While I don’t believe Sarah Burton is really following in the late, great Alexander McQueen’s design footsteps, I have to give Burton some begrudging credit: the bespoke pieces Burton and her team have created for Duchess Kate lately have been “bang on” as they say. Today in Adelaide, Australia, Kate wore her third McQueen ensemble of the trip (you can see her previous McQueen ensembles: the dove grey suit for Easter and the blue coat dress last week). This ensemble might have been off the rack, only I think Burton made it especially in pale pink for Kate. Since becoming a married lady, Kate has usually eschewed the V-necks and anything too low-cut, so this is a nice change up. I find the neckline very flattering, but I’m biased: I love a good V-neck.
Kate’s shoes and clutch were both LK Bennett – those nude pumps are the same ones we’ve seen a million times before. We just need to face it: Kate is not a shoe person. It’s fine. I’ve seen some questions about the jewelry and the lack of big, glitzy statement pieces. What Kate Wore has been keeping track of Kate’s earrings and necklaces, so you can have fun looking through their archives. From what I can tell, Kate has been wearing an Asprey charm necklace a lot throughout the tour.
After finishing up their camping trip (or as the Daily Mail said, “glamping” which I think is “glamour camping.”), Kate spent the day at a youth center, where “the youths” tried to teach William how to DJ, skateboard and tag. You can read more here.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Getty.
This look is soooo classy! I can see why she keeps going back to McQueen. However, it could use a few accessories.
absolutely perfect
I agree! I would kill (or at least maim) for that suit. (It IS 2-piece, right?) i think she looks wonderful in it. And though I do like the occasional statement piece of jewelry, I think that for daytime she got it just right here. (I do think she is maybe a bit too less-is-more with her nighttime bling, though.) Kaiser, I’m with you regarding the v-neck – it’s my go-to neckline for day or evening because it frames the face nicely and shows just enough skin to be subtly and elegantly sexy.
Nice going, Kate. One of her three best looks yet on this tour,
I’d say.
And less dark eye makeup.
right.
Classy until she bent over showing her boobs and bra to children.
Agree. She looks so good. She is truly a class act. And she has great hair!
As a brunette who can’t wear pale pink to save her life, I am a bit envious because the color looks great on her. I am not crazy about the peplum-y thing on the jacket but it’s otherwise nice.
This shade is right. I’m also not a fan of peplums in general.
My biggest complaint is the shine on her shoes. If it was a suede it wouldn’t distract as much. All together though still improving.
I see below Jackson beat me to it regarding shine of shoes!
Peplums remind me of a duck’s bottom.
I think it looks great on her, although one or two less ruffles in the skirt would look better. I don’t mind her shoes, but I’m not a shoe person, either. I would prefer a matte finish to them, though. Shine makes them look cheap.
I like it too.
I’m not a shoe person either but I swear she bought those in bulk.
I’m a purse and jewellery person. She she always disappoints me lol
I could care less about shoes too.
I do love wallets though.
Love the pink outfit.
Agreed skirt is way too full, otherwise nice. I am sooo sick of her shoes. She needs new shoes.
Why do her hem lines seem so lop-sided? It seems like they are not hemmed evenly imo.
It certainly is not like the dress or fabric are cheap- so why can’t she get it right? Not a fan of too many details- peplum, pleats, full skirt combo. I do like the colour but think if the pigment was a bit more saturated it would be more flattering.
Geez- only fashion to comment on with this one. At 32 years old yet little substance!
Fuller skirts often look lopsided in pics. It’s an optical illusion though.
the skirts are lopsided because kate has no butt. if you look closely all of her skirts are waaayyy longer in the back–unfortunately i have the opposite problem, long front short back.
and i am not being a hater but it looks like the suit my great great aunt, who’s 91, wore this easter. no joke
This is how my 59 years old mom dresses, isn’t she like 30 something?
Agreed! It is so weirdly matronly to me… And yet at the same time oddly space age? Lt. Uhura as a lady who lunches.
I think she tends to veer into matronly stuff as maybe she she considers those options “safe” and befitting her royal status. This look isn’t too awful to me, although I will say this once again, I wish she’d lighten up on the eyeliner for once, it is so harsh!
“This is how your 59 year old mom dresses?”
HAHA, funny you should mention that. I wore this EXACT same dress (obviously not designer) in 1977 to my high school graduation. Same cut, same color, same length, same look, everything.
The girls’ graduation robes were white and so they showed whatever you wore underneath very clearly. That’s why I went with a plain, nude colored outfit. It was actually very flattering on me.
Reminds me of the circle skirts of the 50’s (also, great wind potential). Along with the corseted/highly structured bodice, all she needs is a flying saucer hat from the 50’s and white gloves and she’s the perfect rendition of the 50’s housewife.
LMAO her outfits have been giving me the “mum at church vibe” lately. I’m pretty sure my mum has worn an ensemble like this to church quite recently.
I like her shoes, I know she doesn’t change that much, but she usually has nice shoes which can go with almost anything she wears.
If I had to stand around in heels all day I would find comfortable ones and stick with them too!
I love her in pale pink. The dress is fine, I like the V neck and I like the longer length on her. I think a chunkier or more substantial necklace might have been fun. Overall, though, I think she looks pretty and love her hair off of her face.
+ 1, I think she looks cute.
Agreed.
I love it but would equally like to tweak it and bring it from really good to smashing.
“I love it but would equally like to tweak it and bring it from really good to smashing.” – AGREE 100%. It’s a good look but it doesn’t have the “wow” factor.
I think the vast majority of her clothes could go from good to AMAZABALLS with a few simple adjustments. It’s the ‘almost there’ that frustrates me the most.
Great minds think alike!! I just posted above about improving on her dress.
She obviously needs to hire the CB Ladies from now on! LOL!!
I feel like her closet is full of amazing pieces that she doesn’t pair together or accessorize well!
I love the color, and I love her hair pulled back, I wish mine looked nice that way. But the dress itself…meh, I don’t know there’s something about it. I think you are right if it was accessorized more boldly it might pop a bit more. The cut also emphasizes how overly thin and narrow she is, if she had some curves it would probably help the dress…
Agreed – the color is gorgeous on Kate, and her hair looks glossy yet suitably controlled.
This is one of her best looks ever.
There’s a line between classic and 40 year old divorcee with a wine problem look …she’s not looking classic these days.. Her over handed eyebrows and skin complexion combined with her boring wardrobe within the last few months is disappointing. She looks to have aged 14 years and she’s better than that.
She kinda looks like she’s trying really hard to be someone from the past and not really being herself.
That eye makeup. Argh! It looks like Kate Gosselin.
Ouch, now that’s just MEAN! 🙂
I think the same- she is is one stroke away from looking like Tammy Faye Baker’s make-up!
All that money and help and she refuses to seek professional make-up artist for public appearances. Just think of the money she would save by NOT having to cake on and waste so many cosmetic products. It would be a win-win!
I saw Tammy Faye coming out of a fast food restaurant – dripping with diamonds and clutching a Vuitton purse. She was extremely nice but words can not describe what her Monet face looked like up close. It was surreal.
Snark,
I too have seen the late, great Tammy Faye in person (her then hubby was incarcerated in my hometown) and NOTHING prepared me for that trailer park trash look from head to toe. Like WOW awful. Horrid 80’s orange face and skin, dripping in ginormous jewelry on her petite little frame, hooker heels, and more make-up on her face than 10 people combined. It was hideous and so OTT that I shudder at the memory.
My best friend even saw the whole Baker clan (minus Jim) attend her church on a few occasions. And again, wow (and not in a good way let me tell you). Wow people.
Snarky and Slippy
You fascinate me strangely. I have always been amazed by the sheer volume of makeup Tammy Faye wears. I mean, that must take hours! I wish you had photos. Lol
Gnat
This was easily 15 years ago and my left eye still won’t focus. Seriously, her poor face looked like a child’s crayon rendition of what a “all growed up pretty lady” looks like.
