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Kate in Temperley for New Family Photo with Prince George, Kate (& Another Guest) In Missoni Coat for Wedding, Tour Updates

We are back with several updates, starting with a new family photo showing the family looking out the window of their new home, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace .

The Daily Mail

The Daily Mail

Prince George wears a personalized jumper (sweater) in the new picture from Jason Bell, who also shot the christening pictures. Kate wears a blouse we saw during the Calgary Stampede, the Temperley (aptly named) Rodeo Shirt.

PA Wire/Net-a-Porter

PA Wire/Net-a-Porter

The silk and cotton blouse originally sold for $660, our photos come via Net-a-Porter, where it was described as “Cut from a gossamer silk and cotton-blend and trimmed with lace, Temperley’s ivory shirt will instantly soften every look.”

In other news William, Kate and Harry all attended the wedding of Lucy Meade and Charlie Budgett in Marshfield, Gloucestershire, about two hours west of London.

esal / Tanna / Splash News

Jesal – Tanna/Splash News

Kate wore her Whistles Bella dress for the occasion, she is seen wearing it below at the London 2012 Closing Ceremony.

John Stillwell/WPA-Rota/Press Association Images

John Stillwell/WPA-Rota/Press Association Images

Both the bride and groom were guests at William and Kate’s wedding. The bride’s father is Olympic equestrian Richard Meade, her brother James is a close friend of William’s dating back to the boys’ days at Eton.  The groom is what as known as a bloodstock agent, that is someone who buys and sells thoroughbred horses. Kate accessorized with the John Lock & Co. Fairy Tale hat we have seen previously, as well as her suede Mulberry clutch.

Jesal-Tanna/Splash, PA Wire, Jesal-Tanna/Splash

Jesal-Tanna/Splash, PA Wire, Jesal-Tanna/Splash

The Duchess also wore her Episode ‘Angel’ shoes and Cassandra Goad earrings.

Splash News/Cassandra Goad

Splash News/Cassandra Goad

Kate has worn her M Missoni tweed coat on multiple occasions, we show her wearing the piece for a March, 2012 visit to Fortnum & Mason (l) and again in 2012 for a trip to Nottingham (c) with William and HM.

Splash News/Splash News

Splash News/Toby Melville – Ian Jones Photography/SplashNews.com/Loehmanns

It turns out Kate wasn’t the only one wearing that Missoni coat for today’s nuptials, another guest also sported the tweed garment. (A tip of the tiara to Niraj Tanna of Ikon Pictures for noting the additional guest in the Missoni coat.)

Jesal/Tanna/SplashNews.com

Jesal/Tanna/SplashNews.com

Also today, news that British retailer Hobbs, a brand Kate wears regularly, is now being offered in the USA at 5 Bloomingdale’s stores. Below, the Hobbs area at the Chestnut Hill Bloomies.

Hobbs Twitter Feed

Hobbs Twitter Feed

Hobbs has even devoted a Pinterest board to this week’s launch. Hobbs launched its US website last year, standard shipping is a flat $5 within the US. A quick look at some of this spring’s Hobbs styles.Hobbs

And 3 more looks.Hobbs

In other Duchess-related fashion news, another story examines the impact celebrities can have on retail sales, including brief discussion of what is often called the Kate Effect. The article is in the Bath Chronicle:

When the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out on Valentine’s Day in that electric blue Detroit L K Bennett dress, the store saw an enormous spike in sales.

Fashion coverage of both the Middleton sisters is relentless and the fact that they champion affordable high street fashion has been hugely beneficial to brands like Whistles, Reiss and Hobbs.

Thanks to JB on Twitter for linking to the story.

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We move now to news about the upcoming New Zealand and Australia tour. This week’s issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly showcases the upcoming tour. The publication shared covers showing both Prince George (l) and Prince William (r) as infants. William’s photo dates to 1982.

Australian Women's Weekly

Australian Women’s Weekly

The magazine’s deputy editor, Juliet Riedan, wrote the issue’s cover story on the upcoming tour. Included in her piece are thoughts about the royal visit from Australia’s Prime Minister, Tony Abbot:

  • When asked if Prince George might become the tour’s major attraction, Mr. Abbott responded “Quite possibly.”
  • Mr. Abbott reminded people that “It’s not the British monarchy, it’s the Australian monarchy.”

