Like the Duchess of Cambridge, I keep my hair pretty long. I actually think Kate and I have the same length hair these days. And much like Kate, I don’t like to wear my hair back for the most part. I do a ponytail when I’m working out, and I do a simple chignon or bun sometimes, but the most part, I just let my hair fly. But the difference between Kate and I is that I know that if I was going to a formal occasion or a work event, I should wear my hair up and out of my face. It’s been a long five years, but Kate is starting to realize that too.
When Kate, William and Harry were in France late last week for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Somme, Kate wore her hair back the entire time. It was nice to see her at a memorial without sausage curls and a skirt blowing up, right? But as it turns out, Kate decided to try something really new to keep her hair pulled away: she wore a hairnet!!! She only did it for the Thursday-evening event, the event where she wore the zig-zag Missoni coat. The hairnet was either already attached to her pillbox hat, or Kate’s hair people attached the net to the hat. I think you can make out the hairnet in these photos:
The Daily Mail says that hairnets are all the rage now, that designers are even putting hairnets on the runway this season. I doubt that Kate is trying to be trendy though. Isn’t it far more likely that she was trying to skew “older”? And isn’t it far more likely that Kate’s hair people were like, “Jesus, let’s just put it in a hairnet so her hair won’t be flying everywhere during this serious event”? So, what do you think? Hairnets: awful or the new styling trend? Or should we just give Kate a pass because she was actually trying to be respectful, and she was hoping that her duchess curls would stay in one place?
Photos courtesy of Getty, Pacific Coast News, WENN.
School lunch lady.
Hahaha that’s what I thought too! How can a hairnet be trendy?
Absolutely!!!!
The first thing I thought. When I used to work during my high school years at a pizza place I was required to wear one to cover my hair and I found it to be very uncomfortable. There’s no way I am buying one and wearing it for “fashion purposes”
Unless you are an equestrian, hair nets are for lunch ladies.
THIS. I wore them non stop when i competed. I’ve never seen them anywhere else (except possibly dancers), besides those who work with food.
Headline: Hairnets Sell Out Everywhere Due to the “Kate Effect” LMAO
A step away from snoods. .seriously, I don’t read a lot into it…
I like snoods. I think they can look really beautiful. But then, I love checking out the fashion of bygone eras.
Amazing what fashion trends come and go and how people respond to them.
I agree. There are some great pinterest boards of Worth gowns if you’re into that. The detailing on them is just jaw dropping.
Stockings rolled down to the ankles would really complete the look. And she’s wearing my Grandma’s crocheted afghan.
ROTFL…………………………love it.
Hairnets remind me of Ena Sharples.
http://goodtoknow.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/111/00000638c/6446_orh100000w614/Ena-sharples.jpg
Rollers remind me of Hilda Ogden
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CCQ-IiZpWio/S8VeH3nDN4I/AAAAAAAAAjg/Mtqj8FcAC7I/s1600/HildaOgden2.jpg
Ancient Britisher soapland.
Omg yes exactly!
I always preferred Minnie Caldwell’s look myself. I remember Ena was the Street’s battleaxe, and everyone quaked in their boots when she ordered a milk stout. Why do I know these things?
Sixer, I still watch Corrie to this day, it is my favourite soap. When I first used to watch it, it was on a black and white telly, and I was knee high to a grasshopper.
Oh my god. I remember Ena Sharples as a kid. Her and her sidekick. Was that Minnie Caldwell, antipodean? And Somebody Barlow. The theme is going through my head as I type!
My mother still watches Corrie. She does not miss an episode.
I vaguely remember my paternal grandmother watching Corrie and some flatmates of mine were into it when I was at uni, but otherwise that’s my entire soap experience! Shows you how much they are/were cultural icons that I even thought of them!
I thought that for once she looked completely appropriate for the event. Long may it continue! Also, the style of the hairnet is similar to that worn by female showjumpers so in the UK it has an upper class vibe to it which may be part of what her stylist was aiming for.
Accidental repeat.
I didn’t love her look here, but I’ve been banging on about her needing to get with the program and start dressing/styling herself appropriately…so, it’s a start. A teeny, tiny baby step in the right direction.
I also thought she liked nice except for the massive eyeliner.
Agreed. I really like the coat and she looked appropriate. I do have to say thought that her skin is just really a mess. Way too much sun. A peel would help immensely.
She has naturally wavy hair that probably does not respond well to windy or humid conditions. The net blends with her hair color.
