Thursday evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended a vigil in Thiepval, France to memorialize and honor the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Somme. Thousands of British men/boys were killed in the battle. The Battle of Somme was actually the bloodiest day of battle in British military history. Kate looked respectful and appropriate in her (expensive) Missoni coat. Well, the younger royals stayed overnight and joined a large contingent of dignitaries today, Friday, for the memorial service. The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, David Cameron and Francois Hollande were also in attendance today.
Most of the men wore dark suits, but for what it’s worth, not everyone wore somber black. Prince Charles even wore a bright navy suit, and I can see that some women were wearing brown and shades of blue. Kate might have wanted to stand out in a lighter color, but I don’t think she’s completely off-side in this beige-y lace dress.
According to the Daily Mail, this dress is a bespoke piece, meaning that someone made it for her, likely to her exact specifications. Meaning she really wanted a dress that looked like this. Which offends me. This dress, while arguably appropriate, is absolutely ugly. I don’t understand a faux-antique lace overlay with black fabric underneath. I don’t understand the Peter Pan collar, nor do I understand the peplum. I guess I’m offended most of all because I feel like Kate sat down with some dressmaker and they sketched it out and this is really Kate’s vision. Someone needs to move her away from lace dresses in general though – she relies too heavily on the doily look. Something nice: I am glad she wore a pencil skirt, so at least she’s not in danger of flashing at the memorial. Also: her hat is a repeat and it’s Philip Treacy.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
This confirms it…she has no taste.
I hope she goes back into hiding for awhile.
Wimbledon next week!!
Aside from not having any taste whatsoever, Kate fails to understand that memorial events she should dress in a manner as to not draw attention to herself. It’s not about HER, it’s about paying tribute and honoring the people who have died. Her choices were terrible this time around, just as bad as the Pink Coat Incident.
What’s annoying is how the Daily Mail commentators has forgiven her for her lack of work ethic its Pathetic!
I showed my boyfriend the pink coat and his response was, “what an indecent, disrespectful outfit. She’s disgusting.”
This is just hideous. She didn’t flash anyone at the memorial, so there’s that.
Yes thats what we are saying about her showing her legs yet again look at me and dress on such a sombre occasion where so many died she just doesnt cut the mustard in that hideous outfit ..why is it the family her sister and mother always but always want to show so much of their legs
why didnt she wear long coat at memorial service .. On the plus side she didnt flash her knickers this time round … she is so ghastly …
Bit harsh… showing your age…
OMG! She’s not clutching her crotch!
Enough with the lace already. This dress looks hideous and inappropriate for this somber occasion IMO. I guess she wanted to be seen SMH.
You’re right! I didn’t realize it at first, but on neither occasion is she walking while holding that clutch with both hands, she’s actually walking like a normal person! How’d that happen?
I don’t blame the person who makes her bespoke clothing not wanting their name put to it as it’s always terrible. There’s just so much going on with it on top of an already awful print/design whatever you want to call it.
You know this dress started out differently in the dressmakers head.
Imagine it edited down. No collar, no peplum, more on trend lace, different colours. It could work.
That or she came in with the idea fully fledged.
Either way, no wonder it’s ‘bespoke’ and not named. You’d think the dressmaker would want the exposure.
I’d like it if it didn’t have those awful ’80s poufy shoulders and Peter Pan collar. I can’t stand anything that looks so little-girl. Otherwise it’s quite pretty, and definitely conservative enough for the ceremony.
Me, too. A few edits and the dress would be pretty.
To me, it reads WWII silhouette in a WWI fabric.
It’s a mess.
That’s a good way of putting it. In one of the pics above, the lace overlay looks a bit like canvas or burlap
My thought exactly. I don’t see anything worth redeeming in this dress.
I think it’s even worse than her Ascot mess.
I like it. Clearly I have no taste lol. I would probably pass right by it on a rack, but when I stop and look at someone else in it, I could see myself thinking “aw, that’s really feminine and pretty.”
me too! sort of! I like it on her, but I personally hate peplum. Other than that, I like the lace! But I like lace. I do think she looks nice in a pencil skirt, she should wear them more often
I like it too. Apart from the peplum.
But considering everything its appropriate.
The dress sort of has a Dita Von Teese vibe to it.
Same here, I like it too.