Preach.
That stuff has got to be tattooed on. She’s been in muggy climates where her hair has gotten a little curly and frizzy yet the eyeliner NEVER budges. Man, even my mom told me as a young girl that eyeliner looks nicer if you don’t line all the way in. It closes up your eyes. Or at least smudge the line!!
I need some pictures of Angelina. It would be a palate cleanser from all of this royal crap.
Boring. Always boring. But she is a royal dignitary so it’s appropriate and her dullness is so much better than when she tries to jazz it up. Sigh, there’ll never be another Diana, she was always appropriate but interesting.
No, she probably won’t, which is a good thing in my opinion. I won’t dive into the Diana discussion, but i like people who are their own person. I like this on her. Boring? Perhaps, but like it or not, i believe this is her style.
I think Kate has no real style.
Hair is great, the suit color and material are gorgeous. Not in love with the peplum and the hem at the waist seems a bit uneven or is it just me? Anyways, I think Kate is doing great on this trip.
Molly,
I went back to look and I think it’s an optical illusion due to angles and the folds of the pleats. It’s a more voluptuous skirt which can appear to have different hem lengths depending on a lot of things (wearer’s movements, and gels, etc.).
(Granted I need to look at more pics to be super definitive)
Should be angles* not ‘and gels’.
Lol @ autocorrect
I somehow liked where auto correct was going with that, lol.
If it’s an optical illusion she needs to make sure her hems are hemmed to reflect that. I have one leg shorter than the other, so much so when I have pants hemmed I tell them they can’t measure one and hem the other to match, or else they will look totally off. They have to measure each separately and even though they’ll look “off” when they’re being hemmed they will look fine on.
In a lot of the photos, her skirt dips in the rear. Whether there’s industrial strength weights sewn in, or whatever, it should be accounted for. Especially in something that appears to be made to order.
Agreed, bluhare. The only thing that comes to mind is that the designer has her measurements but she doesn’t bother with a fitting. Or at the very least, doesn’t bother being fitted for an even hemline.
Her legs aren’t abnormal — it’s the skirt in motion that creates the optical illusion. She was moving her leg which is why the fold of the skirt moved with her and created the illusion of an uneven hemline. It’s actually very common and most people think nothing of it except when we see it in stills.
I didn’t say her legs are abnormal. I didn’t even say MY legs are abnormal. I said one of mine is shorter than the other so I have my pants hemmed to accommodate that. I was trying to make the point that sometimes you have to make adjustments in clothing as a result of the way clothes fit or hang on you.
And I don’t think it’s the skirt in motion. I just saw a photo where she is standing still and the hem dips in the back. I’ve noticed it in other outfits as well.
The deep V neck keeps it youthful without being trashy because she has a small chest. I like everything but the shoes and make up. She could have chosen shoes that further give the look a more lively and youthful appearance.
I agree. It’s a little bit boring but that V-neck makes it younger and she looks appropriate. She’s not a pop star–she doesn’t need to dress like one. It’s refreshing to see someone err on the side of conservative rather than trashy.
And the hair is gorgeous—someone please tell me it’s extensions so I feel better. Thanks.
Well said JustBlanche. She’s not a pop star indeed.
Don’t worry, it’s extensions. You could even see them one day of this trip. Others will have more detail than me, but I think she uses the, for fullness rather than length, and that’s why they generally don’t look so obvious.
I would LOVE to see a pic where you could see the extensions! I had no idea!!
Regarding extensions. My links won’t post!!!
Kate has pics of her young through university days, through to the engagement. You can very clearly see Kates hair gain fullness to an unnatural level. Blowouts and volume treatments taken into account. Then she chages hair dressers from 1 known to specialize in extensions to another that seemed to help her love her natural hair. So you see her hair grow in fullness drastically and then lose some fullness very quickly.
And Kates hair is naturally wavy curly so straightening does take volume out at times. Even with blowouts.
Also, pic of Kate in green dress presenting sports award. Her wig slips to the side.
AC,
http://media.zenfs.com/en_GB/News/EntertainmentWise/534c12e45e412.jpg
Can you see the attachment right under her updo? Look for the line above her ear.
http://www.becauseiamfabulous.com/wp-content/uploads/Kate-Middleton-Wearing-Alexander-McQueen-David-Beckham-BBC-Sport-Personality-Of-The-Year-Awards-1.jpg
This is the infamous wig incident. Like people have said here, once you see it you can’t unsee it!
AM
While that is the green dress with the wig issue I was talking about the other pic is the famous “scar”. It’s never budged in position and is likely not a clip for the extensions. Her hair has inflated and deflated, but the scar remains.
Interestingly enough this did warrant a direct release. During the time the press release office commented too quickly on lots of stuff they covered this.
Kate had a “major surgery” as a child on her head. That’s the scar from it. WTF happened?! A personal theory is Kate had a giant birthmark since I have a friend that has the same scar.
She doesnt wear extensions. That’s her hair! Sorry Florc but you are wrong.
FLORC,
I know exactly what you’re talking about with the scar, and that’s visible in the picture I linked to (white vertical line). However, there is also a dark horizontal line nearby, which I believe to be extensions.
AM
oh.boy. That wig photo is now burned into my brain. That’s horrible!! I can’t see the extensions, but I don’t have a good eye for that and I don’t really know what I’m looking for. I will take your word for it, the wig was enough. LOL
AM
I see what you’re talking about now. The picture quality is at best poor for that levl of detail. It could be where the hair is attached or could be a small strand of stray hair that got pulled back.
I really can’t decide either way without a better quality image.
AC
That’s the best wig angle. It’s almost out of context compared to all the other pictures from that event. The wig slides around and is eventually corrected looking much more even.
Once it is seen, it cannot be unseen. You have a seat in the wiglet wagon for wiglet watches should you accept it.
“She’s not a pop star–she doesn’t need to dress like one. It’s refreshing to see someone err on the side of conservative rather than trashy.”
Why do people keep saying this? No one expects her to dress like Lady Gaga or even Taylor Swift. She tends to go in extremes: Dresses that are either too short or flowly or dresses that are too matronly. Given how often she shops she should at least have some more oomph in her wardrobe without anyone being offended.
I mean, if she’s not going to do more charity work(and from what others have said, this tour is a fairly light one by Royal standards), at she can at least be more fashionable.
Agreed about the quality of the image, guys.
I actually think she benefited from being able to quiet early speculation by pointing out the scar. The media has shied away from calling her out on any variety of wigs, wiglets, and pieces ever since.
I agree, AM. I think that scar shut everyone up. However, she wears one. There are a lot of photos online where it’s pretty apparent that she’s got some sort of hair extension/attachment.
All you have to do is look at pre engagement photos vs. after. The difference can be dramatic. I’ve noticed she’s cut back on the fullness lately, and I do wonder if that’s because there was so much talk about artificial enhancements.
And, for what it’s worth, I don’t care about hair extensions. If she wants to wear them, big deal.
Kate wears extensions, her hair dresser told the papers then she went ballistic and they pulled the story and a spokesman for Kate said it was a scar.
She has a scar somewhere on her head I believe that’s true, but she also wears extensions.
The engagement day announcement, Kate’s hair was full of extensions . IMO
Maggie
I do not understand if you’re being serious or teasing. If serious i’m not engaging you. State your point with evidence, but don’t call me wrong based on your opinion.
If teasing and sarcasm then i’ll join you in a laugh.
Bluhare/AM
It is shocking how obvious her hair blew up in volume. I think you’re both right about the scar, but also it was just accepted she has hair that isn’t hers now. Since the pregnancy she’s weened herself off and looks far more natural now. Still overall full, but drastically reduced from before her pregnancy.
And she changed hairdressers in there. After the falling out with the Middletons main hair dresser tried to use their names to promote himself.
Since then her hair has reduced. That’s the marker for me.
In the end I agree Bluhare.
