Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 20-December 3

Most Improved

Queen Máxima

Visiting Colombia and Venezuela; returning home for more engagements including celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (4th, 5th, 6th from left). At far right, her mixed print look on the Spijkers en Spijkers runway.

Some of the things worn during Máx's tour of the Caribbean (her tour, yup - I think she may have brought a date) were a bit dubious - which was why I was happy to see her move on to a couple quick country visits and then home once again. I can't even get mad at her ridiculous, ridiculous sleeve action because I thought her makeup was so on point. Of course, she had to throw us a loop at the end, nabbing a look straight from the runway, unfortunate neck scarf and all.

Best in Fine

These Ladies

Letizia in Valencia and at an awards ceremony; Kate at a gala; Mathilde at a palace event and on an official visit to Luxembourg; Victoria at a seminar; Mary at a school

Well, this is obviously not comprehensive (none of it is, ever), but there was a lot of just fine work going on while I was on hiatus. I mean, fine. Nod. Approve. Forget. I did have a few favorites, including any sort of simple dress (Letizia, Mathilde), and Mary's turn there struck me with a spot of extra elegance. I also can't help but love Grand Duchess Maria Teresa for turning up the volume to welcome the Belgians - the hair! Now that's a thing of beauty. (See a video on the visit here.)

Tiara Watch!

Sweden warmed up for their sparkling Nobel festivities with an official dinner featuring Queen Silvia in the Connaught Tiara and some amethysts (YUM) and Crown Princess Victoria in the Cut Steel Tiara - with that repeated metallic Jenny Packham dress, she must have been one sparkly sight to see.

And that's all that happened in tiara news, I think. Right, guys? (Ha.) Anyway, discussion on the Duchess of Cambridge's front page-making tiara jaunt and which pieces she wore is happening over at the Jewel Vault.

And an Honorable Mention to...

Prince Harry

Video: Harry talks about breaking his toe in advance of his South Pole trek

Last but not least, here's a bearded Harry being cute in Antarctica, because I care.

Who's your best dressed?

Photos: ANP/PPE/Pool/DutchPhotoPress/Getty Images/Spijkers en Spijkers/Casa Real/PA/RTL/IBL/Abaca/Scanpix/Kungahuset

Weekly Royal Fashion Awards: November 4-11

Well, kids, it appears we're still on the mend from last week's monochromatic blergh extravaganza, but there's reason to rejoice: at least this week, we got a bit of sparkle.

Best in Black

The Duchess of Cambridge

Celebrating the University of St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Appeal; Remembrance Day with the rest of the royal family

Kate didn’t get a chance to contribute to last week’s black and white theme, so she pitched in this week with her repeated Temperley gown. She was just getting prepped for Remembrance Day, where black is required and repeats are most welcome. I do appreciate her effort, at least, with the red clutch to match her red poppy pin in the evening. (For those unfamiliar, Remembrance Day is held to honor those that lost their lives in armed conflict, and the poppy is the symbol for remembrance thanks to the poem "In Flanders Fields". More little details: the Duchess is wearing a crystal poppy brooch, the Countess of Wessex is wearing the badge of the 5th Battalion The Rifles of which she is Royal Colonel, and the Queen is wearing the Dorset Bow Brooch.)

Best in Navy

Princess Letizia

Opening the El Canon del Boom literary congress; visiting Caspe

Navy or tan, navy or tan, I pick…Felipe’s pink tie.

Best in Gold

Crown Princess Mary

Attending a concert at Fredensborg Palace with the rest of the royal family

Love this sparkly little repeat. It’s like another (different) take on the gold she wore for Princess Estelle’s christening, and the jacket made a tiara appearance earlier this year. Plus, it’s more festive than Marie’s rather somber outfit, and dressier than Daisy in her flowing pantsuit. (At least Margrethe's got her role as Dorothy in the royal Golden Girls all sealed up. And, bonus: her version of Dorothy comes with a slipper-wearing beau.) Mary's been on a trip too, and we'll talk about that tomorrow.

Best in Red

Princess Máxima

Visiting Istanbul

Red! And emeralds to boot...I guess she's getting ready for Christmas.

And an Honorable Mention to…

Princess Madeleine

Attending the presentation of the Raoul Wallenberg Civic Courage Award in New York City – her first official engagement with her fiancé

I’m not completely sure this dress isn’t just someone’s repurposed mummy costume from Halloween, but she sure does look happy to be officially on the arm of Mr. Chris there. Bonus points for good hair.

Who made your best list last week?

Photos: Getty Images/Purepeople/Abaca/Dutch Photo Press/Star/BestImage

Random Royal Appreciation: Partying with the Windsors

The Windsors were out and about in force last night, shall we check in?

