Saturday, April 30, 2011

Kate Wears Blue Zara Dress Leaving Buckingham Palace



After spending their wedding night at Buckingham Palace, Prince William and Kate Middleton--the Duchess of Cambridge now, we suppose, although we think we'll stick with KMidd--departed via helicopter. Apparently they'll take a weekend and then go back to their "regular" lives before taking their honeymoon sometime in the future, ostensibly to escape some of the press scrutiny.



A relaxed looking Kate once again showed her love for blue--and the high street--by appearing in a pleated Zara dress worn with a belt, a boxy black blazer with three-quarter length sleeves (which we've yet to ID) and her favoured L.K. Bennett Maddox wedges. The collarless black jacket with three-quarter-length sleeves looks like Joseph to us, but yet to be confirmed. Thumbs up to Kate's going away outfit.

Update 12-06-11:

Kate's black blazer has now been identified as Ralph Lauren!


Friday, April 29, 2011

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress: Part Deux


A girl needs to be comfortable for dancing and Kate Middleton is no different. Departing Clarence House for Buckingham Palace and her wedding reception, the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge chose to chuck her McQueen wedding gown for another white dress designed by Sarah Burton. Kate's second dress is a strapless, floor-length gazar number with a jewelled waistband that Kate accessorized with a cute and cropped angora sweater. Camilla, also seen here, switched it up opting for another Anna Valentine creation.



Pippa Middleton also left her white McQueen behind...


For the evening Pippa opted for a jewel-coloured Temperley London gown.
We're not 100% sure we're on the Pippa train, although we can say the girl certainly is tanned.


Photos via cbsnews.com and fashionista.com





William and Kate: The Official Wedding Photos





Photo Credit: Hugo Burnand
Courtesy of the British Monarchy

CopyKate: The Duchess of Cambridge's Nails


Wonder what polish shades Kate Middleton was sporting on her wedding day? Well, wonder no more. We've got the scoop for you direct from the horse's mouth. Not that we're calling the Duchess a horse...or that this news came from her mouth. Rather the one spilling the beans is Kate's manicurist Marina Sandoval from the Jo Hansford Salon. The manicure was apparently a pre-wedding pampering gift from Camilla.

Probably to stop a barganista like Kate from doing her own nails.
Or enlisting Pippa's services.





Marina reveals that Kate's wedding nails are actually a mix of two colours: Essie Allure and Bourjois So Laque Ultra Shine Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge.


Through the years it's becoming increasingly obvious that while Kate has a serious romance going with her eyeliner she really prefers nude when it comes to nails and lips. We can't remember if we've ever seen the Duchess with a bright lippy or mani. Forward us a pic if you find one!



Our fave option for semi-sheer nude nails?
OPI's Bubble Bath, a perfect option for classic, neat nails.
But if you want a polish on the white side or totally
clear, then this one isn't for you.

The British Royal Wedding: It's McQueen for the Future Queen!



You're getting married in front of billions of people and marrying into one of the most prestigious royal families in the world. And your hubby-to-be is the second-in-line to the throne to boot. This is one of those times when the age-old What to wear? question can be a real sartorial conundrum.

via tv.popcrunch.com

Kate Middleton must have known she couldn't go too trendy, too avant garde or too sexy. She would have wanted a gown that spoke to her personality and would also stand up to the test of time. Keeping all that in mind we think Catherine's dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, achieves its aims. Sure maybe its a bit too Grace Kelly for our liking (beautiful, but if we were KMidd we'd want a dress that screamed KATE not GRACE--you know what we mean...) but the construction and detailing were gorgeous.



The web exploded the night before the wedding when a hooded figure was seen going into the Goring Hotel where the now-Duchess of Cambridge was staying with her family. Eagle eyed fashionistas instantly ID'd the figure by her trademark belt and ballet flats: Sarah Burton! We were going to get the McQueen we'd been hoping for! And, yes, maybe the dress was more Burton than Lee McQueen, but there were definitely traces of the house--especially at the nipped in waist and fall of the skirt, which was our favourite part of the dress.

