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

Week in Review: Princess Eugenie, 19-25 June

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

1. Attending Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball, 23 June. Yes, this is the same Vivienne Westwood gown she wore to the evening party for William and Kate's wedding, and it is still divine.

Photo: Daily Mail/Wire Image

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

Week in Review: Princess Eugenie, 24-30 April

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

1. Easter at Windsor, 24 April.
2. Pre-wedding dinner before the royal wedding, 28 April.
3. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding, 29 April.
4. The evening party after the wedding, 29 April.

Yup, I still like her in Vivienne Westwood, wedding outfit and all. More, please!

Photos: Reuters/Getty/Daylife

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

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

Royal Fashion Awards: The Pre-Wedding Dinner

Well, this is a delectable little treat: Lady Elizabeth Anson hosted a pre-wedding dinner for the royals in town for William and Kate's wedding, and we actually got some good pictures!  (Well, not of everybody - yet - but we'll get to that. And many thanks to my twitter friends Alpa and liltinglimes for help in finding some of these ladies!)

So many of these ladies really turned it out tonight. Let's give out some awards, shall we?

Best in Black

Princess Eugenie

Left to Right: Princess Eugenie of York; Julia Ogilvy; Zara Phillips

Black may be a safe choice, but it makes it easy to get it dead right, and these three ladies are living proof. I had trouble naming a winner; Julia is purely elegant, and Zara's hair and shoes are fantastic. In the end, if only because I haven't seen a great Zara pic yet, Eugenie wins the day. Not just because of the dress, but because this is Vivienne Westwood. MORE VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, please. Talk about a designer that can dress a figure like Eug's and keep it fresh and young. Love.

Best in Back

Crown Princess Pavlos

L to R: Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess Pavlos of Greece (front and back); Tatiana, Princess Nikolaos of Greece & Denmark (front and back)

These two gowns, lovely though they may be, seem as safe as a black gown...until they turn. Surprise! Marie-Chantal's got a ribbon tail that may just be the remainder of a game of pin the tail on the donkey with her five kids, and Tatiana's got sparkles, all the way down. Good thing M-C's gown is amazing enough from the front to still run away with the category.

Best in Fire

Crown Princess Victoria

L to R: Princess Mathilde of Belgium; Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg; Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden; Queen Sonja of Norway; Princess Michael of Kent

So many ladies feeling the warm colors this evening, like it's Fall and not Spring. Not that I'm complaining: they're looking good. Mathilde always looks good in orange, though I wish she'd quit with the bridesmaid shoes. It's a wedding, darling, but you're not actually in it. Very similar silhouette to Princess Michael, and very flattering for them both. Also in bright construction colors: Sonja, who basically owns this same dress in every traffic light color on the block. And that's fine, but it's a little harlot with the lips and flower, no? Much better is Maria Teresa in her Elie Saab, which is actually giving her a waist and not making her carry a wrap over her arms. But the one I love best is Victoria, who is in Escada. Victoria in a strong color and a fierce hairdo: that's all I need.

Best in Blue and Traditional

Princess Alexandra

L to R: Queen Elizabeth II; the Queen of Brunei; Queen Anne-Marie of Greece; Princess Alexandra of Kent; Princess Anne, the Princess Royal; Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; Queen Sofia of Spain

Loads of ladies opted for the print/blue/bronze territory. All the Queens look good: I mean, this is about as typical as you get for all of them. Princess Anne's got a fantastic figure, no doubt, and she would have made my best for the night if I wasn't so thoroughly disturbed by her cleavage. It's just...I wasn't prepared for that. Feeling a little scarred. Good thing Princess Alexandra, adorable like a basket of kittens, is around to sooth me. She wins.

Best in Easter Egg

Autumn Phillips

L to R: Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia; Autumn Phillips; (top) Katharine, the Duchess of Kent; (bottom) Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand

We're close enough to Easter to justify dressing like an Easter egg yet, aren't we? If we're not, don't tell these ladies. Though you know I love purple (and a gleeful Duchess of Kent), I'm giving this one to Autumn, simply for working it so soon after having a little one.

