Year in Review: 2013's Honorable Mentions (...and Some Worsts)

We tackled the bests from the roster of royal women usually featured here, but they weren't the only ones accomplishing feats of sartorial splendor in 2013. Today's honorable mentions are for the stand outs among the rest of the royal crew! Excellent looks, plain and simple, left to right:

• Princess Charlene is trying, bless her heart, and she seems to know that purple and jewels are the quickest way to my heart. She simply killed it with this appearance.
• Speaking of killing it, the Countess of Wessex had an amazing year. Take your pick - this red number was just one of several bests.
• Princess Marie's sleek take on a Little Red Dress also needs to join my best list.
• I can't always pinpoint what I love about an appearance, and Princess Caroline's simple black dress is one such situation. Maybe it's the slightly longer necklace? Whatever it is, I thought she looked absolutely tremendous here.
• It wouldn't be a favorites list for me if it didn't include some Elie Saab, so Princess Madeleine's pre-wedding sparkles will cover me quite nicely there.
• Likewise, I require a dose of the couture mastery of Sheikha Mozah, so we'll go with this Valentino in the Netherlands.
• Plus, the Duchess of Cornwall got to make her big foreign royal event debut. I really enjoyed seeing her out and about this year, more and more regal and ready to step up when the time comes.

And just a few sentimental favorites, because it isn't all about the fashion...even here.

• Queen-to-Princess Beatrix was full of win this year, particularly the strong front she formed with Princess Mabel as they said goodbye to Prince Friso. On a more superficial note, the fact that she added an extra row of pearls to her big pearl tiara for the first time in a long time on her final night as queen wins all the things.
• The return of Crown Princess Masako to the international royal stage was completely lovely, and I hope we'll see more of her to come.
• WEE ESTELLE is my spirit animal. That is all.

And...The Worsts

Wouldn't be a proper year end wrap up without one last glimpse back at what made us cringe this year, would it? And then we never have to think about them again. Until one of these women decides to haunt us with a reappearance, that is.

• Princess Märtha Louise set the standard for the worst list early in the year in this number.
• Queen Máxima did a particularly bad thing with an ill-fitting dress and some black stockings recently, but for me, this Valentino (which she is the third royal to wear) is the year's true crime. It's the one time a tiara actually made things worse.
• Crown Princess Mary also wore the H&M mullet dress sported by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, but the addition of heavy black tights, SHOOTIES, and a jacket is such a peculiar look. She's managed to be both blergh and baffling, all at once.
• Princess Charlene at Princess Madeleine's wedding looks less a mess than the rest of those in this row, that is true - but. But. This one makes me sad. It's not just that she didn't wear a tiara to a tiara event, it's that this dress really could have used a tiara. Something, anything, to liven up this drab color which felt like a thud on the red carpet of a summer royal wedding.

Who makes your list of honorable mentions and worsts this year?

Photos: Getty Images/PA/Scanpix/Kungahuset/ANP

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 29-November 4, Plus Your Modern Tiara Winner!

Well, At Least You Showed Up

Princess Letizia

Letizia visits a residence for the elderly, attends an awards ceremony and an anniversary party for a newspaper

Err...this is about it for our normal leading ladies for the week (well, Máxima did do some her U.N. stuff). How sad. And the only thing worth commenting on is the one I should probably leave alone - though I can't resist noting that the occasion when those boring-as-toast business suits Letizia loves so much would have been totally appropriate is the one occasion at which she decides to bring Grease back, and that's hilarious. Thanks for playing our game, L.

Honorable Mention for Also Showing Up

Princess Charlene

Charlene attends the Princess Grace Awards Gala

In other news, we've got Charlene, spontaneously beheaded by a ruffle in honor of Halloween. Some of you really liked Charlene's dramatic turn; I'm not sold as such, but I am entertained, and that is saying something.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Since we had a bit of a slow week, let's go ahead and wrap up that modern tiara vote. Using free time in a productive manner is not usually something I encourage, but tiaras are an all-purpose excuse.

Seeing how many different ways you all defined "modern" was fascinating. Some of you differed greatly - and perhaps that gives you a glimpse of one of the reasons why I chose to define the category as simply as possible (by year) and let you sort out the rest. And sure enough, I think you came up with a winner to satisfy most of your definitions...

The Midnight Tiara!

Mary strikes again, her creation of diamonds, moonstones, rose gold, white gold, and black oxidized silver lending a darker note to your ultimate collection. The run away winner, and certainly worthy of carrying the "modern" torch.

