The Duchess of Cambridge's Maternity Fashion: December 2012 -

[julliette]

I agree. She looked good most of the times but her choices had nothing special. "The world's best dressed baby bump!" is completely overrated, IMO.

 

[MichelleQ2]

I thought she looked great very classy but not a fashion icon.

She would probably say that was the nicest compliment you could give her regarding her wardrobe.

 

[Anna Catherine]

Actually, I have to disagree. Everything she wears reflects her style which is obviously very classic. Stating that her clothing is "on trend" is more a testament to the fact the her style her influenced the current trends in fashion not the other way around. So she is a fashion icon, she just doesn't wear the cutting edge or fashion forward clothing some people want her to wear. Everything she wears sells out, she gets praised for her fashion sense, people everywhere including stars are mimicking her style. Yes, she is a fashion icon regardless of whether some people consider her style boring or average or uninspired. She deserves to be called a fashion icon and it's ironic because that's exactly what she reportedly wanted to avoid.

 

[julliette]

Actually, I have to disagree. Everything she wears reflects her style which is obviously very classic. Stating that her clothing is "on trend" is more a testament to the fact the her style her influenced the current trends in fashion not the other way around. So she is a fashion icon, she just doesn't wear the cutting edge or fashion forward clothing some people want her to wear. Everything she wears sells out, she gets praised for her fashion sense, people everywhere including stars are mimicking her style. Yes, she is a fashion icon regardless of whether some people consider her style boring or average or uninspired. She deserves to be called a fashion icon and it's ironic because that's exactly what she reportedly wanted to avoid.

Not exactly. What she wore is what most people are wearing and not necessarily because they're influenced by her. This kind of 60s straight line with ladylike vibes have been "on trend" for the past few years, even before she started to wear them.
She's following the trend, not setting it.

 

[NGalitzine]

Does it really matter if she followed the trend or if she set the trend? We do know that what she wears sells out almost immediately so obviously she must be influencing some women out there.

 

[Anna Catherine]

Not exactly. What she wore is what most people are wearing and not necessarily because they're influenced by her. This kind of 60s straight line with ladylike vibes have been "on trend" for the past few years, even before she started to wear them.
She's following the trend, not setting it.

She hasn't really changed her style over the years. If you look back over the years, she was wearing a lot of the same styles over the years. She really hasn't changed which to me is a good thing. Trendy is not at all what I would call her fashion sense. Lots of things become "on trend" even when people have been wearing those styles for years.

 

[Empress Merel]

She also got access to better designers. I do think she has an advisor of some sort because she's been dressing better after getting married. Atleast she's smarter about it. She used to mix colors and patterns that shouldn't be mixed.

 

[Dman]

I think the idea is to not take the headline too seriously.

Catherine dressed the way she liked during her pregnancy.

 

[Queen Christina]

I really like her yellow Emilia Wickstead coat. But other than that I remain underwhelmed. Her pregnancy wardrobe was okay. I look forward to seeing if motherhood changes her style, and how she will dress the baby.

 

[scooter]

Not exactly. What she wore is what most people are wearing and not necessarily because they're influenced by her. This kind of 60s straight line with ladylike vibes have been "on trend" for the past few years, even before she started to wear them.
She's following the trend, not setting it.

She dresses much as Jacqueline Kennedy did.

 

[sobriquet]

Does Kate or any other British royal ever borrow clothes from designers for public events, or are they always bought? It seems like it would make sense to borrow them--it would save money while still bringing publicity to the brands. Especially since most of the clothes are by British designers.

 

[NGalitzine]

They are certainly not supposed to borrow clothes or get freebies from designers.

 

[sobriquet]

I knew they weren't supposed to accept gifts, but I guess I don't see what the problem is if they don't keep them. People love to complain about the cost of Kate's designer clothing. Though I suppose it doesn't really matter since Charles pays for it, and they're putting money into the economy.

 

[LauraS3514]

Does Kate or any other British royal ever borrow clothes from designers for public events, or are they always bought? It seems like it would make sense to borrow them--it would save money while still bringing publicity to the brands. Especially since most of the clothes are by British designers.

They don't borrow clothes. Can you imagine "Up for Auction - the Dress Kate wore!" with the $$ going to the designer. When Diana auctioned her dresses, the money went to charity. (At least the first time.)

 

[princess carmen]

I don't think her style will change after the baby . She has dressed the same way for years she seems to buy better quality clothing.

 

[AdmirerUS]

I knew they weren't supposed to accept gifts, but I guess I don't see what the problem is if they don't keep them. People love to complain about the cost of Kate's designer clothing. Though I suppose it doesn't really matter since Charles pays for it, and they're putting money into the economy.

There are several issues:

1. It looks bad to some people when rich people get things for free. It just looks in bad form; it looks cheap
2. As the BRF have influence, it would be a potential conflict of interest
3. It makes them walking advertisements - which they are already - but at least not "paid" walking advertisements.

It does make me wonder what the fee is to have that lovely red orange helicopter on standby in Anglesey?

 

[cepe]

I recall that some designers sent items to Catherine and the Palace issued a statement saying that the Duchess would not accept gifts or borrow items.

The piece I read said something along the lines that William knew his mother did accept gifts and "borrowed" and this left her in a difficult position of owing favours. He didn't want Catherine to be put in the same position. But that might be more media spin, although I thought at the time it had a ring of truth about it.

