The Duchess of Cambridge's Eveningwear, Part 2: November 2011 - February 2012

[Baroness of Books]

I really second those remarks, Marg. I have nothing against Kate personally and feel that whatever remarks I make on this thread reflect how I feel about her fashion, makeup and hairstyle only. Hell, it gets to the point where I don't even say anything about her hair or makeup anymore and probably won't until she does something different. I'm sure a lot of posters here don't want to be misconstrued as having a personal agenda with their comments just because they're negative, sometimes heated, about her fashion. People will still critique her despite how many patronages she sponsors; her public outings on their behalf will just give everyone more of a venue to comment on her appearance. It is what it is. And it's also, as you say, a fashion thread and Kate will be dissected here on her appearance as other royal ladies will be on their respective threads. What, then, is the point of having fashion threads at all on the forum if you can't poke and probe at what royalty wears?

 

[semisquare]

its dosent brother me that kate is being criticize on her dress and grooming but its when people go to extremes..

 

[Baroness of Books]

Yes, that is a shame when that happens. It ruins it for the rest of us who legitimately want to critique an appearance without feeling that we're labeled as extremists, haters or some such ilk. We thus tend to stay away from the fray until the dust settles.

 

[princess carmen]

Never understood they "she have no style" quote that I've seen on TRF and other fashion website about many celebs. Just because it not your style and you don't like it doesn't mean that a person like Natalie Portman personal style (not red carpet style), doesn't have style. It their own personal style.

Totally agree it is their style and it is what they like and feel good in.

 

[PrincessKaimi]

I really like Kate, but I also like following fashion and style. There's a difference between personal style (which we all have) and Style with a capital S, just like there's a difference between being a real Musician and knowing how to play some music. Kate does not appear to be a devotée of fashion, which is fine, but it's also noticeable.

If it's noticeable, it's going to be mentioned, because she is in the public eye. We couldn't even be discussing her in this section of the Royal Forums were she not, now, Royal and therefore, open to discussion as a royal personage.

I appreciate everyone's dissections, as it helps me understand style (Royal and otherwise).

 

[blauerengel]

I think you have the wrong idea about a lot of posters on this thread. This is a fashion thread and people will comment on Catherine's choices for good or ill. Patronages will not change that, merely provide another few threads which will show Catherine wearing whatever. People will either like or dislike what she wears when representing those charities.

The trick is to remember that we are on a fashion thread and as on any other fashion thread, we will dissect fashion to the nth degree. Hair, makeup, clothes, these are the elements of such a discussion.

Just because I may dislike Catherine's latest outfit does not mean I dislike everything she wears. More importantly, I do not dislike her personally. I do not know her so what's to like or dislike?

As to your hope about people recognising her true worth, I am sure they will and it will reflect on those threads. However, those on the fashion threads, will continue to dissect her style.

I know this is a fashion thread and I love to discuss fashion and style,but what I found out is that it doesn´t matter so much what kind of clothes you wear but also who is wearing it-if you like somebody you will probably be less critical of their appearance,if you believe someone is lazy,arrogant or nasty you will probably try to find a flaw in everything they wear.That´s why I believe that more humanitarian work will shift the attention from "what she wore" to make people appreciate her personality and spirit as well.As some other posters pointed out several times,she doesn´t want to be a fashionista but so far she didn´t do much work,so there´s not much else than her fashion statements to talk about...

I like Yves Saint Laurent´s quote-it is so true and I wish I had invented it:
"Fashions fade,style is eternal."

 

[jemagre]

I know this is a fashion thread and I love to discuss fashion and style,but what I found out is that it doesn´t matter so much what kind of clothes you wear but also who is wearing it-if you like somebody you will probably be less critical of their appearance,if you believe someone is lazy,arrogant or nasty you will probably try to find a flaw in everything they wear.That´s why I believe that more humanitarian work will shift the attention from "what she wore" to make people appreciate her personality and spirit as well.As some other posters pointed out several times,she doesn´t want to be a fashionista but so far she didn´t do much work,so there´s not much else than her fashion statements to talk about...

I like Yves Saint Laurent´s quote-it is so true and I wish I had invented it:
"Fashions fade,style is eternal."