Add me in here, but I don’t like the peplum or PP collar. Otherwise I think it’s very feminine and appropriate.
Also think she looks appropriate and pretty, although I’m no fan of peplums or puffy sleeves. Her heels are perfect and spot on.
I feel the same. Get rid of the collar and make the shoulders sleek and it would be very pretty.
I’m ok with the material, but that design/style/cut is absolutely hideous. Why does she dress so old-fashioned?
Downton Abbey cosplay
But those clothes on DA were, for the most part, stunning. The fabrics, the cut and the overall styling. I see none of that here.
holy sh*t, you’re right on the money, Kaiser
She wore lace on her wedding day at the height of her popularity. She’s been wearing it ever since. It’s starting to smack of Miss Havisham.
So ugly… The shoulders, the frills, the collar, the peplum, the fabric… Awful! Also her obsession with being skinny is really aging her face. Now I feel like a bitch but eh, this is a horrible outfit.
so it’s ok to “body shame” skinny people but not the obese ones?
She is also “age shamed” constantly, as if her looking older than she was or even older than she actually is in years is some kind of choice and crime on her part. There are legitimate criticisms of her, but I agree that she is raked over the coals for things that are off limits for anyone else.
Agree 100%
Yes, it’s mildly disturbing to read all the harsh criticism of her looks. ‘Too skinny and old-looking.’ What’s that all about?
because we on celebitchy never comment on anyone’s appearance. Not saying it’s right, it’s just observations. Not shaming them IMO. we observe men too, it’s not like only Kate gets it.
E.g. Depp has gained weight and his face looks like hell, Leo looks puffy and has a beer belly.
It’s basically more a comment on their overall health, like, wowza something doesn’t look right.
I wouldn’t call it body shaming or age shaming. People are commenting on the fact that she is severely underweight and that it ages her. The aging part isn’t to say, “ew old women” bug more so why does a 34 year old look so beyond her years. I was in the hospital and there was this anorexic lady, she looked close to 70, turns out she was 37. Things like that are just shocking because you know something is very wrong to have aged that much. And typically that aging is down to starvation of smoking, both of which are horrible for ones health. People commenting on her unhealthy frame is not shaming in the slightest. That’s just my two cents.
When I look at her and then comment (aloud/in my head/here) that she looks older than her age or looks ageD, I’m thinking:
1. her makeup ages her. Why doesn’t she have a full time make up artist, or take lessons or something?
2. Her posture ages her and may be causing her pain. Again, why no posture training, etc,
3. I am 7 or so years older than her, and she looks older than me, like I would say 10 years over her age. This is a SERIOUS aging, and not just based off of one photo. I feel entitled to observe her appearance/age because her “job” requires her to be presentable and in the public eye– so my observation of her is somewhat about job performance. I know that sounds hinkey and unfair, but a. she is super wealthy and b. this is her job– to look good. She’s not an actress who job is to act, and part of that involves appearance and we can debate whether physical appearance should be taken into account.
4. Mostly, though, her looking 10+ years over her age is scary to me/for her sake/her children’s sake. She’s a beautiful woman, and the rapid aging makes me wonder if she has cancer, some other life threatening disease, still has post-partum depression, has some sort of adjustment disorder, etc. I am not sure how taking someone’s dramatic physical change and ill-appearing physical appearance (esp when that person has a job that has a huge “physical appearance” component) is body shaming– it might be. Mostly I feel empathy, and I wonder if she is dying, physically/spiritually/mentally.
Part of it is because we’re looking at photos, not just reading text. If there were no photos, there’d be fewer, if any, comments on her or anyone’s looks.
Serious question: What else is left to comment on? Shall we talk about her “work ethic”? Gladly, I wish we would but there is nothing else to comment on, just her make up, her expressions, body, clothes, etc.
@ Anett….. yes, let’s talk about her work ethic. It would be a very short discussion, indeed. You make an excellent point, I think.
Age shamed or just calling out the startling difference between how she actually looks and how edited the images of her can be.
Ummmm….no. Just, no.
Lol I used to think bespoke was a designer *ashamed*
LOL……………..whoever designed this mess needs to remain anonymous because it certainly isn’t going to further their career. There is so much wrong with it.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
This is so poorly designed. There’s wayyyy too much going on, and the top in particular doesn’t really work for her. Maybe the bottom half with a better top would’ve been ok, but I can’t see how anyone would want an outfit like this.
