Royal Flashback of the Day: September 23

The Cambridge family lands in Canada on Saturday! Yes, we will have a weekend post once we see what sort of sartorial selection the arrival brings.

But first, let's flashback one more time to their 2011 visit to the country, and one more frequent royal tour feature: the good old flag interpretation.

By tsaiproject [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

A white Reiss dress (repeated from the couple's engagement photographs) and a red maple leaf-adorned Lock & Co. hat made for an unmistakable interpretation of the Canadian flag for Canada Day festivities, with the Queen's diamond Maple Leaf Brooch added in for good measure. This outfit seems a bit...contrived, I want to say, but that's a silly thing to say when any outfit echoing a country's colors and/or motifs is by nature at least a little bit contrived. Still, some outfits seem to work a little harder at it than others.

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This outfit, on the other hand, was a nod instead of a blinking arrow. A red Catherine Walker coat and a repeat of that loaner brooch closed out the Canadian leg of the tour. Can't ever go too wrong with the classics, can you?

So, what's to come? We'll find out this weekend. See you then.

Royal Wedding Flashback of the Day: July 20

Lady Helen Windsor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, married Tim Taylor on July 18, 1992. Her Catherine Walker gown - so difficult to construct, the designer later wrote she nearly had to bribe her team to create it - became one of the highlights of Catherine Walker's considerable royal dressing career. (Walker herself passed away in 2010, but her legacy continues today. Lady Gabriella Windsor and the Duchess of Cambridge are current royal fans.)

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The bride borrowed the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara from her mother. The tiara was most likely created from a diamond bandeau from Queen Mary, a piece that the Duchess of Kent wore on her own wedding day. The embroidery on the dress took its cues from the tiara, so - combined with her pearl and diamond necklace and earrings - this is one of the best examples of jewelry working with a wedding dress to create a complete look.

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The arches at the neckline were inspired by the St. George's Chapel venue, an influence that is clear without becoming overwhelming. It's not The Cathedral Gown - as opposed to, say, The Bow Gown - but those details still give this dress its originality. I think it's a bit dated, from today's perspective, but it still holds its own and I still consider it anew each time I see it. (This time around, I realize that I never really considered her bouquet, or how she held it. Suddenly realizing that it included purple - I'm just generally not here to look at the flowers, okay? - makes me love this look even more.)

See my original post on this dress, with more details, here.

Royal Fashion Awards: Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday Service

More than fifty members of the British royal family gathered today at St. Paul’s Cathedral for a National Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s 90th birthday. That is a massive amount of royals, and they brought with them everything that a massive amount of royals should: hats! Coat dresses! Jewels! Let’s dig in.

Best in Birthday

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh

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Decked out in a detailed primrose yellow ensemble by Angela Kelly, the Queen was a birthday ray of sunshine today. Nothing shone brighter than her brooch, though: she adopted the go big or go home strategy and donned the Richmond Brooch from Queen Mary’s collection. A rare brooch for her, and certainly one fitting for a special occasion (more, as always, over at the Vault).

BBC

We must also take a moment to recognize the dapper Duke of Edinburgh. It may have been a day designated for celebration of the Queen, but it was also Philip’s 95th birthday, and he celebrated by determinedly walking down the steps of St. Paul’s without using the temporary handrails set up for the Queen.

Best in Repeats

The Duchess of Cornwall

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This is the sort of special occasion for which I fully expect to see some new outfits – yes, even from those family members as predictable and pragmatic as Anne and Camilla – which is why it was a bit of a letdown to see these two stick to their predictable and pragmatic ways.

The Royal Family

I’ll give them this, though: these are two good outfits from their respective collections of repeats. Camilla’s Bruce Oldfield coat and Philip Treacy hat make up one of the best outfits she’s got going right now, so I’ll give her my prize. (And there's also more on Camilla's jewels over at the Vault.)

Best in Blue/Grays

The Countess of Wessex

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There was an almost determinedly understated color palette running through the top tier royal ladies, starting with Camilla’s pale blue and carrying through to Kate’s soft blue Catherine Walker coat and cream Jane Taylor hat and Sophie’s gray Suzannah coat dress and Jane Taylor hat. Lovely looks for both the Duchess and the Countess, but Sophie’s sleek dress caught my eye from the start and didn’t let go. So chic.