It’s not a big deal that she has extensions. It’s just silly to deny it or assume that’s her all real hair. That’s what draws this into a discussion.
Bluhare/FLORC
Absolutely agree that it really doesn’t matter whether or not she wears them. Most celebrities do at one time or another (including Jackie O!). As a hairdresser once told me, no one naturally has that much hair in the back.
To FLORC’s point, what makes it a convo is that Kate is praised for how naturally great her hair is and how no one else could ever duplicate it when really, she gets a lot of help.
Ladies,
i cannot tell you how fascinated i am by the wiglet wagon. I believe you, because you state the wig/wiglet/extension/weave thing which such conviction, and i know from having read this blog since quite a while now, that most of you base your opinions on facts.
But i don’t see it. And it’s me, i’m sure. I’m a total idiot in that department. I don’t even see it on the posted pics, AT ALL. The only thing i ‘see’ is the increase in volume since the engagement. Could anyone please explain this, like really explain it to me as if i would be a five year old, what it is exactly?
I don’t even see the ‘thing’ on the picture where she wore that beyond gorgeous green dress. I read in the comments that her hair was shorter on the playdate than the day after, to avoid George pulling it out or off. But what exactly did the hairdresser do then? Is it like clip-in extensions? That don’t take a lot of time to add? Does she have added hair at the pack of her head or the top? How are wiglets attached, and how is it possible they can fall off?
I do think sometimes her hair looks very poofy on the top of her head, as if it would involve a whole lot of back combing, but it always looks nice to me. Even her sausage curls look nice to me.
Oh what the what i might as well admit it: i believe i’m jellus of her big hair!
Why would she take the risk of adding whatever it is she adds if you ladies are all able to see it?
But more importantly, please, i beg for explanations and proof!
Rosehip, I think she wears clip on extensions or a fall/wiglet sometimes. I am not going to post links as I don’t know where to find them, but I have seen photos of her at engagements where from certain angles it is quite apparent that there is different hair texture/thickness.
She doesn’t do it all the time and I’m not sure she does it now. Sometimes it is just a good blow out. But she used to have 6 hour hair appointments at her last hair place (the one where her stylist left). I’ve had keratin treatments/relaxers and hair cuts at the same appointment and they don’t take 6 hours. Some hair extensions can, though, and I think it was the DM who published the 6 hour hair appt. article (although they did not say it’s for extensions). I have had a lot of hair appts. over the years due to my very thick, curly hair, and most treatments don’t take even close to that long.
Rosehip
We say “Once it is seen it cannot be unseen” (Thanks LAK) because it’s true.
I and possibly others had no idea what a wiglet was. Pictures had to be posted of wiglets both unattached and attached. Then pictures were posted and we saw how the hair where a wiglet would be didn’t move the same and often looked not well blended the more Kate ran her fingers through her hair. As wiglets grew and reduced in size it became something we couldn’t stop noticing.
And Bluhare is on the money with it all. To add I think Kate is down to a very good blow out with maybe some temporary extensions as needed for hair do’s. Her hair has reduced in size greatly, but she looks better imo without a distracting mane of hair.
And AM
You nailed it! Better than I could state it thank you! No shame in fluffing up the hair. Loads of people do it.
Damn I wish I had been around for wiglet-gate. :/
AC: LOL. I remember one time specifically. We were commenting on something and LAK said she had it in. FLORC and I (the Clueless Ones) said “huh?” or something close to that, and LAK posted links to photos in the Daily Mail. There was a collective “GASP!! I see it!” and the rest is history. Or something like that. And now we can’t unsee it. 😀
Bluhare
That was hilarious. A wig , yes.. A wiglet? I had never heard of such a thing before then. Clueless Ones, we were.
The collective gasp is actually quite accurate.
I love wiglet watch.
It’s hours of fun.
Waaa!! I want wiglet pics!! I must say her hair looks SO much better these days with the sausage curls gone, but that wig pic was shocking!! Lol. I will be on the lookout from now on!!
I think the dress is gorgeous and classy.
This is pretty Except for the v neck. When you are very slim, tall with a torso that is longer than your legs a “Deep” v neck points down and emphasizes the length. Also just like her wedding dress the padding or bra area looks weird, pillowy!!! I like the bottom but I get why she doesn’t often wear v necks it does not flatter her as much.
It’s not only the V-neck that’s the problem here.. Kate is long-waisted with very short legs and that peplum lengthens her torso, while the V-neck points to that elongated torso in an unflattering way. She needs to wear things that lengthen her legs. She needs to NEVER wear those cropped skinny jeans she favors as they make her legs look even shorter than they are.
She rarely wears interesting clothes, in any case. Her shoes are ridiculously hideous. It’s a shame she’s dresses in such a boring manner. Perhaps she doesn’t care about clothes much, though, which is fine because fashion, while fun, is entirely superficial.
+ 1 on your last sentence Sugar!
“Perhaps she doesn’t care about clothes much, though, which is fine because fashion, while fun, is entirely superficial.”
Agree that it’s superficial but isn’t everything about her somewhat superficial, at least when it comes to her role in the royal family? She’s not weighing in on heavy issues at her appearances, her main duty seems to be to look good. I tend to think she does care about appearances, including, clothes, a lot.
Actually, Kate has been quoted saying she’s not into fashion much.
Yeah, I have to concur with your sentiments about the “V”. Plus, the heavily padded bra is way too obvious. In all, nice colour dress and the flowy skirt adds some much needed volume to her physique. A different neckline would have been better…
The top is so pretty on her and the skirt looks like it moves well. I could do without the peplum-it makes her waist look long and her legs short.
How long is this trip? It seems like it’s been going on forever.
I think you might get that idea because we hardly see them ‘work’ when they are at home..
It’s Thursday evening here in Australia. The royals are in Canberra, and will attend a formal function tonight at Government House. I believe they will attend a service to commemorate ANZAC Day tomorrow (25th) and are due to leave sometime around midday.
Today they were making appearances in Canberra. William gave a speech. Kate wore a green coat-dress, as Autumn in Canberra is quite chilly. The colour was gorgeous.
Home-run for Kate. She looks lovely.
They look so in love and friend at the same time .. i like them !
Thank goodness it wasn’t a windy day.
Love the hair.
idk, the top seems hard and structured (corset?) and the skirt is soft and flowy, they don’t really match imo. Especially with that kinda rigid peplum
a soft woolen/cashmere like top would’ve been better
The color is great though
Although Kaiser is very right in her opinion about Sarah Burton following Alexander McQueen’s footsteps, i like this pale pink number.
However, something looks off; the skirt looks considerably longer at the back than at the front. Unfortunately i don’t think the difference in length is considerable enough to be deliberate. The suit is without doubt very expensive, and this kind of issues should not occur to clothing with that kind of price tag. So… i go back to Sarah Burton vs Alexander McQueen The Great.
True, Kate doesn’t seem like a shoe girl. But for some reason she’s got me thinking that she prefers wearing the shoes she has instead of new ones mainly because of comfort reasons; foot issues really. Her lack of variation in shoes is a little too obvious.
She is not attractive and is dressed like an older woman. She looks in the face to be like 45. Hag like the Queen Mother. What is America’s fascination with that family?
Marcia
I guess the fascination started with Diana and everyone wondering if William’s girlfriend / wife would be a Second Diana or not.
She doesn’t look like a hag. The QM never looked like a hag. Being 45 doesn’t make one look like a hag.
I’m not getting that hag/old reference either. She’s dressed appropriately and looks nice. If Kate dressed in full pettycoat I might agree, but if she’s showing too much skin it’s young/inappropriate. If she’s covered up she’s old/hag.
I’m not getting that.
Ita. There is attainable middle ground and the closer Kate gets to it the more I will mentally congratulate her, lol.
Is there really any need to call the Queen Mother a “hag” ??
I’m not the biggest royalist, but credit where credit is due, the Queen Mother worked well up to near the end of her life, and did a lot for charities in the UK..
