The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Wales a few hours ago to begin a day full of events. They started out at the Caernarfon Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Base, and I’ve been trying to say “Caernarfon” to myself and I don’t think I’m saying it right. Kaa-Nar-Fun? Welsh words give me angst!
In Elizabeth Taylor’s book about her jewelry, she said that Richard Burton always told her that “red is for Wales,” so that’s why I think Kate made a special effort to wear ruby red. I appreciate that she went for a Welsh “theme” then, but can I just say? This Philosophy blazer looks SO cheap. The Daily Mail says that the blazer is a re-wear, but all I could find in our archives was the time she wore a blue version of this exact same blazer, and all I could do was stare at the giant buttons. Yeah… I still hate the style. The combination of the double-breasted design, the shoulder pads, the huge gold buttons and the fabric all look so budget, like she found it in a discount bin at a Goodwill. Update: Thanks to everyone, here’s the post where Kate wore this blazer for the first time. I disliked it then too.
Kate paired the blazer with jeggings, black booties and a black turtleneck. The look suffers because the blazer is slightly baggy, and her legs are so tiny. The proportions are off. I do like that she went for a ponytail though – from the neck up, she looks good.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I think you linked to the red blazer in the article on the blue blazer back in the day. See, us Meghan fans can be fair to Kate, we just don’t like her laziness and lack of substantive work!
https://www.celebitchy.com/523949/duchess_kate_wore_a_buttony_red_blazer_for_her_v-day_event_cute_or_dated/
At least we have been consistent throughout the years, lol.
BURN THE JEGGINGS !!!
OFF WITH THE JEGGINGS!!! I am beginning to hate them profoundly.
It’s basically the same outfit!
Here:
https://hollywoodlife.com/2017/02/14/kate-middleton-red-blazer-casual-outfit-valentines-day-pics/
(of course for Valentines day she wore red.)
I don’t like this outfit. I never have in any of the variations of it that we have seen. I just think the proportions are off. I don’t think the blazer works with the jeans, I don’t like the little purse she has, etc.
I honestly cant put my finger on exactly why I don’t like this, besides the proportions, but each time we see it I’m not a fan.
It’s the skinny jeans, the blazer needs a wider pant.
Yes, it’s the proportions as well as pairing something professional & businesslike (blazer) with something quite casual (jeggings).
@cait I don’t know, I feel like the professional/casual pairing can be interesting sometimes—the last time I was in Paris, it was all anyone was doing: the rule seemed to be that you could wear a blazer with a t-shirt, or a blouse with a casual jacket, but you couldn’t wear a blouse with a blazer because that would be trying too hard, or something—but my personal totally biased opinion is that jeggings don’t look good with anything.
yes for some reason her skinnies always seem too skinny, which sounds crazy but it’s true. I think for a blazer like this, something more wide-legged, or flared. I LOVE my blazer with my super flares, but of course she isn’t going to wear flared jeans to something like this. Although one would think she wouldn’t wear jeggings to a thing like this, too….
It makes it look like she forgot to wear pants.
To me its the material and the bad fit, not flattering and as someone said above it doesn’t go well with the skinny jeans. It’s also a dated, like much of what she wears. Everytime she steps out in public she is basically cos-playing Diana in her choice of clothes. Diana wore a LOT of big buttons but that was the 80s/early 90s when it was in fashion. I have always been slightly disturbed by that, makes you wonder what sort of weird thing William has going on that makes his wife feel like she has to dress similarly like his dead mother. Her makeup is even similar.
“of course for Valentines day she wore red.”
My mom used to dress me like that (color theme) when I was in elementary school ahhaha. I haaated it.
@Erinn – she wore little heart earrings too!! As I said yesterday, I cant hate on her theme dressing at this point, but it still cracks me up.
And I went back and read the post with the blue blazer and I had said that I preferred that look because she wore booties and it helped with the proportions. So maybe different shoes would have helped? But I still didn’t love it. Also, she wore the same earrings, lol (i.e. the earrings for the V-day event and for the event with the blue version were the same.)
Yeah, honestly, it’s almost endearing at this point in a weird way. Clearly she ENJOYS doing it. I suspect she’d get along with my mother when it comes to that lol.
I also agree – something is ‘off’ with the outfit and I’m not sure what. I’m a jeggings apologist, so I’m not sure it’s the jeggings. Maybe the color of them. Actually – for me, that’s what it is. It’s black on black on black with the turtleneck to the jeggings to the boots. In the blue blazer outfit she had a black turtleneck, but the jeggings were a different shade. Either dark blueish or gray – I can’t tell. But I think the fact that it was broken up made a difference. Plus she just usually looks better in blue than reds, I find.
Those pants.
Otherwise a nice outfit.
Yes. Nice red color.