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(Bonus points, by the way, for Lady Louise Windsor, continuing her training as a future royal millinery model! Viscount Severn was present too, making his state event debut.)

Best in Contrast

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

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If you needed a little more color and a little more contrast, you needed only to look towards the rest of the family. Eugenie led the way in her red Eponine London dress, with a skirt just waiting to be swished around (i.e., my favorite kind of skirt). Also? Several headband-loving royals could take note of her hat, which manages to be both headband-minimalist and big enough to seem legit.

BBC, Burberry, Eponine London

I feel like Princess Beatrice’s coat is getting a lot of side-eye, but – contrarian that I am – I’m ready and willing to defend it. (People keep referring to it as a Stormtrooper outfit. Please. It’s more of a skeleton costume.) It doesn’t have any place being paired with a hat with a bow, I'll give you that, but the boldly graphic Burberry coat was a welcome jolt to the royal party aesthetic.

Best in Personal Bests

Zara Tindall

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Is this floral dress a Zara personal best? I think we’re nearing that bar, if not even crossing over it. The hat’s spot on, too. Sometimes a little Erdem is all you need.

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Autumn Phillips’ green dress by Suzannah was nothing to sneeze at either, but the zootopia pouf on her hat certainly seemed sneeze-inducing.

Best in Hats

Lady Gabriella Windsor

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Lady Gabriella Windsor, Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor

Trust the Kents to bring it in the hat department, from the Countess of St. Andrews' bold turban sculpture to Princess Alexandra’s summery straw to Princess Michael’s feathery flair. A royal gathering this big brings royal weddings to the mind and a royal hat as big as Lady Gabriella’s follows through on that promise. Its statement size is nicely neutralized by its basic color.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Duke of Kent, the Earl and Countess of St. Andrews
The Royal Family, BBC

Best in Sneaky Jewels

The Duchess of Gloucester

The Royal Family

This isn’t one of her immediately recognizable repeats (I’m not sure if it is a repeat or not, but it's not one we’ve seen at a ton of recent big family events), and she’s doing as she usually does and sneaking in as many day jewels as she can. Those clips! Those pearls!

Best in Retro

Viscountess Linley

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Chatting with Sophie Wessex before the service began, you couldn’t miss Viscountess Linley's contribution to the day's millinery statements. Definitely a retro throwback, and honestly pretty fabulous.

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No retro category is complete without Serena’s sister-in-law, though! You will be shocked to see that Lady Sarah Chatto is not in gray, or white, or black this time around. Navy – what a shocker – and even a bit of interest on the skirt. (Longtime readers know I kid, because I fall for her style no matter what predictable format it takes.)

Who was your best dressed at the birthday service?

I haven’t hit all of the royal family members present, so feel free to add more in the comments! (But I mean, the men, they wore suits.)

P.S.: Tomorrow we have Trooping the Colour, and you can tune into the Jewel Vault for complete coverage.

Royal Florals of the Day: May 24

Nothing brings a royal turnout quite like a flower show, and the Chelsea Flower Show is king when it comes to royal attendance. QEII led a pack of Windsors to view the garden displays yesterday, sporting a brooch directly tied to the show itself (and, of course, you can read all about that at the Vault).

The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Countess of Wessex, and the Princess Royal were a few of yesterday's royal visitors.
The Royal Family

While the Duchess of Cambridge occupied headlines in her repeated Catherine Walker coat, my true favorites were those who took the day's floral theme literally. (They weren't my favorites because they took the theme so literally, okay, but it's a happy coincidence and I'm running with it.)

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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie

A good show from the York sisters, I thought. There's a casual lack of coordination in Beatrice's outfit that actually works for a day out like this, and the peekaboo panels on Eugenie's skirt touch on the floral theme without overdoing it. If that white dress doesn't say springtime, I don't know what does.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with going Full Floral. In fact, sometimes that's just what's called for.

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The Countess of Wessex

Oh, how I love a little interest in the shape of a skirt. Adding the black jacket brings this Alexander McQueen dress down just a notch without sacrificing any interest. This feels like the perfect way to do a modern floral in a non-grandma's sofa sort of way. Another win for Sophie, and my absolute favorite for the day.