Your runners up:

2. The Modern Fringe Tiara. As I noted, this was only a guess and might not even qualify for the time requirement. It doesn't particularly qualify for those of you that went for something modern in design as well. But the fact that it made it so high on the list speaks, I'd say, to the polarizing nature of some of these modern designs.
3. The Boucheron Emerald Ivy Tiara. Queen Rania fared very well in this vote.
4. The Diamond Foam Tiara, or hair ornament or aigrette if you prefer.
5. Queen Rania's Arabic Tiara - not one I thought would do so well, but there you go.

And here's the collection to date:

Photos: Getty Images/Scanpix/Kungahuset/Abaca/Petra/Christie's/Royal Collection

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: October 6-14

Most...Interesting

Queen Mathilde

Video: The King and Queen visit Liège

This hairy little number is from Belgian designer Veronique Branquinho. And all I can say is that if Mathilde's response to calls for her to add some variety to her Natan-filled Belgian wardrobe is to don her Sesame Street Halloween costume early...well, we're in for an interesting ride! (Also up this week, another non-Natan outfit: a sparkly dose of Armani.) 

Best in Visits

Crown Princess Victoria

Left to Right: Victoria at a meeting for the International Paralympic Committee (with plenty of other royals) and at a seminar, the Swedish royal family welcoming the Dutch King and Queen for a one day visit, and Máxima in Washington

Pretty sure that red dress would qualify as a Máx favorite, but alas it is overshadowed by all that excess fabric in Sweden - and Victoria instead is left to shine in her simple and sleek blue number from Tiger of Sweden.

Best in Annual Events

Princess Letizia

Video: The Prince and Princess of Asturias attend the military parade on National Day in Spain

Letizia was at her prim and proper best in a berry dress with a light pink jacket for the parade - though I may like it better without the jacket (as seen later at the reception), I do enjoy the color pairing.

Best of the Rest

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: Letizia at a trade fair in Germany, opening a vocational course, and at an awards ceremony; Mary at a meeting, at the opening of a joint exhibit of the creative works of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik, and pictured as part of a pictorial and interview given in advance of the couple's trip to Australia (click here for more on that).

This is more of a tie, really - the rest of Letizia's pink week and Mary's regular deal. So I freely admit that it is the event here that sways me: Margrethe and Henrik in a joint artistic exhibit. How cool is that?! And they continue to hold their spots on my list of Royals I'd Like to Drink With.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Charlene

Attending a Ralph Lauren event in Paris

Yes, in her purple and her jewels there's only one thing to say: Charlene killed it.

Who was your best dressed last week?

Photos: Getty Images/BestImage/Kungahuset/Casa Real/Sex og Samfund via Kongehuset/Stiften/Good Weekend

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: March 17-23

Best in Color

Princess Letizia

Mary attending the launch of Kofi Annan's memoirs; Victoria attending a children's rights seminar; Máxima meeting the President of Liberia and in Rome as part of her U.N. role; Letizia at a reception at the Spanish Embassy while in Vatican City for the papal inauguration and attending a dinner for the IOC Evaluation Commission

Apart from the Pope's inaugural mass, it was a pretty low key week for many of our leading ladies. Lots of dark colors (for Victoria, because they're still in mourning for Princess Lilian), which makes Máxima's electric blue and Letizia's vibrant green pop. Letizia wins it because she didn't attempt to go the full Kermit, like you know Máx would have done.

Best in Coats

The Duchess of Cambridge

Visiting the offices of Child Bereavement UK; at Baker Street Underground station with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh; visiting a scout camp

The middle number is from Malene Birger, and where there's Birger, you know there will be a Danish princess: sure enough, Crown Princess Mary has worn this one in the past. Who wore it best? (Me, I think it works really well with that hat, so I'll give it to Kate. Also, I just really like her in teal-ish colors flying solo with HM and the DoE, apparently.) (Also also, you can see my report on the Queen at that event over at the Jewel Vault per usual.)