The term “hag” is a bit harsh, but the QM was no saint.
I agree, I just have never found her to be some great beauty the press tries to drum into the public that she is.
The V neck on her looks weird, it falls at a odd place for her body and doesn’t work.
The dress is ok, nothing special though even with the designer name.
Sarah. Burton’s work is just ok, but a bit boring .
A hag? How silly.
Just gorgeous.
Will said when he was talking to the kids at the hip-hop camp that he likes house music. I am having a giggle-fit imagining him listening to Chip E or something on Beats headphones at the dinner table. (He probably means Avicii, Alesso, or SHM, not OG Chicago house though).
Lee McQueen is rolling over in his grave.
The hem isn’t straight. The v-neck is not becoming on her. The fabric looks cheap because you can see her bra lines underneath and the bulk from the skirt’s waist band. For a custom design, this is very poorly done.
Eye make up is horrible.
Posture is horrible.
The hair is OK.
The shoes are predictable.
I think the hem is straight. It’s just a finicky fabric that doesn’t always fall straight down.
I do wish she’d wear some smaller heels. Her posture might correct itself more if she’s not always looking down at people.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2610861/Kate-William-arrive-Adelaide-view-youth-demonstrations-music-street-art-skateboarding.html
Refer to the photos with the skateboard, and the skirt is clearly much longer in the back.
There’s another shot w/ the skateboard that shows the hem is straight. It’s how the folds of the skirt move on Kate’s knee that gives the illusion of a different hem length.
@vava
Agreed. The pix show that It absolutely *is* longer in the back.
It’s not just the photo with the skateboard, vava. In most of those photos, taken from various angles, the skirt’s hem does appear to be uneven.
I do think Kate looks older than her years, but some people just do. I once taught a girl in kindergarten who had an “old” looking face. No matter how she dressed or did her hair throughout primary school, that look never left her. I think Kate has the same look as Princess Mary of Denmark. She always looked older too, but now that she actually IS older, she looks fabulous, as if her looks have caught up to her years, or vice versa. I think Kate will be the same.
I agree vava.
Blanche Deveroux want her outfit back.
Seriously, while lovely and flattering, this is super 80’s.
Who is “Blanche Deveroux”?
She’s a character from the TV show ‘The Golden Girls’ played by Rue McClanahan.
It’s hard to summarise Blanche, but in a nutshell, she was a southern Belle long past her prime who still thought she was it.
Blanche would have loved this outfit. Of course she’s have added more accessories to it.
Blanche Elizabeth Deveroux (initials spell BED) 😉
was hilarious. Although.. I can see Rose (Betty White) wearing this exact outfit and accessories. Thinking back to the dance off episode I believe.
I get that as a Royal she has to dress on the side of conservative but this outfit does absolutely nothing for her. The skirt is far too billowy, the v-neck is too deep, the peplum accentuates a long body, its just all wrong for her body type! She suits a more fitted skirt and structured top. But I do love the colour.
ITA, and that hem is just off. The only thing I can commend her on is the color. Also, I like her hair pulled back, but have never like this style that’s swept straight back from her forehead. I hate to sound mean, but she has a large head and expansive forehead, and that particular sweep overemphasizes both.
I couldn’t quite figure out why I wasn’t liking this more, and I think it just looks too heavy on her or something. It looks big!
Gorgeous. Not everyone can wear that colour but it looks good with her colouring.
I would consider myself neutral or not particularly interested in Kate Middleton, but I feel like she can’t win. If she wears something short, she is an exhibitionist. If she wears something long, she is matronly and boring. It is fine and expected that people have opinions and have different taste in clothes, but it seems like people feel some sort of ownership over her and when she wears something they don’t like they get hyper-critical, instead of just shrugging their shoulders and saying “meh”.
she can win. she just has no style identity of her own. she needs to fix that asap or ask for help. look at the other royal women eg Victoria of Sweden who is of smilar age. when was the last time anyone wthought Victoria was too matronly or too young
I think it would be hard for her to find a style identity when she doesn’t even appear to have an identity of her own period anymore. I think some people tend to focus so much on her clothes/styling/appearance because so much of her existence is spent focused on that. It’s no big secret that back in England she spends almost all of her time rotating between the hairdresser, clothes shopping, and working out/dieting. (and redecorating. sometimes).
At engagements, she often appears disinterested in what she’s appearing at or who she’s talking with (though she’s done better with that as this trip has gone on). She’s often caught unprepared and unknowledgeable about her royal engagements (even though each royal is given information ahead of time in order to prepare for such events/engagements). She doesn’t work at improving her ease with royal protocol or public speaking. She no longer has her own hobbies, friends, interests, or work. She does no charitable work on her own. The few charities she’s patron of are lucky to get an hour of her time once a year. Even one of the children’s hospices she visited on this trip that she got major kudos for, it came out after the fact that she was only there for 20 minutes.
It’s probably unfair, but people likely focus so much on her appearance because that’s seemingly all there is to her.
Agreed LAK.
A few tweaks to this outfit and it could easily have that ‘wow’ factor we hope for. Even though many will disagree — this outfit is a perfect canvas to work with.
Spot on, pleaseicu.
Good point about Kate’s lack of identity, pleaseicu. I suppose part of that comes with her position; she is William’s wife, not Kate on her own, but she hasn’t really done anything to try and break out of that either, has she?
Bluhare
Remember when Kate was training for the rowing charity event? Then William pulled her out of it? That’s what happened, correct?
Anyways, she appeared to be building her own identity and it stopped very suddenly.
I don’t think it’s evidence of William not wanting to be outshined. Rather Kate continuing to only be identified through her husband.
yep, to everyone’s points.
on the identity front, i’m finding it so strange that as soon as anyone compliments her or talks to her, she immediately brings up William. It’s as though she can’t accept that people are there to see her such that whatever is said to her, she is gives it a William filter.
Right down to her sailing wins over him which had to be apologised for, as soon as they were on land.
So i think as we speculated many moons ago, her internal life is all about William. At every turn. Who has time to develop their on identity when they are so busy adapting to, or considering somebody else of of the time??!!!
LAK, love that theory. He has been her whole world for whatever it is, 10 years (10 pretty formative years). She really seems to want his approval at every turn. She needs to work on that
LAK
What sailing win apology? I must have missed something. Kate apologized for the L gesture?
And I agree, but on a more harsh level. Kate wanted William as a husband so she did what she had to. Her life was tailored to William. Their relationship seemed very lop sided then and it hasn’t appeared to have evened out.
That’s why I suspect she took off for a week, leaving George behind. It’s always about William, which is sad tbh.
FLORC, it was in New Zealand when she beat him in some race mock up. She flashed him the “L” sign, then apologized when they got onshore.
Sadly, LAK, I think you’re right.
I’ve always thought along these lines but then there are those rare but persistent rumors from insiders that Kate wears the pants in private and is no Stepford wife by any means. I wish Two Pence were here to elaborate. The extreme deference in public might actually explain this, imo. But I just can’t make up my mind on this one. There are a few little snippets to suggest that maybe, just maybe, William’s little bunny rabbit might actually be a lioness. If he is like his father, William can’t resist this.
😉
Thanks Bluhare
After reading they have a competetive, but friendly relationship the whole thing with the “L” was endearing. To have to apologize makes me question that. It should be understood between the 2 with that kind of understanding and relationship. Or maybe his feelings were hurt.
Dame
My2Pence needs to come back, indeed.
Agree Kate can control her own life, but how she seemed to put her life on hold for William to always have access to her does not reinforce that theory. What has come out is that when she questioned William he wasn’t kind to that stance.
Outside of William she wears pants. I’ll buy that.
