Gold Star: Cambridge Black and Bling

Did your teacher give out gold stars when you were a kid? Mine did. And while sometimes those stars were for a job perfectly done, other times they were for progress well made. You know, a little encouragement along the way. It is in this spirit that I award the Duchess of Cambridge her first ever Gold Star.

Because tonight, at The Sun Military Awards, Catherine busted out her first major piece of ice since that tiara she wore that one time - a new necklace and bracelet, a wedding gift. Seems to be a diamond necklace with circles of diamonds alternating with fringes ending in petite flowers made of colored stones, maybe rubies. The bracelet appears to be a part of the demi-parure, as we can see the same motif and colored stones. (And we pause for a FAQ quick hit: What are the stones? Don't know for sure. Who gave them to her? Don't know. Can it be a tiara too? Don't know. Isn't the bracelet just the one she's worn before but with different inserts? Doubt it, as they're different scale and have different spacing.) She paired these pieces with the same diamond earrings we've seen several times before.

These are the most substantial jewels we've seen her wear, and simply breaking them out is something worth a little applause around here. The velvet Alexander McQueen gown is applause-worthy too - simple and black, but it fits her incredibly well. Stunning. And when you have a piece like that necklace, you don't need competition.

Would it have been MAJOR jumpy claps if she would've pulled the hair back? Yes. Are there other things to pick at? Of course, and I'm sure many of you will do so in the comments. But, baby steps. Step 1: put the diamonds on. Step 2: do other things. Gold Star, Catherine.

And another two Gold Stars for her escorts, Cambridge No. 2 and Prince Harry, for suiting up the James Bond way. You can never go wrong with a tux.

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/Just Jared/Grazia

Gold Star: Queens with Diplomatic Flair

Dressing diplomatically is an art form, if you ask me. The outfits on a royal foreign trip are not the point of the thing - even someone as frivolous as I can admit that - but when they're done just right, they can help the whole operation along. A detail here or there can be just the thing, a little exclamation point, to emphasize thoughtfulness, consideration, and respect for the other country. Today we're handing out gold stars to two queens for just such exclamation points.

Many of you have asked to be kept updated on the lovely new Queen of Bhutan, so here you go: it seems the photogenic King and Queen haven't stopped moving since the wedding. They've paid state visits to India and Japan, and have touched down in Singapore and Thailand. This past week has seen them visit the United Kingdom. Talk about your trial by fire, and for a 21-year-old queen at that: Jetsun Pema laughs in the face of royal brides taking the slow route into their new lives!

Naturally, she's brought with her a whole array of colorful national dress options, some of which are shown above. It's nice not to have to spend time coming up with synonyms for beige for a change, isn't it?

We also got a few tastes of her Western style, just for a little variety.

Well, there's that beige problem again, but the only thing we can conclude here is that Her Majesty has a taste for expensive handbags: I spy Chanel and an elusive Hermès Birkin bag.

This is not what she gets her gold star for, though. Diplomatic dressing, that's our point here.

Her white outfit, worn while debuting the King's photography book in New Delhi, is both gorgeous and the perfect nod to Indian style; but the real winner is the kimono in Japan. Their visit seemed to be a great success, and gamely sporting another culture's national dress is the perfect sartorial expression to sum it up. Well played.

From a 21-year-old queen just getting her feet wet to one that's the definition of a pro, our second gold star goes out to Queen Elizabeth.

This week saw the Queen host a state visit to Britain from Turkey, including some married people cuteness and a little forward-facing side-eye directed at the First Lady's intriguing taste in footwear. (Suddenly I'm dying if she noticed Sheikha Mozah's icicle boots.)

It's the state banquet, though, that gets our star. And not just because she seems to have decided to go with "giant diamonds" as her accessory theme for the night, either (though that's certainly grounds on its own). She chose this night as her first public outing of Queen Victoria's magnificent waterfall brooch, and it was no mistake: the brooch includes diamonds given to Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey. Sneaky little diplomatic gesture, isn't it?

She wore the brooch with the coronation necklace (also from Queen Victoria) and a pair of earrings once worn by her mother which were another fabulous part of the Greville inheritance. The brooch is supposed to be a part of the summer exhibit at Buckingham Palace next year, "Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration". Start shopping for plane tickets now if you need them, kids.