The New Zealand Governor-General’s office has released an updated itinerary for the tour, including specific times for a few events. We have updated our Kate’s Calendar page to include this information.

In a sign of the times, New Zealand’s Governor-General has announced there will be a social media reporter for the his country’s portion of the tour, posting this graphic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I don’t know if everyone will adopt the #RoyalVisitNZ hashtag (a way to track certain topics on social media), they can take on a life of their own.

Office of the Governor-General, New Zealand

Office of the Governor-General, New Zealand

The Governor-General’s office will be providing information this Monday about the best locations to see the royals. That info will trickle out on an hour-by-hour basis, the graphic below shows the times information will be released. (A reminder that Wellington is 17 hours ahead of EDT, 20 hours ahead of PDT.)

Office of the New Zealand Governor-General

Office of the New Zealand Governor-General

Also on Monday, tickets will be distributed for some venues William and Kate will be visiting, including Regal Rugby Fun Day in Dunedin, located on the country’s South Island.

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 Finally today, a quick survey of spring/summer 2014 styles at LK Bennett. But first, we want to let readers know the Duchess’s rich blue Detroit dress is still available in several sizes on the LK Bennett UK site.LK Bennett

Also, if you are a US shopper trying to make a decision about purchasing something, the LK Bennett US site is discounting everything by 20% through Sunday night, the 30th, at midnight.

We begin with the Bally dress done in a wool/silk blend ($475) and featuring added emphasis at the waistline with its tabbed detailing.LK Bennett 'Bally'

Next, a dress that seems to shriek “Kate,” LK Bennett’s Marina Fitted Dress ($395) in either ‘barley,’ or ‘dark navy’.LK Bennett

The Dallas Sleeveless Striped dress ($345) is mostly linen with a touch of polyamide.LK Bennett

Below left, the Marissa Zip Detail Dress ($695), with many design elements Kate likes: it is fitted with multiple darts, it has both a slit and an exposed zipper. On the right, the company’s Dali Square Neck dress ($425), also with many features the Duchess likes.LK Bennett

Next, several white or off-white frocks from LK Bennett. From left to right: Annai Lace Flared Dress in 100% cotton (£245 and only available on the UK website), the Embu Embellished Sleeveless dress (£345 – also shown only on the UK site), the Jama Flared Skirt dress ($425).

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

When it comes to spring footwear styles there is no end of options and wedges remain a strong part of the selection. From left to right: the Zella Patent Leather Wedge with a 2.5″ heel ($325); the Estela, a peep-toe style with 3.5″ heel ($335), and the Paige Patent Leather Wedge, its heel height is 3″ ($385).LK Bennett

I did discover a 2014 style that is quite similar to the Sliver sandal worn on 2011’s N. America tour for the polo match in Santa Barbara. We show the Sliver on the far left, next to it is this year’s Sandy style.  One other notable shoe is the Harper, worn by Kate in light taupe for a July 2012 reception. We show the Harper in black, only because LK Bennett’s website says “As seen on the Duchess of Cambridge,” and I don’t recall her wearing this particular shoe in black. (As an FYI, the UK site shows the black suede on sale for £115, about $195 but it is not on sale at the US site where it is priced at $345.) I have long thought this style a decent copyKate for the Corkswoon.LK Bennett

As always, there’s no shortage of heel heights for simple pumps, from left to right: Amy has a 4″ heel ($445), the Alice heel is 3″ ($325) and both are from LK Bennett’s Black Ribbon collection, the brand’s higher-end shoe group. The diminutive Florisa is more of a kitten heel, measuring just 2.5″ ($325).LK Bennett

More casual looks include the Connie Espadrille ($295), the Eimear Sandal ($295) and the Delia Leather Flat, available in four colors ($295).LK Bennett

There are plenty of party shoes in the spring/summer lineup: the Sophia Crystal Mesh Heel ($795) is covered with glittering Swarovski crystals, the Paige again, but in metallic silver ($385), while the Addie is a fun sandal with a heel just under 3″ ($345).LK Bennett

The brand continues to offer Kate’s now-iconic Sledge Pump in light taupe ($345), as well as other colors with one color on sale for $185, the navy glitter.

