Week in Review: Letizia, Princess of Asturias, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Letizia wore the week of 11-17 July:

1. Arriving in South Africa for the World Cup final, 11 July.  Scarf.
2. World Cup final, 11 July.  More scarf. 
3. Welcoming the Spanish team home, 12 July.  Again with the frequent repeats.  I'm not saying she should never wear the same thing twice, but why wear it in exactly the same way?  It's a top with trousers; wear a different top, or different trousers, or different shoes.  You know, just like the rest of us make do with our limited wardrobes.
4. Audiences at Zarzuela Palace, 13 July.  Yikes.
5. Graduation of the Spanish Military Officer School, 14 July.  I'm thinking those shades are far too large for such a flat hairdo.  It's kind of a bug effect, no?
6. Graduation of the Spanish Naval Academy, 16 July.  

Best and Worst of the Week

At her final military graduation event, Letizia got it right.  This is chic and it fits her well.  I could be picky and complain that we need some color, but I'm afraid that might result in something like this disastrous tunic.  What's going on there?  Too big, totally shapeless, and possibly the most awkward sleeve length she could have chosen.  And Felipe there is just the icing on the what not to wear cake - that is one shiny suit.

Photos: Terra/Daylife/Getty Images/Hola/PPE/Thorton

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Máxima wore the week of 11-17 July:

1.  World Cup final, 11 July.

A little too fancy for a sporting event?  Perhaps.  But I dig it, what can I say.  She looks great.

Photos: Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Mathilde wore the week of 11-17 July:

1. Visiting the playground organization 'De Saenhoeve', 14 July.

This is a very Mom sort of outfit, but appropriate for the occasion, I think.  Not exactly thrilling, but it fits her well.

Photos: Belga

Runway Monday: Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture

Elie Saab's collection was the one I was most looking forward to from the fall couture collections in Paris.  I love me some Elie Saab, and some of the looks were divine per usual:

But, unusually, there was an equal number of dresses I'm just crossing my fingers we won't see modeled on the royal runway:

Some of these shapes just aren't going to be flattering to any one with non-model proportions.  In particular, I found myself noting placing a mental caution note on several looks for Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.  She's one of the biggest Elie Saab fans around, but she's prone to gowns that cover her up and often lack the shape she requires.  And some of these runway creations fit just that bill:

Anything but these, please, MT.

See the whole collection here.  Which ones are you hoping we will and won't see on the royal ladies?

Photos:  Marcio Madeira/FirstView.com/Style.com

Things That Make You Go Hmm...: Letizia, Revisited

OK, Letizia.  I see what you're doing here.  You figured, hey, they're making me go to three military graduation ceremonies in the space of a week, I might as well have some fun with it.

So he wears blue, you wear blue.

He wears khaki, you wear khaki.

He wears white, you wear white.

I've heard the saying that over time owners start to look like their dogs, but I did not know that the same applied to wives and their husbands.  Hmm.

And even though the outfits have gotten progressively better (I'm actually a big fan of the white dress), I still think making a little more effort to stand out, a little something special for the troops and their families, wouldn't have killed ya.  But maybe that's just because I wish someone in the Spanish royal family would embrace the hat  for the fabulous fashion statement that it can be.

Photos: Terra

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 4-10 July

Here's what Crown Princess Mary wore the week of 4-10 July:

1. Vacationing at Tisvildeleje Beach in Denmark, 9 July.

Looks like I spoke too soon earlier this week, saying there were no pics of Mary for 4-10 July.  Lo and behold, here she is, and she's looking absolutely fabulous.  I would totally sport this tunic cover up, and the hat is perfectly proportioned for protecting her spotless complexion.  That is one serious camera - no doubt capturing her little ones' beach fun (small royals not pictured).  And may I just say, that is an excellent pair of legs - I need to know about her workout regimen, stat!

Flashback Friday: Lady Sarah Chatto's Wedding Dress

Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones married Daniel Chatto in London on July 14, 1994.  In the past, I remember thinking that it was one of the most unique wedding dresses that I'd ever seen, but now when I look at it all I can think about is another favorite gown of mine:

Inspired by two different things (Sarah by a Holbein portrait, Mette-Marit by the clothing of the late Queen Maud) and designed by two different designers (Jasper Conran for Sarah and Ove Harder Finseth for Mette-Marit), yet so many similarities.  Read more about Mette-Marit's gown here.

Really, it makes sense.  I think these two ladies have a lot in common when it comes to their dress sense.  We always see Sarah Chatto in basics, usually neutral colors, always chic but rarely adventurous. Mette-Marit is like that too, especially in her daywear, and especially in the early years of her public life.   So it's easy to see how these dresses, interesting and elegant but simple at heart, could have appealed to both.

Sarah's dress featured a corset and a skirt of draped georgette fabric with a square neckline.  I love the way this fabric flows through the skirt.   But I'm not a fan of the way the sleeves attach to the corset - they look as though they're just stuffed in there, perhaps detachable, but I don't think they are.

The dress may be great, but one of the most interesting elements of this wedding, I've always thought, was the bridesmaids' attire.  Sarah went with older bridesmaids than is typical for a British royal wedding, and she dressed them in much the same dress as herself.  This might be the only wedding I've ever seen where all the ladies in the bridal party wore white.   On the one hand, I admire it - that's a lot of bridal confidence, right there - but on the other hand I think some variation would have lightened the wedding mood a little bit.

Hands down, the best part of this wedding was the bride's headgear.  This is the Snowdon Floral Tiara, a gift from Anthony Armstrong-Jones to Princess Margaret for their wedding.  If Sarah hadn't chosen to wear it we would have never seen it, as Margaret never wore it in public.  (Poor Lord Snowdon!)

What do you think: is this one of your favorites, or is it a little bland for you?