I can hear Tim Gunn in my head giving the designer critique on this mess of a dress.
Make it work.
LOL………..me too. I’d love to know what Tim Gunn would say. My bet is this: “Start OVER”.
Kate is throwing all of her favorite clothing elements into one dress. Her favorite beige shoes even are echoed in the beige lace overlay. It is a classic mistake of too many elements in one dress. The designer should have been less desperate for the commission and should have asked her to chooose one or two elements.
I think she looks nice, and I love her hat!
Reluctantly, I must agree with you and go against the tide of prevailing opinion here; I think it’s lovely and suits the occasion, and I love the hat.
Me too she looks nice.
I like it too. prim and proper and lady-like, but not stuffy. she looks nice!
The light colour is completely off for an event like this. The dress might be fine for another event, but beige lace is not something appropriate for a memorial where so many soldiers died and it was the largest death toll for WWI. Black, blue, grey would have worked. It’s not like she doesn’t have outfits in those colours.
Yes, me too ! I guess I have no taste then !
I agree. I’ve seen her in a few things that are really pretty and look good/flattering on her, buuuuut everyone here hates her, so.. we are definitely the minority with giving a compliment. I don’t get it. Fashion is a personal choice and I don’t get the constant critiquing of her choices. It seems that people here rarely have anything nice to say about her.. btw, I also LOVE wedge heels sandals
**gasp**
I’m on the side of the positive reviews. Personally I think pencil skirts suit almost everyone, and this looks tailored and appropriate for the occasion. Peter Pan collar, the peplum and even the hat is a nod to the pre war era of the 1930s but the post world war 1 designs just would not translate here in the 21st century. In my opinion the lace elevates the design, had she worn this design in a tweed or wool it may have looked dated and more “costumey” and maybe even a little dowdy. Not all lace is doily-looking and while its been overused of late, lace fabric has been around for centuries and is a classic for a reason, it is feminine and lovely. The only complaint I have is the slightly puffed sleeve, it’s just a little much, but overall I like this a lot. I’m not usually a fan of her sartorial choices but this I think is nearly perfect.
But this is a WWI event, so stylistically it is off. Although I think she would have looked costume-y had she tried for WWI. FWIW, I thought she looked nice, both days. Just ok.
I’m thinking the puff sleeves are a nod to mutton Edwardian sleeves.
That said, fashion was more drapey and less structured so this structured shoulder is more 1940s despite the mutton sleeves.
I’m on the side of the positive reviews. Personally I think pencil skirts suit almost everyone, and this looks tailored and appropriate for the occasion. Peter Pan collar, the peplum and even the hat is a nod to the pre war era of the 1930s but the post world war 1 designs just would not translate here in the 21st century. In my opinion the lace elevates the design, had she worn this design in a tweed or wool it may have looked dated and more “costumey” and maybe even a little dowdy. Not all lace is doily-looking and while its been overused of late, lace fabric has been around for centuries and is a classic for a reason, it is feminine and lovely. This particular lace has a lovely leaf design. The only complaint I have is the slightly puffed sleeve, it’s just a little much, but overall I like this a lot. I’m not usually a fan of her sartorial choices but this I think is nearly perfect.
She isn’t suited to delicate, frilly designs or the silly big skirts she has adopted. She needs basic, classic tailoring instead of these silly little girl outfits with raised waists, frills, Peter Pan collars, and flowing fabrics that do not flatter.
It all looks like costumes, where the clothing is on display and she doesn’t rate an afterthought. The majority of her wardrobe wears her. The more I look at this one, the more I see a bad knockoff of Princess Grace’s civil wedding outfit.
She needs to look at Letizia’s day wear from a few years ago, plus dump Wickstead and Burton. Separates, suits with trousers and pencil skirts. A working wardrobe.
There’s a whole lot of girly frou frou going on with that dress. What a mess.
I agree. She needs to give up on trying to look twee. It’s not a good look for her, and she’s worn it to death.
On a different note – why does William always look as though he’s gritting his teeth?
I don’t mind the dress, but I think the hat looks like a little satellite dish.
I would hate it less if she removed the Peter Pan collar and the sleeves were not puffy. Peter Pan collars and puffy sleeves are so juvenile they should not be worn by anyone over age ten.
@Minnfinn Let’s make the cut off age 2.