Here are some details on the dress via US Magazine and Clarence House:

"Its bodice and skirt features a lace applique hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, with lace designed and hand-engineered using a nearly 200-year-old tradition known as Carrickmacross lace-making. Individual flowers -- rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock -- were hand-cut and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle. The dress itself was made with ivory and white satin gazar and 'echoes an opening flower,' the statement adds. The train measures two-meters, 70-centimeters. The gown also features an ivory satin bodice narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips; the back is finished with 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops."


So let's recap. We thought Kate Middleton looked beautiful. Fresh and happy and like herself. The delicate lace was, of course, classic, and the corset bodice and flowing embroidered skirt did wonders for that wasp-like waist. A gorgeous veil too and a perfect choice of understated tiara borrowed from the Queen.


So, obvs, no OTT fashion statements, not that we expected any. We would have just liked a dress that was a bit more unique.


Kate's tiara is the "halo" Cartier tiara (I've also heard it referred to as the Scroll) that originally belonged to the Queen Mother and was given to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.

The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Anne, and the Duchess of
Cambridge have all worn the Halo Tiara via the royalforums.com

Notice the acorn dangling from Kate's earrings?
A clear reference to the new Middleton family crest
custom made by Robinson Pelham Jewellers.



Pippa Middleton also made quite a splash on the wedding day in her own McQueen gown, which obviously hugged all the right places, like the maid of honour's well-toned posterior. The Middletons certainly have arrived.


Carole Middleton also looked chic, elegant and youthful in pale blue Catherine Walker. The mother-of-the-bride looked beautiful without overshadowing her daughter.



The bouquet, meanwhile was described as "a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers."

We're partial to lily of the valley when it comes to brides.



We woke up early to watch a wedding taking place a continent away and we weren't disappointed by the spectacle, but what we really loved were those touches of realness that seem to suggest that this royal couple is the real deal. Like when William turned to Kate's farther Michael and made a quip of having planned for a small family affair.

Our favourite part was the sly look that Harry snuck as Kate walked down the aisle towards William who, per tradition, kept his back turned. The younger prince turned to his brother and said, "Wait 'til you see her." Let's say it all together now: AWWWW.


When Wills, so often reserved, did see Kate how did he react?
By telling her how beautiful she looked. Over and over.
Score one for the McQueen.


The sly smiles and knowing looks shared by the duo throughout the ceremony shows that they're a real couple. They know each other. This isn't some awkward arranged deal and I think the Firm will be all the better for it.


As for the rehearsed balcony kiss? Well wishers were treated to not one but two liplocks, albeit quite chaste ones. Judging from the fans screaming as if they were at a rock concert the royals are enjoying a popularity they haven't dreamt of in years. While the princes have always been popular we'd wager that a lot of it has to do with Kate. A little bit fairytale princess, a little bit every woman. We don't think it'll be long now before Wills may just have to borrow JFK's famous quip about being the man accompanying Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris. Its going to be tough work for Kate not to overshadow her husband in the coming months.

As for the guests...
A quite pregnant Victoria Beckham sported a dress (tent?) of her own design, sky-high custom Louboutins and a stewardess-esque fascinator via Philip Treacy.

Can someone please explain to us why Chelsy Davy always looks like the morning after? How does the girl manage to look like she's doing the walk of shame in custom Alberta Ferretti?

And then there is Beatrice and Eugenie. The York girls weren't exactly sartorial wins. Eugenie was pretty much a hot mess in blue Vivienne Westwood while we quite liked Beatrice's Valentino suit, although her Philip Treacy fascinator did look a bit like it was attaching her face, which we're not exactly sure is the point.

We quite liked Samantha Cameron's Burberry dress and the overall colour scheme of her outfit. Criticized by some for her Blair Waldorf-esque headband instead of a hat, we're not inclined to be quite so harsh on SamCam.

Our favourite ceremony look had to be Lady Sophie Windsor who was almost noir-ishly glam in her navy Armani Privé cocktail dress and jacket combo. The coat, in silk jacquard, featured a subtle checkerboard pattern and was fastened by an unfussy bow. Sophie's hat (the 'Stealth') is also Philip Treacy who, we suspect, can now retire to his own island.

What did you think of Kate Middleton's wedding day style?
Who was your best and worst dressed guest?



Photosvia The Daily Mail, Getty, windsorknot.today.com, fashionista.com, people.com, vanityfair.com, OK!



