Showing posts with label Casual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Casual. Show all posts

04 October 2018

Royal Outfits of the Day: Meghan and Kate Also Go Green

Look at all these people clamoring to get in on green week around here, sheesh.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited 
Sussex yesterday.
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I like the concept of a green top + pencil skirt combo for Meghan and apparently she does, too, since she also used it for their trip to Ireland. The color difference between the shirt (from & Other Stories, a Swedish brand we've seen on Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Sofia) and the skirt (Hugo Boss) will probably get some twitchiness going for some of you I'm guessing, but I'll deal with it because I appreciate what a good texture contrast brings to the whole shebang.

The Duchess of Cambridge visited Sayers Croft Forest School and Wildlife Garden yesterday.
Kensington Palace
Kate's back too, in her own combo of forest-y shades. Not a lot to talk about on the sartorial side of things - outdoor engagements with kids and all - but I know many of you have been waiting for her return from maternity leave with baited breath, so we won't omit her here.

11 September 2018

Royal Outfits of the Day: The Spanish Royal Family in Asturias

Last week the Spanish royal family visited Asturias to mark the 13th centenary of the Kingdom of Asturias, the centenary of the Catholic Coronation of the Virgin of Covadonga, and the centenary of the creation of the National Park of Covadonga Mountain. Phew! That's a lot of centenaries all at once.

House of HM the King
It was an historic day for one more reason, too: this marked the first official trip to Asturias for the Princess of Asturias, a big step in Leonor's official life. She was supported by her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and her sister, Infanta Sofia. Leonor's blue outfit went with her dad's tie; Sofia's pink with red accents went with her mom's red dress. Family coordination: check.

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And it's all very appropriate and very good, precisely as we have come to expect from them! Letizia's red dress is custom Carolina Herrera. She can never go too wrong in her best color.

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Leonor's light blue dress was a great background for some of the official gifts she received on her big trip. Leonor and Sofia received necklaces with medallions of the Virgin of Covadonga, which they both put on (Leonor's wearing hers above). Both girls received chain necklaces from Asturias with Asturian gold and sapphires (see here). As Princess of Asturias, Leonor received a beautiful bejeweled handmade badge, which you can read about and see here. She wore that during the day as well.

House of HM the King
They rounded things out with some hiking for that aforementioned national park centenary. If this picture's not a tourism advertisement for that park, I don't know what is. What a view! And what a well played day for the whole family.

27 February 2018

Royal Hats of the Day: Queen Mathilde's Recent Chapeaux

Catching up with some of Queen Mathilde's happenings, one hat at a time:

The Belgian royal family attended an annual mass in remembrance of deceased family members last week.
Royal Palace
A lovely black coat with clean lines, a brooch that always manages to trick me into thinking Mathilde's taken a page out of her spider-friendly friend Máxima's book...

Royal Palace
...and a little texture on the hat get the job done in elegant fashion for Mathilde this year. The family is not always so black-clad for this event, though somber colors are the norm; Mathilde often chooses gray and in fact she recently repeated one of her past outfits from the remembrance mass:

The King and the Queen attend the Krakelingenstoet procession in Geraardsbergen on the occasion of the 950th anniversary of the liberty of the city.
Royal Palace
That's a little hard to see, but this hat is cute and should be observed, so here it is when she wore it to the annual remembrance mass in 2015:

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Worn in 2015
See? Cute. I'm always game for something a little different from her usual go-to shapes. Also: bring back cloche hats!

And finally, Belgium has already made their contribution to the coziest of hat categories, the Family Ski Photocall.
Royal Palace
Smiling while trying not to get a snowflake in the eye is an underrated royal skill.

18 July 2017

Royal Outfit of the Day: Queen Margrethe and her Raincoat at the Danish Summer Photocall

The Danish royal family holds an annual summer photocall in the gardens at Gråsten Palace, their summer residence. This year's photocall took a little different format, featuring just Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, and their four kids watching the Ringsted Horse Ceremony outside the palace. It was a rainy, dreary day, and any potential sartorial triumphs (oh how I usually love Crown Princess Mary in her boho maxi skirts) were fairly foiled by the need for coats.

This is not a problem, however, when your raincoat is designed to be the star of the show.

Queen Margrethe loooooooves her floral coat with its cheery yellow trim and its matching yellow Sou'wester-style hat. Most raincoats are boring and this Danish sovereign is anything but, so she wears what she calls the "happy" raincoat. It's always an unexpectedly exuberant statement, standing out in a sea of sedate royal rain gear or on a parade field surrounded by military uniforms. It's a true signature Margrethe piece. The raincoat even has a backstory, because you know she didn't just happen upon this creation in a shop somewhere one day.