FLORC
These assertions supposedly come from palace insiders so while not the indisputable truth, I am not ready to dismiss it because it goes against the established narrative. Chuck and Di taught me that lesson.but when did Kate oppose Will? I would like to hear about that! As for putting her life on hold – it was true, imo, but I think our theories need to be looked at through more contemporary lenses. There’s plenty of good stuff to observe without always harkening back to the dating years, imho. Besides, that is the hardest thing to find much common ground on. Now – I want the Kate vs Will story please! *grabs popcorn*
Dame Snarkweek
The tale was Kate was upset William was almost openly seeing someone else r he approached a girl or something to that outline happened. She said she felt this made her look or feel “cheap” and wanted him to stop. He said something along the lines of “don’t you know who I am/I can do what I want” and they broke up.
Kate was beside herself for a little, but held up a good front and appeared to be getting over William, but then he asked her to come back. That’s the jist my memory is giving me. How much of this is true i’m not sure. I know this story has lasted and held up enough that the core of it must be more fact based.
Aside from the dating times… Kate went to a childrens charity event. She wore the navy blue suit that was a bit too short, but looked nice.
She was very involved and told an assistant to tell William she would be late or not early to join him for something. She wanted to stay and learn about her charity while engaging children. It was genuine and lovely. Reportedly William was very not pleased with Kate doing this. That’s as recent as I can think of, but I haven’t been paying attention.
And Charles/Diana have taught us much. How we perceive the chemistry and how we’re told to perceive are very seperate things.
I think she has a style of her own – ladylike, feminine, fitted to the body. I think it could be more interesting, but I think she has a style.
FLORC
Awesome and thank you for that. I will shelve it away and compare/contrast it with all the goodies from this tour. Maybe England is kryptonite for Kate. After all, Will proposed to her in Africa and the closest these two come to the fairy tale is abroad. Plus in those last years Diana was desperate to llive abroad. Hmmm…
Just appropriate. On the side note, why can’t she put a little chains on her small purses so she would not have to hold on to them at all times? Besides it would make her look cute and modern.
I was thinking the same thing. With a cute purse and funky shoes, this outfit would look so much better.
My guess is she wants something to do with her hands.
Same here.
When she has nothing to hold her hands are running wild.
Because when she bent down to talk with someone, the purse would smack them in the face.
The peplum ruined it for me.
Lovely colour on her but, as many of you pointed out, the style of the dress is not the best for her accentuating her long torso. I understand that she feels she should wear safe, traditional outfits but she could jazz them up with more youthful shoes and purses, not to mention more interesting jewelry. She seems to carry the same purse, just in different colours. Appropriate but nothing to get excited over.
I’m 29 and have that skirt. Not McQueen, but WHBM. It’s cute and appropriate for the season.
I did have my hem weighted and the fabric flows and falls exactly the same. So no hate for the skirt.
Did anyone else notice she appears to have lost weight on this tour? She’s noticably thinner. Or am I just noticing what’s been there all along?
Plus, aren’t skirts like that in for the season? I’m 30 and I’ve been thinking about getting one. I like the outfit, I’m just so sick of those damn beige shoes. The dress is almost a neutral – you could wear SO MANY SHOE COLORS WITH IT. I just cannot with the beige platform pumps anymore.
I feel like she’s been getting thinner for a while FLORC. Seems like she lost the pregnancy weight and then some. Some dresses just show it more than others.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, I like the skirt(; I don’t really like the top portion though…
Peplum and wide shoulder padded looks are 80’s. Although Kate has broad shoulders. the cut does not soften the look.
I think she has, FLORC, mostly because when I look at her in that outfit, she’s swimming in it.
The DailyMail article has an image where Kate is holding flowers and a bear sort of looking towards the camera. Her sternum is showing through again.
She’s almost back to that engagement weight in that black wrap dress.
Concern trolling or whatever, she’s getting back to her thinnest again.
When FMORC and I are able to sync up our time off schedules we gain weight. We only exercise by running together once a day so we might put on a few love pounds by indulging in some not so healthy together meals.
We don’t lose weight or even maintain.
Florc & others,
William does not like her this thin. Apparently he was quoted as saying he preferred her ‘with some meat on her bones’.
My guess? I don’t want to say Kate has an eating disorder (although I’m not ruling it out as an impossibility); however, I do think she feels compelled to be thin in order to photograph well.
CPss Mary of Denmark apparently is similar — trying to stay super thin to look just so. It’s not an eating disorder or an obsession — just a goal. I just wish both women knew they actually looked better a tad heavier than what they think.
Florc, Belle, Bluhare
i agree she’s extremely thin. At first look i thought she was wearing the same dress she wore when visiting the exhibit of her wedding dress, together with the Queen. I thought wow, is she back at that weight?
I find it worrying.
LadySlippers
Someone can say what sounds best and think another way.
All those comments about the gym, her shorter hemlines around him, etc… I think it might be more he likes her thin, but no one can really know.http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2OUm2Y07RTU/UlZO-OTy3VI/AAAAAAAAA8o/tRf1Ab0n_eY/s1600/Z%2BKATE%2BTRASHY.jpg
Please disregarding this comes from a huge hater site. It just happens to have this great photo.
Kate is healthy and fit here. Now she’s too skinny imo.
I don’t understand why she wants to be this thin.
A million reasons Dame. Stress, keep william’s interest, control, vanity. Who knows except her.
What’s awful is she’s idolized by many. What she wears and how she looks is what many try to emulate. Her dresses sell out, hair extensions are in higher demand, her diets are the latest trendy diet covered by news outlets everywhere, and worse yet. Kate is thin enough to be huge on thinspiration sites.
Pre-wedding there was a tabloid piece about Pippa begging her to eat. I now feel there might have been something to that story. Diana had an eating disorder and it took years for her to begin to deal with it. I don’t want to see Kate go down that road.
It is a troubling thin. Its such a shame, but I think some of it may be out of her control or have to do with stress and food emotional/image issues. She has reached a point where she needs to actively work on gaining though. As a mother of 2 teenage daughters, I do not want to see this look aspired to. She looked so much better in her face when she was pregnant! So much younger and softer. I would think her parents if not her husband would be all over her to load up on some milkshakes or something.
I’m not shocked if she’s become more of a chain smoker now. Also a theory floated as to why her engagements do not last very long. And some random posts tht never make it into articles have people saying she smelled like she bathed in perfume to cover up a smokers odor. It makes more sense now to explain behavior and we knew she has smoked.
Dame/AC
Sadly, I can only think of 1 reason anyone outside her immediate family would confront her about her weight. To conceive and carry the spare. I do think IVF is a real possibility. Also so the pregnancy is well planned. Much like no pregnancy until the Queen had her Diamond Jubilee.
And as a look back.. Kate was of a healthy weight before William. When William spent long periods of time away Kate began to look healthier. When he’s back she begins to lose. Or maybe my tinfoil hat is picking up bad reception from the rain storm here.
I think it’s stress. For whatever reason, I think getting out in front of people scares her.
Plus there’s being on every paper every day. I’d be paranoid about my appearance, too.
Florc,
I agree with your comment – it is sad that no one outside her immediate family would confront her and it is more than that, it’s actually disturbing and disappointing that the royals don’t do more in that regard —- didn’t they learn anything from Diana’s experience???!! Hopefully Ma Middleton & Pippa recognize the longterm health implications for Kate and can guide her back on course.
Bluhare
Kate was out infront of people long before this. Numerous parties, exiting cars with William, paps following her when she was just William’s gf. Not to mention the flashing of bits, sports, or fashion show. I can’t believe this girl is afraid of crowds as easily as you do.
And I doubt she pays much attention to the tabloids. If she did her hem would be weighted ages ago. I want to say there was an article a while back on how she never reads the tabloids after the “Waity Katey” headline on advice from her mother. If news makes it back to Kate about headlines it’s only the very best. All others are censored from her.
Caitlin
Diana was also self injuring. I can’t forget hearing after a fight with Charles on a place she destroyed the plane’s restroom. It left for a grizzly image. Diana also wasn’t at ease with her position. The bulimia and self harm was her screaming out when everyone ignored her.