She’d have to pay an upcharge to check those bags under her eyes. Yikes.
All the other women in the VIP group are wearing dark colours. Camilla is wearing navy blue. This is a memorial for one of the bloodiest battles in history and she has to wear something that makes her stick out. She is a disgrace. All she needed to do was to check with Camilla to see what colour scheme she was going to wear. Not hard. This memorial was not about her at all.
And when “at least she’s not flashing” is the praise she gets, the bar has been set way too low.
I’d hardly call her a disgrace. And she hasn’t had a “flashing” incident in quite a while.
A few months ago isn’t quite a while.
She wore a light coloured dress to a memorial where hundreds of thousands died, yes that is a disgrace. It is like going to a funeral wearing white. She should know better but does not care to.
Stop defending a 34 year old who still cannot grasp the basic norms of western society and yet lives a life of luxury at the taxpayers expense.
I don’t like Kate much and I thought her flashing at the Indian War Memorial was disgraceful, but just wanted to say, as an Indian, that white is an appropriate mourning color in India. Hindu funerals especially are a sea of white. I had no problem with the color in this specific case, just the blowing up part! However, bright pink for the 9/11 visit…that was plain dumb. She really needs to buckle down and do some research (over and above what Will likes)
Does one really need to check for colour coding when attending a memorial? Shouldn’t commonsense dictate that a dark colour is a safe choice to wear if in doubt?
She has so many dresses and coats in dark blue – surely one of those would have been appropriate without being too attention-grabbing?
At least she’s not in bright pink…
You’re talking about a women who wore Barbie pink to the 9/11 memorial. She has no commonsense.
While I agree that her sartorial choices are never right, wearing white to war memorial in India was alright. White happens to be a funeral color in India . Black is never worn, its a negative color.
Today’s look however is a fail. I don’t know ! Even when she has most things correctly done like a longer hemline, updo, sober colour etc she never manages to look polished! Clothes wear her rather than the other way around
Vylette: Let’s not pretend this woman is culturally sensitive. I’m willing to bet that white dress at the memorial was chosen because it ‘popped’ colourwise against the backdrop of the monument per her stated goals for India Tour wardrobe.
Yes, Lak I agree with you, she has the sensitivity of a blunt axe, but for once co-incidently her choice of color was right. Btw, if you visit royal dish you would know she wore that white dress because Diana wore a similar white dress on her visit to India comolete with breast pockets and all!
Minimum $6000 in new clothing for two appearances. Both outfits designed to make her stick out.
This colour is terrible on her, not to mention inappropriate for this event, I don’t know why someone doesn’t advise her what to wear. Gray or navy would have been perfect. She looks really bad in black too and should stay away from it, whenever possible. Lace is not my thing – Kate seems to be stuck in the 80s (trying to look like Diana?).
Her face looks haggard because she’s way too thin and probably borderline malnourished. She insists on staying so thin at the expense of her face – if she gained a bit of weight, she’d instantly look younger and better. Even 10-15 pounds would make a difference. Her makeup is another story. She should hire a nutritionist and a stylist asap.
I have been to some funerals and the ones I haven’t worn dark colors were the ones I didn’t really “care” (as the deceased was a stranger to me and I was just doing my duty) or in my grandmother case she specifically asked everybody not to wear black at her funeral (and considering that usually female family members keep the black clothes for a year she forbid my mother and my aunt to wear black for a year).
So what I’m saying is that the duchess really really isn’t feeling her duty AT ALL. And not only this time. She isn’t educated enough and she doesn’t care. Either way she has failed many many times except when the queen is around. So my guess is she knows fear and obedience. I wonder what will happen with her when the queen is gone? Because let’s face it she ignores the rest of the family including her father in law
It looks like camouflage. It’s ugly. I thought the collar was bad before I realized it was a Peter Pan collar. Egads!
In DM there is a picture where her dress blends with the gravel.
Is it just me that’s wondering if she’s pregnant or they’re trying for #3? The lack of Botox seems consistent with the period before George and Charlotte.
She is thinner than ever so probably not. But if they are trying, then we won’t hear about any morning sickness until Wimbledon is finished.
Very thin. I think she likes to choose peplums because they give an illusion of hips and a waist.
Really don’t like that fabric — lace is generally not my thing, but the cream lace overlay on top of the black is awful, and in the close-up photo it looks so odd. The only nice thing I can say is I like the 3/4 length sleeves.