In 2011 I was in Canada in a military facility. All the military women were required to keep their hairs in buns and so hairnets were used a lot to help with hairs as not all women had long manageable hairs so they were sold in the facility store. Pins also. I was a foreigner so nobody gave me rules on how to keep my hair but I did try the hairnet. 3 dollars i think it cost me. I ditch that thing the second day. I had a way to control my long fine hair just fine without it. But yeah not a trendy thing just a necessity. Some of those women can tell you that. But hey SHE rediscovered it and made it trendy. Leave the poor woman alone. Now they have a microscope on her to comment on every little thing. I have a lot of sympathy for her right now. It must be difficult to deal with this kind of scrutiny.
She looks really old in some of these pictures. I think it was respectful but I don’t see if lighting the world on fire. I think it makes common sense in her role there is a reason why Princess Anne always has her hair up and why the Queens has always been short.
I thought that too. I don’t pay attention to either she or William, but lately when I see pics of them on this site I’m struck by how much they’ve aged.
Yes, Kate looks much older lately, like she’s in her late 40’s. Why is that ? She certainly hasn’t had a hard life. The harsh makeup doesn’t help either.
She looks drawn and haggard because she is so skinny! I know I keep saying this, but I pray someone is intervening here. If she was healthy-thin, her face wouldn’t look so drawn. I think Hollywood women this thin get a lot of fillers, etc.
I always think she looks dehydrated
Kate looks much older than her 34 years; if I did not better I’d assume late 40’s. She has a very severe look: accentuated makeup and brows, and the weight loss makes her look aged. Wasn’t she sporting the hairnet as Ascot too? I think a ponytail makes her look younger as well as keep the hair from blowing around. I think there are alternatives to this elderly look which really has gotten out of hand.
She’s trying something new and for that good for her. She looked fine, the bar has been set low so I’m good with a hairnet.
I wish I could style her for a bit. A shame all that money and designer wear goes lost. Maybe no amount of help will alleviate the problem. Duchess cannot dress maybe her lifelong issue. Sad.
I like a pillbox hat — always chic.
Me too!
Yes! I think her hair looks lovely here and I love the understated rear bow. So much snark against her on this site!
It’s called Celebitchy for a reason. Go on a sugar site if you want blind praise.
Hairnet is fine but it’s a bit themey – velvet hat, large pearl earrings and hairnet is all a bit throwback. But if that’s what keeps it all in place then so be it!
I don’t have a problem with the hairnet. It kept her hair in place and was not obvious. Anything that stops her fiddling with her hair is fine by me.
This. Ditto.
I haven’t seen anyone wear a hairnet since my little old Italian grandma.
I might be one of the few people who despise this woman’s hair in these buns. She looks very pinched school mistress in her late 40s who’s never had a date and wears only tweed and brogues.
I’m right there with you.
I don’t understand why hair up means this old fashioned low chignon that ages her.
She’s worn her hair up in styles that managed to keep her looking youthful and that includes a simple ponytail.
Eg https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kate+middleton+jenny+packham&oq=kate+middleton+jenny&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j69i60l2j0l2.8688j0j4&client=tablet-android-samsung&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgdii=JouIbVQeGqfhXM%3A%3BPwI0YPY8094vgM%3A%3BPwI0YPY8094vgM%3A&imgrc=PwI0YPY8094vgM%3A
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kate+middleton+ponytail&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4v-qIt9zNAhWHBsAKHWaoAWMQ_AUIBygB&biw=768&bih=1024#imgrc=I0–eMoxceEn5M%3A
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kate+middleton+ponytail&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4v-qIt9zNAhWHBsAKHWaoAWMQ_AUIBygB&biw=768&bih=1024#imgrc=AqX_oXv5zd9KIM%3A
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kate+middleton+ponytail&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4v-qIt9zNAhWHBsAKHWaoAWMQ_AUIBygB&biw=768&bih=1024#imgdii=Ek5A7ruPkDt4FM%3A%3BWtHgvfQ3CwhEUM%3A%3BWtHgvfQ3CwhEUM%3A&imgrc=WtHgvfQ3CwhEUM%3A
Agree! She looks better in all of those pics.
I wouldn’t have like a ponytail for these solemn events, but I think the best she ever looked was a few years ago – I thought it was Trooping the Colour but it wasn’t. Her hair was back and she was in a carriage. She was stunning.
Her hair looks great in all of these, but I have a question. In the ponytail pictures is that all her hair? It just looks like a whole lotta hair to me, very thick and long.
Giddy: No, it’s not all her hair. A piece is added to the pony. Her hair is as thick as Pippa’s hair.