On display in 2015
Photo courtesy of and with thanks to Scarfie on Twitter
The coat is made from a tablecloth-type wax cloth fabric purchased by the Queen in London at the Peter Jones department store. (She makes at least one London trip a year, for her Christmas shopping. She's said to call in on her friends at Buckingham Palace while she's in town.) (And while we may joke about people wearing curtains or tablecloths sometimes, never forget that when it comes to Queen Margrethe, there's a solid chance it's true.)

She took her festive fabric purchase to Jørgen Bender - the couturier responsible for multiple royal wedding gowns, epic royal gala looks, and...the occasional royal foul weather gear - to have it fashioned into a raincoat, which of course she had a hand in designing. It was made in 1995 and has been a famous part of the Queen's wardrobe ever since. The coat and hat were even included in an exhibition of Margrethe's wardrobe staged in honor of her 75th birthday.

Things like this really show how much fun Queen Margrethe has with her often over-the-top wardrobe. There's a sense of humor here, too. You get the feeling that she actually does a little bounce of joy when she sees the rain begin to fall, for she'll have another chance to sport the jolliest raincoat in all the land. It's just so perfectly Daisy, no?

10 May 2017

Royal Cruise of the Day: King Harald and Queen Sonja's 80th Birthday

Don't miss the tiaras from last night; stay tuned for the dresses coming our way tonight (itinerary, streaming links, and open post for those discussing new events is here). In the middle: a casual mini cruise on the royal yacht for King Harald, Queen Sonja, and their royal guests!

Casual was the operative word here, so I'm just going to hit a few of the standouts. Starting with the winner for the most head-turning change in look...

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon
Crown Prince Haakon, believe it or not. In case you missed it - or refused to acknowledge that it wasn't just a Photoshop trick - Haakon actually shaved his beard last night during the gala dinner, as part of the entertainment. Baby face there also shaved off several years. I...think we need the beard back.

The Countess of Wessex
Sophie is flying solo in Norway and looking amazing so far with this riot of color pepping up a dreary dock scene. I love her hair in its many updos, but she also looks very soft and pretty with this half up situation.

The Belgian and Dutch crews: King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Princess Mabel, Princess Beatrix, Queen Máxima, King Willem-Alexander
I love where Máx is going with her outfit, a perfect version of modern queenly casual. Other guests sported a mix from actual casual to, well, as close as they get to casual. (Philippe and Mathilde seem like the kind of people that don't own jeans. But Philippe does seem like the kind of guy that has formal ties and casual ties.)

Crown Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
Pavlos and Marie-Chantal, on the other hand, seem like the kind of people that have an entire yacht wear section of their wardrobes. And that makes M-C my best dressed two events in a row, how do you like that?

30 September 2016

Royal Tour Update of the Day: September 30

The Cambridges are still in Canada, I don't know if you noticed. LET'S RECAP:
A series of greens, including a cute green dress? Check. Best shoes of the tour (yeah, I said it) - worn with a Carolina Herrera debut? Check. Casual outfit I'll take right off her hands? Check. Little bit of Canadian design thrown in there? Check.

Least favorite dress of the tour? ....Yeah, check. Best use of pint-size distractions? Also check, so really, that all evens out.

Outfits included a green Dolce & Gabbana dress (sans clock), a repeated green Hobbs coat (not pictured), a red Carolina Herrera coat, and a cozy coat from Canadian label Sentaler. She also wore some earrings of Canadian design.
Photos: Kensington Palace, Sentaler, Matches
Plus, a knit dress from See by Chloé for the children's party.
Photo: Net-a-porter

Hang on, just a little bit more cute for your Friday...
There we go.

23 August 2016

Royal Fans of the Day: August 23

The Olympics can't end until we check in one last time with our resident royal fans.

Good news from the equestrian events: Queen Máxima continued playing her boho holiday game until she got it ohhhhh so right.
I'll take one of these maxi dresses, please and thank you. Throw in a sporty summer fedora while you're at it. Based on Máxima's Olympic wardrobe, they seem to be the key to elevating every look.

The Dutch royals ended up hanging out with King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the jumping final! What the Swedes lacked in jaunty fedoras, they made up for with other winning accessories.
An Estelle phone case for the proud grandma! Please tell me King CG has one with a grumpy Prince Oscar face on it.

Maybe not, but he does have the ultimate in Olympic accessories:

He was given a little gold medal by some Swedish fans, and showed it off just like the actual Olympic champion with her actual gold medal. I love that.

The Olympics are over, but the Paralympics are on their way. Fingers crossed for some more royal support.

16 August 2016

Royal Fans of the Day: August 16

Many of our royals have already left the Rio Olympics for home, but King Willem-Alexander is still manning his position as Chief Fan of the Dutch team.