I love that blazer, especially the colour. Too many buttons for my liking (plus, I look ridiculous in double-breasted jackets and coats), especially since they are rather ornate. I agree with others about those leggings/jeggings/skinny jeans. It’s all out of proportion, and a pair of good trousers would have made all the difference. I love my leggings and jeggings as much as this duchess does, but, time and place, luvvie. Time and place.
The pants are so tight and mismatched with the blazer that she almost looks as if these were tights she had on underneath a pair of trousers, and she left her pants at home on accident!
Love the blazer, hate the pants.
I shop at goodwill…
People who shop at goodwill do not look cheap
I shop at Goodwill and Savers/Value Village.
There are some good things there if you look for a long time.
I’ve found Banana Republic slacks in my size, new with the tags still on, at Thrift Town.
Seriously! You find way better quality at a Goodwill than buying fast fashion that’s shoved out online.
The problem is not the pieces themselves but its how she wears them – she does not wear clothes, they wear her and not in a good way. She is bland and boring and therefore she makes even the most lovely dress bland and boring. Pippa is the same.
The Cambridge’s are a bland, boring stiff middle aged couple, esp compared next to the Sussex’s who are youthful and approachable without even trying.
DU, my thoughts exactly. More so to the effortless warmth and compassion shown by the Sussexes. Who also have a much better work ethic and tips the scales of the entitlement.
And yes, her clothes do wear Kate. That will be her never ending problem
I’ve said that same, about the differences between the couples and honestly it wasn’t so obvious until Meghan came into the picture. You kind of sort of thought that’s just royalty but once you saw how M&H interacted between each other and with others and do seem so approachable it really highlighted the contrast. To be fair though every couple has its own air and Harry has always seemed like the more approachable and warm of the two brothers.
As far as fashion, I’m pretty 50/50 with what CB thinks works on Kate and what I like. She’s definitely not interesting in any of her choices though.
That blazer and those gazillion buttons are awful. A plain red blazer would have worked so much better. I actually don’t mind the jeggings and booties, but that blazer? Ugh.
I think those are boots, not booties. There seems to be a distinct line just below the knee on each leg that I don’t think is a wrinkle on the leggings.
It must be the material that cheapens it. The blue looks really cheap, and I’m sure it’s not. The red is much better, and I’m guessing it’s because it’s darker and doesn’t highlight the material as much.
Don’t like the blazer, it’s drowning her and I agree it looks cheap. The ponytail was a good choice.
awful outfit.
At least it wasn’t a coat dress? I’m used to jeggings on her tiny little legs on her. As somone without tiny little legs I am envious, sigh. The neck up I agree she looks fabulous and the red is a nice color on her.
This blazer falls into one of my pet peeves, I hate it on everyone who wears a blazer/jacket like this. I don’t like it and it makes no sense to me….the sleeves of her blazer are too short and the sleeves on her turtleneck are too long. I hate it when the jacket doesn’t cover the shirt/blouse sleeves. Just a personal thing.
I guess it was too much to expect professional trousers two days in a row. The jeggings cheapen the look here. Her ponytail is better than the last time she wore this outfit though.
Jeggings never look professional IMO. Whenever Kate wears them it just seems she’s showing off her skinny legs and wants all eyes on her. Shouldn’t why they’re in Wales be the focus?
Agree. I know it is controversial on here but I hate the jeggings on her. And I know Meghan has worn similar pants for instance on the NZ tour but somehow the way Kate styles it does look cheap.
All of her jeggings are from Zara, a brand that is high street affordable with iffy quality. As someone who shops in Zara (and I do love the brand) I can say that the jeggings are made from thin material and its why they look cheap, because they are. Quality and fit are not their best selling points but it they have improved somewhat over the past few years.
If Kate wants to wear jeggings in her private life — fine. But she’s a grown-up and she’s on the clock. They just don’t look professional or formal enough.
It would have been better if she had worn some kind of trouser. The jeggings are so bad with the blazer. They look like tights and like she left without putting a skirt on over them. It’s unfortunate. I do like that she’s got her hair tied back. The ponytail looks nice. I’d like to see that more often.
This was a miss today for me. Jacket style is off and should have been paired with a straight skirt instead. FFS jeggings again. It’s fine for when she is going to the horse shows with the kids on the weekend but NOT for work.
I think she looks gorgeous.
She truly is the duchess of buttons! “Throws buttons found in the charity shop in the air”
Dated.
I think it’s the skinny pants? I dunno. In theory it should work but in reality it looks out of fashion.
I really like this outfit. I think red looks nice on her and I think the outfit works. But I am also pretty sure I have boring taste as I like most of Kate’s outfits.
Hmmm, I pretty sure she’s actually wearing tall (nearly to the knee) boots, not booties. Theres a zipper high up on her inner calf, but there so tight it’s difficult to differentiate. The combination wit such a professional bulky blazer just looks… off? Eh, she really does look lovely from the bust up though
I feel like this needs trousers, right? Something with a looser cut, like a straight leg pant rather than jean leggings. Even a pencil skirt might have worked better. The proportions feel off, even though I love the color of the jacket.