Kate has her family and they are by all accounts close. Although, I do not like how Carole helpe Kate get William interested again. I maintain any other mother would tell their daughter they could do better and do not have to put up with being treated that way. Not lose weight and get papped looking happy on dates.
Also, Kate’s pre wedding diet was said to be the diet of Pippa and Carole to look good for the event too.
If it gets really bad again (and it’s certainly getting close) I hope the royals or midds step up and show concern. If not and she only gets thinner maybe the tabloids should say something.
Yeah, I know she was in front of people before, FLORC, but the level of examination and criticism was a lot less than it is now. No one will ever know unless Kate does an interview, but I’m thinking she thought it wouldn’t be a big deal as she was used to scrutiny. And then she married William and realized she didn’t know what scrutiny really is. When she was just his girlfriend, there weren’t many expectations. Now there are.
I tried to address one aspect of this conversation but it posted in the wrong spot. It’s in just a tad up.
Sorry for that.
LadySlippers
Is your comment about ED/obsessions/goals? To sum it up on Ky words and not content?
Bluhare
I agree there’s more on her now. I can see that having a greater pressure.
Why isn’t there an in house therapist for the palace? Someone to help those who married in to adjust.
Yes, she had much time to know how life would change, but once you’re in it things are not as simple as you thought.
That said, I think many aristos knew to avoid marrying into that family for all the right reasons.
I was just writing about her getting thin on this tour. I definitely noticed it too.
I guess I’m in the minority, because overall, I like this whole look on her. Her hair is pulled back, I love the color, the dress is a change in style which I think works. I also have been known to wear a good comfortable pair of shoes to death. That’s why I buy neutrals, because you can wear them with anything. And if I really like them I’ll buy a pair in several colors.
I will buy various colors too. These Nude pumps are the same it seems. Worn soles and such.
In an interesting turn QE asked Archbishop Wellby to add Camilla to the national prayer. This after Charles and Camilla have been married for nine years now. That brings the listees to four – QE, DOE, POW and Camilla. Queen Camilla, anyone?
That IS huge Snark!
WOW. WOW. And more WOW.
Ooooohh!!!
She’s certainly earned her place.
Whoa…. off to google I go! Thanks DS
Ikr?! And Liz did it quietly during the massive build-up and coverage of the WillKat tour. Coinkydinks? Hmmm…
Truly did not know about the ‘national prayer’ as
far as it being permanent…
but what a sad thing to have happen with her brother.
Appreciate the input as far as how things work
in Britain.
Sorry wrong spot…suppose to be responding to
Dame Snarkweek and Bluehare!
Just read that Camilla’s brother passed….possibly why there was a request for prayer.
🙁
If you mean the timing, idk. Not sure Qe would take that into heavy consideration as this is a permanent and monumentally significant occurance.
Condolences for her loss, however. I’m very close to my brother.
That’s quite a story about her brother, it was a sudden and unexpected accident, falling on the sidewalk! Sad.
Hi Willow, I think that’s just a terrible coincidence (Camilla’s brother’s death). Someone who’s gone to church in Britain lately correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the request for prayer an ongoing thing? The fact that Camilla’s now included reflects her status in the family, IMO.
Blu
Yes and it’s a big deal. Seeing as how QE and Phillip didn’t attend the civil ceremony proper I wonder how Camilla feels about how everything has developed over the years.she’s in such a tough situation I hope she is at least fulfilled and content with her married/personal life, you know?
I don’t think the death of her brother (was this before Sunday???) and the inclusion on the Dss of Cornwall into the blessing is a coincidence at all. Diana was included immediately and Charles FOUGHT his mother about including Camilla immediately too. QEII was firm about the no too. It took NINE years dayum. And it’s 100% the Soveriegns call. Wow.
**ETA**
It might also be linked with their wedding anniversay. Other hard fought recognitions due to Charles’ campaigning have come on their anniversary.
Ah ha!
Since I don’t really follow royals much, what is the significance of this?
It signifies the Queen’s approval, hmmm.
Thanks, bluhare. Looks like it took long enough and is therefore more significant.
My God, why is she SOO skinny? I’m sure it’s nothing similar to why Diana was thin when she got married, but this one is starting to look emaciated 🙁
Underwhelming as usual. There were parts I liked, but overall, it’s a dull suit. The V-neck is too low. She flashed everyone she bent to speak with. I blame Sarah Burton for that.
I still can’t wrap my head around the price of that necklace. $13500 for 3 charms? WTF?!
I totally expect to get slammed for this, perhaps even set ablaze for criticizing Wills & Kate. I’m not even criticizing really, just wondering why there are so many posts about them. I can’t believe anyone is that interested. They’re so dull.
On the other hand, she looks really good here & the pink outfit is lovely. & baby G is super cute.
Speaking generally for the royal threads they’re not solely about Kate. We often have not so inside jokes (wiglet watch, Book of Windsor) and the threads go off topic to discuss history of the monarchy/world. As well as a million other directions.
We can spin off into long discussions that make the comment numbers shoot sky high and rarely be discussing Kate.
I think the last Kate thread spun off into WW2 and outside perception of the monarchy.
There’s so many posts because they’re getting hits. Plain and simple.
Yep, Kaiser knows she can get us to check in and chat so she obliges.
I LOVE the color of this, but not a fan of the dress overall. It makes her long torso look even longer, which I don’t think is very flattering. I think if she had worn this in a different color, I would probably outright dislike it, but this pink works really well for her.
I think I’ve really liked half of her outfits on this tour – the standouts for me have been the gray Alexander McQueen coat (would have LOVED to see the dress she had on under – seems like such a waste!), and the Roksanda Ilincic dress she wore yesterday. The other half of her outfits I have been indifferent to. I’m curious though, for those who think her style has been dull and boring on this tour (or dull and boring in general), what would you LIKE to see her in? Give us links!! This could be fun 🙂
It’s obvious there are a few on here who think they could do a better job than Kate. I wouldn’t trade her places for love nor money. She’s doing a great job in my opinion. All this visiting and small chat must be so damn boring. She always puts on a smile and comes off as very charming. She and William are great ambassadsors. Not my favorite outfit but I think she has to be careful in what she wears. Looks a little old ladyish to me.
Maggie
Her dress is appropriate. Appropriate tends to be described as old lady/hag style here for whatever reason. It’s following the dress code and presenting her as respectful. That’s the point of the clothes being as they are.
And the visiting for small lengths of time between numerous vacations is the job she lobbied for. Though her smile is at times a scowl I understand ones cheeks would hurt in a permenant smile.
(sincere, but that came out snarky.)
And while many of us here have stated we do not want her job we do actively work with charities while maintaining fulltime careers. Many with children.
Still, it’s rare someone compares their position with Kates. It’s simply not possible. Some do take issue with how she fills her days when not working, with so many nannies and help. Even before George.If that’s comparing it’s being read into too much. Apples to oranges and such.
As she is here she’s doing her job. Best she’s done yet.
LMAO Florc!
I can read betreen the lines. You may as well openly snark. There’s a lot of planning and educating oneself prior to these tours. It’s not a vacation! She’s a new mother, recently married with Royal duties that must be beyond boring at times. Kudos to her for putting on a smile and making the best of it. Obviously she’s not living up to your expectations or standards.
Maggie,
Why do you have such a vested interested in protecting and defending Kate against “perceived” attacks? FLORC never says anything negative just for the sake of being negative and always has “facts” to back up any of Kate’s shortcomings that are mentioned in FLORC’s posts.
E.g. The extent of Kate’s “work” is pretty self-evident in the media coverage — people can see that it involves a lot of handshaking, meeting people, accepting flowers and the odd speech. Her speeches speak for themselves (pun intended) and anyone can see that she needs to improve in that area.
You make it sound like poor Kate is down in the coal mines killing herself “working” . The tour has been planned for her and all she really has to do is show up and look nice and act interested.
