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A UFO Dress is Identified & Fall Fashions at LK Bennett

We are back with some quick updates and a look at LK Bennett’s fall styles.

Our first item is the identification of a dress worn by the Duchess in December of last year when she attended an 1851 Trust meeting.

Rex/REX USA

Rex/REX USA

With thanks to Adriane Miller for posting the info on the WKW Facebook page, it turns out Kate was wearing Seraphine’s ‘Sophia’ dress.

Seraphine

Seraphine

The dress is done in a ‘midnight blue’ polyester/elastene blend fabric, offering plenty of stretch. More from the Seraphine wesbite:

The beautifully fitted Ponte Roma bodice meets the skirt with a stylish belted peplum which defines the empire waist. The elegantly pleated woven skirt then falls in a graceful a-line cut, bringing balance to the structured style.

I’m not sure if the description is meant to read Ponte de Roma fabric, a specific type of double-knit material known, but it looks like that could be the case. Here’s a better look at some of the details, particularly the empire waist and the scoop neckline on the back of the dress.

Seraphine

Seraphine

The dress retails for $159, it is part of Seraphine’s ‘Luxe’ collection; an elegant look that would work well for a multitude of settings and circumstances.

With the calendar turning to a new month tomorrow we are spurred to begin looking at designs for this fall and winter. Today we visit LK Bennett. The retailer released images this week of its fall advertising campaign, with photos shot by Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist renown. The company says this season’s looks were inspired “…by the free-spirited feel of the seventies, but updated with a refined detailing reflective of the LK Bennett aesthetic.” Several pieces from the new collection.

The Arony Trench Coat (£350), shown only on the UK site at this time.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

Also shown above, the Darya Tweed Dress (£225) in a ‘flattering t-shirt shape.’

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

And the final part of the montage up above, LK Bennett’s Elodie Double Breasted Jacket in soft powder pink (¢327) and matching Tapered Trouser (£155). These pieces are done in rayon with a touch of elastene for ease of movement.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

In its notes about the upcoming season the retailer also said the “overall feel of the range is languid yet polished.” We share the Monique Full Spotted Skirt ($425) in a cotton/silk blend, and Sereno Wool Coat ($750) in wool with a touch of cashmere.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

Also shown above, the Coney Printed Dress ($525), in a distinctive orange and blue motif.

LK Bennett Fall 2015 Coney Dress 4 shot

There are already new frocks in stock from the fall season, including the Joelle ($395) and Mira fitted dresses.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

A piece with potential: the Lila Foldback Neckline Dress (£195), not yet available on the US site. It looks *very* versatile.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

The Lima Ponte dress in Sloane Blue ($295), and Clarie dress in black ($350) both look like pieces that can meet a multitude of needs, they are styles that can easily be dressed up or down.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

The Yelena Lantern Dress ($495) may prove popular with the younger set, while the Karima Dress ($450) offers an exuberant print and the Ceylan Spotted Jacquard Dress ($495) will appeal to those confident in their own style statements.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

The Darya Tweed in red or black ($425), and the Mal Tweed ($495), are among new jacket styles for fall.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

There are also new shoe and handbag styles, along with loads of other goodies we don’t have room for here.

Good news for those still interested in purchasing the red Cayla Long Dress ($425) Kate wore to Wimbledon in June: the dress is available in limited sizing on both the US/Canada site and on the UK/International site.

Stephen Lock / i-Images

Stephen Lock / i-Images

It doesn’t look like there are tons available, but certainly a few in several sizes.

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One other quick note. Some may recall that back in the early days of this site one of our most hotly debated topics was (are you ready?)… pantyhose. That’s right, we had some delightful conversations about the topic and even did a poll about the issue. As some may be aware, the pantyhose discussion continues, with the Wall Street Journal writing about The Return of Nude Pantyhose in May, and a GMA (Good Morning America) story, also in May, Pantyhose Are Back on the Runway. This week we see another piece, Americans follow Kate Middleton’s fashion style, and bring back pantyhose (ugh?!) The recent spate of stories has me thinking it may be time to revisit the topic. Thoughts…?

