So work. Much hard. Very buttons.
Duchess Kate was back to her Buttony Glory today at the grand reopening of the Bletchley Park Government Code and Cypher School. It cost £8m to restore, and Kate has a family connection to the place, which I will get to in a moment. First, she wore a repeat. And it was glorious!!!! Ha. Kate first wore this BUTTONS BUTTONS BUTTONS buttony Alexander McQueen ensemble in 2011, just a few months after she and William got married. It has a very nautical theme (she wears so many nautically-themed clothes) and I hated it the first time around, mostly because it looks totally ‘80s and because it was wrong for the occasion the first time (meeting families who lost loved ones in a violent riot). It still seems like a bad choice for this occasion, but I guess the point is that Kate is super-thrifty and she really had to go back into her archives to find this one.
As for Kate’s connection to Bletchley Park and the codebreakers of World War II, apparently her grandmother Valerie Glassborow worked at the code-breaking headquarters. That’s really cool! Does anyone else watch the TBV series Bletchley Circle? I love that show. Season 2 was great too, especially after that one character left (no spoilers). You can read more about Kate’s familial attachment to Bletchley Park here.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.
Jeez it’s hideous. But it’s nice that she’s making so many appearances lately
I think she likes blue and white outfits cause they match her ring.
Her skin looks better. Could be good light or better makeup though
“appearances”???? you mean work!
Visiting a friend of grandma is considered “work” to you? To most, it’s what we might try to do on a day off! At least she’s learning to wear fitted skirts.
curious cole, it’s probably sarcasm.
Kate either got this outfit properly tailored and she was even more underweight than anyone realized at the time.
This outfit is also better the 2nd time around without being engulfed by her extensions. Seriously. This is 1 of the best arguments to show that Kate did have loads of extensions.
And her makeup might be as harsh as usual, but many, many photos where editing is standard also buffs out and softens her extreme makeup.
We rarely see a true photo. Also, why so many people are shocked at how she looks in untouched photos and her 1st portrait.
I like it ok. Her family connection is cool. She really has a unique body structure. Ehhh nothing else to say.
perfect for an English Duchess
heidi
Englsih beauty is beauty in it’s own way from what i’ve learned. Top example being Diana. She’s called a true English Rose. Meaning (as best I understand) she isn’t gorgeous, but she has a classical English look.
Is Kate’s body structure typical for English Duchesses? Do many English Duchesses also have similar structures of wide shoulders and narrow hips? Kind of like how years upon years upon years ago larger women were more desired. It’s a topic worth discussing.
Serious question.
Perhaps one day we will live in a world where a ‘serious question’ is not one where are you are debating a woman’s physique.
She probably thinks this is a military look. It’s not. It’s Dynasty.
You’re right it is! It just needs the six foot wide shoulders and she’d be well away…
God, that is just an odd-looking outfit. It’s giving me JCPenney 1987 vibes. Freaking me out-it looks like it is poly-rayon. Now I wish she would flash her ass to distract me from those buttons.
She does love a good theme.
Yes! Very Alexis Carrington Colby (insert next husband’s name here) and so on. But it’s also very, very McQueen.
With all these appearances, I feel like she’s telling us all to have a stadium of seats.
I kinda like Kate’s Rhythm Nation get up. Ms. Cambridge if you’re nasty.
Oh my god!!! Ms. Cambridge if you’re nasty! Bahahahaha!
Yeah, I’m not seeing a stadium until she does more than a few visits a week. I know that is a part of the job, but until she gets active in her job, I’m staying weary.
“So work. Much hard. Very buttons.”
Jensndndjdndjsb Bwahahahahah I.Cant.Breeaatthe May Doge Speak Never ever die
Wow.
She looks pretty as usual, if a bit too thin.
Even though I dislike this dress, I’m happy that word seems to have finally sunk into her elementary brain past her massive extensions that there shall be no more flippy little dresses that waft up with every tiny breeze to bestow the world with yet another bum-flash.
This.
Yeah, I think the reason we’re seeing so many of these older outfits repeated is because someone (lookin at you, Queen) has put her foot down about all the flippy, too light, short skirts. No bum-gates with a nice pencil skirt!