In terms of standards, when compared to certain other royals, Kate falls short and that is also self-evident by the lack of “work” she does. FLORC is quite generous in saying she’s noticed improvement…
Caitlin,
Florc chose to make a comment directed at me. I dont have a vested interest like you perceive. And your comment is a great exageration re the coal mine. Florc has made plenty of very negative comments regarding the state of Kate’s marriage etc. Just go back and read some of her comments. Not only that but I think Florc is more than capable of defending herself if she feels threatened by me. I don’t agree with her or you as to Kate’s work ethic. I think you are being very simplistic in your thinking if you think she simply shows up and acts interested.
Maggie: “read between the lines”? No need for that. Read the lines. What FLORC said was actually very straightforward, crystal clear and nice. Why the need to twist her words?
FLORC, you realize you’re wasting your time don’t you? 🙂
Caitlin
I appreciate your comment and welcome it. Often someone more familiar with my thoughts and writing style will post much more articulate how I mean to phrase my thoughts.
And while I haven’t endlessly praised Kate I do give criticism. Constructive imo, but not in others. Opinions differ here and that’s not always easy for others to take. I suppose i’m simply a Jelli H8r here.
Maggie
You know very well i’m trying to avoid sounding snarky when noting such. I maintain a message can be lost in translation which is why I have to state that on the side.
Have you never laughed so hard for so long your cheeks hurt? I have. It’s painful.
And Kate is improving. Not at the rate many expect her to. She’s still lacking in much, but the improvement is there and climbing. As for being a new mom and newly married. Diana was a new mom and newlywed, but much younger and did more. Kate can set her own pace. She leaves George for vacations, shopping, and gym, but can’t add an event to her schedule? Is that criticism unfair?
To use a new mom/wife defense falls flat here given so many other royal women that are mothers and wives have done very well early in their marriages and motherhood. Kate cannot be held to te same standards as private citizens. More is expected of her and more is given to her because of that.
I’m just repeating things now you’ve already been told here. I wrote my comment to engage you in a discussion. You reply with laughter as if I told you the sun sets in the east. I do know LadySlippers and Dame Snarkweek try to engage you in discussions often. They are lovely ladies who are far more knowledgable than I am in this topic. And they will understand you better than I am.
We can always discuss, but you know it’s sometimes difficult for me to phrase my thoughts correctly and I do not understand sarcasm. As a result i’m not meaning to sound sarcasm-like and others sound odd or mean spirited when intending sarcasm. Keep that in mind for the future.
Bluhare
Every so often I get tired of having my words misinterpreted. Only trying to clarify my point so others don’t feel i’m attacking when meaning to praise.
Konnen wir Deutsch blaue Kaninchen zuruck? Einfacher zu sprechen in der Deutschen.
@FLORC “I suppose i’m simply a Jelli H8r here. ” There are times when I find it hard to believe English is your second language. You have picked up the nuances of the language beautifully.
Ach, FLORC. Your German is streets ahead of mine! How many languages do you speak?
Bluhare
I can count to 10 in lots of them!
Only Fluent in English, German, and Greek. Greek being my 1st language and German/English my tied for 2nd. Not that it counts, but took latin in High School until it was discontinued. I’m trying to learn spanish now. I’m a huge fan for rosetta stone, but have also learned from exchange programs.
At times my sentence structure is poor and when i’m not as focused my spelling goes as words and letters that sound the same get changed out with ease.
Though most here has been very helpful at restating what I meant to say with proper spelling or thought structure. I do appreciate that.
And did you say “Streets Ahead”! You wouldn’t be a Community fan perhaps? If not that’s a Chevy Chase line in the show. He was trying to make that a saying. I use it often now.
Lady D
Analogys and metaphores help. I lurked here for a bit before posting as well. That has helped to learn LOL, OT, OTT, IMO, lurk, trolling etc.
Although I’m still lost on sarcasm. If it’s not a simple or blunt comment I will not understand the context without hearing the tones or seeing how a person says it.
It helps i’ve been learning English since I was 14. German is a simplified form of English also.
FLORC
You are a class act and today, my friend, you really shine.
You’ve got me all fired up to break out the German DVD’s again, FLORC. I haven’t paid any attention to them for a couple of years now so my comprehension has plummeted. When I feel a bit more conversant, I’ll give commenting in German a go. Gulp. 😉
I also speak a bit of French. Started learning in school in England/Scotland, then went to Quebec for a few years. So that is very old, although I was almost conversant in it. I should think about that again too. I love the thought of being able to communicate in more than one language!
Would just like to add my agreement, FLORC, that I would never have known that English was not your native language. You write beautifully. I am trying to learn French and I do not think I will ever be able to have a conversation beyond,”hello! I see a rabbit! What color is your restaurant?” Lol
Blu
Zut! Est-ce que vous adorez les robes de Kate? Lol
Gnat
Toooo funny!
Hey, FLORC . . . what’s the blue rabbit? That got me all confused . . . so confused I forgot to ask you. 🙂
J’aime certains des robes de Kate, mais pas celui-ci, Snarky.
Dame/Bluhare/GoodNames/The rest
You ladies are lovely. I’m having an “aww shucks jlaw” moment. And I really do welcome and appreciate how many of you have stepped in a rephrased my comments. It’s appreciated. I am very envious of those who can speak French! I have never been able to roll my Rrrrrsss.
Bluhare
Does your name not mean Blue Rabbit? Blu = Blue and Hare = Rabbit?
I’ll repeat this in the current Kate post should you not return to this one.
“Looks a little old ladyish”… Oh Maggie, you’re a closet jelly h8er! Lol
Other ppl have said they are not going to comment anymore because of the animosity and snark. I think I will too. It seems one isn’t entitled to an opinion differing from the main posters. FLORC being one of them.
Diane you need to read her post again. How is calling what Kate does a fricking vacation? Is that nice??? Not my idea of a vacation!
Maggie
We can always call a truce and not comment directly or indirectly on 1 anothers comments if you like. I have no issue with that.
I did say I would not engage you when you commented directly to me for a time, but then it seemed you were open to discussion and I engaged.
And while I certainly have my opinion here like we all do you can disagree. Just be open to a discussion with facts. Don’t simply post i’m wrong and move on from there. We can engage and discuss. It is a thread after all.
Just lastly I did not call this tour a vacation or her life a vacation. Only that she takes lots of vacations
Maggie, the problem as I see it is your intolerance for opinions that don’t dovetail with yours. You pick on Diane above, for saying the tour is like a vacation and that’s not nice. No, Maggie, it’s an opinion about the tour. Calling Kate a tired old hag is not nice. Saying her tour reads like a vacation is an opinion and I’ve read others who say the same thing.
You’ve never tried to add to the dialog here; just came in, flung names around like candy, and stomped around like a spoilt child. Makes it hard to have any sort of conversation with you, and that’s too bad because I happen to be someone who likes reading different points of view. A friend and I seriously disagree about Kate, yet we like each other and respect each others’ opinion. And I’m going to have to eat some serious crow with her over Kate’s performance on the tour too. The point being it’s not impossible to disagree and be civil with each other. And I think people have tried to include you and you’ve rebuffed it at every turn.
Maggie, you are absolutely entitled to your opinion. I’ve tried to engage you in conversation about your thoughts several times but you will have none of it.
I read Florc’s post as completely direct and an effort to build some kind of dialog with you. You obviously didn’t see it that way. Although you say you post here to defend the duchess against unwarranted and malicious comments, sometimes I think you’re more interested in sneering at other posters than talking about Kate.
The royal threads are long and get lots of hits because commenters have developed relationships with one another. If you don’t want that, I get it, it’s your time and effort, but I often wonder what you get out of reading all the comments. Because it’s not all animosity and snark, not by a long shot, but you seem to be focused on that.
You know what? I liked the McQueen. Well tailored and I thought it suited her. Not dowdy at all. We could have discussed that, right? Not a lot of folks liked it here so for once you are with the prevailing wind and I am against. We could have had an interesting conversation about our contrarian point of view…but oh well…
@Maggie: “freaking vacation”? You cannot agree to disagree. Simple as that.