Let us first spend a moment with Charles and Camilla at the premiere of the new James Bond movie, and let us spend that moment gazing at Camilla's necklace.

A new-to-Camilla piece, and it's amethysts to boot! Now, I'm never really sure whether I like heart-shaped stones (heaven help us if she starts to reenact her favorite scene from Titanic), but I am sure that I like pieces unearthed from the vaults, and I believe that's just what we have on our hands here.

The heart-shaped amethyst necklace immediately reminded me of a piece discussed in Leslie Field's The Queen's Jewels which was a wedding gift from Queen Alexandra to the Queen Mother in 1923. It's described as "three rows of small pearls interspersed with eight large oval amethysts, each surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. Hanging from the front largest cluster is a heart-shaped amethyst pendant surrounded by brilliants, and from the four side clusters hang oval amethyst drops surrounded by brilliants." According to Field, it was given to the Queen sometime after her own wedding. Allowing for inevitable redesign and variance in description, it seems a good match to me.

And also, Windsors, if you're going to start spreading your jewels around (see: Camilla there, plus Sophie in Luxembourg), hows about we get some new diamonds for our friend Kate, hmm?

The Duchess of Cambridge tagged along with the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Princess Eugenie, and who knows who else for a reception honoring Team GB Olympic and Paralympic medalists. The Queen was in refreshing ice blue, Anne in sharp red, and Kate in a customized version of an ALICE by Temperley dress (below). I think I'd rather have the original, myself, but oh well.

Kate was sporting the same diamond bracelet (and earrings too, I believe) we've seen her in multiple times since her wedding. I love that she's finding as many reasons as she can to wear the diamonds she has, and I think some variety is in order. C'mon Lilibet, make it happen. (And speaking of QEII, the low-down on her diamond selections for the evening can be found at the Queen's Jewel Vault, as always.)

Photos: Getty Images/PA/MyWardrobe

Royal Trip Report: The Cambridges in Asia, Part 4

Here we go again! This is our final installment of Cambridge trip fun. Take a look back if you like:

Part 1 (Singapore)

Part 2 (Singapore to Malaysia)

Part 3 (Malaysia to the Solomon Islands)

The trip’s over now, and they seem to have saved the best stuff for last. Dancing royals, coming atcha…

Day 7: Events in Honiara in the Solomon Islands

Sunshine yellow! And here we have a textbook example of why royals are great in bright colors: you can pick them out of a grass skirt line up, no problem.

Her Jaeger dress, and the necklace she was given

Even looks good with a floral headdress and a Princess Kate necklace. Perfect.

Day 7: Still in the Solomon Islands, en route to a private island for some down time

And then the couple switched roles, and she let William’s shirt be the guiding light.

Her Mulberry dress, with a look at the fabric and the necklace she was given

I even like the wedges with this one, so there.

Day 8: Leaving the Solomon Islands and arriving in Tuvalu for an evening of fun. Warning: this video contains royal dance moves, which you will find either adorable or embarrassing – definitely one of the two. You’ve been warned.

She’s amassing quite the collection of the little yellow dresses, isn’t she? There’s the one above, this one (by an “independent dressmaker”), plus the Jenny Packham spotted on the last tour. Of the three…this is definitely my least favorite. Nevertheless, it’s not a bad backdrop for her Island Queen for the Day accessories!

The evening dress and personalized fan, plus daytime accessories

Would never in a million years have picked this Alice by Temperley gown for the evening off a rack for her, but it works. It works perfectly, in fact. That Cathleen, she’s so clever.

Day 9: Leaving Tuvalu for home, with a stop at the Brisbane Airport

I say we officially dub this the trip of the shirt sort of dress, or the trip of the full-ish skirted dress. We can work on the name.

Her Project D dress for the farewell, and the more comfortable outfit seen in Brisbane

And that's that, the biggest dose of Cambridge you'll get all year. Big decision time now:

What was your favorite outfit from the Duchess this trip?

Photos: Jaeger/Mulberry/Net-a-porter/Bauer Griffin/Getty Images/Brisbane Airport

Royal Trip Report: The Cambridges in Asia, Part 3

We're picking back up on day 4, still in Malaysia (I can barely figure out what days and what countries these things are happening on and in, I can't imagine how fuzzy these two must be by now)...

Day 4: Tea party at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kuala Lumpur, followed by travel to Sabah

The Duke and Duchess soldiered on in spite of all the...uh...stuff going on, with Kate in a custom version of this Alice Temperley dress. Fancy hair alert: she's upped her updo with added pearl decorations.

Day 5: Visiting the Danum Valley rainforest

Jungle chic, I suppose? Anyway, from there it was back in dresses for the flight to the Solomon Islands and more new outfits.