The King with Dutch athletes
Photo: RVD
I spy some Dutch gymnasts in there, which pleases me greatly. Queen Máxima and the A-Team joined the King this week, just to multiply the fun - and the confusion, when Máxima was identified as the wife of one of the athletes by a broadcaster. Oops!

These lucky ducks all got to watch Sanne Wevers take her place in the history books in the balance beam event final yesterday (above; there are also some very sweet pictures of them congratulating her and examining that precious medal). I want to watch a sporting event with these guys. Thumbs up left and right!

Dress by Vita Kin, ID by European Royals Fashion
Maxima's in full-on vacation mode, in case you were wondering about the sartorial side of things. I could see her lounging around their Greek home in this one. Maybe she just didn't bother unpacking from their last trip.

Clearly. Regarding this jumpsuit situation...I have decided simply to be glad she didn't find one in a bright orange. (She would. You know she would.) Anyhoo, about that gymnastics...

29 September 2015

Royal Team of the Day: September 29

As someone who prefers Prince Harry in either casual gear or uniform, I am all about this month's run of engagements. The casual gear has been particularly plentiful, including another team up with the Cambridges for some more rugby this weekend. The match was England v. Wales, or Harry (rooting for England) v. William (rooting for Wales).
The winners were: William's team and Kate's floral trousers, which are a nice break from Breton stripes for sporting events (at least, if one isn't going to take the opportunity for jeans or full team gear).

And then, making a surprise visit to The Duke of York's Royal Military School yesterday, Harry fulfilled the other half of my favorites list.
It was what I needed on a Monday, and - go figure - it's what I need on a Tuesday too.

Photos: via Getty Images

11 August 2015

Royal Family Outings of the Day: August 11

The Spains (that's Letizia, Leonor, Sofia, and Felipe, if you want to get specific) descended upon Palma de Mallorca last week for their usual summer stay, and what would a summer be without a good opportunity to smile pretty for the cameras? Note the matching shirts for Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofia.

The annual dinner they hold for authorities has a constant in Queen Sofia and her Golden Girls best, but Letizia shakes it up every year in everything from jumpsuits to cocktail dresses.
This year's theme was see-through apparently earrings, I mean. The black definitely provides a showcase for a bit of earring bling. (Worth noting with regards to her top: She's had this transparent problem with this same piece in the past, although not so bad this time.) Anyway, back to the earrings, which are another new add to her collection. They're dangling green amethysts from Coolook, and they make me wish I liked green amethysts more than I do.

And of course, one more summer must checked off the list:
More members for my beloved #TeamSunglasses. Carry on, Spains.

Photos: via Getty Images

29 July 2015

Royal Sporting Event of the Day: July 29

The usual summer slowdown in royal activity is slowly turning my facial expression into something not unlike this tiny human's above. But it was awfully nice of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to pop outside over the weekend for the America’s Cup World Series races anyway, nasty race-cancelling weather and all. Sartorially thrilling? Nah. But just right for the occasion? Of course.

Nothing more appropriate than official team gear:
It's important to note that I've now worked out a whole scenario in my head in which their secret couple's version of tipsy online shopping involves personalizing everything under the sun with their complete formal titles. It is also important to note that this is now my new favorite (imaginary) fact about them.

Something a bit smarter is in order when prizes are involved, so Kate took the opportunity to once again channel the nautical theme with her Breton stripes and navy blazer - not that she needs a reason for her favorite casual duty outfit, but she'll take one if she can get it - and William threw on a blazer of his own. These two Wills looks are totally working for me, by the way. (As well they should be, for all my whining about the endless maze of blue suits that is his wardrobe.) More uniforms and more this, please.

Photos: via Getty Images

21 July 2015

Royal Outfit of the Day: July 21

Each summer, the Danish royal family holds a family photocall at Gråsten Palace, their summer residence in the south of Denmark. The Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and their family are already in residence, holding down the fort while the Queen and Prince Consort are in Greenland, and Princess Josephine has already had time to break her arm falling from a horse and to show off her snazzy blue cast when the family emerged to watch an equestrian parade.

This year's photocall is on Saturday, and I've been thinking about one of my favorite ensembles Crown Princess Mary has worn to the gathering in recent years.
This is from 2012. The more I see it, the more I like it, and I couldn't particularly tell you why.

This Free People dress is not one I'd pick off the rack - the prints are great up close, but a bit muddled when put together. And pairing things with a mustard cardigan is not usually a move for which I'd typically advocate. But in this case, it all works.

Of course, it's entirely possible that I like this for one reason and one reason alone: potential for swooping about is HIGH in a maxi dress. (Clearly, that's my mindset for the week.)

Photos: via Getty Images, Lyst, Shopbop

26 June 2015

Royal Outfit Grab Bag of the Day: June 26

In which we explore some totally unrelated Things About Which I Have Thoughts for the week:

Queen Máxima attended a conference, June 22
See, when you overdo it with the accent color, you lose the delight of an accent color in the first place.

Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece (with the Marquess of Douro) at the Ralph Lauren & Vogue Wimbledon Party, June 22
M-C's got it down. The unexpected pink of the purse is the whole point.

Princess Beatrix at a sailing event, June 20
Visor Alert: Queen Princess Beatrix helms her own ship (De Groene Draeck, the Green Dragon) and her bouffant bends for no occasion. 

Queen Rania hosted women for iftar at Raghadan Palace, June 21
Oh, this Roksanda Ilincic frock is such a perfect dress-to-wearer match. I appreciate an Ilincic done simply even more after that recent Ascot episode.

Crown Princess Mary (with her plus one, Fred) attended the Reumert Awards honoring the Danish performing arts, June 21. Click here for a gallery.
I saw some clips of this show. I got the impression it wouldn't have made much more sense even if I did speak Danish, which I don't. But that makes it a great occasion for this outfit, which is a long dress with a long kimono on top (from Rabens Saloner).
It's the perfect outfit for swanning about one's lanai all day, before heading out for an evening of baffling theater. I'd take the whole ensemble home, no problem. And I'm not just saying that because I need those Portuguese gold filigree earrings in my life rightthissecond.

Photos: via Getty Images, Queen Rania Instagram, Liberty, DR screencap, Rabens Saloner, Alma e Coração

20 March 2015

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!
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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.)

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.
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.
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):
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

13 March 2015

Royal Coats of the Week: March 13

COATS. Loads of them. Let's take a gander (and you might want to pop back to yesterday's Cheltenham post, which had a late update with day 3 attendees, while we're in coat mode):

Yesterday was Crown Princess Victoria's name day, and Princess Estelle joined her in the courtyard for the festivities.
TWO PURPLE COATS! A duo after my own heart and also my jumpy claps. (Estelle's coat is new from Swedish brand Livly, by the way.)

Well, I'm done, that's all I need right there, but we'll soldier on for your sake, okay?
Where there be coats, there be the Duchess of Cambridge, obviously. For a visit to the set of Downton Abbey, a new cream maternity coat from JoJo Maman Bebe. And you can pretty much just copy/paste whatever I said for her last winter white coat here, because I like them all.
Racking up the appearances before her maternity leave, she was also out in Margate on Wednesday (and she'll be out today and some next week, and I'm sure we'll be getting to all of that in due time) (DUE time, guys) (heh) (I'm so glad it's Friday, forgive me):
YAY for the return of the Hobbs animal print coat from her last maternity adventure. I like a simple coat in a divine white, but I also like a statement coat - especially when one is prone to basics in the accessory department.

We haven't featured much of Mette-Marit's current events lately, because most of them have been of a quite practical nature, sartorially speaking. Like so:
Here she is attending Kindergarten Day in Oslo this week. This is all fine and good for an outdoor coffee klatch with your wee friends, I get enough of the practical dressing in my actual life if you know what I mean, so I'll give it a pass. But she was just spotted in a rather fetching red trench, so maybe things are looking up.

And this has been your weekly coat report.

Photos: Kungahuset.se and via Getty Images as indicated

20 February 2015

Royal Coats of the Week: February 20

We've reached the point in winter - at least in my neck of the woods - when I begin to lose all hope of ever being warm again. Can humans hibernate? I'm investigating. Until then, we indulge in another edition of the Royal Coats of the Week. It's the only logical thing to do.
Here's Letizia's entry, a chic white number. This is a very luxurious look, and I'm all for it. (I know some of you are going to say it looks like a bathrobe, but hel-lo people, what is more luxurious than that?! More excuses to wear bathrobes in public, that's what we need.) Tangential to today's topic, but I will also show you the outfit underneath the robe coat:
The King and Queen opened The First Picasso exhibit, among other engagements.
This is my favorite version of her high-waisted full black skirt yet, I think. Kicky.

Naturally, Leti's white coat reminded me of another white coat we've seen recently:
The Duchess of Cambridge visited Portsmouth last week.
From She of Many Coats, Kate, comes this Max Mara option, the same model seen previously on Princess Eugenie. Liked it then, liked it now, can't go wrong with a winter white. Underneath (below) she sported a boat print dress from Alice Temperley - a bit literal for a nautical engagement, I think, but fades into a generic print from a distance.
And this week, she added another Max Mara coat for our consideration, this time in a blue to complement the Seraphine floral dress underneath (which we have seen previously):
This week, she visited the Emma Bridgewater factory.
I'll take any and all of the above, I'm not picky. Even these are a dream when the temps bottom out. Reality is a little more like so:
The Swedish royal family has been attending the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. Click here for a gallery.
But without the fun ski competition to distract. SIGH.

Photos: via Getty Images and Twitter as indicated