 

[Al_bina]

There are several issues:

1. 
   [*It looks bad to some people when rich people get things for free. It just looks in bad form; it looks cheap [snipped]

1. 
   Rich people in the UK and USA are truly cheap. That is why they are rich. No one really knows the arrangement between designer houses and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The fashion houses might send some items and charge a symbolic price. If such arrangement were to come to light, it would be attributed to a lowly assistant's mistake.

 

[dazzling]

Many designers would love to dress Kate but also take advantage. We know that sales have hit the roof with some fashion houses (as they reported). Many would use her as a way to advertise for their items.
I don't see why she should accept gifts anyways, I never favor royals accepting gifts or borrowing outfits etc. Its tasteless as they can afford the item IMO.

 

[miche]

I know that other royals house accept gift. The BRF don't seem to do that (right now)

 

[Osipi]

I know that other royals house accept gift. The BRF don't seem to do that (right now)

I think the main objective of that is to prevent any of the BRF from being seen as being walking billboards for anything. Now if lets say Victoria and Daniel sent a personal gift to the Cambridges on the birth of Baby C, that would be a completely different story and private and personal. I think the key word to look at is "commercialism".

Sometimes too, gift giving is part and parcel of official state visits. The Queen very often during state visits exchanges gifts with the visiting officials.

 

[muriel]

Rich people in the UK and USA are truly cheap. That is why they are rich.

What a wonderful and well-thought through statement!

No one really knows the arrangement between designer houses and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The fashion houses might send some items and charge a symbolic price. If such arrangement were to come to light, it would be attributed to a lowly assistant's mistake.

As somebody who has an involvement in a leading fashion house, my experience has been that the SJP always pays the "rack rate" for any goods supplied. They have never accepted any discounts that are not advertised or available in-store. If more items have been sent over and above what has been specifically ordered, some items that the Duchess likes may be kept, but they are paid for promptly. The other items are all returned.

 

[gerry]

What a wonderful and well-thought through statement!





As somebody who has an involvement in a leading fashion house, my experience has been that the SJP always pays the "rack rate" for any goods supplied. They have never accepted any discounts that are not advertised or available in-store. If more items have been sent over and above what has been specifically ordered, some items that the Duchess likes may be kept, but they are paid for promptly. The other items are all returned.

I can corroborate your information by pointing out the example of the Duchess of Cambridge purchasing a blazer from the Canadian firm of Smythe that had been sent to her prior to her trip here and for which she insisted on paying the retail price.

 

[Al_bina]

What a wonderful and well-thought through statement!
As somebody who has an involvement in a leading fashion house, my experience has been that the SJP always pays the "rack rate" for any goods supplied. They have never accepted any discounts that are not advertised or available in-store. If more items have been sent over and above what has been specifically ordered, some items that the Duchess likes may be kept, but they are paid for promptly. The other items are all returned.

My comments about rich people are based on my personal experience. ... or perhaps rich people in the UK and USA show different faces to people from different countries ... That is another story.
As for Catherine's, Duchess of Cambridge, wardrobe, I have no information I can trust and am not interested in verifying it. It is just a futile exercise. Your comments are just your opinion based on your experience.

 

[cepe]

My comments about rich people are based on my personal experience. ... or perhaps rich people in the UK and USA show different faces to people from different countries ... That is another story.
As for Catherine's, Duchess of Cambridge, wardrobe, I have no information I can trust. Your comments is just your opinion based your experience. I can not verify them as well as you can not verify my comments.

What you are saying is that William and Catherine have lied; and that posters who have actual experience of dealing with SJP are not telling the truth. Surely you dont mean that?

 

[Al_bina]

I surely mean that. It is a virtual message board where people can say whatever they wish. You do have a full right to disagree with me. That is all.

 

[muriel]

What you are saying is that William and Catherine have lied; and that posters who have actual experience of dealing with SJP are not telling the truth. Surely you dont mean that?

I surely mean that. It is a virtual message board where people can say whatever they wish. You do have a full right to disagree with me. That is all.

Sure, people can say what they like. And if that makes the posters feel any better, so be it. That said, ones comments appear to tell an awful lot about one.

My comments about rich people are based on my personal experience. ... or perhaps rich people in the UK and USA show different faces to people from different countries ... That is another story.

That seems like a pretty sweeping generalisation.

 

[cepe]

I surely mean that. It is a virtual message board where people can say whatever they wish. You do have a full right to disagree with me. That is all.

I was seeking clarity on what you had written. I accept the personal experiences of people writing on these boards as being true.

 

[Elenath]

I am sure there are plenty of wealthy people out there who borrow (and not always return) or accept freebies. Plenty of these people live or work in and around Hollywood. However, that does not mean every wealthy person will do the same. Just like some people think their name alone will get them things or favors and others don't.

 

[miche]

I think the main objective of that is to prevent any of the BRF from being seen as being walking billboards for anything. Now if lets say Victoria and Daniel sent a personal gift to the Cambridges on the birth of Baby C, that would be a completely different story and private and personal. I think the key word to look at is "commercialism".

Sometimes too, gift giving is part and parcel of official state visits. The Queen very often during state visits exchanges gifts with the visiting officials.

Yeah I meant gifts from commercial place, like a car (from Toyota) and clothes from Valentino