She looks bad! I don’t know where to start, the skin, the makeup, the hairs, the hands grabbing her ass and crouch, the skeleton scary thin frame. I think she is deteriorating with each paying year rather then getting better. She doesn’t look like a happy, content woman to me. She looks so old and without any real charm or emotions
Oh the Middleton side of the family is .turning out to be more and more likeable to me. great work nannna! I do wonder what her grandmother thought of get acting like a1930 housewife, doing nothing and just waiting for a man to call when she herself worked when it wasn’t a norm for women to be more then a mother and a housewife. I wonder whether she disapproved of Kate acting in such a regressive manner and waste away all the opportunities she had to wait for a engagement ring.
You know she has a lot of button-y McQueens to repeat when my first assumption when I saw this headline was she had reworn this: http://www.dressity.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Kate-Middleton-Military-Coat-Alexander-Mcqueen.jpg
I don’t like this outfit, probably mostly due to its association with that tone deaf visit. But glad to see one of her more expensive outfits getting revisited.
Tone deaf indeed. I had no idea when she wore this outfit for the first time. I don’t really like it either, but i felt like it was time to reuse some of the clothes she has.
This has been bugging me to be honest. At this point she really turned into a clothes horse, which is such a waste. She has been wearing very expensive new clothes but i am so disappointed about her lack of commitment.
I’m sure i would mind less if she did more useful things with her position. And i really envy her for that. There are so many good causes out there that could benefit greatly from a connection with her. (I realise i’m not even using the word ‘patronage’ here anymore, which is all the more sad..)
What was tone-deaf about the visit to which she wore the navy coat…?
Rosehip,
Amen. It seems there is no ‘there’ there, which is unfortunate because a lot of charities and therefore people could have benefited.
Kristina,
The tone deaf reference was in reference to the blouse and skirt, not the coat. I liked the coat quite a bit, it was just very in keeping with her literal dress sense (military-themed coat to a military review).
Kristina
There’s a link I believe on this page. She wore it to visit survivors of a terrible Riot goverment related. That’s why the military themed dress was a poor choice.
I didn’t like this outfit the first time either, but not because it was tone deaf (and it was really tone deaf). I thought it was too matchy matchy. Kate strikes me as one of those people that wears an outfit exactly the way it’s shown on the model/mannequin. I don’t like her fashion sense which would actually make it awesome to be her personal shopper/stylist. I always thought it would be hard to work as a personal shopper for someone who can afford endless pieces and you constantly covet every item in their closet. But Kate? Nope. I wouldn’t have that problem. I like some of her stuff, but I could easily do without most of them.
Her granny Glassborow (and twin sister, apparently) may be the coolest thing about Kate. The article says they worked in Hut 16 where the German Enigma code was cracked. Just… wow.
They super-glued her purse to her crotch so there’d be no more skirt fly-ups?
I love this. Loved it the first time, love it now.
Me too. But I LOVE buttons.
I like she is aging faster than any 32 year old I’ve ever seen.
I don’t mind the repeat outfit, but you’d think she could change it up a little. Wear the blouse with a different skirt (or beautiful trousers), wear a more modern and interesting shoe? Same goes for the skirt – wear it with a different top, sweater, or jacket. It’s not as if she doesn’t have a wardrobe to work with, she just isn’t very imaginative.
That hair with the nearly center part is not at all flattering. And keep your damned hands out of your hair! Geez Louise, so juvenile. And the makeup, well I’ve given up on that. Looks as if she plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps in that regard.
The good thing is that there wasn’t any flashing going on.
I think wearing a proper business suit or a pant suit doesn’t go with her persona and the role she has chosen to play of a dutiful, expensive, proper, without opinions or original thought, loyal housewife of 1950’s. A business pant suit or a suit represents a modern, strong, independent, self sufficient woman and as I said it doesn’t go with the kind of woman and role she has chosen to be IMHO.
I completely agree with you, she is a Stepford Wife, through and through.
I had a typo in my first sentence, it should have read, “I THINK she is aging……” I don’t like that she’s aging so fast, but there are some things she could do to turn the clock back.
Apparently she smokes like a chimney to keep the weight off.
That might explain why her skin looks so tortured at times.