And the black eyeliner is back!
The dress looks better at a distance.
and from behind. It’s a nice length and no fly up hemline are a good start (wow bar set low) for a memorial service. I do like the hat and that she has her hair up.
Her feet must hurt every time she does an appearance, I can’t imagine walking around on gravel, grass in 6 inch heels. How does she keep them on? Why does she feel the need to be as tall as William? We all know she isn’t the 5’10 that Diana was and why should anyone care?
I don’t think the color of the dress looks good on her and the black hat is too severe. She should have picked up the beige, not the black. Whole this is a mess.
All very Mother of the Groom.
I love it!!
My first thought was that I really liked this look, but I think only because it fits her so nicely. I like the pencil skirt, a lot, much better than the flowy things she ordinarily wears. I also get tired of her coat dresses, so this is different from her mainstays. After studying the design, I don’t care for most of the elements, but the overall shape is flattering, and I really like lace, so I’m ok with that. I do think that it seems like a dress for an older woman, but I don’t like her style at all
Looks like a last-minute design from Project Runway that ends in an elimination. She really is clueless in style…
Pencil skirt! This is a lovely ensemble!
Terrible all around. Lace is sooooooo 2011. Her outfit looks like a curtain that most people would not use anymore because they collect too much dust! She looks aged and outdated.
Is this part of her costume/theme-dressing again? To look like she is from the 1900s? She’s ridiculous and she never passes up on the chance to show off, does she?! I bet you this bespoke outfit was made with Kate thinking she is being smart and historically conscious by looking like a mourning widow from 100 years ago. She’s a mess.
You mustn’t know a lot about fashion if you think lace is out of style.
I must have horrid taste because I think she looks pretty good here. Lol!
When will she learn to stand up straight?! Her poor posture just bugs me. This dress is like she took all of the elements she likes from several of her favorite outfits and put them all together in one dress. Which can work sometimes, if they’re the right combination. But yay for a nice pencil skirt, that always looks good on her.
Yes thats what we are saying about her showing her legs yet again look at me and dress on such a sombre occasion where so many died she just doesnt cut the mustard in that hideous outfit ..why is it the family her sister and mother always but always want to show so much of their legs
why didnt she wear long coat at memorial service .. On the plus side she didnt flash her knickers this time round … she is so ghastly …
I like it. The color is muted and reminds me honestly of many of the older everyday khaki military uniforms. (At least in the US) That was my first impression. Many individuals think of camouflage or green uniforms but many dress uniform incorporated khaki. Granted I do not know what their uniforms were and honestly haven’t looked it up.
I guess overall I feel it is an appropriate length, it is muted in color, she is being respectful and honestly I thinks she pulls it off. It is just my opinion though.
Agreed.
You articulated what I tried to say much better.
I call it theme dressing. Frankly, she’s not in the military. She would show more respect by dressing according to custom, sombrely, like a mourner, like all the others.
I understand what your saying about theme dressing. I guess after dealing with some of the military events, ceremonies and funerals and seeing some spouses attire…this didn’t strike me as theme. I thought it was more a nod.
However, we may have put way more thought into her dress than she did.
It’s Friday before a long weekend and so I’m going to focus on the positives:
1. She’s working, somewhat consistently as of late
2. Pencil skirt! No flashings!
3. The shape of the suit is flattering to her and gives her the illusion of curves
4. Not a pale blue coat dress!
5. No wedges of doom and or jeggings
6. While I do think she appears to be a little underweight and thus it is aging her, I feel for her. The camera adds ten pounds and if I had to live under the scrutiny she does, I’d probably curl up in the fetal position in bed and never get out. And she hasn’t gone Hollywood (yet) and completely jacked up her face with fillers and surgery like others have.
You see, we CAN be positive on celebitchy! Ta ha!
well said. I appreciate she has been at a lot of events— relatively speaking– -in the last month or so rather than hiding out in Anmer.
By the way was it ever discussed on here the Katie Nicholl DM article that said the Cambridges would be full tine back in KP and Will would be leaving his helicopter job by next summer? I think a message has gotten through to them that it’s time to step it up a notch. I think the Queen passing 90 is going to be a turning point.
Bravo Adele! Hats .. fascinators off to you!
Happy 4th of July Yank CB!