Royal Exhibition of the Day: February 10

It's going to be a banner year for royal style exhibitions in the United Kingdom. Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style will catalog the Queen's style over her 90 years in three separate exhibitions starting on April 21 - her 90th birthday - at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. You can also visit Kensington Palace (while popping in at Wills n' Kate's for tea, as you do) and check out their latest style showcase. Fashion Rules Revisited, opening February 11, includes outfits from Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as the Queen and Princess Margaret.

It's a little too easy to call any given Diana dress "iconic", though her final Mario Testino photoshoot certainly gave this green velvet buttoned dress its place in history. She was said to have capitalized on the jacket styling by ordering a matching jacket made for Charles. The Catherine Walker dress sold for $24,150 at her 1997 Christie's dress auction.

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Her love for velvet continued with the Catherine Walker gown on the right, where a black velvet top with red piping sets off a full silk tartan skirt. Unsurprisingly, the gown was originally ordered for dancing at Balmoral and was later worn elsewhere before bringing in $46,000 at the 1997 auction. In the background on the left, you can see an orange Hardy Amies dress worn by the Queen in 1979.

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Another notable Catherine Walker on display is this ivory silk crêpe one-shoulder gown decorated in a floral pattern of sequins. Diana wore it in Brazil in 1991, and it's a dress I love more in theory than in execution. (That single full sleeve does make it seem like two dresses worn at the same time.) To the right is a Hardy Amies gown from the Queen and an ivory Bruce Oldfield and peach Catherine Walker from Diana.

The Diana dresses are certainly drawing the press for this exhibition, but what intrigues me the most are the items from Princess Margaret. The dresses and accessories from the Queen's late sister include a scarf hand painted for Margaret by Christian Dior himself. There were few more glamorous than Margaret in her heyday, so you know her wardrobe yields some true treasures.

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Right?! The beading alone on this Norman Hartnell gown of Princess Margaret's is to die for. Would I still swoon if someone wore this today? Oh...I think it's a safe bet.

For more sneak peeks at Fashion Rules Revisited, see this fantastic Vogue article and gallery, or photos at the Daily Mail.

Photos: via Getty Images

Royal Flashback of the Day: November 4

A little more costume-y goodness before we finish off our Halloween candy, yes?

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The Princess of Wales took things back a century or four when she attended a 1987 charity gala event for Birthright held at Garrard. Her rich purple Catherine Walker gown in satin and velvet had a striking low basque waistline with a full skirt and - to take give it that extra fancy dress touch - a tall Elizabethan collar and contrasting ruffles on the cuffs.

She went further into costume territory with her choice of accessories: on a long strand of pearls, she hung a large amethyst and diamond cross she borrowed from Garrard for the evening. Diana also wore the diamond and pearl earrings she received as a wedding gift from the Emir of Qatar.

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This whole ensemble looks like it was fun to put together, which goes a long way to making it one of the Diana evening gowns I find memorable. Then again, it doesn't hurt to start that I love a royal in costume (and in purple) (and in special jewels) (and in special amethyst jewels).

British Royal Outfits of the Day: March 20 (Updated)

While I've been in a state visit coma, assorted Windsors have been doing their thing. Time to play catch up, y'all!

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Will and Kate made their annual St. Patrick's Day visit to the Irish Guards, an event more about shamrocks and giant dogs and uniforms with frock coats than about other clothes.

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But since "sartorial" is right in the name of the blog and all, I will duly report that Kate was in a repeated Lock & Co. hat and a new Catherine Walker coat. All brown, and while that is by its very nature not the most exciting of colors, this was quite elegant and she looked great.

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The Duchess had another engagement this week too, for which she wore a new ASOS maternity dress and a repeated black coat with ruffle trim (by her mysterious "independent dressmaker," apparently).

And this was supremely cute. Polka dots are the best. I hope she went home and twirled, like this model's apparently about to do. Polka dots deserve a twirl.

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Chaz and Cams embarked on their U.S. visit, which kicked off with a few meetings (oh hello there President Obama, Uncle Joe), a bit of sight seeing, and some general tourist schmoozing.

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This geometric trim deal is a great outfit on the Duchess of Cornwall, no? It's from Bruce Oldfield. It didn't look quite so clean with her scarf and that fur-trimmed black hat she's been living in of late, so we don't have to look at those pics. Problem solved.