Here is a photo of her hair without any extensions added.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=kate+middleton+ponytail&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4v-qIt9zNAhWHBsAKHWaoAWMQ_AUIBygB&biw=768&bih=1024#imgdii=AqX_oXv5zd9KIM%3A%3BZ8SHEr9pvgfguM%3A%3BZ8SHEr9pvgfguM%3A&imgrc=Z8SHEr9pvgfguM%3A
Sarah: i agree that a ponytail might have been too casual, but the alternative shouldn’t be this low chignon that ages her.
Yes, this particular hairstyle isn’t flattering at all. Not only that, but the dye job is too dark. She looks like a severe school marm to me. Don’t cross her or you’ll get whacked with a ruler!
Appropriate and attractive.
And no skirt flying up! She really must have caught heck after that pretty yellow dress got airborne.
I can’t offer a comment on the hairnet, because all I can see is her awful posture. STAND UP STRAIGHT, WOMAN! Please!
I love the hair and the hat and the coat . Nor really a fan of the earrings .
I said on that original post that she looked like a 50 year old woman in 1964 or something. I’m doubling down on that. Girl, you’re in your 30s. There are ways to contain the hair without a net. Is there ANY royal lady in the European monarchies who is this style challenged? I just don’t get it. With all that time and money she just barely manages to look decent most of the time. There are high points but not many.
She looks like she’s on set of a period drama.
Very aging, but I guess we have to be happy with no sausage and biscuit about. Keep role playing Kate ,you might actually get it one day.
It’s like Jackie O cosplay.
She looks like an airline stewardess serving in the Jackie O era.
I used to wear a hair net like that for horse riding. Everyone is saying she’s looking older….I have two kids a similar ages to hers and yeah its aging 😬
When I was her age, I had three children between the ages of 5 and 1, I worked full time, and my husband’s job took him away for 4 nights a week. I was also driving 1.5 hours two times a week to get my Masters degree to keep my job. I was totally hanging on to my mind, I was so busy. And I am a blonde with lots of years of sun exposure.
I didn’t look that old at all. Her aging is from being so thin. Go look up what it does to your face. Google “faces of anorexia” and look at the images. Her face resembles the faces of people who are in the earlier stages. I think she is really struggling.
that is frightening…i think you may be right, she could definitely be battling anorexia 🙁
Well, if the skirt will fly, then the hair shall stay put!
After years of ballet company have having to wear snoods, I think it’s terrible! But it is occasion appropriate, there’s that.
Oh, me too, Kate! But as a former ballet dancer, I also know that a hairnet is the only way to keep a chignon wisp-free…….so I’m fine with it in this case!
Will’s RBF in that picture of all of them together is quite fierce.
duchess wears hairnet.
duchess looks old.
thank god for duchess issues.
the world is blowing up. i don’t even want to look at the “real” news anymore.
seriously.
Between Istanbul, Baghdad and now Medina, not to mention the ongoing fallout of Brexit, I feel like we’ve all just woken up in the madhouse. I prefer complaining about this stupid woman’s hair, at least it’s not actively depressing to consider.
Are photo editors adding wrinkles to her face? There’s no way she could look that old in person if she’s only 34.
Smoking and tanning (and dieting) all speed up the look of aging. That’s my guess with her. I’m 43 and have experienced some fat/volume loss in my face (formerly a total baby face) that has brought out lines and hollows like hers. Gaining a few pounds helps.
It is really shocking how much older she looks.
I think its classy. It’s a very normal part of wearing formal hats like she, and other British royalty often do. Our grandmas had class and our great grandmas had even more.
Key word: grandmas!
Key word: royalty?
Does this word really need to exist?
If she’s going for somebody’s hateful old closet-drinking spinster aunt circa 1963, she hit it. She looks like a clothes rack at the thrift store. And she really needs to get an esthetician or dermatologist to work on that face. She looks like she’s pushing 50.
I had to squint to see it, so sure.
Um the hair net wasn’t necessary and why does she look sooooo old.
Decorative hair nets that are meant to be seen = classy, chic
“Invisible” hairnets that are clearly visible = not
I think they are fine as an accessary when she will be photographed from afar Balcony, wedding etc) but close up it smacks of seeing a slip, brastrap, weave lines. I’m not pearl-clutching about the hairnet exactly but underpinnings of all kinds should not be seen. It’s tacky and inappropriate.
That first photo of her is really rough. Guess it’s the lighting.
