Kate in Navy Lace Erdem

Kate & Will have arrived in Canada. In a twist that I did not see coming, the Duchess of Cambridge has now COMBINED the two colors she was previously alternating (navy & white) into her North American debut outfit. The crepe and lace shift dress is from Canadian born, British designer Erdem Moralioglu - more famously known as simply Erdem (probably because no one can say his last name). I'm a huge fan of Erdem and super excited to see her wearing this dress!

photo via Daily Mail

photo via Daily Mail

Her hair stylist could not have been happy about this crazy windy weather. He probably just spent the previous 2 hours getting her locks "just so".  Poor guy. No, who am I kidding - dude is traveling with royalty.

Kate's presto-change-o from the navy dress and blazer she was wearing upon takeoff, did not, unfortunately include her shoes.

Yup, still wearing the trust LK Bennett nude court shoes. I'm going to sneak into their royal residence and steal these muthas. Thus, forcing her into more interesting shoe choices. It would be worth the risk of arrest, prosecution and possible incarceration. Fashionistas everywhere will thank me for my brave sacrifice to the world. I will be known as The Shoe Martyr.

She is trying though, clearly with the dress. It is part of Erdem's Resort 2012 line. I have not seen it in stores yet, but I know his other pieces can be found at most high end retailers. I have been dreaming about this Erdem dress at Matches.

photo via Daily Mail

Anyway, not much else to report here. Awesome choice Kate. Well done. Keep up the good work. The world, is literally watching.

photo via Vogue

from the Erdem Resort 2012 line.

Here We Go - the Duke and Duchess Fly to Canada

Continuing with her theme of alternating navy and white, Kate boarded the Royal Canadian Airforce plane wearing a navy shift dress and matching blazer with gold buttons, navy pumps and a navy Mulberry handbag. The handbag is definitely the most exciting part of this ensemble. It's the Polly Push Lock and you can buy it here. It's an iconic British brand. She looks great.

Stay tuned, it's going to be a busy whirlwind of posts for the next week.

It is rumored she consulted with stylists to plan her outfits for this trip. If this is true, I hope they convinced her to accessorize with a bit more flair. Also, I hope she leaves her hats and fascinators behind - no one is wearing them in North America - it will be fine.

In any case, this should be fun . . .

Let's Talk About Pippa in Red

I don't have much to say about this. It's Pippa. It's a conservative, cute, slightly boring red dress from Hobbs. It was on sale for £89. It sold out. She is still carrying my grandmother's handbag.

photos via Daily Mail

Apparently, Pippa is still dating this chap. I can't be bothered with his name. Anyone?

photo via Daily Mail

The Duchess Wore White, The Duke Did The Wave and Andy Takes a Bow

Wearing white to Wimbledon - so class act. Continuing with the whole "new brides wear white" theme - also class act. This is the 'Moriah' dress from Temperley. No, you can't have one - it sold out within 1/2 hour of her appearance.

photos via Daily Mail

photos via Daily Mail

And in the 'predictable shoewear' department we have the trusty LK Bennett nude pumps - or as the Brits call them - courts. As in, shoes you would wear to court. As in, a court of law. NOT a tennis court. Oh well, I have learned, when it comes to Kate, you just can't have it all. But, seriously, forget about what she is wearing, because the best part about all of this - is this:

photo via Daily Mail

and this:

photo via Daily Mail

The Duke of Cambridge having some fun with the wave - he wasn't going to do it, but Kate did it and told him to do it and he did and everyone LOVED it. And then Andy BOWS to them after his win!! Awesomesauce. This is the kind of shenanigans we all want to see. Love it.

the Duchess in Navy Military Dress

Kate looked just the part in her navy double breasted Burberry  (Update: this is McQueen) coat when she and William attended a ceremony to award medals to members of the Irish Guard.

photo via Daily Mail

I actually really like what William is wearing as well. Best uniform yet. I wonder how many he has?

photo via Daily Mail

Kate is clearly having so much fun with all this royal business. Good for her.

photos via Daily Mail

The "C" charm bracelet is a new favorite - a gift from Camilla. She's adorbs. Love her. Love the navy and gold. Good times.