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This evening reception dress is also Oldfield, but I'm mostly interested in the fact that she's rocking a cape and a selection from her magnificent collection of pearl chokers. (Those things would pull my attention in almost every situation, to be fair.)

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And finally we have Prince Harry, who launched Walking With The Wounded's trek around Britain this week. Harry's got a lot going on now, what with leaving the army and all that, but I think we can all agree that the most important thing is that he continues to look really good in casual gear. #priorities

P.S.: Since we're catching up with the Windsors, let me tell you that it has been a jolly week at the Jewel Vault too. Highlights: William and QEII had a little Take Your Grandson to Work Day (for which she wore a Cambridge emerald brooch just to give those of us on the Brooch Identification Squad a chuckle), and Her Maj got a canine guard of honor, which is THE BEST.


Update: Here's Cams on the last day of the U.S. trip.

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She made some new friends in Kentucky in an outfit from Dior (oh la la) and the newest addition to her pearl choker collection, one with an Art Deco sapphire clasp.

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And here is an evening engagement during the trip that I missed (per the caption, it's the International Conservation Caucus Foundation Gala where Charles was presented with the ICCF Teddy Roosevelt Award for Exceptional Leadership in Conservation, March 19):

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And how could I miss this one - that's my very favorite of Camilla's pearl chokers! Oh, that thing makes me happy every time I see it. So glad she brought that to the U.S. with her.

Photos: Via Getty Images as indicated, ASOS

Royal Outfit(s) of the Day: April 25

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge finished up their tour of Australia and New Zealand with engagements in Canberra. Video, above, at the National Arboretum.

Picking up where we left off! Designer: Catherine Walker. Color: CAPS LOCK GREEN. Verdict: There's no losing this one in a crowd. (Click here for more.)

Next up: Reception! Click the link in the tweet for more.

Kate and Will at Government House in Canberra tonight.#RoyalVisitAus See more: http://t.co/0aDcnE2V16 pic.twitter.com/kOiPi16iwV
— Canberra Times (@canberratimes) April 24, 2014

Teams I am on: Team Updo. Teams I am not on: Team Bubble Wrap Lace. Sorry, Lela Rose, I'm usually a big fan.

And finally: Anzac Day, a day of remembrance. Starting off with dawn service and then heading on to the National War Memorial...

Coat: Nicely swingy. Hat: ....present. Brooch: Best bit. Maybe not the brooch some of you were hoping for, but one that has a good deal more meaning for this particular occasion. It was given to her the previous night by Emma, wife of Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, one of the holders of the Victoria Cross for Australia. A lovely gesture to wear it, and I hope we see it at future remembrance events.

And then they went home, and then this part of the world went to bed.

This is our final post of the trip - you're probably either suffering from Wills n' Kate fatigue or, on the other side of the coin, are about to go into withdrawal as the Cambridges return to a normal schedule. Either way, it's time for your final assessment: What was your favorite tour outfit? For me, I'm sticking to the poppies.

Photos: @canberratimes/Farfetch/7NewsSydney

Bonus Royal Outfit of the Day: April 7

The Cambridge family tour of New Zealand and Australia has commenced.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George arrive in Wellington #RoyalvisitNZ pic.twitter.com/rrCgNCtTS2
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 7, 2014

More like "Prince George and his entourage arrive in Wellington", amirite? Little scene stealer covered up my favorite part of any outfit - the diamonds - and I can't even be mad about it.

Brooch peek! Click here for coverage from Stuff.co.nz, including a video and gallery.

Yes, in addition to the red Catherine Walker coat and oh-so-Jackie-O matching Gina Foster pillbox hat, the Duchess borrowed a very appropriate bit of bling from the Queen's vault: the New Zealand Fern Brooch, which you can read more about at the Jewel Vault. Unlike, say, the Maple Leaf Brooch, this one doesn't have a history of loans, so this is a bit special. The tour doesn't have a lot of opportunities for formal jewelry built in, but it will be nice to see if she brings out any other surprises.

P.S. This is a double post day, keep scrolling!
P.P.S.: This blog is taking a couple days off and returning on Thursday, but the Jewel Vault will still be updated in the meantime.