Most Tenacious Shoe Selections

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

At the FIS World Cup Nordic Holmenkollen 2013; visiting the Scandic Vulkan Hotel; visiting an elementary school

Oh, she's trying to make me like SHOOTIES, isn't she. Well, I will not be swayed! Unless she wants to come over here and bake me cupcakes, in which case I will sway, no problem.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Princess Caroline, Brand New Grandma

Attending the annual Rose Ball. Left to right: Charlotte Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi, Princess Caroline, Princess Charlene, Prince Albert

Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo welcomed a baby son last Thursday! Princess Caroline told a journalist at the Rose Ball that the baby's name is Sacha. The glowing new grandmother was my pick for best dressed at the ball, since Charlotte wore those shoes and Charlene got me all excited that she might be wearing some interesting jewelry for a change, only to find that it was merely beading on her Ralph Lauren gown. Beading she mostly covered up with her jacket, no less.

Who did you like last week?

P.S.: Stay tuned tomorrow for Mathilde, who was on a trip last week.

Photos: BestImage/IBL/RVD/ANP/CasaReal/Getty Images/PA/PacificCoastNews

Royal Fashion Awards: The Civil Wedding in Luxembourg

Are we ready for some royal/grand ducal wedding fun, or what?! Guillaume of Luxembourg is marrying Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy: civil wedding and dinner today, religious wedding tomorrow. We begin with the civil wedding, with royal attendance limited to family for now.

Best in Bride

Princess Stéphanie

Guillaume and Stéphanie had an engagement this morning, for which Stéphanie sported I Dream of Jeannie hair and divine deep wine Diane von Furstenberg. For the civil wedding, she wore ivory Chanel. I'm loving the clothes and wishing I could fuss with the accessories, but I liked her gleeful, crowd-friendly attitude best of all anyway.

Best in Guests

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Maria Teresa's wearing Natan for the wedding, but you just knew she'd sneak in some Elie Saab somewhere (that's my girl!). This is stunning, this ornamented gold coat and dress, and that's why I love her in Saab.

Best Try 

Princess Alexandra

Left to right: Princess Alexandra, Princess Tessy

Not exactly the right cut for Alexandra in that Dior, and a bit of a dull color and shape for Tessy in her Ralph Lauren. I'm going with Alex for the win, as I just can't quite make amends with the business suit jacket on Tessy. But bless their hearts, they tried to shake it up a bit for the occasion.

And that was just a taste, just an appetizer for what's to come. Next up is the pre-wedding dinner (and yes, there were tiaras). Stay tuned...

Photos: RTL/Getty Images

2011 in Review: Princess Máxima

Best of the Year

You'd think one of her tiara appearances would end up my best for the whole year, wouldn't you? No, no. Instead, I picked an appearance that exemplifies my two favorite things about Máx: her ability to turn up the style dial at just the right moment, and her talent for inserting as much bling as humanly possibly into a non-blingy occasion. This Valentino is just perfect and flattering and demure, all while working a turban. And for jewels, she went with diamond stars on the hat, a diamond necklace instead of plain old pearls or something, plus earrings. If I did it over again, either she or Princess Ameerah would win my pick for best dressed foreign royal at the Cambridge wedding.

Runners Up

A little bit of purple in Germany, a little bit of mustard in Monaco (ha! Only Máxima could make mustard sound appealing), a little of a blue lampshade in Monaco, a lot of blue in the Caribbean, RED - enough said, and divine black. The best of the best.

Worst of the Year

Alas, you know how it is with Princess Máxima: there are just as many candidates for the worst as there are for the best. Though I considered a turn in knickerbockers (uh, yeah) and the gold number that I just don't understand how so many of you loved (did you see what it did to her...er...chestal region? Did you?), I'm going with the most unfortunate of sartorial mishaps: the accidental see-through problem (speaking of chestal regions...). One simply must account for the hazards of flash photography. And also: what else is happening here? Some kind of sparkly collared top, but still with that hair that is the bane of so many of your existences. Baffling.

Which outfits make your best and worst lists for Máxima in 2011?

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Dutch Photo Press

2011 in Review: Crown Princess Mary

Best of the Year

In a year ruled by navy and beige and blergh, there's no way the most aggressive use of color all year wasn't getting a special mention from me, the eternal color cheerleader. This is a stunning shape on Mary, and slyly interesting in its color combo. A+.

Runners Up

We didn't get very much Mary this year, comparatively speaking, what with the babies and all. But the perfectly simple christening outfit, the rest of her outfits from Monaco (easy and breezy in white on arrival and a perfect ocean teal at the wedding), the intriguing blue tweed, the perfect print, and the reworked Swedish wedding gown all stood out. That last one was a close runner up to the ultimate winner for me. So, so elegant.