This look is more suitable to the Ascot than the backyard BBQ look she wore ie- that white long lace sundress. Alternatively, that white dress could pass for cruise wear while in port.
I don’t understand why we keep seeing the stiletto heels from Kate, especially at war memorials. I guess I’m from the generation where stilettos are reserved for party nights or a date night. Therefore Kate’s look still looks wrong and in some cases it seems she mixes pieces together from entirely different generations ie- hats from the 1920’s, dresses from the 50’s, skirt patterns from the 70’s along with the 70’s wedges, lace or frills from Fred of Hollywood and the stiletto heels at somber occasions. It’s a strange, strange style for sure.
Eh, it’s beige on black, not hot pink. I think it’s occasion appropriate. I mean, it’s an ugly shade of beige, but that’s neither here nor there. Something nice: I like the hat and the updo.
Well, it’s not terrible. Neutral colour, paired with black.
Judging from the comments on the fashion, Americans have NO clue about European aristocratic dress codes. They don’t dress like commoners e.g. Celebrities. Kate’s dress is typical and absolutely perfect for a woman of her station and class and perfect for the occasion. The higher up the aristocratic class, the further away they dress from commercial designs. That includes their children. Dressing in styles like magazines (even Vogue) is contemptuously “common”. The aristocrats/royalty have nothing to prove nor need to be accepted because they are the ruling class.
So, why does Letitzia rock it? The Spanish Court has the most severe etiquette of all. Yet she manages to look a) appropriate and b) like somebody who belongs into the 21st century. Why do other Royals get it, just not Kate? Nobody forces her to channel the 1980s, nobody forces her to dress like her mother’s ghost. She has no taste, period. She’s all beige, body and soul.
Letizia has found the working wardrobe that suits her. Simple, few frills, inexpensive Spanish brands mixed with higher-end now that she’s Queen. I admit I do not like her leather culottes but she does manage to be stylish, appropriate, and professional most of the time.
Queen Letizia is a commoner much like Kate but someone determined to stay true to herself instead of absorbing the rules. A journalist before she married up and good on her, determined NOT to obey the dress codes of the class she married into. Also, no the Spanish court doesn’t have the strictest dress codes. Kate on the other hand, will do anything and everything she is told to fit in, because she is Royal only by marriage. She is determined never to outshine William, unlike Diana, lest she repeats history. Diana was an aristocrat who had her own mind and was, class wise, on equal footing with her husband. Kate however, does not have her background hence the ultra obsessive need to conform to the rules because otherwise, she could be shunted off by the firm.
If Middleton wanted to follow the rules of the BRF, she’d get off her lazy arse and work a minimum of 20 hours per week. She would control her facial expressions at events, wear underwear and weight her hems, learn how to give a speech, do her research, and generally suck it up and get to work 5 years in. She is the least conforming royal bride in recent history.
She’s not a shrinking violet. She feels free to goad and criticize her husband in public, as he feels free to do to her. W&K’s public passive aggressive sniping at each other reminds me of Charles and Diana right before the split.
@Simone,
Kate would have to actually possess “shine” to outshine William.
Clapping enthusiastically for NOTA.
So all critics of Kate Middleton automatically know nothing about fashion? Right.
Are you forgetting that Middleton just posed for Vogue?
Many of the commenters on here are from the UK and well aware of her role in this world. She is the one who is incapable of understanding that dressing like a 2 year old on Easter Sunday when you’re 34 is inappropriate.
The royals only have their position until the taxpayers throw them out. After HM passes away, all bets are off.
Could be sooner, as Brexit has shown.
I take it that you don’t realize that some of the most regular commenter on Kate posts aren’t American?
Not to mention that you’re flat out wrong. Royalty and their high society peers have traditionally been the arbiters of what’s fashionable. While there is an expectation of a certain level of conservatism when it comes to dress, that isn’t to be confused with a disinterest in fashion.
What? That’s not even remotely so -Princess Mary and Queen Rania both love high fashion. Middle Eastern royalty basically fund the Paris couture. Socialites from old European families are all over the pages of the various Vogues in designer wear.