I think she looks just fine. She doesn’t look old, they chose pictures that make her look old. You guys love to pick on this one. I like her. If I were her, I’d not be busting my butt either. She’s got two small kids to look after (yes, I know she has nannies, but I think she and William are hands on as much as they possibly can be…her more than him)
I’m sorry but living on benefits and not working for your money is not something to be applauded….. in this case do you boo
NONE of the royals actually work for a living so why pick on just her? None of them draw salaries as far as I know.
The rest of them do far more than Bill and Kate, and all in recent memory have done more work than them while also raising small kids. Working parents are not bad parents, and if you take the pay you have to do the work.
If they’re going to continue to take the perks for the position, they have to do the work. If she wants to be a SAHM, she chased the wrong man for a decade. They want to play that game, he has to step aside, remove the kids, give up all of the perks associated with the work they refuse to do, and live only off William’s inheritance.
The Prince’s Trust, Invictus, the Duke of E Awards Scheme, Philip’s technology group for the Commonwealth, and Sentebale are making big differences in people’s lives. They can choose to do impactful work as royals. The problem is, W&K do not want to work. Period.
Preach, notasugarhere!!!
So she should tell Charles to not spend the part of the 4 million dollars he spent last year on Harry, Will’s and her on her portion anymore. Which I’m sure was the biggest part.
No work = No pay, and the British don’t seem to be in a mood to support useless fools anymore.
Hair nets are wonderful with hats if you are going to be in a windy place. Even when long hair is pinned up, a good gust of wind can knock your updo out and take the hat with it. As a fellow long hair, I approve.
I don’t think that hairnets make you a grandma but then again that could be because I have several for when I wear hats (along with hat pins to hold the bloody things [the hats] in place) as well as having several snoods. Snoods can be absolutely amazing with the correct suit or formal wear. They keep your hair from landing in your dinner without making you look like a lunch lady. I also have a couple of satin snood-like attachments for my dirt bike helmet that protect my hair when I am out riding. The satin is sewn inside out so the hair slips easily without getting damaged. Though protecting my hair is not the main objective to those, keeping my scalp attached to my head is. Having my hair get caught in the chain and the chain scalping me is not my idea of a way to end a fun day of riding.
I like Kate and think she gets a lot of uwarranted (and warranted) criticism, but can we talk about her skin? She’s what, 34? And she has skin like a middle-aged truck stop waitress. It’s insane.
‘Middle aged truck stop waitress.’
Hahahahah. Thank you for that laugh!
I don’t get the hairnet hate. It’s the correct color for her hair; it’s not obvious. Her updo was low to accommodate the hat, and it would have been rubbing on her coat collar and coming undone. I actually think it was the classy and sensible thing to do, and I never thought I’d be applying either of those adjectives to the Duchess of Flyaway Skirt and Hair.
Her eyeliner, on the other hand. My god! It’s like she thought a solemn occasion needed her to look sadder by accentuating her dark circles, so she went straight to her trusty Sharpie on her lower lash line.
Kate wanted to keep her hair from becoming a blown out mess so she used a net that is invisible unless you are up close. That is perfectly fine and respectful at a memorial service.
No story here. Keep moving on folks.
Only wore hairnets for annual ballet recital/occasional ballet classes. That’s what hairnets make me think of–ballet dancers, not lunch ladies. I never ate the food in school so never got served by the lunch ladies.
I like the hairnet. Lady Edith wore them with her hats in Downton Abbey, and I thought they looked neat there, too. I know Kate loved that show, maybe that’s where she got the idea from. Anyway, I think she’s looked great lately, and I’m glad to see she participating in more events. It’s nice to see some positives for her.
I can only see Ruth Buzzy!
http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Mc43a9655b984aa2f577d5a23f0170793o1&w=293&h=299&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0
God Bless you for that beautiful memory! Laugh in
I think it looks pretty on her.
I don’t understand what all this talk about. She looks awful with this hairnet or without it. Horrible posture, very bad skin. Oh, she doesn’t flash, touched/smell/eat her hairs on that meeting, what a big achievement!
Back in the late 80’s early 90’s I used to wear my hair in a decorative net. There would either be a bow of some kind or a decorative clip that snapped on while your hair would go inside the visible netting bag. I used to call them my “hair bags” but I really did love them. I had them to go with every outfit cuz I never could figure out how to get my crazy hair to do what I wanted. (When I was young and had a lot thicker hair!) I was sorry when they went out of style with the scrunchie.
She has dressed like an old lady, but this is the Royal family – they are not there to be fashionable or trendy. Kate turns up to these events to pay respects on behalf of the Queen and if it’s best for her hair not to be flying every where, so be it.