Photo: @ClarenceHouse/Stuff screencap

Random Tidbits: Another Diana Dress Auction

Since we had our weekly wedding chat on Monday, we have a little something different to chat about today: Diana.

In 1997, not long before her death, the Princess of Wales auctioned a selection of her dresses for charity. The dresses have lived on, sometimes appearing on exhibit, and sometimes coming up for auction again. That's the case right now, as some of Diana's dresses bought by a now-bankrupt American businesswoman and socialite will be auctioned this month. This group of dresses is a good representation of Diana's style through the years, as rendered by her favorite designers. Many have a single famous outing, but most were worn multiple times.

A black velvet Bruce Oldfield and two deep red velvet Catherine Walker numbers - one extra famous for being the time Diana attempted a string of pearls down the back and then discovered it was a horribly uncomfortable look when one has to sit through a film premiere. The burgundy tailcoat number in the center above was inspired by a dress from imperial Russia, and was originally meant to have an ivory dress underneath. It was Diana's idea to have it all in burgundy.

White chiffon from Zandra Rhodes and two embellished pink gowns from Catherine Walker, one of which reminds me just how good a bolero jacket can look. The asymmetrical number was commissioned for an official visit to Brazil just after they lost the World Cup to Argentina, and so the design instructions included avoiding the colors of Brazil's team (green, yellow, blue), and most of all to avoid Argentina's colors (blue and white).

Sparkle ahoy! These are both from Catherine Walker. The black one was also famously captured by Mario Testino, and is what Walker termed the first "sexy" dress she made for the Princess, commissioned for an event at Versailles in 1994. It's the best representation of Diana's later style in this group of gowns.

And finally - this imidnight blue Victor Edelstein is the auction headliner, and was the high dollar winner back in 1997 too. Twirling with John Travolta at the White House was an iconic princess moment indeed (and I object to 95% of the uses of "iconic").

The auction is to be held on March 19; more info and the auction catalog is available by clicking here for the auction's site.

Is your favorite Diana gown here?

(Mine's not.)

Photos: Getty Images/Regan Library

Wedding Wednesday: Lady Helen Taylor's Gown

 Lady Helen Windsor and Timothy Taylor

July 18, 1992

Windsor, England

In her autobiography, designer Catherine Walker wrote of this gown: "When Lady Helen Windsor walked down the aisle I knew I had given her my best." She's not alone in that sentiment; the unique features of this gown have given it enough fame it's often a top bullet among the listed highlights of of Walker's career. And when the very top bullet is being a well-known couturier for Diana, Princess of Wales, that's saying something.

Walker was riding high on the Diana wave when Helen, the Duke and Duchess of Kent's daughter and reformed royal wild child, commissioned her to design the gown for her wedding to art dealer Tim Taylor. The venue was set for St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the ornate architecture inspired the designer who drew from the arches in the creation of the unique wide neckline and sleeves. Those arches are the defining characteristic of the dress, and a large part of what makes it memorable. The embroidery was chosen after investigating the diamond and pearl tiara the bride was to wear.

The creation of the dress, assembled from 10 full length panels, was technically complicated - so much so, that Walker writes that she nearly had to bribe her talented team to work on it. Getting the right fit was key to the success of the dress shape, and Walker even decided to re-cut the bodice frighteningly near the wedding after the bride had lost a bit of weight and it wasn't sitting just right. (This occurred unbeknownst to Lady Helen.)

The bodice flared out to a full skirt with a cathedral-length train and tulle veil to match. Helen accessorized with a diamond and pearl necklace and matching earrings. She also sported a modified fringe tiara of diamonds and pearls which will be our topic tomorrow.

Helen and Tim have four kids: two sons, Columbus and Cassius, and two daughters, Eloise and Estella. The girls were born after Tim successfully fought cancer. Though they live a largely private life, we see them at major royal events and out and about on the London social scene.

Where does Helen's gown rank on your list of favorite royal wedding gowns?

Photos: Getty Images/Hello/Catherine Walker

Flashback Friday: Extreme Dress Makeovers

Way back in January, Crown Princess Mary turned up at the annual New Year's Courts in two old dresses recut, restyled, and repurposed.