Worst of the Year

The curious run of mismatched pieces in New York paired with the accidentally va-va-voom gold number nearly did me in, but in the end this droopy Prada gets the "prize". I know some of you like it, but I. Do. Not.

Which outfits make your best and worst lists for Mary in 2011?

Photos: Purepeople/Abaca/Hello/Daylife

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 18-24 December

Here's what Catherine wore from 18-24 December:

1. Arriving for the annual big fat royal Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, 19 December. Anybody up for a round of Caption This? Here's my entry: "I'm in a car, the windows are blurred with rain, you can't see past my shoulders...are you seriously going to try and analyze my outfit? Seriously?"
2. a) At The Sun Military Awards, 19 December, in a b) a custom Alexander McQueen. Delish, still.
3. a) Visiting Centrepoint, 21 December, in b) a Ralph Lauren sweater dress. Would've stuck with the brown accessories myself, but I think black is her default. But what's the point of getting all dressed up when you're just going to be out-dorked by your hubs anyway?

While the world awaits a lil' Cambridge announcement, Prince William perfects his embarrassing dad dance moves.

UPDATE: Kate and Harry watched William play football on Christmas Eve in a sweater from Temperley London, a jacket from LK Bennett, and Le Chameau boots.

  
Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Net-a-porter/Ralph Lauren/Lynn News

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 4-10 December

Here's what Catherine wore from 4-10 December:

1. a) Attending a Gary Barlow charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, 6 December, in b) a Zara dress and Ralph Lauren jacket (last seen leaving after the wedding). Basic party dress, royal-ed up with the addition of the jacket and tights. I've seen a lot of people clutching their pearls over the length, but that didn't bother me; she's covered up everywhere else, and it's the only concession she's making here to the fact that she's a 29-year-old at a rock concert. What do you wear to a concert at which your husband and his father are wearing suits and ties, anyway?

Photos: Ian Jones/Daily Mail/Zara

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 20-26 November

Here's what Máxima wore from 20-26 November:

1. a) Attending the premiere of the film Nova Zembla, 21 November, in a gorgeous black dress from Ralph Lauren (b). It's such a simple dress, and in a color that usually signals boring for me, but she does it just right with the jewels and the (neat!) hair (c-e). The shoulder ornament is a diamond aigrette dating way back to Queen Emma, and is the same one we saw her break out for her 40th birthday. One of the best Máxima appearances this year, don't you think?
2. Visiting the "Children Make Music" project, 22 November.
3. Two events on 24 November. Well, it's not like anything's going to compare to outfit #1 anyway.

Also in attendance at the film premiere were two of Princess Margriet's sons and their wives, Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène and Prince Floris and Princess Aimée. Aimée looks stunning and Marilène...has a lot of hair.

Aimée and Marilène

Photos: Dutch Photo Press/Net-a-porter/PPE/Nieboer/Royal House

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 20-26 November

Here's what Mary wore from 20-26 November:

1. Day 1 of the couple's trip to Australia, 20 November, beginning with (a) flats and a hat to open the Sculpture By The Sea exhibition and then (b) ditching the hat and switching to heels for more events. Prefer the hat version, myself.
2. Meeting the Governor-General, 20 November. Simple but lovely dress, the perfect background for what we're all really looking at: the twins!
3. Day 2, 21 November. Ah, yes! Much better without some strange winter jacket on top.

4. a) Dinner on day 2, 21 November, in (b) a repeated dress from Diane von Furstenberg. Look familiar? It's the short version of the dress Carole Middleton wore to the evening bash after William and Catherine's wedding.
5. Day 3, 22 November, in an outfit that morphed as the day went on. She took a repeated dress (which many of you will be happy to see again, its last appearance was much loved) and topped it with a hat (a) and then wore it without the hat (b) and then added a ruffled front cardi (c - while checking out a portrait of herself, which must be a surreal experience) and also wore it with both cardigan and hat. And that's what we call coming prepared for all eventualities!

6. Day 4, 23 November. I usually just go for whatever picture shows the outfit fully, but I couldn't resist the ridiculous chicness of this pose in that Egg chair. I like the outfit, too, but the chair...sorry, I'm an interior designer. Can't help myself.
7. Dinner, day 4, 23 November, repeating another dress from when she was pregnant with the twins - early on, during Nikolaos and Tatiana's wedding festivities.
8. Day 5, 24 November. Love the more casual shirt with the slim fit white skirt.
9.  Dinner, day 5, 24 November. Oh, no. Not a fan of the random patchwork business.
10. Day 6, 25 November. Hmm...a lovely pop of color and print, or way too much of a 1970s flashback?

