit like another paisley wonder but is luxurious enough to pull it off. I am not a fan, on the other hand, of the first evening gown at the state banquet, which is trying to be a flamenco dress but is not succeeding. (It's not Spain, it's Germany, Bea!)

I am a fan of the bling, though: Beatrix in the Württemberg Ornate Pearl and Máxima in the Diamond Bandeau. One big, one small, both delicious.

Best part of a state visit: gratuitous tiara shots.

Now, you: favorites? Least favorites?


Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Dutch Photo Press/Reuters/AP Photo

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 27 March - 2 April

Here's what Máxima wore from 27 March - 2 April:

1. Arriving in Vietnam for an official visit, 28 March, and a) back view. This is a NATAN coat and Fabienne Delvigne hat. In fact, basically everything this week is that combo. This dress/coat thing looks...well, amateur is the best I can come up with: trying awfully hard, but just not quite quality. Mainly I'm distracted by the hair. I love a fancy ponytail, but there's fake hair at play here. And unless we're creating a nest for a major tiara, I can't get down with that.
2. Dinner the first night, 28 March. NATAN blouse (shapeless) and wide trousers (shapeless).
3. Second day in Vietnam, 29 March. Now, this is more like it.
4. Day 3 at the People's Committee, 30 March....okay. Flattering dress, but...no.
5. a) Day 3 visiting some Dutch companies, 30 March, and b) donning an especially unflattering safety suit. Pretty good, all things considered, no?
6. Networking dinner, 30 March. Why no evening dresses this trip? This is just a whole lot of beige.
7. Day 4, 31 March. Matchy-matchy orange...no thank you.

Best and Worst of the Week

I'm afraid this wasn't such a good week for Máx; the worst has to be the neon yellow number from outfit 4. The cut of the dress may be flattering, but check out the accessories, which might as well be a loan from one of her daughters. And the back...listen. I don't mean to sound like the old biddy who can't believe the kids these days and their short shorts, but spaghetti straps? For an official function? Should have put on the cardigan and kept it there. Maybe I just don't like it because it makes me feel like a grandma to complain about it. (I'm not. I'm young, and fresh like a daisy.) And maybe I just like the white outfit more because it gives me less to complain about. I'm not wild about the snakeskin with this dress, and I'm not wild about the hair, but I'll take it over anything else this week.

And you? Are you happy with this Vietnam showing?

Photos: PPE/Dutch Photo Press

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 6-12 March

Here's what Máxima wore from 6-12 March:

 

1. Private visit in Oman, 8 March. Sleek and chic, no complaints here.

2. Chanel jacket worn while leaving Oman, 9 March. This picture is from a previous appearance, at the United Nations in September. I mean, if I was going to splash out for something from Chanel, I'd get something a little fancier than this, something a little more unique. But I suppose Chanel isn't a splash out for this Princess, so she'll get a pass for good fit and good color.
3. Arriving for the state visit in Qatar, 9 March. Well, you know I love a lil' sparkle. Don't quite understand the baggies attached to the chest and hips, but still: this is my favorite outfit of the visit. It's all pulled together and matched and everything. Plus, in a pinch, the hat can double as a disguise for the Princess on the run.

Only a royal could pull this off, and I'll tell you why: you've got to have someone on staff solely devoted to keeping you from running into things. Otherwise, you'll have a potential diplomatic disaster on your hands.
4. Visits in Qatar, 9 March. As seen previously.
5. Dinner in Qatar, 9 March. In certain photos, I wasn't a fan, but now that I've digested it...I like it. Simple, but a great color, and statement earrings to finish it off.

6. Visits in Qatar, 10 March. Granny shoes + bug sunglasses = my pick for worst of the week.
7. Another engagement, 10 March. As seen previously. Classy headgear, I must say. And I don't mind this outfit, though it does have a maternity flair to it.
8. Concert, 10 March. Well, look at this: I whined and whined on Prinsjesdag that there were no tiaras to be had, and now Máx turns up to show me what I was missing. AND she busts out Tiara #13 to boot. Well, well. What should I complain about next, guys? It's working.
9. Leaving Qatar, 11 March. Repeating outfit 7? Really? You think she ran out of packing space due to all the hats?

Best and Worst of the Week

Like I said, the gold with the crazy hat gets my best and the bug-eyed black and cream gets my worst. You know, this was a very monochromatic visit. Pink, pink, pink. I like a bolder color scheme for Máxima, myself.

Beatrix was all over it, though:

She's somehow managed to cram a whole lot of variety in there, even though each one is really the same Beatrix outfit as always. (Would we even recognize her if she changed it up? Probably not.)

One Beatrix complaint, though: the Paisley Wonder has ridden again.

And hey, it's Sheikha Mozah! Yay! I like to think she's got icicle boots on under there or something. It's more fun that way.

What'd you make of the Dutch state visit, hmm?