I agree with you. My big thing with Kate is the claim that she is not into fashion, she hates being photographed etc. If that were the case we would not see so much McQueen, Mulberry, and other big name designers. I hope she takes on charities here soon because I think the wait has been too long. if she wears a more business like look i.e. pants and a no name-shirt then maybe people will focus on her work. However if she only wears the big name stuff then that is what people will care about.

I think she does have some nice stuff I just think she doesn't wear it to the right event. Oh well it is what it is.

 

[Grandma828]

Catherine is in a difficult position. So many people want her to be a style leader, but she doesn't want to overshadow either HM Queen Elizabeth or the next Queen, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall. To me that is a difficult balancing act.

 

[MARG]

The unfortunate reality is that she is a leader of fashion "of a kind", in that anything she wears flies off the shelves and cut price copies are hot on the heels of any appearance she makes. Do not get me wrong, I do not think she is a "Style" icon or leader of fashion, just that lot's of young women want to dress like she does.

My only wish is that she sets a really good personal standard which to me means less cleavage and longer skirts when performing public engagements. She can live in jeans and boots the other 99% of the time, happy as a pig in muck so to speak. (That's what The Princess Royal has done for years.)

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I think in these days its part of the job description as key female royal that Kate is, to promote the countries fashion and to make positive headlines by looking good. Its completely dull and attention-driven but its the times we are living in and besides, those individuals who are not into dull or attention would never marry into a royal house.

 

[blauerengel]

I have always liked the way Princess Letizia dressed because she chose very businesslike outfits with a feminine twist-a lot of tuxedos and trousers with her famous "Letizias" (very high heels) and kept her hair and make-up very subtle and understated.For evening or more glamourous events she has big gowns but during the day she doesn´t dress up too much.A good way to be recognised as a "working princess" and not a fashionista & she can still promote her countries designers by buying local brands.

 

[semisquare]

has kate worn any business suites?

 

[Baroness of Books]

If you mean trousers and jacket, I haven't seen that at all.

 

[CrownPrincess5]

I think Kate doesn't really have a knack for fashion. She buys the same type of dress over and over. She doesn't experiment with different looks. Even her makeup could use a makeover. People are going to buy what she wears but those who are expecting Diana type of fashion revolution will be disappointed.

 

[Baroness of Books]

... those who are expecting Diana type of fashion revolution will be disappointed.

And that might be the strategy on Kate's part to avoid any repeat of the past.

 

[Mirabel]

And that might be the strategy on Kate's part to avoid any repeat of the past.

That's what I think too. The fascination with what Diana was wearing wasn't really a positive thing, imo.

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Kate is boring and has always been boring. She doesn't seem like the type who wants to cause a media firestorm with everything she wears or every flick of her hair. Not only that but she is #3 behind the Queen and Camilla and she could be comfortable and accepting of not wanting to overshadow them. To not encourage the obsession with her, she might consciously be choosing to not wear things that will cause headlines.

 

[Smush]

I think Kate doesn't really have a knack for fashion. She buys the same type of dress over and over. She doesn't experiment with different looks. Even her makeup could use a makeover. People are going to buy what she wears but those who are expecting Diana type of fashion revolution will be disappointed.

True. She needs to get her own style and it looks like she's got a long way to go there and find it.
And I also agree with the makeup. She is not in for experimentation.

 

[Patra]

Although Dutchess Catherine selects many conservative fashion choices, (IMO), I still like the fact that I always notice HER before her clothes. Seems to me she took ques from her mother, who is normally stunning, clotheswise.

It has to be difficult to chose things and will not offend, will be on protocol, will support English designers, nod at whatever foreign county she is visiting. I think she has a good foundation for fashion, and look forward to seeing her evolve.

 

[Dierna23]

Kate is boring and has always been boring. She doesn't seem like the type who wants to cause a media firestorm with everything she wears or every flick of her hair. Not only that but she is #3 behind the Queen and Camilla and she could be comfortable and accepting of not wanting to overshadow them. To not encourage the obsession with her, she might consciously be choosing to not wear things that will cause headlines.

But... her outfits caused headlines every time she stepped out of a car in the last months anyway (and also if they have been rather dull)... I guess she could wear a potato sack and the DM, Hello! and dozens of fashion blogs would make a headline out of it.

