Follow the highs and lows of the Duchess of Cambridge’s growing wardrobe.
Kate opts for a Grecian goddess look to host a charity dinner at St James’s Palace, in aid of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal. Her asymmetric Jenny Packham gown, nipped in at the waist, was elegantly effortless.
The Duchess in her most revealing design to date: Kate sparkled in this criss-cross, crystal-embellished gown by designer Amanda Wakeley as she stood in for Prince Charles at a private dinner at Clarence House which marked her first solo public engagement.
The Duchess in her most revealing design to date: Kate sparkled in this criss-cross, crystal-embellished gown by designer Amanda Wakeley as she stood in for Prince Charles at a private dinner at Clarence House which marked her first solo public engagement.
Perhaps one too many glasses of Prosecco had passed Kate’s lips as she enjoyed a boozy lunch in Knightsbridge – that can be the only plausible excuse for how she emerged from the local Hollie de Keyser boutique with this Luisa Spagnoli two-piece. Yes, Sophia Loren might be a fan of the designer, but she’s old enough to be Kate’s granny, if you see what we mean.
While we admire the Duchess’s propensity for getting into the swing of things, we’re not sure this Canadian ensemble had the desired effect. Yes, the jeans might have been by Goldsign and the blouse by Alice Temperley, but the overall effect is that of looking in of someone’s mother playing dress-up…
Jenny Packham and the Duchess prove to be a match made in sartorial heaven. Pastel yellow isn’t a colour we’ve seen Kate in before, but it’s definitely one we encourage her to experiment with further.
On her first ever offical public engagement in Anglesey, Kate played it safe with a tried-and-tested Katherine Hooker coat, an item she purchased and wore to Cheltenham Gold Cup five years earlier. Kate needn’t have bothered getting the hem taken up: while she took a few inches off the length, she added several years to her frame.
No wonder this Joseph “Vanessa” dress sold out within eight minutes after being identified as Kate’s choice – it’s the ultimate failsafe number without any of the fussy, ageing accoutrements.
Kate steps dangerously close to Princess Anne territory with this Catherine Hooker coatdress to depart from her soujourn in Canada. Let’s pray this look got left behind in the hotel…
Considered to be Kate’s “Going away” outfit (well, there was a helicopter at Buckingham Palace waiting to whisk her and her new hubby away somewhere remote) she looked at ease in this purse-friendly Zara dress.
Kate won the admiration of the fashion pack when she picked this lace gown by London Fashion Week designer Erdem as she touched down in Canada. The revered designer – Erdem Moralioglu – was born in Montreal. Top marks to Kate for the patriotic nod – and the dress is lovely too.
There’s nothing to be achieved from dressing like your mother-in-law… take this photograph as the case in point. One almost has to play spot the difference between the Duchesses of Corwall and Cambridge.
It was the most secret dress of the decade, with daily speculation as to who has been given the ultimate commission played out like a game of ‘Whodunnit?’. Once finally revealed, the gown did not disappoint. Painstakingly masterminded by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Kate was the fairest of them all.
While Kate’s magnificent Alexander McQueen wedding dress hit all the right notes, her ‘after-party’ ensemble lacked a certain clout. Her cropped mohair cardigan looked like it came off the back of one of the young bridesmaids – which is fine when you’re aged 8, but not 29.
Her relationship with label Alexander McQueen has become a fruitful one: Kate positively shone at the BAFTA celebrations in Los Angeles in this pale lilac gown. While Hollywood swooned, Kate’s star eclipsed even the most noble of A-listers – actress Nicole Kidman managed to look like she needed a heavy dose of Photoshop when pictured next to Kate.
Flying the flag for British fashion – Kate’s ruffled hem caught the attention of seasoned style observers – who were quick to pick up on her off-the-peg Burberry trench.
So good she wore it twice? Sadly not. Kate’s sartorial blind spot seems to be this instantly-ageing blue brocade dresscoat. Whether it’s the Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th birthday or a close friend’s wedding, the coat can rise to the occasion… or at least that’s what the Duchess thought…
Tennis, Temperley, tiered: Kate’s white dress was perfect for an afternoon at Wimbledon in more ways than one.
While the official visit to Canada and North America was full of wardrobe highs, a few horrors found their way into Kate’s suitcase. Remember this over-patriotic fascinator…? Red and adorned with Maple leaves, it looked like a homemade horror.
Navy is a colour which suits Kate and this military dress coat by Alexander MQueen hit all the right notes. Minus points for the fascinator though which instantly aged her.
Another Jenny Packham dress, and another Stateside success story.
Simple, elegant, chic: Kate nails her ‘dressing in the community’ look in this Amanda Wakeley design as she visits The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey.
Arriving at Heathrow Airport, Kate could have been taken for someone from BA Cabin Crew – but her Muberry ‘Polly Push’ bag, Smythe blazer, Roland Mouret dress and Manolo Blahnik shoes ensured she was the best-dressed on the runway.
Source from: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/hot-topics/galleries/TMG8797247/544/Kate-Middletons-fashion-hits-and-misses-in-pictures.html