Smoking is blamed for everything. Ugh. I smoke a pack a day (and no it’s not said with pride) and love the beach and at thirty, I look mid twenties. I also don’t know any other smokers who are over aging. Stop blaming cigarettes for everything.
@Stephanie – it will catch up to you. Cigarettes are terrible for your health and sunning is bad for your skin, period. I have friends who were ardent smokers and sunners all their lives, and looked great until they hit their 40s and 50s. Boom – wrinkles, sallow colour, sagging, age spots, coughing up a lung every morning, unable to climb stairs without gasping. When it happens it happens quickly. Oh, did I mention my friend with lung cancer and melanoma on her leg?
Watching my father die of smoking related emphysema and heart disease was horrible. He had to have an oxygen mask the last 5 years of his life and could barely make it down the hall of his apartment building.
You’re hiding your head in the sand if you think you’ll stay youthful and healthy with those habits.
She probably eats a very low fat diet too, which is also bad for your skin (healthy fats found in things like avocados and salmon give you healthy glowing skin).
@jaded my head is not in the sand. I’m fully aware of the consequences of smoking by living with them and watching family. That still doesn’t explain her aging. You said 40’s 50’s. She is 32.
Yeah smoking is horrible for your health but it’s ridiculous that anyone would assume that smoking is the only factor here.
I quit smoking after 33 years, 5 months ago. One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed is the colour of my tongue. I hope this isn’t TMI, but it is such a pretty pink now. It was always an angry red colour. When I go by the mirrors in my home, I stick my tongue out just to see the colour. It’s kinda neat.
Haha Lady D! I haven’t been able to quit but I’ve tried a few times. I always cut my nails and marvel in how white they grow back.
Oh Vava! I’ve said this so many times. It’s great that she repeats clothes, but not so great that she repeats the ENTIRE look. I understand doing this when there are custom pieces that are made to work together, but she does this with separates too.
We’re all aging though. The opposite, would be death and who wants that? Lol.
But I must say, I will never understand people who are suppose to be so health conscious (as Kate has been described) yet they continue to smoke? That doesn’t much sense to be and seems like it would defeat the purpose of eating healthy. Weird.
wow, where did you hear she was health conscious? her (fairly) recent extreme weight loss, and less than glowing skin and hair are hardly the hallmarks of someone who is health conscious. osteoporosis and a myriad of other health problems await her down the road if she keeps this up!
@cynthia/wow – I don’t think Kate is health conscious b/c that implies worrying about the inside of your body. Kate comes off as more worried about the outward appearance. So while we hear about her dieting and working out, I don’t think shes’ concerned about anything other than looking good.
HH – exactly!!!!
Horrible, horrible hair. Do something with it. Cut it. Cute bob. Updo. Anything. It does not flatter her.
OMG for reals. The hair all the time! Cut it please!
I know we see her in those blue skinny jeans.. but has she ever worn a pant suit. or is that a no no.
I think she would look great in a pant suit with flowy pants.
and I think she would look great if hadn’t dieted herself down to skeletal proportions.
Just like last time, I like the skirt and the shirt-just not together. WAY to busy.
This would have been the perfect time for a half updo.
I totally agree. The blouse with a plain skirt or the skirt with a less fussy top. But not both.
I would have liked it more if her hair was up.
I update my wardrobe more often than Kate does.
She makes such a limited number of appearances: she can’t afford to buy new outfits after three years? I know that Diana ruined my expectations (she repeated things so rarely, it was a banner headline when she did), but it’s past ridiculous now. Everyone knows that William has millions from his mother and most of his living expenses covered by his father. Buy new clothes.
Then again, if Kate listened to anyone’s advice, she’d have ditched that stupid eyeliner years ago.
oh my all the articles about her lately bore me to death… don´t get me wrong, it´s nice that she finally does something. This must be the hardest week in her life!
But damn she is so boring. I can´t remember what all her apperances were about?! Can´t even remember her charities. All i remember is that she always looks the same just with another dress… same hair, same eyeliner and same grin. It is like looking at a paper doll in different clothes and hats. Kate has one facial expression, one hair style and no voice 🙁
I had hope when they married… i thought she will surprise us all!!!! But no, nothing is happening. She is a silent clothes horse and it sucks.