Another notable brooch popped out to say farewell to the Turkish guests: an emerald carved with a rose on the front and surrounded by diamonds, a gift from the Ladies of India to Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911.

Since we're talking jewels, you know, as we do, this trip also gave us good shots of two royal ladies we don't usually get to see in their state visit finery: Princess Anne sat in Camilla's spot for the banquet (Camilla was out sick) wearing the Festoon Tiara, and Princess Michael played the lead royal lady role at the Guildhall banquet (that's usually the Duchess of Gloucester's spot these days). She wore one of my favorite Kent tiaras, an oh-so-pretty diamond and pearl number, and paired it with a rather costume-ish bodice decoration. I suspect that it's fake (look at the size of those pearls!) and that it might even be a part of the gown, which is...odd. She did manage to cover up appropriately for the devout Muslim guest of honor, so I suppose points have to be awarded for that.

Do you have a favorite moment from these trips?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/Hello/Royal Collection

Gold Star: Marie in Japan

With Victoria skating along in her maternity style and leaving us with "What a glow she has!" as our only source of praise, it's time to shed a little light on another member of the royal baby boom that's having a better sartorial time of it.

Princess Marie hasn't been hitting it out of the park at every appearance (come on, nobody does - that's unrealistic), but she's made some particularly lovely choices during her visit to Japan with Prince Joachim.

For a meeting with Empress Michiko, this black dress and white coat combo is simple but alarmingly chic. All thanks to the collar, I think.

Adding a jacket over a tighter fitting dress is a perfect way to remind people that you still have a shape under there (Victoria, take note) while still keeping it classy.

Oh, and this one is my favorite. Enough for a gold star all on its own. Bright color, perfect fit, flattering as can be. Gold star: awarded for not letting us forget that you've still got it, even with a baby on board.


Photos: Profimedia/Billed-Bladet

Gold Star: Princess Beatrice in Italy

She did it again!

Yes, that's right, Princess Beatrice (a.k.a. Princess Beatrice's stylist, but pssh to the details) has once again orchestrated an Elie Saab appearance, this time at the pre-wedding party in Italy for Formula 1 heiress Petra Ecclestone's ridiculously over the top nuptial shindig this past weekend. It's just so cute, and fun! (And her SHOES are SPARKLY.) Gold star.

A slightly less shiny star (a Bronze Star?) goes to her sister Princess Eugenie at the wedding itself:

Must be Vivienne Westwood, and you know how much I love her in anything Westwood. YAY for curves doing all the right things.

And while we're at it, a couple of stars with no shine (Transparent Stars?) to Beatrice once again and her mother at the wedding:

Not so bad. Really, if we could just get Sarah to go ahead and buy the next size up (there's no shame in that, Sarah; sometimes - like this one - it'll actually end up making you look skinnier), and get Bea to give that dress a wee tug in the Northbound direction, we'd be set.

 Photos: Bauer Griffin/Zimbio/Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com/Style.com/XposurePhoto.com/DailyMail/Reuters/Daylife

Gold Star: Beatrice and Eugenie at the White Tie and Tiara Ball

All this Ascot debate over Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their developing styles must have ended with me on Team York, because the second I saw their appearance at Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball last night, I fell in love.

First of all, Eug. She's in red (again!) and she's working Vivienne Westwood (again!). I mean that, too: she's working Westwood. This is exactly why I say she should be strictly a McQueen and Westwood girl, you see. That corset business is perfect for a curvy gal. And with a little practice, she can flaunt the "couture without a care" vibe, which is precisely what she's doing with that casual hair and those gold earrings. Love, love, a thousand times I love this.

Second of all, Bea. BEA. Princess Beatrice has brought Elie Saab to the Windsor family!

Elie Saab couture, even, bless her heart. First she busts out Valentino couture at the royal wedding, now she's in Elie Saab couture...I like where this is going. Mrs. Cambridge has the high street covered, there's plenty of room for Beatrice to fly the couture flag. Love, love, love.

Gold star, both of you. I love it so much I'll even throw this out there: The Ferg's not looking half bad either, in Escada. We'll call it the power of the transitive property of fashion.