Thursday, April 28, 2011

Kate Middleton In Bird-Print Issa the Night Before Her Wedding


Kate Middleton arrived at the Goring Hotel the night before her wedding accompanied by her mum, Carole, and her sister, Pippa. The soon-to-be-royal smiled comfortably and waved at the gathered crowds while wearing a cropped cardi over a bird-print sundress paired with chic wedges. You know what they call that? A natural.


Kate's bird-print dress is by Issa London,
already established as one of her fave labels.
We've seen this dress on Kate before as it's
been in her closet since at least 2006.




Kate's round-toed patent wedges are the L.K. Bennett's Maddox 
and her cropped white jacket is the BCBG Ruffle Woven Twill Jacket.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Kate's Last Minute Wedding Preparations

Photo: PopSugar.com

Kate Middleton was spotted in a casually chic ensemble while dashing around making some last minute preparations for the big day. Clad in a soft pink, cowl-necked sweater, skinny jeans, and a streamlined white blazer, Kate didn't seem to be showing signs of strains. Rather nary a hair was out of place. Kate accessorized with her brown Prada bowler bag and Dolce Vita espadrille slingback wedges.



We're pretty sure that Kate's pink sweater looks a lot like this Cashmere Cowl Neck Tunic from John Lewis. No confirmation on that, though.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Kate Middleton Pre-Wedding Shops in Black Issa Wrap Dress

A thinner looking Kate Middleton was seen doing some pre-wedding shopping on the King's Road clad in a simple black Issa wrap dress. While we're all for a classic wrap we're thinking that with Kate's recent weight loss this may not be the best look for her (deep V neck and all).

Kate reportedly shopped at Warehouse (snapping up some honeymoon worthy pieces like their Tropical Bird Print Dress and Feather Print One Shoulder Dress), as well as Banana Republic where she reportedly bought a Mini Ruffle Cardigan.

The best part? Reports have KMidd popping into Whistles to snap up the Kate Blouse. That's right, the very same ruffled silk blouse that Prince William's future Mrs sported in their Testino-snapped engagement pics.



Kate was also seen carrying a Prada bowler bag and wearing the same Salvatore Ferragamo tan kitten heels with buckle we've seen her sporting before. Yeah, we think they're kinda old looking, too.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The New Middleton Family Coat of Arms

Being the first commoner in centuries to marry an heir to throne means that Kate Middleton has some very unique business to see to before her "I dos." One of these tasks was getting the Middleton family set up with their own crest that can be used on souvenir wedding programs and the like.

The crest apparently cost £4,400 (what in the what now?!) and Kate was said to be heavily involved with the design, which features three acorns meant to represent Kate, Pippa and James. Why acorns you ask? Well, apparently because acorns become oaks, great trees that symbolize strength and grow in West Berkshire where the Middletons hail from.

That inverted gold V in the centre of the design reps Carole Middleton (whose maiden name is Goldsmith), showing that she is the heart and centre of the family. The white inverted Vs are said to stand for mountains and the family's love of skiing (kind of lame, says us). The Middletons picked red and blue for a backgroud to reflect England and also, conveniently, to match Wills' new coat of arms. The tied ribbon is said to represent Kate's as-yet unmarried status.

Once KMidd says her royal "I dos" her new coat of arms will be joined with William's with his on the left and her's on the right in what is apparently known as an "impaled arms." Sounds painful to us.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Kate Middleton in Navy Amanda Wakeley at Darwen Academy


Prince William and Kate Middleton appeared at Darwen Academy on a rain soaked day that clearly tested the hold of Kate's signature blowout. On this day Kate chose a half-up style, a navy suit by Amanda Wakeley and a perma-smile that seems to be proclaiming that she's not only ready for her royal duties but will relish them.


At first glance the suit seems a bit...safe, but we like the detailing like the hook and eye clasps of the jacket. The block-heeled shoes, however, we could have done without.


Sure, we understand someone on their feet for several hours needs something comfortable but Kate's L.K. Bennett Art heels seem to be veerying into granny territory. As in Wills' granny, QE II.


Kate's clutch--which we're thinking may be Anya Hindmarch--we definitely like.
KMidd's earrings are the Kiki Mcdonough Citrine Drops.



Photos via Instyle