In red in 2007 and 2012; in blue in 2006 and 2012

Mary's craftiness naturally started me thinking about other royals that have sent their clothes in for some sartorial surgery - it doesn't take a royal fashion encyclopedia to guess that Mary's far from the first to try it. In fact, this isn't even the first time Mary's tried this thrifty strategy for a new look.

In blue lace in 2004 and 2009; draped in 2010 and 2011

Fancy (and pricey) blue lace from an early gown was recut into a new shape for a trip to Vietnam in 2009, and just last year in Australia she debuted a remake of the Jesper Høvring gown she wore to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's wedding. Like many, I wondered at the time of the wedding if the original lace of the gown wasn't just a temporary solution to cover her shoulders for the church - after all, it did seem a bit of an odd match. But the extra over the shoulder touch in the finished product was a wonderful surprise outcome.

If Mary has the redesign flair, it's easy to trace it back to a possible source: none other than her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe. Not at all surprising from such a creative mind, right?

In pink at Frederik and Mary's wedding in 2004 and the New Year's Court 2012; in the original blue and the end dress on display

Queen Margrethe's wonderful ensemble for Mary and Frederik's wedding lives on, though not in exactly the same amount of wonderfulness as the fuchsia coat has been recut into a regular frock. And one of the dresses included in the jubilee exhibit of her gala gowns has been redone several times: first made by Eric Mortensen for Balmain in 1990, Margrethe later had her trusty couturier Jørgen Bender alter the neckline and sleeves twice before adding on the dramatic lace overlay.

In 2004, 2005, and 2009

Another example we've seen before comes from Spain and the always budget conscious Princess Letizia. Her pre-wedding dinner dress came from Spanish royal favorite Lorenzo Caprile, and Caprile was called upon to change it up for a state visit the year after the wedding. But at some point, Letizia went totally off of Caprile and switched to Felipe Varela for reasons unknown. The third alteration of the dress, in 2009, was not Caprile's work...a fact which I think is quite evident. Important note about dress redos: quit while you're ahead.

In 2006 and 2011

Stepping out of the gown realm for a quick second, Kate Middleton made a thrifty pre-wedding splash by chopping some serious inches off of an old Katherine Hooker coat. It would not surprise me at all if she ends up with quite a string of clever reworks to her name as her royal years add up.

In 1989 and 1992

Perhaps she'll one day take a page out of Diana's book and cut any whiff of outdated flair right out of a look. The full skirt on this Catherine Walker gown gave way to a much sleeker sheath dress, all while keeping the intricate top.

In 1984 and 2001

Last but not least, look at this: even the Queen of Thrifty Royals, Princess Anne, isn't opposed to hacking up a 1980s monstrosity. Which leaves me with but one question...why doesn't she do it more often?!

These are by no means the only examples out there of royal dress makeovers, so let me ask you this:

What's your favorite dress redo?

And for bonus points:

Which current royal dress would you like to see go under the scissors?

Photos: Daylife/Mirror/Scanpix/PPE/Colourpress

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 3 - 9 July, Part 3

(Previously, on Kate n' Wills Take North America....) And now we've arrived at the end of the Canada trip, and the moment we've all been waiting for: the cowboy hats. Canadian Judgement Day, coming up:

1. Arrival in Calgary, 7 July, a) on Kate with the ubiquitous LK Bennett nude heels and LK Bennett clutch, b) from Jenny Packham, and c) and d) the problem with the thing.

Yellow! Girly! Sort of a wee Fifties flair with a dash of schoolgirl thrown in just for kicks! You know I love it. Sadly, though, I do think this highlights one of the reasons Kate should just get a dresser already. I mean, we know she's a DIY girl, but one can't help but think things might have turned out better if there'd been someone on wind forecast watch, standing by with a pencil skirt with an extra lead-weighted hem and a hair tie, just in case. For not only did Kate come perilously close to a Marilyn moment, she also was so busy taking care of her hair and her skirt that she and Wills did not put on the cowboy hats they were given at the famous White Hatting ceremony. A disappointment for the crowd, the photographers, and enough of a faux pas that their press secretary had to clarify that they weren't snubbing anyone. All was forgiven in the end, because Kate gave a 6-year-old girl with Stage 4 cancer and a dream of meeting a real princess a big hug (TEARS), and then this happened....

2. a) Reception at the Calgary Stampede, 7 July, in b) an Alice by Temperley top, jeans, and brown boots.