Photos: WireImage/Daily Mail/Style.com

Gold Star: Queen Elizabeth in Ireland

As you most likely know, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh made a state visit to Ireland this past week. This visit was heralded as one of the most historic of the Queen's reign, and it certainly stood out. The Queen and the Duke were praised for everything from their peacemaking presence to their sheer stamina (how flattered they must be, so many people shocked they just don't keel over these days). We're here, of course, to praise the clothes.

The Queen is usually dressed by her own personal dresser, Angela Kelly. She must have great influence, this Angela; she's even got the Queen in nude shoes! Whatever she's saying, I'm glad the Queen is listening: from the vibrant emerald green on arrival to the 2,091 hand-sewn embroidered shamrocks adorning her evening gown, every outfit is flattering for this 85-year-old monarch, with just the right nod to the occasion.

And being the Queen, she's always sure to bring us some bling. No day is complete without a brooch:

Top row, left to right: one of Queen Victoria's bow brooches, a gold brooch with carved rubies, the Australian Wattle Brooch

Bottom row, left to right: Prince Albert's sapphire brooch (a wedding gift to Queen Victoria), the aquamarine clips, an interesting new brooch that was perhaps a gift from the President, the smaller of the Cambridge emerald brooches without the usual emerald drop

And the real sparkle, of course, comes at the state dinner:

Many, including myself, wondered if we'd see the Queen in her emeralds while on the Emerald Isle, but of course we overlooked the most obvious choice of all: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, a wedding gift to Queen Mary (who gave it, in turn, as a wedding gift to the Queen), and the Queen's favorite. With this, she paired a diamond necklace that looks nearly identical to the King Khalid of Saudi Arabia necklace, but isn't the same (oh, to have a collection that large!). The brooch is in the shape of an Irish harp, and has been reported to be Swarovski crystals.

I must also give a tip of the non-royal hat to Ireland's President, Mary McAleese. She's been involved in several state visits lately, and I'm always impressed.

Mostly dressed by Deborah Veale here, she's neat and stylish without trying too hard. Gold stars all around!

What did you think of the Ireland visit?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife

Gold Star: Sheikha Mozah in Spain

Will I give Qatar's Sheikha Mozah a Gold Star every time she makes a major state visit? Probably. Some things are just inevitable.

I mean, would you look at this?

Glam. There's no better word for it, from the jacket oh-so-casually draped over her shoulders on her arrival in Spain, right through the elegant lines on her white and black number while departing. She even made the glam list while wearing trousers (trousers! A Mozah first for me!) at a private dinner with the King and Queen. Delicious.

Per usual, the Sheikha is 100% couture. Taking see-through Chanel and making it modesty-appropriate? Now, that's elegance.

Wouldn't you just kill to be a fly on the wall at a Karl Lagerfeld/Sheikha Mozah tête-à-tête? I think I'd explode from all the fabulous.
The Sheikha even withstands challenges to her chicness with style.

After losing her shoe (another one for the wardrobe mishaps collection!), she recovers with a chuckle on the arm of Queen Sofia. Gold star, awarded for being fabulous right to the end.

Photos: Style.com/Getty Images/Daylife/Zimbio/Carlos Alvarez/Terra/Juan Naharro Giminez/Diez Minutos

Gold Star: Grape Delights Galore

Every time I see that Laurentien has popped up at another engagement, I close my eyes and brace myself for the sartorial wonder that lies ahead. Will it be misguided rock and roll leggings? Should I grab my sunglasses, just in case she's decided to burn my retinas yet again? Do I need my tissues, in preparation for the mourning of undergarments not used? The greatest shock of all, though, comes when she actually looks good. (Which sounds terribly, horribly mean, but I can't help it. You've seen what she's capable of!) Case in point: opening a permanent exhibition at the Children's Museum in the Hague.

First of all, it's purple, which is my kryptonite. Second, this kimono silhouette is extremely flattering. (Look at her wee little waist!) Third, she wore purple shoes. Fourth, her bouquet matches her outfit. Not her doing, but still cute.

I suppose you could call this a purple overdose, but that would be against my sartorial religion. So I'm awarding her a gold star, for a refreshing purple delight.

And she's not the only one tickling my purple fancy lately. There's Crown Princess Victoria, for starters.

Princess Marie, who doesn't usually make it on my radar (her style just doesn't interest me, what can I say?) turned up in this lovely lilac suit:

Such a pretty color on her, and a great fit. Plus some kicky little swing in the skirt. Gold star!