Yes, exactly. A straight leg pant would have been so much better.
Horrible; those jeggings are so inappropriate. I do like the ponytail, so much better for an more informal look instead of the standard blowout
I like the outfit, it’s something I would wear, but I agree that the blazer looks cheap. I had a few black ones in the 90’s that looked like that material and they were great clubbing jackets. If I took one off because I was dancing and it got sat on or whatever, a quick shake out and it looked fine again. Had drinks spilled on them, they cleaned up well. They were indestructible.
I like the outfit.
I think she looks smart and practically-dressed for the occasion.
The last few things I bought thrifting were J.Crew and Jonathan Adler and Cabi and this amazing Irish wool sweater that retails for over a $100 and that had never been worn. I’d probably pick up at Philosophy blazer too.
Buttons everywhere……Vanilla once again!!!
I like it but the fit is all wrong as are the proportions. And yeah from the neck up she looks good but like she’s forcing her emotions – so, normal, for her.
Seems like an odd choice for May.
It was not even a little bit warm today, and also lots and lots of rain. One of the events which isn’t pictured here was at the coast in the dunes, for which she wore a more casual coat and her long brown boots, so the jeggings were probably picked to go with both types of event and footwear.
I take offense at the Goodwill comment. I shop there and I don’t look cheap.
I dont like the blazer but I think she looks fine. Man, she gets ripped to shreds lol. I like the jeggings and boots, I dont know if I would pick the blazer, maybe in a different color?
Does she consult with a stylist prior to each engagement or does she pick her own outfits? If someone was paid to select this outfit, they should be fired.
If the blazer lost the buttons and had a more up to date look, and if she had worn trousers, the look would be 100% improved.
I do like the professional looking hairdo.
I beg to differ.
This is her, “you stole my kid’s nickname” look.
What the heck.
Kate’s outfit looks great. From the comments, I’m assuming most of the commenters here are, uhm….older, women?
I think so.
I’m not sure what age has to do with it. I’m 55, I wear outfits just like that, only with better made blazers. And no turtle necks. Turtle necks are annoying.
Uhm… no, guessing a lot of us are professional women who would never wear jeggings to a work event. Guessing you’re uhm…younger woman who doesn’t know better???
I’m basically exactly Kate’s age. The idea of the jeggings themselves don’t bother me, its how she styles them. And the fact that she seems to go for cheaper ones, and I think it shows. It’s why when Meghan wears skinny jeans/jeggings I am not bothered, because I think she still manages to look professional, chic, and not dated. She wears ones that are a step above these Zara ones (JCrew has a wide range of prices, which is what I think we have seen Meghan in, and the Australian brand that I cant remember) and I think there is a noticeable difference in both the quality and how she styles them.
Uh…I don’t really see young fashionable women wearing leggings anymore… Jeggings are kind a 2010 look, to me.
From Twitter it looks like William and Kate next were photographed in Anglesey walking on the beach and she changed into a casual jacket and boots, which do look better with the pants than the buttony blazer.
This reminds me of Ashley Graham’s Met Gala look, I think because the jeggings are black. It looks to me like she’s wearing a blazer and tights.
Goodwill pieces are used. Not bad quality specifically.
You’ll find more quality construction in a Goodwill than a Zara (those clothes would fall apart before they make it to a second owner)
When it is a button too many? She’s overdosing in buttons.
I can’t stand this bellhop look. I’ve only ever seen this uniform on people who work in large hotels.
I HATE those effing jeggings…so cheap looking for an official engagement. She totally got her outfit wrong for this. She looks, once again, like a college student, not the 37 year old who will be queen consort.
As a Chicagoan who is OVER THIS WEATHER, I feel for her that she still has to wear knee-high boots, a turtleneck and heavy blazer in May. 👎
The blazer is too big for her, which distracts from the overall look. It’s a shame, because we’ve seen her wear this type of stuff before, and she always looks good. It’s the silhouette of the classic Sloane Ranger look from the 80s, but upgraded. Just a shame about the blazer not fitting, because it’s gorgeous. That colour especially.
Tough crowd, eh?
She looks like she is going horse riding.
Those jeggings make her look so thin. A nice pair of slacks would have been so much better.
I think that’s exactly the look she’s going for. She wants all to know & admire how wonderfully thin she is.
At first glance I thought it’s not a bad outfit. But up close, I don’t know it doesn’t look as nice. And I agree about the buttons. I definitely could see Diana wearing this blazer back in the day. I think I probably had one similar to it myself.
Not flattering. The pants are too sporty or something to go with the blazer; they don’t pair well together.
[*Not to mention, I actually hate those pants.*]
Late reply for this but its Ka-Naar-Von. Single F’s are a V sound in welsh and double FFs are an F sound.