Day 6: Arriving in the Solomon Islands and attending a thanksgiving service for the Queen, followed by an island feast in the evening

Loving the island dress for the evening, which was an official gift and which she decided to wear just a bit before departing. Spontaneity suits her, and the wedges work perfectly.

Jonathan Saunders dress and accessories; the evening print and shoes

As for the day outfit, I've been waiting for her to wear Jonathan Saunders and I'm not disappointed. It's cute, with a touch of retro, though I must confess it's hard to focus on the outfit when they're traveling in a truck/boat/thingy. That's the way to travel, I'm telling you.

We'll pick back up on day 7 later this week.


Photos: Getty Images/Harrods/Net-a-porter

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 8-14 January

1. Attending the premiere of War Horse, 8 January, in a black lace dress from Temperley. Team Updo! That's all.

Photo: Zimbio/Getty Images

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, 3 - 9 July, Part 3

(Previously, on Kate n' Wills Take North America....) And now we've arrived at the end of the Canada trip, and the moment we've all been waiting for: the cowboy hats. Canadian Judgement Day, coming up:

1. Arrival in Calgary, 7 July, a) on Kate with the ubiquitous LK Bennett nude heels and LK Bennett clutch, b) from Jenny Packham, and c) and d) the problem with the thing.

Yellow! Girly! Sort of a wee Fifties flair with a dash of schoolgirl thrown in just for kicks! You know I love it. Sadly, though, I do think this highlights one of the reasons Kate should just get a dresser already. I mean, we know she's a DIY girl, but one can't help but think things might have turned out better if there'd been someone on wind forecast watch, standing by with a pencil skirt with an extra lead-weighted hem and a hair tie, just in case. For not only did Kate come perilously close to a Marilyn moment, she also was so busy taking care of her hair and her skirt that she and Wills did not put on the cowboy hats they were given at the famous White Hatting ceremony. A disappointment for the crowd, the photographers, and enough of a faux pas that their press secretary had to clarify that they weren't snubbing anyone. All was forgiven in the end, because Kate gave a 6-year-old girl with Stage 4 cancer and a dream of meeting a real princess a big hug (TEARS), and then this happened....

2. a) Reception at the Calgary Stampede, 7 July, in b) an Alice by Temperley top, jeans, and brown boots.

3. a) Opening the Stampede, 8 July, in Temperley London (b - the "Rodeo" top, natch) and jeans.

It's full-on Cambridge Cowboy Chic! Yeehaw, y'all! I watched the live stream of some of reception, and the whole thing was completely hilarious. I had no idea Canada had its very own Texas. Anyway, the kids do Western well, no? I think they win the prize for best rodeo royal appearance, wouldn't you say? Most especially Cowboy Wills, who looked right at home rocking the hands-on-hips stance. Let me know when Temperley starts opening mass boutiques in the south-central U.S., I'll buy some stock or something.

 4. a) and b) At the Calgary Zoo and departing Canada, 8 July, in Catherine Walker and sporting c) the Queen's Maple Leaf Brooch with her nude clutch and those nude LK Bennett shoes once again.

Red, finally! And the Queen's brooch worn the right way! Kate went out with a bang, didn't she? She looks fab in red, and this is princess perfect. I'm especially loving the wee flair at the bottom, and the sleeve length.

And with that, William and Catherine said goodbye to Canada. Next stop: Los Angeles! (Stay tuned for the one and only black tie event of the trip!)


Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/AP Photo/Alice Temperley/Jenny Packham

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 26 June - 2 July, Part 1

During the Cambridge's North American tour, I'll be splitting Catherine's looks into multiple review posts since even I don't write posts as crazy long as a full week would be. So, Part 1:

1. At the royal box for Wimbledon, 27 June, a) on Kate and b) with the LK Bennett shoes on display; c) the dress from Temperley London, and d) Secret Agent Wills at Wimbledon, just because I find him entertaining. Kate also wore those diamond and sapphire Are-They-Or-Aren't-They-Diana's earrings again, as well as the famous Bracelet of Controversy, and carried a beige clutch and a brown jacket.

I said it on Twitter, and I'll say it again: kicky little tennis dress. I like it, and I'm ever so glad she didn't have to put the jacket on top. The detail on the back of the straps would bug the crap out of me if I wore this - looks like the kind of thing that would get all messed up on your seat back, or that someone could stand behind you and flick at. (I guess this means we know Secret Agent Wills isn't the kind of husband that annoys his wife for sport.)

2. Leaving Heathrow Airport for Canada, 30 June, a) on Kate, b) the dress from Roland Mouret, and c) the jacket from Smythe. Her shoes are Manolo Blahniks and her bag is Mulberry.