A reminder, the US-only LK Bennett sale runs through Sunday night, the 30th. Use promo code FF20 for your 20% discount.LK Bennett USA

We’ll be back with another post in just a few days.

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emily

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

I don't have time to read through all the comments right now, so I don't know if I'm repeating here...but anyway...I don't like the portrait. Kate's & William's smiles look fake and their faces look like they have been airbrushed or something. I don't know, the whole thing is just overly staged and fake looking. Just one gal's opinion!

Vicki

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

I LOVE the portrait! I'd love to have a caption contest for what George is saying to Lupo, what an expression! :) He is adorable!

Sandie

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

Does anyone else note how mcuh better the Missioni coat fits the Duchess of Cambridge that it does the other guest who was wearing it? Makes me suppose that all of the DofC's clothes are re-tailored to fit her perfectly, even if they are ready-to-wear pieces. If you buy something you've seen the DofC in, it very likely won't look nearly as well on you, even if you have a figure similar to hers.

mslewis

Thursday 3rd of April 2014

Since the Duchess and the Other Lady were at the same wedding, I would think she could also afford tailoring for her coat if she wanted. The coat is a couple years old so perhaps the lady has lost some weight or maybe she likes her clothes more loose than the Duchess likes her clothes. There could be a number of reasons the coat looked "better" on one lady than the other. I don't agree. I think the Other Lady looks just fine, except for those SHOES!!! Ghastly! Much too summery for this time of year, especially in England.

Lili

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

Which is why I have a very good tailor on call Your clothes, too, can look custom-fitted if you find a good tailor.

The last item I had significantly tailored was a coat from Reiss, one of the Duchess's oft-worn labels. I imagine that she does have to have alterations done fairly often because of her long-waistedness.

AshleyOlivia

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

That's an astute point, Sandie, but I would add that such is true of all clothes everywhere, whether they are Replikates or not. Ready-to-made clothing will never be as flattering as a bespoke piece or an item that has been tailored to your specific proportions. One of the commenters on the WKW Facebook page with experience in tailoring once posted photos of the Duchess wearing an item beside the same piece as it appeared on the runway and marked in red all the subtle fit changes that had been made to cater to the Duchess's figure. The photos were really enlightening.

A real case can be made for the wisdom in investing in a few, high-quality items and taking the time to get them fitted to your shape. Proportion is often most important: simple details like hem and sleeve lengths can make a huge difference in how flattering an item appears on you.

Lauren

Monday 31st of March 2014

Thanks so much for this post, Susan. I wonder if you and our commentariat have seen this lovely little article over at Vogue speculating on what Kate will wear--including shoes!! I would love to see the return of her bright red Adidas trainers from the London Olympics for the more informal events (light hiking around Ayers Rock?) and would die, just die if she elected to wear a dress by Preen. I've always loved their use of prints, and after Kate surprised me (pleasantly!) with that gorgeous purple print Prabal Gurung on her last royal tour, I think she has it in her.

If anyone is interested, it's a nice, quick read. No one holds a candle to our Susan, though!

admin

Tuesday 1st of April 2014

Thank you for sharing the link Vogue's piece, I will try to include it in our next post! :)

The Way We Were

Monday 31st of March 2014

Scanned through quickly on some of the comments as well...ummm...over-analyze is the word that poppe out of my head...

Lili

Monday 31st of March 2014

Why?

You seem to be suggesting that we shouldn't enjoy engaging each other on various points of style. I hope that's not the case. The more such engagement the better as far as I'm concerned.

I'd rather do that than engage in discussions of whether the Cambridges should have gone on vacation to the Maldives or other subjects that, frankly, most people here are not really qualified to discuss, and don't wish to discuss, because we don't know them and are not privy to the budgetary discussions in Parliament and so forth.

I like this site because it's about fashion only. If I want to comment on other matters regarding the British royal family -- as I sometimes do because I travel there and am sometimes asked why I am bothering with a professional project that involves British royal history and art -- I don't do it here, I do it on serious British newspaper and journal sites.

Otherwise, when it comes to fashion, bring on the over-analysis!

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