Week in Review: Letizia, Princess of Asturias, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Letizia wore the week of 11-17 July:

1. Arriving in South Africa for the World Cup final, 11 July.  Scarf.
2. World Cup final, 11 July.  More scarf. 
3. Welcoming the Spanish team home, 12 July.  Again with the frequent repeats.  I'm not saying she should never wear the same thing twice, but why wear it in exactly the same way?  It's a top with trousers; wear a different top, or different trousers, or different shoes.  You know, just like the rest of us make do with our limited wardrobes.
4. Audiences at Zarzuela Palace, 13 July.  Yikes.
5. Graduation of the Spanish Military Officer School, 14 July.  I'm thinking those shades are far too large for such a flat hairdo.  It's kind of a bug effect, no?
6. Graduation of the Spanish Naval Academy, 16 July.  

Best and Worst of the Week

At her final military graduation event, Letizia got it right.  This is chic and it fits her well.  I could be picky and complain that we need some color, but I'm afraid that might result in something like this disastrous tunic.  What's going on there?  Too big, totally shapeless, and possibly the most awkward sleeve length she could have chosen.  And Felipe there is just the icing on the what not to wear cake - that is one shiny suit.

Photos: Terra/Daylife/Getty Images/Hola/PPE/Thorton

Week in Review: Princess Máxima, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Máxima wore the week of 11-17 July:

1.  World Cup final, 11 July.

A little too fancy for a sporting event?  Perhaps.  But I dig it, what can I say.  She looks great.

Photos: Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Mathilde, 11-17 July

Here's what Princess Mathilde wore the week of 11-17 July:

1. Visiting the playground organization 'De Saenhoeve', 14 July.

This is a very Mom sort of outfit, but appropriate for the occasion, I think.  Not exactly thrilling, but it fits her well.

Photos: Belga

Runway Monday: Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture

Elie Saab's collection was the one I was most looking forward to from the fall couture collections in Paris.  I love me some Elie Saab, and some of the looks were divine per usual:

But, unusually, there was an equal number of dresses I'm just crossing my fingers we won't see modeled on the royal runway:

Some of these shapes just aren't going to be flattering to any one with non-model proportions.  In particular, I found myself noting placing a mental caution note on several looks for Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.  She's one of the biggest Elie Saab fans around, but she's prone to gowns that cover her up and often lack the shape she requires.  And some of these runway creations fit just that bill:

Anything but these, please, MT.

See the whole collection here.  Which ones are you hoping we will and won't see on the royal ladies?

Photos:  Marcio Madeira/FirstView.com/Style.com

Things That Make You Go Hmm...: Letizia, Revisited

OK, Letizia.  I see what you're doing here.  You figured, hey, they're making me go to three military graduation ceremonies in the space of a week, I might as well have some fun with it.

So he wears blue, you wear blue.

He wears khaki, you wear khaki.

He wears white, you wear white.

I've heard the saying that over time owners start to look like their dogs, but I did not know that the same applied to wives and their husbands.  Hmm.

And even though the outfits have gotten progressively better (I'm actually a big fan of the white dress), I still think making a little more effort to stand out, a little something special for the troops and their families, wouldn't have killed ya.  But maybe that's just because I wish someone in the Spanish royal family would embrace the hat  for the fabulous fashion statement that it can be.

Photos: Terra