Basically, if I had the money - and the body, but that's a different discussion - my daily uniform would be Roland Mouret and Manolos. Kudos are due to Mrs. Cambridge here: she went French (Mouret), Canadian (Smythe), British (Mulberry) and Fabulous (Blahnik), all in one outfit. That's the mark of a black belt in international political dressing. And this is just the ho-hum, excuse me while I board my private plane look.

3. Arriving in Canada and the first events of the day in Ottawa, 30 June, a) on Kate, and b) from Erdem, with the same shoes and clutch as at Wimbledon. She also wore the diamond and cabochon sapphire earrings she wore on engagement day.

4. An evening barbecue with young people, 30 June, in an Issa dress.

I'd say Erdem's the biggest Canadian name in high fashion, so the second outfit of the day is a smart move indeed. There's that black belt again, karate-chopping her way into Canada's arms. As for the actual dress...eh. Maybe I'm just a little burnt out on the navy overload, or maybe I'm just not a fan of navy lace dresses. I have no complaints of substance here, it just doesn't flip my skirt up. Sadly, neither does the last dress (which she's had for a long time and was last seen the day before the wedding), and I blame it on one thing: the shoes. Can we have the Manolos back, please? (And yes, I know, more comfortable, long day, etc. But my shoe-loving heart wants what it wants.)

How's she doing so far? Do you have a favorite look yet?

Photos: PA/Daily Mail/Film Magic/Getty Images/Daylife/AP Photo/Net-a-porter/Globe and Mail/Chris Wattie/Reuters

Royal & Non-Royal Fashion Awards: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge's Evening Wedding Party

After the wedding, the lunch and a "time of reflection" for the bride and groom at Clarence House (which the talking heads on the broadcast I watched were quick to toss innuendo at), it was time to party. A très exclusive evening bash at Buckingham Palace was hosted by Charles and orchestrated by Harry and The Pips, and lasted well into the morning hours. And you know what that means...more fashion to judge. Let's go:

Best in Hair

Zara Phillips

 

Top, left to right: Zara Phillips with Mike Tindall, Princess Anne with Tim Laurence

Bottom, left to right: the three eldest Spencer sisters with their brother Viscount Althorp, Lady Sarah McCorquodale (and is that her daughter Emily behind her?)

Being a private party, photos were limited to guests coming and going. Endless questions about what gowns they wore will never be answered. So, hair evaluation it is. Princess Anne and Lady Sarah may win in the bling department, but their hair is nothing to chat about. In the young and blonde category, Zara's sleek updo wins out over the assorted peroxide Spencers. Her hair throughout the wedding festivities has been excellent; I hope this was a trial go for the hairdresser she'll use for her wedding.

Best in Questionable Gowns

Chelsy Davy

L to R: Princess Beatrice in purple Marchesa, Chelsy Davy in blue Alberta Ferretti

Even among the guests that we did get full-length shots of, I still have some questions. For example: WHAT is happening with Bea's dress in that second picture? Should we just be glad those kicks don't have toilet paper stuck to them? (I do love the shoes, though. Good for her for not pretending like a day in 4 inch heels doesn't take a toll.) I also question Chelsy's second Alberta Ferretti concoction of the day. The sketch looks great, but so did the sketch for her teal number, and we all saw what happened there. Nevertheless, I'll give it a prize. Awarded for sheer potential, I guess.

Best of the Rest

Pippa Middleton

 L to R: Princess Eugenie, Pippa Middleton, the Duchess of Cornwall, Carole Middleton, Rose Ruck Keene, Olivia Hunt, Lady Rose Astor

Eugenie's looking fab in another great shape which must be Westwood. Camilla stuck with the same designer for the whole affair as well, and Anna Valentine certainly suits her - but this is a repeat. Out of funds for more new clothes? Mrs. M.'s showing off that diet she was supposedly on in her Diane von Furstenberg, but I do love her hair up. Of the last three friends, Olivia Hunt is my favorite in a true red carpet gown, Lady Rose Astor's doing some sort of updated flapper thing, and Rose Ruck Keene's...fine. It's The Pips that takes my  prize, as she plunges low yet again in another step on her quest for world domination. A perfect example of the prettiness that is so uniquely Temperley.

One last attendee, in a category all his own:

The Party Prince himself, working the open tuxedo look. You're welcome.

And in other party news...

Pavlos and Marie-Chantal hosted a party for some of those that didn't warrant an invite to the exclusive Buck House bash. Among the attendees were Victoria and Daniel and Katherine and Alexander.

Victoria's so cute. I love the little mod shirt dress. Still don't like the YSL shoes, but with this dress, they work.

UPDATE: More attendees at the other after party at Pavlos and M-C's casa - Anne-Marie and Constantine and Prince and Princess Michael.

Who makes your list of favorites? And how long do you think it will be until The Pips achieves full world domination?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Aftonbladet/Big Picture Photo/Daily Mail/Splash/Isopix