Kate in Coral Satin Silk Dress

The royal grandchildren treated Prince Philip to dinner for his 90th birthday last evening. The group, which included Will and Kate, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, Peter Phillips and his wife, Autumn, and Peter's sister Zara, dined at The Waterside Inn.  Kate wore a coral coloured satin silk Stella McCartney dress.

photo via Daily Mail

 This is the same dress Madonna wore to an AMFAR event in 2008:

photo via Grazia

The dress certainly photographs better in the daytime. I really like the dress and coral could not be more hot right now. But every time I see a celebrity photographed in a satin silk dress I think the same thing - that looks awful. I'm sure it is beautiful in person, it just does not photograph well. Anyway, I love seeing Kate wearing McCartney. So much better than that mother-of-the-bride business she was wearing earlier in the day. Stay tuned, Royal Ascot begins this week!

Kate in Silver at Order of The Garter Service

In yet another public appearance, Kate wore a grey ensemble from Katherine Hooker. The Buxton Dress is a mercury crepe satin and the Buxton Coat is Ash Simla silk with a bead and lace trim. Katherine Hooker wrote on her Facebook page that Kate's coat was specially designed with an antique clasp. She looked lovely, if slightly boring. This dress-with-matching-coat is basically a younger woman's version of what the Queen wears. I understand there are particular challenges with dressing formally, staying warm and looking royal. It 's just not a good look for a beautiful young woman. This is what they call in America a "mother of the bride" ensemble. And enough with the fascinators already. All the women in America are fed up with the fascinators. They simply are not worn in the US and, well, here they simply ARE. One does not consider going to a formal occasion without a flying saucer attached to ones head. Such a shame, because they really are quite ridiculous. This one is, of course, from Philip Treacy.

 

Kate seems so relaxed and happy at these events. Such a stark contrast to Diana who always seemed scared and shy.

all photos via AP

The Order of the Garter is quite exclusive, dating back to 1348. It is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood. Beyond those in the royal family, there are only 24 other members. Here is Will in his Order robes:

Fancy indeed. I still prefer the giant fluffy hat he was wearing yesterday. My goodness, no wonder these people need "dressers".

Busy Weekend for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Following her stunning social debut at the ARK Gala Dinner on Friday night, Kate spent Saturday attending the wedding of friend Sam Whaley-Cohen AFTER attending the Trooping of the Colour, a massive pomp and circumstance event, where her husband rode a horse and wore one of those giant fluffy hats.

Kate's wearing a dress she wore a few years ago on a night out with Pippa and the same hat she wore to the Trooping of the Colour earlier in the day (she's a super-recycler):

 

Kate's jacket is from McQueen. I love that she is wearing a lot of white - a new bride should!

Is anybody else just dying to get their hands on one of those giant fluffy hats? I just want to touch it - wear it around for a while, take some pictures. Then I would give it back. Maybe. I digress, the weekend was then capped off with the Duke of Edinburgh's 90th birthday celebration:

Kate wore a lovely periwinkle jaquard coat, previously worn to a friends wedding in 2009. We have also seen that dress before. It is the periwinkle pleated Zara dress that she wore the day after the wedding. I wonder if Will and Harry considered swapping ties considering how good Harry's looks with Kate's outfit. Do fancy royal people consider things like tie swapping? Doubtful.

I love how distracted she is in this shot. No time for clergy apparently. Harry seems really skeptical of this guy too. Well, that wraps up the whirlwind weekend of the couple royal. One more shot of the hat:

Tell me you do not want to touch that giant fluffiness. You know you do.

Kate Wears Kiki McDonough Earrings at Epsom

The citrine and gold drop earrings are from the Eternal Collection at Kiki McDonough. They retail for £495. Find them HERE.

photo via PA and Kiki McDonough

Duchess Catherine at the ARK Gala Dinner

Kate & Will made their social debut last night at a £10,000. per seat charity ball. The annual ARK Gala Dinner raises money to support programs for disadvantaged children around the globe. Kate looked stunning in a £3,800. Jenny Packham gown. It was a shimmery peachy pink covered in sequins.

photo via Daily Mail

I was so thrilled to see her wearing SANDALS! Still, from LK Bennett, but it's a step in the right direction (pun intended). The £175.00 suede "Agata" sandals are sold out online in pink-rose, but still available in a few sizes in black or red.

all photos via Daily Mail

Ooh - she wears my size!