I agree that she’s boring. She just doesn’t have charisma but that’s not exactly her fault. Some people naturally have that certain punch that makes them interesting and she doesn’t have that. I used to like her when I paid minimal attention to her but now that I’ve started paying attention and looking through the years it’s just the same thing every time. She seems so fake and constructed. The only time she seems to have a spark of personality is with Prince George. That’s why I like those articles.
Well, seeing as she’s done nothing for them in ages, I’m not surprised you don’t remember her charities. She probably has to be reminded what they are too.
I’m not fond of this look, but it does prove to me once again that tall, slender frames can make even the most nauseating outfit look presentable. Plus her smile pretty much sells anything. She looks happy with her life.
But still not feeling this outfit though. Sorry, Kate.
I guess the outfit is ok, but did she need the clutch? I think she can walk and talk to people without holding something in her hands, there’s a picture on DM that shows she can. A half up half down hairstyle would’ve been more professional and polished during this visit. Will she ever be styled right?
If she doesn’t attend Ascot this week, I will be very disappointed in her. She has no excuse not to go, unless Bully Willy won’t let her go and/or the Queen didn’t invite her. I can’t see her missing an opportunity to show off an expensive designer outfit, shoes, and hat; she lives for occasion such as Ascot. I can understand her not attending last year because she was preggers with Prince Gorgeous, but this year she better be there!
It was sooooo inappropriate the first time she wore it, but this time around it’s glorious.
Why was it inappropriate the first time she wore it? I obviously missed that. I think it’s a not bad outfit, I kind of like the homage to the 80s look.
She wore it to meet the parents of the boy killed during the Birmingham riots.
It was also fairly early in the marriage when she really was wearing high street all the time, and for that day of all days she chose to show up in a several thousand dollar designer ensemble – to visit people who had just lost everything. I don’t think she did it intentionally but ignorance or apathy is not an excuse, particularly for someone who is continually lauded in the press for the “thought” she puts into her clothing.
What everyone said.
Low key clothing and styling would have been appropriate for the situation. It was a week or two after the riots. Residents were still devastated.
it also stood out because she had been wearing high street clothing until then.
She forgot her trombone! Carrying one would totally take this over the top in chicness.
This is so brass band costumey it makes me want to belt out the Music Man song “76 Trombones”.
LOL……………
I know the purpose of recycling her clothes, but I’m getting tired of it – it would be nice to see her in new clothes. She can always sell what she wore on ebay, mmkay?
My something nice………her hair looks good. Healthy and not bogged down with sausage curls.
Oh god not this out outfit again. To me, it seems like the designer had a ton of buttons left and decided to get it over in one outfit. They chose this one. I used to not notice the eyeliner but she definitely overdid it here.
This outfit should have been mixed and matched on the second go-around. I like the separate components, but those buttons are too much together between the skirt and blouse. Maybe Kate was trying to match the buttons used on the codebreaking machines as a symbolic effect, lol. I’d have given my eyeteeth to have had a go on one of those decoding instruments; I watch the marvelous Bletchley Circle and Kate should be very proud of the role her granny played during the war as a codebreaker. Those women had to keep their role hidden from their families for a good many years after the war, having had signed strict confidentiality agreements that eventually expired.
Loved The Bletchley Circle and am so mad it won’t have a third season. And visiting Bletchley Park is on my bucket list.
My husband was walking out during his lunch time break when bill middleton and waity were here in Wellington, New Zealand. He saw kate up reasonably close. He came home and said MY GOD SHE WEARS A TONNE OF MAKEUP in reality. He also said she had major fag face and pock marked skin. He sensed there was a nicotine patch or 3 under her sharply tailored coat dress. Indeed the public never see untouched photos of her.
A friend of mine saw her in Calgary when she was in the Stampede Parade – she and William were the honorary Grand Marshalls I think. Anyway, she couldn’t get over how frail Kate was. They were both wearing western gear – shirts, cowboy hats and jeans – and the jeans made Kate look downright skeletal. Prior to that, she’d been wearing a lot of flowy dresses and skirts which can create the illusion of a more womanly figure i guess.