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The Duchess Wows in Temperley Crop Top & Skirt for Queen’s Birthday Party

Kate surprised many a fashion follower this evening when she stepped onto the lawn of the British High Commissioner’s residence wearing a crop top and skirt.©Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

The occasion was a 90th birthday party for HM, and the Duchess opted for separates by Temperley London for the occasion.

Hundreds of guests were in attendance at the High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.Kensington Palace

More on the event from The Daily Mail:

Canapes included Murg Malai Tikka, Aloo Sabutdana Ki Tikki and – for the British tastes – apple Stilton Welsh Rarebits, mini beer battered fish and chips and thin crust cheese and tomato pizza.

Much of the small talk between the couple and some of the 2,000 guests – drawn from the worlds of politics, business and the armed forces and academia – was about how she and her husband were enjoying their whirlwind trip to India.

Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

William delivered a brief message from the Queen and Prince Philip, followed by his own remarks. More from ITV’s coverage of tonight’s festivities:

I am incredibly lucky to have my grandmother in my life. As she turns 90, she is a remarkably energetic and dedicated guiding force for her family.

And I am so glad that my children are having the chance to get to know The Queen.

George and Charlotte, too, will discover how lucky they are to have such a wonderful great-grandmother – a role model for the rest of their lives.

William and Kate helped cut an oversize birthday cake with a very large knife (sword…?). with a cavalry sabre. A comment from Kate & Zena explains, “in the military, it’s traditional for a soldier to cut the first piece of cake with his wife with his sabre.  this doesn’t look like William’s sabre; it looks more like a vintage (and very well taken care of) Indian sabre.”

©Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Let’s talk about Kate’s look for tonight’s party. She chose separates by Temperley London from the spring/summer 2016 collection.Temperley London

The pieces are crafted from different materials: the skirt is 100% silk lined in stretch silk georgette, while the top is all nylon lined in that same stretch silk. My theory on why there are two different materials: because the top and bottom have different amounts of embroidery to support, and also because the density of that embellishment differs significantly between the two garments. The top has to accommodate more embroidery in a smaller space than the skirt. If not structurally supported by a fabric that can withstand the stress on the material, the piece could easily fall apart after minimal wear.

Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

If thinking the evening’s attire had nothing to do with India, one discovers in the product description there *is* a tie to the Tour:

The Delphia Crop Top carries the season’s theme of global curiosities with opulent embroidery motifs of Indian Chintz and lattice.

Temperley London/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris

Temperley London/Nunn Syndication, Polaris

In addition to the embroidery, the top features sheer sleeves and shoulders. Below, a better look at the skirt described as having “light-catching crystals and black crochet trim.”Polaris/Temperley London/Polaris

A closer look at the embroidery detail.Kate Temperley London Delphia Fabrics Closeups April 11 2016

The pieces are also offered at Net-a-Porter, although I think the sizes for the top are very limited. The skirt inventory seems to be equally low. The Delphia is available as a short dress (a mid-thigh length) and also in soft blue pieces.Temperley

This was quite a departure for the Duchess. While she does wear suits, be they a dress/jacket or a skirt/jacket combination, Kate primarily wears dresses. This is particularly true of her formalwear. It really was a surprise when I realized she was wearing two separate pieces of clothing; my initial reaction was that this was a ‘faux two-piece” dress. It was good to see the Duchess take a risk, especially on such a high-profile trip. When stepping onto the lawn at the British High Commissioner’s residence, I thought she almost looked anxious, as if not quite sure about this step out of her comfort zone.

A champagne toast was offered in the Queen’s name.Robin Nunn/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate’s clutch looks like another Prada style. It is a hard-sided bag with rounded corners and an ornate clasp with a faux jewel at the top of the clasp.@Polaris/Polaris

Many thanks to WKW friend Vera on Facebook & Lina on Twitter; it turns out they were ahead of the curve in identifying the bag. The bag is available online at the Prada store, and it is £940 (about $1300).

Kate’s shoes are not yet identified; my thought is they could be this style, the Gianvito Rossi Crisscross Ankle-Wrap Suede Sandal.Bergdorf Goodman/Polaris

Kate’s earrings remain one of our longest-running UFOs (Unidentified Fashion Objects), going all the way back to at least 2007. Both Pippa and Kate have worn them; Anna of My Small Obsessions has more on them in this blog post.©Polaris

NOTE: This morning’s post on Kate’s Emilia Wickstead dress is here. I did not have time to cover the events at Gandhi Smriti/Old Birla House, and they will be part of a future post. 

 

 

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Mallory

Wednesday 13th of April 2016

Now this is the Kate we know and love! I absolutely love this dress, and her hair reminds me of a younger, fresher Kate. Beautiful!

Susan

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

Amazing dress- gorgeous and such a bold and beautiful choice!! The earrings look cheap- can someone not help her with her jewelry. Fabulous pearl chandeliers please!

Clare

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

Absolutely lovely, this look is a triumph. Whilst the dress is elegant and regal, it showcases Kate's femininity and at last, is fitting for a young woman in her early 30s. Kate looks fresh, relaxed and so pretty and more like the girl we know and love. Love the ice blue version too.

Cindy

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

Looking at the first two dresses for day three -- what is with all the long sleeves? Isn't is 90 there? Both of these would look much better sleeveless.

E

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

I agree. Add it on to the ugly red maxi from today and I'm so confused by all the long sleeves. I'd totally have swass at this point and need a built in fan and some (slightly) shorter hemlines.

Donna Reynolds

Tuesday 12th of April 2016

I love the crop top and skirt ensemble. It's fresh and appropriate for the occasion. That top would look cute with a black pencil skirt for spring. The reason I'm commenting though, is looking at the Emilia Wickstead, I wonder why she seems to constantly alter the hemline of these dresses. I love the midi look on that dress and that's how it was designed to be worn. It's been shortened just enough to make it look matronly. I wish she would leave the hemlines as they were intended!!!

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