11. a) Reception on day 6, 25 November, wearing b) a new Georg Jensen necklace. (Here's the full fantastic red dress.) This whole trip was a showcase of jewelry from all Mary's regulars: Marianne Dulong, Ole Lynggaard, and of course Georg Jensen. Several items were new, too, which makes one wonder if she's sitting on a stash of unimagined size, or if she's found other ways to work out loans for herself.
12. a) Day 7, 26 November, repeating outfit #2 but adding a brooch (b). Strange positioning there, no?
13. Gala dinner to finish out the official portion of the trip, 26 November. I do believe this is a reworked version of the dress she wore to Victoria and Daniel's wedding - the strange lace on the top has been removed, and the shoulder drape has been added. I did not like it then at all, and now I am in love. Perfect!

Photos: Daylife/Getty Images/Reuters/Zimbio/Georg Jensen

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 7-13 August

Here's what Catherine wore from 7-13 August:

1. Shopping in Wales, again. Wearing (pretty much) the same thing all the time = the best way to handle this sort of attention. Well played.

Photo: Bauer Griffin

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 31 July - 6 August

Here's what Catherine wore from 31 July - 6 August:

1. Grocery shopping in Wales in a Ralph Lauren (probably) sweater, Paige Denim skinny jeans, Aquascutum scarf, and French Sole ballet flats. It's purple, you know I love it. She was also spotted taking a walk with William in the same sweater, and there was a Twitter picture of her and William at some other event (not pictured).

Photo: Bauer Griffin

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Mary wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Shopping for carpets in Copenhagen. Oh, the perils of decorating a renovated palace.
2. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July, a) on Mary and b) from Ralph Lauren. Crochet dresses are treacherous territory if you ask me, but I'm so in love with this one! Especially the pops of aqua/green with the earrings and the Bottega Veneta bag.
3. Attending the concert/reception for the wedding, 1 July. Best is the earrings, see below.
4. At the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, 2 July. Still love it!
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Really, really still love this. Eye-searing deliciousness.

And the earrings I'm on about:

I like a little statement jewelry, what can I say?


Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Svenskdam/Hola

Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 22-28 May

Here's what Charlene wore from 22-28 May:

1. Attending the Amber Lounge Fashion Show, 27 May. No, I can't approve of the trousers. No.
2. At the Monaco Grand Prix, 28 May. Very Charlene, this.
3. Grand Prix JetSet party, 28 May. And this too, just tremendously Charlene. All these three are from Akris.

Also, a new photoshoot was published this week. Char and Al were photographed by Karl Lagerfeld for Madame Le Figaro magazine.

Hey, I'm just glad to see her in couture that isn't Armani Privé (well, solely Armani, I should say). Love the second and last looks. Karl's tight with Caroline, maybe he'll take Charlene under his wing...ah, a girl can dream.

Photos: Hola

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 29 August - 4 September

Here's what Crown Princess Mary wore the week of 29 August - 4 September:

1.  Conference for the Brain Injury Association, 31 August.  What is that skirt made of?  Is it leather or is it fake?
2. Memorial concert for Queen Ingrid, 31 August, a) from Ralph Lauren b) on Mary, 31 August.  I like this up until I see one of the many photos for this event in which the Crown Princess's bra strap is showing.  Whoops.
3. Conference on polio, 3 September.  A much repeated top, most recently seen out and about in Stockholm. 

 Best and Worst of the Week

 I just love that Heartmade top, and I love that she's worn it for purposes ranging from casual to daywear to eveningwear.  It makes a much better combination with that skirt than anything from the first outfit of the week does.  I don't care what that skirt is made of, it doesn't sit or move well.  Looks cheap.  And the shoes don't make any sense to me.

Photos: Belga/msn.dk/Svenskam/Zimbio/DANAPRESS

Mary in Washington, Day 3

Ooooohhhhhhh. This is full-on retro glam. I'm in love.

Photo: ANP/AFPPhoto/YuriGripas

This Ralph Lauren Blue Label dress is perfect for this visit to Arlington National Cemetery - it's not a funeral, there's no need for black mourning gear, but at the same time a frock too bright would be out of place.

Photos: Belga/ROYALPRESS/PPE/Nieboer

Going to the trouble of having your shoe fall off just to highlight the fabulousness of your Louboutins is a little extreme, though, Mary. ;)