Best of the Not Pictured

Lady Gabriella Windsor

L to R: Lady Davina Lewis; Sophie, Lady Frederick Windsor; Lady Gabriella Windsor

I'm still scouting out photos of some of the royals we're missing, but we have a few quick glimpses of these ladies. Davina's quite cute in her fur. I'm really not liking what I've seen so far of Sophie Winkleman (also see here- yeesh, the hair), so I'll give it Lady Gabriella.

Best in Princess

Princess Letizia

L to R: Charlene Wittstock, Princess Letizia from the front and side, and Princess Beatrice

Ah, now we're talking, right? Don't you just love it when princesses (and princesses-to-be) actually dress up like, well, princesses? I love Charlene's bit of fluff, she's a tall drink of water and she can wear it. Beatrice, on the other hand, has bitten off a little more than she can chew, but it certainly does show off that body. And you always have to award points for that. It's Letizia, though, that was the star of the show tonight. This is just one giant princess-gasm, no? This Felipe Varela is perfect for black tie toned down as it is tonight, and it'll be even better repeated and iced up for a proper gala. Jumpy claps indeed.

Best of the Worst

The Countess of Wessex

L to R: Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; Sophie, the Countess of Wessex

Well, Camilla didn't stay for the whole thing, which probably explains how utterly under dressed she is (though, if you're going to just throw something on from the closet, why not make it a gown?). Really, she's in this category because it felt too mean to Sophie to stick her here all on her own. The Countess is suffering from a broken rib, poor thing, but there's just no excusing this. Not the rat nest hair, not the too-deep plunge (please! Princess Anne already took care of that!), not the too short hem with the heels peeking out, and most of all: not the boob flaps. What the what? WHY? I just can't.

Who makes your best- and worst-dressed of the night?

And hey, if you see better pics (or anyone we're missing), let me know!

UPDATES

More pictures have arrived! Let's feast:

First, royals that we now have better pictures for.

L to R: Lady Frederick Windsor, Lady Gabriella Windsor, the Duchess of Kent, Zara Phillips

Well, now that we can see Lady Frederick in all her bouffant glory, my final verdict is: no. Lady Gabriella’s not too bad, but there’s nothing fetching happening here either. Our new full-length picture of the Duchess of Kent shows sparkly shoes and a bag; I’m not sure I’ve seen so much glitter in combo with a cross necklace since Madonna’s naughty Catholic phase. And Zara’s face front pic proves that the hair and the shoes are the stars of the show; that sash-type sleeve isn’t doing her any favors.

And now, brand new royals!

L  to R: the Duchess of Gloucester, the Countess of St. Andrews with Lady Amelia Windsor, and Lady Ameila full length, Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor, Lady Nicholas Windsor, the wife of the King of Swaziland

At long last, the lovely Birgitte, Duchess  of Gloucester, has appeared. Too bad she’s chosen something designed to bring out her gray hair. She’s also suffering from print overload, as is the King of Swaziland’s wife over there on the right. Much simpler, and better, are the Countess of St. Andrews in her basic sheath and her daughters Amelia and Marina-Charlotte. Note Amelia’s pink shoes; note also that she is 15 years old, the exact age to at which to rock this deliciously mismatched outfit. Her 18-year-old sister Marina-Charlotte is looking much more grown up and absolutely stunning, right? Those must be some good genes. And the last of the Kent family to emerge in the late photos is Lady Nicholas Windsor, a.k.a. Paola. A lovely lady in an unfortunately short and overly-ruffled gown with a bird’s nest hairdo (there are braids in there, I think…) and shoes borrowed from Ginger Rogers’ last show. Oh well, the Kents can’t win ‘em all.

We also have Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco, sneaking by:

Looks like another caftan, probably lovely.

And then there's this lady that I recognized from the wedding, where it appeared that she was with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi (wife? daughter? eh?):

Though she seems to have come prepared to entertain the guests as part of a traveling black tie clown troupe.

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Reuters/PacificCoastNews.com/Zimbio/Isopix/Mark Stewart/CameraPress/Pascal Le Segretain