 

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Carolyn

Sunday 13th of September 2015

I was just looking back at older posts and I was wondering if this could be the same dress worn under the Beulah London Chiara Coat at the Afghanistan service at St. Paul's Cathedral. There isn't a lot to go on, but the colour and neckline seen to be similar and it could be a possibility.

Julie

Monday 10th of August 2015

Are you sure that's the dress? Because looking at the bodice in the photo, what little you can see of it, it looks like the dress she's wearing has a bit of embroidery or lace detailing, which the ID'd dress does not have.

JJ

Tuesday 11th of August 2015

I am also skeptical. The skirt does not appear to pleat or flounce quite the same, and also, it seems shorter (although Catherine is tall).

Faith

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

Its not a comfort thing for me Linda. I just don't like how pantyhose looks. Rhea is right about the color never being quite right plus they run and snag which makes them look worse. Opaque tights are a completely different animal. They create one lean line that just make legs look great, and the rest of your outfit smart and polished. I almost always wear black with a black solid or patterned pencil skirt with black shoes or boots. At 5'3", it makes me feel six feet tall in a way a nude or sheer hose never would, and I always feel pulled together.

Lili

Thursday 6th of August 2015

You may be buying the wrong brand. The pantyhose I buy come in a wide spectrum of shades, suitable for just about anyone, and they rarely snag or run. I have pairs I've worn for years. However, I spend a fair amount on them. You have to be willing to do that.

My comments on opaque tights being pantyhose had to do with the comfort issue. If a woman finds pantyhose uncomfortable, there's no reason why she'd think opaque tights felt any better. But looking "put together" is the reason I wear pantyhose. Bare legs with good clothes just don't accomplish that goal, and of course you really can't wear opaque tights in a sizzling summer or even with spring clothes meant for warm weather. I love them myself, but they're for fall and winter.

rhea hoare

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

How I wish Kate would wear that pale pink pantsuit! But I think it would make her look older (more like Sophie of Wessex) and I don't think she wants that. It would be so much more sophisticated than her repetitive separates.

Ah-pantyhose! Never very comfortable but often required in more formal job settings. I always liked how they stopped my shoes from tearing my feet up. Also, as I get older, I find them more forgiving of uneven skin pigmentation, spider veins, less than flat stomachs, lack of a tan, etc. Certainly seems easier, cleaner and cheaper than Spanx, spray tans, etc. but what do I know(?!) I never went for nude pantyhose as the colour could be so "off".

What makes me laugh is how technology/social media now makes anything that happened more than three weeks ago-let alone 3 or 4 years ago-"ancient" history! Maybe it will help us all feel better that we're going to live a very long, long time if we measure with that time scale!

Faith

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

I wouldn't mind seeing Kate in the pink suit either. I'm not sure it would age her but she certainly wouldn't look as if she is still in university which would be a good thing. The suit has great lines and I like the cut a lot. Her legs would look great.

Linda

Tuesday 4th of August 2015

I don't get it. The same people who rail against pantyhose where yoga pants all weekend. What's the difference, in terms of comfort? Except that pantyhose have feet, keep your feet from blistering, and save the insides of your shoes? Try them. You'll see.

The Way We Were

Friday 7th of August 2015

The difference is people walk out their door in their yoga pants however tight or "inappropriate" other might see them but I have never seen anyone walking on the street with pantyhose only... that's the difference. :)

I wear yoga pants all the time especially those from Athleta with faux zipper/back pockets. They look just like a pair of fitted pants with invisible compression, not really the yoga pants some might have in their mind. :)

Lili

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

Indeed. I'm also confused by people who think opaque tights are fine but not nude pantyhose. To me, opaque tights ARE pantyhose.

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