Kate & Will at Epsom

Kate looked amazing and so appropriately dressed for the Epsom Derby. And the boys were dapper in top hats and tails.

photo via Daily Mail

photo via Daily Mail

I love this combination of flirty and flowy dress with tailored and trim jacket. The hat looks a bit too much like a beret, but her hair is amazing. The back is worked into a sort of a messy, braid/bun. The dress is from Reiss - no word on whether she crashed their website again. The "Nessie" jacket is from Joseph and the shoes and clutch are from LK Bennett. Her hat, or fascinator is from Whiteley. She really is a champion of High Street in this ensemble.

The jacket seems to be available at several online outlets in navy.

I do wish she would not wear the panyhose or tights as they are called here. Surely her legs are trimmed and tan enough to go without them. Could be a necessary thing for formality, but I think she could take the initiative to change that now.

Well done, Duchess Kate. Can't wait to see what your wear to Ark tonight!

Carole Outdresses Pippa at The Goring Hotel

Pippa & Carole Middleton attended the opening of Basil's Bar at the Goring Hotel last evening. Pippa is wearing a dress by the French brand, Maje. Unfortunately, she also chose to wear a cardigan and pantyhose. She clearly went for a double dose of spray tan for this event. It was a beach party after all, so why the pantyhose Pippa? The Middleton girls seem to wear these quite a bit. Again, I can see where this might be necessary for Kate in her more conservative role as a Royal, but Pippa could really do without. She is a 27 year old woman with fantastic legs, not a middle-aged office worker. Why pay to have someone spray a tan on your legs and then cover them up? Even her Mom is bare legged and frankly, more fashionably dressed on this occasion. Carole looks amazing in this flowing colorful frock. Pippa is straight up boring. And again, the shoes! Would someone buy these women a pair of sandals for goodness sake. Is this a British thing? Summer too short to invest in sandals? Maybe the Middleton women have hideously misshapen toes?

photo via Hello Magazine

Kate will be back on the scene soon, so stay tuned. Tonight, she and William will make their social debut at the "society event of the season" - the £10,000. annual Ark charity dinner. Here's to hoping Kate finds something more interesting than nude pumps to put on her feet.

Pippa in Animal Prints

Pippa has redeemed herself every so slightly with this outfit. Unfortunately, she is still carrying my grandmother's handbag.

photo via Celebuzz

Perhaps she feels indebted to Modalu, who has renamed an entire handbag collection in her honor.

photo via Celebuzz

I am partial to animal prints as they are both timeless and edgy. I love the sequin zebra dress, by Issa, that Pippa wore to a Saatchi Gallery party in 2007. But, again, the shoes - so conservative. The dress deserves better.

photo via Vogue UK

Pippa At The French Open

So lately I have been thinking - how great it must be to be "Pippa". She is suddenly, literally, one of the most famous women in the world. She gets all of the perks of her famous sister with none of the downside of the pressures of being a royal. She is at the top of the Google search engines. Women and men everywhere are watching her every move. She is 27, attractive, wealthy and connected. All of this being true, then why oh why, on God's green earth, would she show up at the French Open wearing THIS?:

photos via Daily Mail

photo via Mirror UK

This outfit might be worthy of a run to the corner market. Perhaps the world has thrust the moniker of style icon upon this young lady too hastily? I was already beginning to believe that we were giving these Middleton sisters way too much credit in the style department. The thing is, I can understand Kate's more conservative choices. I truly believe it will be interesting to watch how she meshes her personal style with being a royal. But, Pippa! Pippa has no excuse for wearing yawn inspiring frocks, boring shoes and a purse my grandmother would carry. The world is watching you Pippa. You can make that work for you or not. I'm not saying you need to start dressing for attention, merely that if you are already getting so much attention, for goodness sake - take the time to throw on a necklace! Give us something! Otherwise, we will start paying attention to someone else. Oh, wait . . . hmmm. Could be she is a very clever girl. No, who am I kidding? She just needs a stylist. Stat.