Natalie, Rania is courtesy of American taxpayers, I mean designer clothes,cars, planes, palaces, all courtesy of Uncle Sam, she is on our dime !!!
a) Anyone young/aristo/posh is all about Vogue and other fashion mags.
b) Fashion mags love aristos back, see Daphne Guinness, Cara Delevingne, Isabella Blow, Stella Tennant.
c) You’re thinking of proper country people. Barbour jackets, Hunter wellies, horses, dogs. Those people are old. They have young relatives. See above.
d) That’s not to say that the young people won’t morph into c) above. It just means that you can’t generalise as Simone above has done.
e) People at the top of the chain don’t have to pay attention to what other people are wearing. It doesn’t mean that they don’t.
She spent hours with the designer, designing something ugly and intended to make her stick out. Hours, gasp, away from the kids, focusing on her personal appearance and spending The Duchy money.
But she could not spend a few hours with the Irish Guards or working for her few charities because, horrors, she cannot be away from the kids.
No lies detected.
Hey now, maybe her kids designed that dress.
I would add to Kate’s pluses that she tied back her hair which she has been doing a lot lately. She also hasn’t been grinning like a hyena at memorials and laughing it up with other guests. One of the royal family’s people reading comments online must have gotten through to her.
or she saw the photo of her with crazy face and William with bam-bam face with the bow and arrow.. that photo is priceless! Even to me a non-aristo, non-Brit, chav middle-class Yank. 😉
It’s good and appropriate.
I think one of the reasons people don’t like what she wears is the shape of her figure. Her figure (silhouette) is not pleasing to the eye. Thin or not, she doesn’t have an overall shape that pleases the eye. Put the same outfit on someone else, and it would look much different.
[*No slight intended.*]
Minus the Peter Pan collar and the shoulder pads (ugh!!), I think this look would be okay. Not a fan of the material, if it were a dark navy or gray simple material this would have been amazing.
Also she has been wearing her hair up a lot lately!! Finally! She doesn’t always have to do up dos, just as long as it is pulled back.
To me, it was a hideous outfit resembling lace curtains. While it covered her, i thought it was too figure-hugging for a sombre occasion. No wonder the designer is anonymous. She is hardly a good advert for anyone’s designs. There were a few positives though, in that she turned up, wasnt giggling or flirting with Harry or wearing bright pink. Now that all the “work” is out of the way, time to spend days at wimbledon
If the dress was just a solid color I think it would look fine. And the dress should have either the Peter Pan collar (I love those collars), the puffy shoulders or the peplum but not all three at once.
Having watched this beyond words centenary WW1 commemoration I couldn’t get through the so well poignant put together sad event without sobbing the whole way through. So I am not sure how those in actual attendance felt but the look on their faces was agonisingly solemn. I was surprised therefore that Kate on the start of the walk down to the war memorial which signified the walk the soldiers took on the day a hundred years ago saw her desperately chatting to Harry, while all the other dignitaries were stern stony faced. she eventually got herself in check.
joelly Richardson looked absolutely gorgeous in pale blue and delivered her speeches in as any actress. which she is, would do effortlessly. At one point as Joely was speaking the camera went to Kate and I would love to know what was going on in her mind. Maybe her thoughts I wish I could do that, or you look better than me.
Hate the scalloped hem, puffy shoulders & peplum. Maybe if she had reversed the colors; black over beige it would be more event appropriate
…beautiful outfit…I want one…
Agree! She looks beautiful.
Awful as usual. Horrible posture and walk. She always stands and walk with round back and bulging belly. Dreadful hat, cheap dress that overpriced. She looks +10 years old.
I think she looks fine. She is tasteful and modest and ladylike for a somber occasion.
Would someone please compile photos of all her doily dresses? Too much of a good thing is just too much! (Groaning)
Looks like she has eaten a sandwich at least this week
I think she looks fine and as long as she was respectful and in a respectful outfit what does the colour matter? Our prime minister’s wife was in red/pink at one of the services. I am going to ban black/dark colours at my funeral. What does the colour matter?
As for Letizia…If Kate had the past history and obvious cosmetic surgery of Letizia she would be massacred. I saw a photo of Letizia recently from about 10 years ago and looks like another person.
I’m also in the minority, as I like the outfit, and I find the color not offensive for a memorial. It’s earth tone, not flashy red, yellow or electric green.