Photos: Dutch Photo Press/Hola/PPE/Nieboer

Top 10 Worst Dressed Royal Wedding Guests: #10, 9, and 8. The Ladies Who Went Too Far

10. Princess Beatrice at the Wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly

9. Princess Maxima at the Wedding of Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Anita van Eijk 
(Religious Service)

8. Princess Laurentien at the Wedding of Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Anita van Eijk 
(Civil Service)

These three go together because they've all committed the same sin:  TOO MUCH!  The focus is supposed to be on the bride, not on your crazy ass hat, ladies.

Take Princess Beatrice, for example.  On its own, I love this ensemble.  Seriously - LOVE it.  The outfit comes from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2008 Ready to Wear collection, which featured hats created by Philip Treacy and was, in and of itself, a tribute to the late Isabella Blow (a lady who was never without something crazy perched atop her head).

The dress is a work of art, and the butterfly fascinator is one of the most original things to come out of a millinery studio in a long time.  But.....at a wedding?  Let's leave it to Ladies Day at Ascot, where craziness is the entire point of the day.  Whenever you have to ask yourself if more people might remember your outfit than the bride's, you need to revise your choice.  It's common decency.   

Princess Anita ended up the victim of a double attack of sartorial one-upmanship at her wedding; first, Laurentien assaulted our visual senses at the civil ceremony, and then Maxima dealt the final technicolor blow at the religious service.

Maxima, now, she's one of the rare people that can pull off a lot of look.  The lady is tailor-made for bright colors and crazy headgear.  But this, with its fuchsia and red shoes, red coat and MAJOR Fabienne Delvigne pink and red hat, has crossed a line.  I'm not sure where a better spot would have been to showcase this look (perhaps a trip for Royal Ascot to join Bea at Ladies Day?) but poor Anita's wedding wasn't it.  And as for Laurentien...I'm pretty sure this is too much for all occasions on all days.  Just....no.

Photos: Michel Porro/Getty Images/Anwar Hussein/Wire Image/Marcio Madeira/Style.com

Month in Review: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June

Here's what Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore in June:

1. Solemn Return of the Luxembourg Bar, 4 June.
2. Sporting Day for Those With and Without Disabilities, 5 June. 
3. 25th Anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, 13 June, (a) on the NATAN runway and (b) on official duty.  I'll just say that I'm glad she doesn't patronize NATAN for all her evening wear too.
4. Visit to social groceries, 14 June.  Couldn't find very good pictures of this - looks like MT kept on her trench jacket the whole time.  All I can tell you is that she has a blue dress on under there, and that I'm bored.   
5. Visit from the President of Lituania, 15 June.  I'm pretty sure this is NATAN, and a much better showing at that; short cut jackets over dresses is always a good look for her.
6. Pre-wedding dinner and concert, 18 June.  This appears to be a wrap over the dress, but she didn't take the wrap off all evening (from what I can tell).  And that's a shame, because it's shapeless like this.  Focus on the gorgeous aquamarine necklace instead - it's one of the best of the Luxembourg parures (in my humble opinion) and I love combining it with the brown. 
7. Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, 19 June, a) on the runway and b) the variation worn on the blue carpet. Much better shape this time - and way to bring out the big guns with the Luxembourg Imperial tiara.  How much do you think that sucker weighs?  Our fair Grand Duchess is a brave woman.
8. National Day, Part 1: Diekirch visit and evening fireworks, 22 June, a) the cardigan on the Elie Saab runway, and b) on Maria Teresa.  Oh no.  I can't believe I'm going to say this - but I think we have an Elie Saab fail on our hands.  The ruching just isn't doing MT any favors.
9. National Day, Part 2: Te Deum and military parade, 23 June.  Back on form!  Amazing suit.  I even like the crepe paper hat.
10. National Day, Part 3: Gala, 23 June, a) on the Elie Saab runway and b) in action.

Best and Worst of the Month

 Busy month for the Grand Duchess, with the wedding and National Day.  So much to choose from, but the pale blue with major jewels is the hands down winner for me.  A little too often lately, Maria Teresa's been using wraps around her sleeveless dresses more as permanent parts of the dress to cover up her arms than as the accessories that they truly are.  The great thing about this Elie Saab is the unique way it incorporates the shoulder and arm coverage right into the dress while still maintaining a waist shape (unlike the brown dress in #6).  Also creating a waist shape - but a tragically wrong one - is this jail bird jacket from NATAN.  It's even making the model look wide (which you'd think would be impossible), and the shape is just so ridiculously dated.  I can only hope we won't see the full on stripe extravaganza we see on the runway modeled in Luxembourg anytime soon.

Update:  An additional outfit from preparations for the gala, screen capped from this video:

Now, this is a good fit!  Flattering as can be.  More of this, please!

Photos: Royal Press/Nieboer/Belga/Cour Gr Ducale/Marcio Madeira/Mark Renders/Getty Images/Wire Image/Stella Pictures/RTL