Even Queen Sofia got in on the action, picking this lovely bright purple number and matching shoes with for lunch with the President of Ireland.

 

Look at that, even the President got in on the action. I don't know who sent the grape memo out to the royals, but he or she is the recipient of my heartfelt thanks. Gold stars all around!

Photos: PPE/v.d. Werf/EFE/Belga

Gold Star: Sophie, Countess of Wessex in Reading

See, here: gray does not have to be so snooze-worthy.

When I saw the Countess here out and about meeting users of the Readibus service in Reading this week, the first thing I thought was: Sophie's looking good! And really, what more can you ask from an outfit?

Loving the coat dress: it's basic with just enough added interest from the ruffle trim. And I like the pairing with black stockings; it adds more contrast than nude stockings would have. But most of all, this is just a fantastic shape for her. Forgiving and flattering: a winning combo.

Sophie turned 46 this week. I'm giving her a gold star for her birthday, because this Countess is looking better in her forties than she ever has before.

Did you like this one, or is color always better in your world?

Photos: Indigo/Getty Images

Gold Star: Prince Harry in Berlin

I don't talk about royal men's fashion too much on the blog, apart from some incidental admiration and/or doses of eye candy for the lady (and selected gentleman) readers. It's not that interesting, really: suit, tie, repeat. The Danish royal men are prone to the occasional show of sartorial flare...

But even the best laid plans have a tendency to go astray.

So I was particularly excited to see these pictures surface of Prince Harry in Berlin.

 Now, this is how it's done.

Well fit coat atop a sweater atop a shirt and tie in coordinating patterns. I could get used to this.

Who makes your list of best dressed royal men?

Photos: PPE/ddp/Langbehn/Bauer Griffin/Zimbio/Getty/Daylife

Gold Star: Letizia at the Prince of Asturias Awards

Regular readers of this blog (or, at least, the regular readers I had when I posted on a regular basis) will probably have noticed that I don't always have the kindest words to say when it comes to Letizia and her fashion choices. Irregular readers will also have noticed this, based on the angry comments I've received from ardent Letizia fans.

So I feel the need to state here, for the record, that my snark is based on fashion only. Frivolous and harmless, just like it says over there on the sidebar. I think Letizia's one of the hardest working princesses on the block, and you won't catch me saying anything ill about that. Her style's just not my cup of tea, is all. To each their own.

So I was extra excited when I saw these pictures pop up (quite some time ago, I'm totally tardy in writing this), if for no other reason than I finally get to prove that I have no personal vendetta against the Princess of Asturias. When she gets it right, she gets it right.

Look how pretty:

I ADORE this. That slight fullness in the skirt is just so dainty and ladylike and delicious. Good shoe choice too.

And good makeup, and good hair:

Gold star: awarded for instantly making my list of all time favorite Letizia outfits.

What's your all time favorite Letizia outfit? Share! Me, it might be that red dress from Frederick and Mary's wedding. Or this.

Gold Star: Sheikha Mozah's Glamorous State Visit

You know, we've been seeing a lot less designer clothes lately. Royal families are trying to be a little more down to earth, I guess, not going around shoving the fact that they have money in the faces of those that are dealing with recession and unemployment. Buckingham Palace went out of it's way to point out that the Queen has an evening dress with detachable ornamentation for maximum reuse, and that it was made by her dresser. Victoria's been out and about in H&M, and then of course you have the Queen (or Princess, rather) of this: Letizia, and her wardrobe of high street staples.

Nothing wrong with that, quite sensible really. Sheikha Mozah, though...now she seems to belong more in the "you know I'm rich, I know I'm rich, let's not play games about it" camp. Her wardrobe from the recent state visit to England is pure couture: Armani Privé, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Chanel, Dior.

I love it. It's like eating a decadent dessert after a day of salad. And if there's a woman alive that can carry off those names without looking like she's trying to hard, it's the Sheikha.

It's not just the clothes, either. How about those jewels? Bestill my little magpie heart.

And while we're accessorizing...

Heh. The mind of Karl Lagerfeld at work. Couture is the highest form of fashion as art, which means sometimes you'll get it and sometimes you won't. I say if you're going to go couture, go all the way, fug or not.

Gold star: awarded for pure glamour.

Photos: Getty/AP/HuffPo