Waity always wears an outfit to show off her skeletal body frame. ..On this very sombre òccasion she should of worn a coat long but again everytime its all about her photo opportunity like a catwalk to her… She is always flashing some body part and this is what its come down to for the BRF
really disgraceful
Fashion faux pas aside, I’m still trying to find video of William’s speech re- Centenary of the Somme memorial. Many news web sites have removed for some reason. In any event, I hope William put effort in unlike his wife who still appears scared off from her last attempt at public speaking. I mean, really, there should be no excuse now for such silliness. Kate it seems your hair is better controlled, now march your backside up to the podium and speak.
I don’t live in UK (though I’ve visited many times) but it would seem there’s enough WAGs, for example; soccer (football) wives.
Wm wasn’t giving a speech. He was reading remarks written by someone else, like Harry wrote a classic poem.
Thanks notasugarhere, I’ve been playing catch up with news re- the British Royals.
I wish I had more time for extensive leisure reading.
You know, that is actually a point. Football wives don’t, and shouldn’t, make speeches. In other countries, first ladies play a role. I think Michelle Obama has done an outstanding job. And as much as David Cameron has done his part to ruin our country, Samantha Cameron is a bright woman who had a well-paying job. She could have taken up a cause and benefited the country as a whole. But no, we got Kate. Lazy, lazy Kate.
Somehow funny how Kate ignored the blue/black colour sheme to stand out.
Why wear a new bespoke outfit for such a sombre event? Seems wrong. What was she thinking… war memorial = need bespoke outfit!? Strange priorities.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/07/01/11/35D9F65A00000578-3669698-image-a-53_1467369529355.jpg
She even theme dressed again. Camouflage stone.
Ollie
I just saw the photo (group photo). Thanks for posting. Firstly, I thought Charles had stayed behind for UK memorial of the Somme with his parents. Now, I see he was present and wearing the same blue memorial suit he thought was “special” for Diana’s funeral. (Her favourite blue suit on Charles.) Remember everyone else wore black; meaning his father, ex brother- in- law and his sons while walking behind Diana’s coffin.
But wait, maybe I’ll give Charles the benefit of the doubt, meaning he was remembering Diana’s birthday?
Great photo. She does blend in with the gravel. I bet she has the personality of a box of rocks too. But to blatantly choose to stand out from the crowd (but blend into the road) leaves me shaking my head. Ahhhhh, a posh existence wasted on the obtuse and lazy.
Kate’s should learn to edit and remember that clean lines in a rich fabric usually look much more elegant. Close up her dress is hideous. The fabric is heavy and that makes the dopey collar look even worse. The puff shoulders are ridiculous. The beige over black is fug. If she wanted to wear a light color a beautiful grey or soft lilac or real pale blue would have been more appropriate. What is her fascination with lace anyway? She wears it often. I’m no fashion icon so maybe I’m off base here but I save the full on lace for gala functions. This dress is just all kinds of wrong. It might be bespoke but it doesn’t look rich.
I actually love this dress. It’s a classic 1940’s design. I don’t think that hat goes with it all that much but its still a great hat.
I for one, love her style. She’s always classic, well tailored and feminine without being over the top.
I also don’t understand the flak she gets about her face and “looking way older” than she is.
Am over her fashion and of course she wore something that made her stand out – she WANTS to be seen/the centre of the press attention but will say her wardrobe is very 80’s/90’s Dianaesque.
IMO,the dress is lovely but it doesn’t fit her because she has no fitting, no taste, no charisma, poor carriage.in one of the pictures the d of c looks like she wants to fall because of her too high heels and I wonder if up until now she’s still got stage fright because she’s squeezing her fingers…,.
I have never seen a woman age as rapidly as this one. And this dress is a cocktail dress and should not have been worn to this very serious occasion.
A small part of me wants to applaud the Duchess for trying to be original but then the larger part of me say, “MEH”. This outfit is an attire I believe that Amal Clooney designed and rejected. Kate, I give you a small clap for effort but here’s a little tip, put the ciggies down and reach out Princess Charlene, who I’m happy would lend you some style tips.
Oh way too much pattern. Colour on her is just ugh. It looks like uncooked dough with black bits. And possibly a more muted grey/blue/black would have been more appropriate. She has been wearing lots of lace patterned stuff recently. Personally I think this is just another example of theme dressing gone wrong: peplum, collar, puff sleeves, hair style and hair net. A sleek navy blue non-clingy pencil skirt and blouse (a la Letizia) could have looked so much better, simple and appropriate. Such strange choices she makes.