Off topic: Hey Patra - good to see you back on the fashion forums!

 

[semisquare]

imo i think that cate would look good in a simple classical cut pant suite in a gray,tweed,navy and even white color

True. She needs to get her own style and it looks like she's got a long way to go there and find it.
And I also agree with the makeup. She is not in for experimentation.

imo she does have her style and if u check out the new style of clothing for spring/summer dresses..they are all the types of dresses kate has worn in the past months...style..yeah she has it
and the world follows the way she dresses-that is why what she wears today sells out tomorrow..here have a

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Yes they are still talking about her clothes because she is still shiny and new. IF Kate is attempting to be boring on purpose it will take awhile for the press to catch on that she is not going to be their Barbie or Fashionista. Again I'm just speculating, I don't know the girl or her brain. I still recall the fantasticalness that was her Canada wardrobe so I will look past her boring days.

 

[MARG]

Kate is boring and has always been boring. She doesn't seem like the type who wants to cause a media firestorm with everything she wears or every flick of her hair. Not only that but she is #3 behind the Queen and Camilla and she could be comfortable and accepting of not wanting to overshadow them. To not encourage the obsession with her, she might consciously be choosing to not wear things that will cause headlines.

Unfortunately she doesn't have to encourage the media . . . it is there, and that being the case, she could, at the very least, resurrect her Canadian wardrobe.

Catherine boring and tasteless or haute couture, will always be photographed and emulated, so why not go for what is quintessentially her own style. This too can be made to work for her and what she represents.

Whilst not wanting the compare "Princesses" so to speak, CP Mary was in much the same situation. Not coming from a high public profile she had to get together a "working" wardrobe. People moaned about the cost but when you are starting from scratch it is going to cost. Catherine will obviously not get it all right from the start but there is no way she is going to avoid the "hit and miss" beginning until such time as she has developed her own "Duchess" style as opposed to her previous personal style.

Huffing and puffing about not being a fashion icon like Diana is pointless. Those who remember Diana when she first married remember over sized dresses and polka dots. Yes, she too had to begin somewhere, and the press were pretty harsh at times. Icon status came with years of experience.

 

[HRHHermione]

Huffing and puffing about not being a fashion icon like Diana is pointless. Those who remember Diana when she first married remember over sized dresses and polka dots. Yes, she too had to begin somewhere, and the press were pretty harsh at times. Icon status came with years of experience.

Agreed completely

Some of the early pictures of Diana show her in dresses that look more little girl going to Sunday school than they do Royal Highness. But she learned.

Kate will too. She's not starting from a bad place... a touch boring, but I haven't seen her wear anything that will ever look particularly dated or fashion victim-y either.

 

[4Pam]

I don't have a problem with how Kate dresses... I'd actually wear some of her clothes.

 

[efraimsdotter]

I agree with you, 4Pam. I really like Kate's style.

I think she has been ahead of her time with some of the pieces she has worn. In maybe two or three years' time I expect we will look back and say wow. (The emerald Mulberry dress worn recently, for example.)

 

[fandesacs2003]

I agree with you, 4Pam. I really like Kate's style.

I think she has been ahead of her time with some of the pieces she has worn. In maybe two or three years' time I expect we will look back and say wow. (The emerald Mulberry dress worn recently, for example.)

I fully agree with what you said.

As regards Diana, she become a fashion icon when she separated from Pc Charles, and was free to wear italian fashion. The famous Versace Dress could not be worn at this time by a 20 years old innocent girl, mother of the future king.
When she changed her role, she changed also her way to dress!!

 

[Frelinghighness]

I realize this is not a "comparison" thread but I do remember Diana and even she had a few early missteps, with the exception of her engagement outfit, she always had a wow factor. Wow, for better or worse, meaning she took chances, sometimes overdid things, but was not trying to blend into the wallpaper.
For us watchers, it was more interesting.

 

[NGalitzine]

Well the 80s were a decade of excess, Dynasty Di and all that. We live in a very different time now.

 

[MARG]

Remembering the ubiquitous "Shoulder Pads" of that era, I cannot say that is necessarily a bad thing!