3. a) Opening the Stampede, 8 July, in Temperley London (b - the "Rodeo" top, natch) and jeans.

It's full-on Cambridge Cowboy Chic! Yeehaw, y'all! I watched the live stream of some of reception, and the whole thing was completely hilarious. I had no idea Canada had its very own Texas. Anyway, the kids do Western well, no? I think they win the prize for best rodeo royal appearance, wouldn't you say? Most especially Cowboy Wills, who looked right at home rocking the hands-on-hips stance. Let me know when Temperley starts opening mass boutiques in the south-central U.S., I'll buy some stock or something.

 4. a) and b) At the Calgary Zoo and departing Canada, 8 July, in Catherine Walker and sporting c) the Queen's Maple Leaf Brooch with her nude clutch and those nude LK Bennett shoes once again.

Red, finally! And the Queen's brooch worn the right way! Kate went out with a bang, didn't she? She looks fab in red, and this is princess perfect. I'm especially loving the wee flair at the bottom, and the sleeve length.

And with that, William and Catherine said goodbye to Canada. Next stop: Los Angeles! (Stay tuned for the one and only black tie event of the trip!)


Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/AP Photo/Alice Temperley/Jenny Packham

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 26 June - 2 July, Part 2

If you need a refresher, here's where we left off with The Adventures of Kate and Wills in Canada. Now, to finish out the week through Saturday:

1. Canada Day, 1 July, a) Kate's outfit, b) the Maple Leaf Brooch, c) the red shoes, d) the dress from Reiss, e) the hat from Lock and Company, f) the clutch from Anya Hindmarch.

Confession: I'm disappointed. If there was a day to get a new dress, and make it from a Canadian designer, today would have been the day! It's Canada Day! I can't help but think that it looks like she planned on repeating the Reiss dress from her engagement photographs, and at the last minute, panicked and realized it wasn't Canadian enough. Cue the red shoes and stuck-on maple leaves in the hat. There's just a lot going on here.

2. Evening concert on Canada Day, 1 July, a) on Kate, b) the dress from Issa, worn with Prada pumps and another Anya Hindmarch clutch, and c) the maple leaf brooch again with diamond earrings.

After the Maple Leaf Brooch (on loan from the Queen, also worn by the Queen Mother and the Duchess of Cornwall) spent most of the day underneath Kate's hair, she threw it in the evening mix with an updo (yes!) and a purple Issa dress. This one I like standing up, not sitting down. (Weird, right? That's me.)

3. Day 3 of the Canada trip, 2 July, a) the Kensington dress from Catherine Walker with an Anya Hindmarch clutch, b) the back detail (with a bonus precious wee one), c) gamely sporting a chef's coat, d) the shoes, and e) swapping to black Prada shoes and a black Anya Hindmarch clutch.

A brand new designer on parade: Catherine Walker, she of my favorite Diana gown ever (and Carole Middleton's wedding outfit and so much more). A savvy choice, as Walker was French. I love the sweet sleeve and neckline details, and you know I love the first shoes of the day. But later she switched back to basic black, leaving me to wonder if they were uncomfortable or if she (gasp!) got them muddy in a tree planting haze. I long for an updo, though. There was a lot of hair flicking, even more than usual, what with the planting and meeting kids and playing chef, plus the back detail of the dress really deserves to fly on its own.

And now I'd like to give a shout out to an unsung fashion star on this trip so far: Prince William.

Two cases in point: lookin' good at the concert, and pulling a Barack by losing the jacket while on a hospital visit. I like to spread the praise around, you know.

Yes, I know this doesn't bring us up to everything she's worn so far, but you'll have to sit tight. In the mean time, did any of these three tickle your fancy?

Photos: Just Jared/AP/Reuters/Daily Mail/Camera Press/Mark Stewart/Splash/Michael Dunlea/Bancroft Media

Flashback Friday: The Elvis Gown

Today would have been Diana, Princess of Wales' 50th birthday. (Doesn't seem possible, does it?) I thought one of the best ways to pay tribute to this true style icon would be to remember her finest moments. So today, I'm talking about my favorite Diana look of all time: the Elvis gown.

The nickname, used by the Princess herself, is the stuff of pure cheese - a nod to Elvis and his sequin jumpsuits, long past his prime - but the look is pure regal elegance.