Oh Mags
I wish I could understand what keeps going wrong here on these threads. I fear if I reach out to you for common ground, dialogue or even spirited debate I wil get my hand nipped,. Surely you can see how willing everyone is to positively engage with you, as with others. These ladies are awesome and it feels good to just flat out say it. If you were willing to talk I would happily listen. It’s worth it, imo.
Dame – I don’t understand why this keeps happening either. I’ll read along thinking that the conversation is going along, different viewpoints, all civil, and then BAM, accusations of mean-ness, demands that people reread posts, and all sorts of things fly.
@Maggie people definitely like to criticize and the critics probably couldn’t do what Kate has to do, but I understand their criticism…so long as they’re just criticisms and not attacks. You’re right in that there’s a lot of nastiness here, the one thing I really don’t like about reading the comments, but for me, it’s better than registering for forums.
To the other comments, I can see why Maggie responded the way she did. Sure, regular commentators do try to engage in discussions with opposing view points, but then they can often include some mean comment. I do believe that people here don’t mind reading opposing view points, maybe some people are better at articulating their responses than others though.
In addition, I think some people are more sensitive than others in what they think is mean or nasty. What some people might not consider a big deal to say might be a deal to someone who reads it.
For the record, I agree with Maggie that the Cambridge’s are doing well on this trip. I agree that the outfit maybe is a little matronly for her age, but I think Kate doesn’t try to toe the line fashion-wise, though she is always appropriately dressed. Seeing her in pics before and after the wedding, she strkes me as someone not very interested in fashion anyway, nice things yet, but not necessarily fashion.
There are fan blogs where you don’t have to register, bwarf. HRH Duchess Kate and From Berkshire to Buckingham are two I can think of off the top of my head, and they are definitely fan blogs. They have their own communities, Duchess Kate in particular.
That isn’t said to tell you to leave. Not at all. You always talk about how mean it is in here but it’s better than the forums. I agree with you there; I do think this is a nicer environment. But if you want options, there are some and I can even relate a bit. Most of the forums are too hatey for me. So I do understand about becoming weary over it all sometimes.
By the way, Royal Insight Forum is one where people on both sides of the aisle coexist in relative harmony. There are definite fans who post there. I’ve been told that the Royal Forums are fan oriented as well, although I haven’t visited it, so I don’t know first hand though.
Thanks! I don’t really do a lot of blogs though, I only started commenting here because I read the other celeb stories and I love pics of the royals. I sometimes go on What Kate Wore but not often.
I mostly like it here, but I don’t think people realize when they’re saying something really judgmental or mean.
Bwarf, if you are really into royal watching for the clothes, the Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor has in depth posts and the comments are fun and very, very respectful. It is not a snark site.
Oh, I know when I’m being judgmental and mean, Bwarf! 😉
Also, you might want to hang around and see what shakes out after this tour is over. It’s brought out a lot of people who haven’t commented here before, and the tone has changed and it has been more charged, I think anyway. I’m hoping things fall off once they get home and the interest dies down . . . but then you might not like it because there will be criticism if they go back to the usual MO.
Bwarf
While my intent was not to be rude i’m aware it could read that way. I’m returning to adding disclaimers in my comments (not sarcasm/sincere question, etc)
I do welcome opinions opposing mine. I hope you continue to contribute to the conversation:)
Lee McQueen made some v v lovely similar pieces for Princess Diana that were outside his normal wheelhouse. It is a v v difficult thing to follow a legend but the one thing that Burton IS honoring is that which meant the most to Lee. She can cut a suit. McQueen was the best at cutting a suit so it looked just as good on you as it did on the rack. (He started out cutting suits for Prince Charles on Saville Row)
I think the Burton pieces for The Duchess have been spot on. As far as the theatrical haute couture of Lee? We may never get to see such brilliance again. I’m just glad I got to see it.
Amen to the theatrical brilliance of Alexander McQueen.
Absolutey agree. Not an original talent soon to be seen any time soon.
Great observation, ita
He supposedly sewed a very nasty word into one of the suits he did for Charles. Ha — love McQueen!
This poor girl will always be compared to Diana. Jeez, can’t imagine the pressure. But she seems to be handling it well and William looks happy. They (including Prince George) always make me smile.
This outfit would have looked better with a sheath skirt, like the blue Stella McCartney dress she wore when she arrived in Canberra, but she can’t resist the flowy skirts, can she?
I was watching their visit live and she was so tall standing next to this guy, she needs to lower those heels.
I’m tired of her holding her clutch bags in front of her crotch, its weird.
To me, most of her clothes on this trip have been very classy, yet sparky too. Classics and yes I get the matronly vibe but most do have little tweaks like the yellow dress or the brights. What I do see mainly is Kate trying. And we with kids know that it is not so easy, even with the nannies, she is a Mom, and she must be well tired. She seems a good Mom and wife, and maintains a smile and countenance. Not so easy.
I agree – I like the classic vibe, plus there are hints of spunkiness.
I think she’s choosing clothes with an eye to the long haul. She will be looking at photographs of herself for many years down the line.
have we just lowered the standards so low that we are now deem anything /everything a success whenever we don’t see under her dress. that top resembles the top of the green top she wore to the sports aid award show–after her “serious case of hg”
and honestly, that look is a complete flop. my granny has a similar suit with buttons.
someone should’ve told her visible “underboob” is a no-no for daytime events. kate knows better
Well I guess now that she’s been told to lower her hemlines, she’s starting to lower her neckline, too. Yeah, the visible underboob during the day is real CLASSY for a royal wife. (NOT) I know her boobs are small, but still it is inappropriate for someone in her position at an official function. She’s just a WAG, a tart, and aging quickly. If she keeps this starvation situation going, there won’t be much left before long. She’s as scrawny as she was in the days leading up to her wedding. Not attractive, at all.
When was there visible underboob?
http://24.media.tumblr.com/0747e8f9742e4217dc597a0110c287a1/tumblr_n4hmywkm3S1s7g60mo1_500.png
Today.
Gotcha. Where I’m from, underboob is referred only to the bottom of the boobs showing lol.
Isn’t that called cleavage?? Of which she has precious little by the way so it’s hardly “tart” worthy… She does need to add some weight for sure.
Bwarf
You are correct. That’s cleavage, not underboob.
@to Tell the Truth and Vava
How bitter you are and how little you contribute to an intelligent discussion. Ugh.
@ Goodnames, I have reported your comment to the moderator as abusive.
Boring for McQueen. That’s what so weird-now that the Master is dead, his successor(s) design clothes fit for Royals, i.e. attractive but bland. Picture Kate in the “Highland Rape” dress, for example-never happen.
Yes, the clothes she has on are very nice and complement her; I just wonder if Alexander is rolling in his grave with the realization that his house is actively dressing the Royals. Note-Kate fits in nicely as a Royal because there is not one bone in her body that I perceive as trail blazing, thus Alexander will continue rolling.
Another down side to committing suicide, I guess You can’t control your legacy…
I wouldn’t necessarily blame McQueen, the outfit is beautiful and was made at request so I assume it would be hard to say no to that. Kate picks more subtle, safe McQueen pieces, though the safer pieces do have some great details (buttons, pleats, etc). My favourite is the red outfit from the Diamond Jubilee, just beautiful and she wore it so well.
My favorite is her wedding gown. I thought it pitch perfect.
I liked the red dress, too. It was perfect on her.
Ok, I *liked* the outfit. I should check my old lady status! I liked both the cut and color and like most McQueen, I thought the tailoring was off the charts good. Yes, it was low cut but her figure is such that isn’t the issue it would be for a Maxima or Mathilde. I actually found it to be a high point of the tour.
I love the outfit, the skirt especially, I die for flippy skirts.
I think the fact that the waistline was cut lower than the other fuller skirts that she has been wearing made the silhouette work better for me.