The strapless white silk gown is entirely covered with oyster pearls and sequins, as is the matching bolero jacket with popped collar and cropped sleeves. Catherine Walker was commissioned to make this ensemble for the Wales' 1989 trip to Hong Kong, but it ended up making its debut at the British Fashion Awards before departure. The original destination, though, served as the inspiration for the design: Walker later said that pearls had seemed appropriate for a visit to Asia. The gown's embroidery was completed by S. Lock Ltd.

As one of the gowns Diana chose to auction off for charity in 1997, the Elvis dress raised £81,203 (about $130,000 today). It was the second most expensive gown at the auction, bested only by the midnight blue Victor Edelstein gown that Diana wore while twirling with John Travolta at the White House.

The gown was originally purchased by the owners of souvenir company The Franklin Mint, who then proceeded to sell a Diana doll wearing a replica of the gown. The doll spurned an intense legal battle with the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund over use of Diana's image. After the lawsuit was settled, the gown was donated to London's Victoria & Albert Museum, which still holds it today.

See the elegance in action in Hong Kong:

This has always epitomized princess style to me. It's fashionable, it makes an impression, but it does so while being demure and understated. Perfection!

Tell me: what is your all-time favorite Diana look?

Royal Fashion Awards: Ascot 2011, Ladies' Day

It's day 3 of Ascot and it is it should be the best day yet: Ladies' Day! Also known as crazy hat Mecca. The question is: did the royals live up to the occasion? Let us see...

Best Roller Coaster

Princess Anne

Day 1, icy blue perfection. Day 2, stale mustard. Day 3...back on top! And dressed in purple, just for me. (Ha.) Whatever will tomorrow bring? Way to keep us on our toes, Anne.

Best in Non-Ladies' Day Form

Queen Elizabeth

There's definitely something to be said for consistency...but sometimes I just wish Liz would kick it up a notch for days like today. It'd probably scar my retinas for life, but at least we'd have a laugh. Surely that hairnet isn't the only nutty thing banging around in her closet? In the mean time, I suppose hot watermelon pink will have to do.

Best Try

Carole Middleton

All the chatter over the Middletons riding in a carriage today and being in the royal box kinda cracked me up. They have a stake in a horse racing today, why wouldn't they be there? Sophie's father was in a carriage yesterday, no comment on that. People seem to be grasping for things to hyperventilate over in Kate's absence. So good on Carole here for not giving it to them in the form of a fashion disaster. This hat is weird, but whatever.

Worst Loss of Mojo

Princess Beatrice

Seems that one princess-y effort wasn't a permanent trend (sigh). This is just...I mean...it's fine. It's not anything, really. It's like she tried to do something a little trussed up for Ladies' Day, but she forgot to work it. Bea's done lost her hat mojo.

Worst Race Rerun

The Countess of Wessex

Epsom, and now Ascot. While I can credit her for a flattering coat and for mixing up the hat on her repeat, I'm just a little bored overall. With the whole field. Poor Sophie, it's not her fault. UPDATE: I've added the hat into the equation now...and, well, at least somebody brought a little something out of the ordinary.

Best in Lovely

Princess Haya

I know some of you were a bit perturbed to learn that Haya here is one of multiple wives for the Sheikh (see our discussion on just exactly who Princess Haya is here), but I tell you, I have a soft spot for her. Doesn't she look like she'd be just lovely to have a chat with? As Crown Princess Katherine is to royal weddings, Princess Haya is to royal racing.

Worst in Missing Persons

Zara Phillips

You know what we needed today? Some Zara. Where is she? Why has she not been at Ascot for a while? She always brings something interesting to talk about. I need a Bat Signal or something.

Best in Ladies' Day Fashion

Absolutely Nobody

This whole day was a little pffftblerghsigh, wouldn't you say? The answer to my question (did the royals live up to the occasion) is: no. What's the matter, Windsors? Rain got you down? How come not a one of you really embraced the Ladies' Day spirit? People wear dead animals just for this occasion, you know. Two days left for you to redeem yourselves. Don't let us down.

How are you feeling about the Ladies' Day fashion? Am I the only one that's a bit let down?

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Daylife/Daily Mail/Isopix/Rex Features