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It’s LK Bennett for Heads Together Engagement

Kate sported a new LK Bennett dress for an engagement this morning with Prince William. The couple visited the YoungMinds Parents Helpline, a project under the Heads Together umbrella.©Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Splash News

The engagement was not announced ahead of time. Victoria Murphy has more about the event in her story for The Mirror:

Kate and William toured the YoungMinds helpline in south east London which helps parents and carers concerned about young people’s welfare.

From the Heads Together release on today’s engagement:

During their visit, Their Royal Highnesses met some of the people who volunteer with the helpline to find out more about their experience and what motivated them to get involved. They then got a taster of the training that people receive to become a volunteer including learning about helpline skills. 

As part of the training, the Duke and Duchess also listened in on some of the calls the helpline received during their visit and heard first-hand how volunteers handle enquiries before sitting in on a debrief session

And from Richard Palmer’s piece in The Express:

The YoungMinds visit began with a meeting with the volunteers who man the helplines. One, Saida Tahir, told him it was a busy time for self-harm because many teenagers were affected by their exam results.

Recalling his own exam worries, William said: “It still gives me the heebie-jeebies. I still get sweaty thinking about it.”

Kensington Palace Twitter (@KensingtonRoyal)

Kate told chief executive Sarah Brennan: “William and I found it absolutely fascinating, from hearing the case study and also taking the calls.”

Young Minds Facebook (click photo to visit page)

Young Minds Facebook (click photo to visit page)

The Duchess wore the Eugenia Skirted Dress from royal favorite LK Bennett for today’s event.

©Splash News/LK Bennett

©Splash News/LK Bennett

The dress features a fitted bodice with a full skirt reminiscent of a ‘skater style’ dress. The piece is designed to hit just above the knee, and also has very short sleeves (almost cap sleeve length) and multiple contoured seams.

LK Bennett/Splash News

LK Bennett/Splash News

The fabric is a blend of polyester/viscose/elastane and the dress is actually described as being machine washable. Hopefully you can see some of the construction details in these images, including the topstitched seams and darts at the neckline.

LK Bennett/Splash News

LK Bennett/Splash News

The dress was offered in Kate’s salsa red as well as dark navy; it is from a 2015 collection and no longer available. It was originally priced at £225 (roughly $300) but was ultimately reduced to £95 (about $125).

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

More on Kate’s look from Emma Spedding’s column in The Telegraph:

 The Duchess opted for a simple, but classic, look for the charity visit wearing a classic L.K Bennett dress with short sleeves and a subtly fluted skirt.

Postbox red is often considered a difficult colour to pull off, but the Duchess proves that it can look classic when the rest of the outfit is kept simple, as she tends to pair her red dresses with minimal shoes and accessories.

This is one of LK Bennett’s marketing images for the dress.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

When first seeing pictures of Kate in the dress many of us immediately thought of the LK Bennett Cayla that Kate wore to Wimbledon last year.  You can see how similar the colors are, as well as the neckline and bodice.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

Our thanks to Great RepliKate on Twitter for the dress ID.

The Duchess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi heels in the praline color. The style is part of the brand’s ‘signature collection,’ and has a point toe design with a 4″ heel. I did not see the style online at Gianvito Rossi, but it has been restocked at My Theresa and is also available in most sizes at Net-a-Porter; it is $675 at both sites.

/Splash

Net-a-Porter/Splash

Kate also carried what has become her ‘go to’ clutch, the Nina from LK Bennett, $325/£185. It is out of stock on the US site (you can sign up to be notified when it is back in stock) but available on the UK/International site.

Splash/LK Bennett/Splash

Splash/LK Bennett/Splash

The Duchess wore her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch ($5200) and Kiki McDonough Lauren Earrings (£2200, about $2900).

Splash/Cartier/Splash/Kiki McDonough

Splash/Cartier/Splash/Kiki McDonough

Kate wore her hair partially up today.

©Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Splash News

©Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Splash News

I imagine she chose this style knowing she would be wearing a headset.

©Arthur Edwards/NMA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

©Arthur Edwards/NMA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

This is a very good color for the Duchess. While the extra seaming on the dress skirt didn’t seem to lay quite right (a design/construction issue, not a function of fit) the color compensated quite a bit. Kate looked relaxed, engaged and confident.

©Arthur Edwards/WPA-Pool/Splash

©Arthur Edwards/WPA-Pool/Splash

We’ll close with this video of Kate and William speaking about the stress parents face and the benefits of a service like the YoungMinds Helpline.


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Bonnie

Wednesday 31st of August 2016

Ho-hum, boring snoring. Kate looks good in red, but she has several other outfits in this exact same colour. As we've discussed nude/neutral shoes don't do much to enhance most outfits. I'd prefer this dress with black or navy accessories. That said, Kate looks appropriate for the occasion.

Fashiophile

Monday 29th of August 2016

Very Kate. Nothing unusual. This is her style.

Erika from Texas

Friday 26th of August 2016

What a surprise it was to see this dress this week. I bought it last year in September and have worn it several times. I am quite petite, so the longer torso on this dress doesn't work as well on me without some strategic tucks at the waist. I've thought about shortening it, but not from the bottom due to the construction of the skirt. I think it would have to be at the waist, but it does have a very long back zipper, which is not friendly for any waist changes. The extra fabric panels in the skirt always seem to lay in an odd way, I have to say. If the top seam of the panels isn't hitting in the middle of the hip, the skirt does flare and sit not quite right. It's comfortable fabric to wear though, and yes it is machine washable, which is very easy. The seams on the bodice are very nice as well, they give structure without constricting or being too stiff. Obviously I can see why the Duchess would purchase this dress!

ElizaMo

Saturday 27th of August 2016

That's just great to hear how the garment works from first-hand experience, thanks for describing. It's a shame the panels don't work a little better, perhaps the fabric is one that bunches up too much in the seams to lie easily. I can see how it might have become discounted. I've had very serviceable stretch cotton holiday dresses for about a quarter of that original price. Of course, now that Kate has worn it, you have the chance to turn a profit on your original outlay!

Brenda

Saturday 27th of August 2016

You can have the zipper replaced. Any good seamstress can remove the zipper, sew up the placket, and insert a new zipper. At the same time, I'd have her nip in the skirt material. You might be pleased at what you end up with.

Ceci

Friday 26th of August 2016

I think William should be commended for not wearing his standard blue suit. He's really shaking it up 2 different outfits in 2 appearances!

I don't love this dress, it's an awkward fit on her. My guess is that she bought it to wear under a coat but today was warm so she went for it! I'm just glad to see her finally not wearing a coat to every engagement.

As for wearing scarves...I think you're either a scarf person or not, I'm not because I don't like the fiddliness around my neck, she might feel the same way.

ElizaMo

Friday 26th of August 2016

A lovely surprise to see Kate again and a delightful frock for a summer’s day. I’m finding this look better put together than yesterdays, with hair out of Kate’s face and nude accessories working better against the strong red. The Lauren earrings suit the mood of the outfit perfectly.

Contoured seams are such a favourite for her and I like these. I don’t have the same problem with the fit of the dress as others; I suppose I’m seeing it as a handy casual spare and may not have my sights set so high.

It’s a very pretty shape on Kate, the short sleeves are youthful without being juvenile, and the skirt’s a good length. Maybe this is a side issue, but if anything strikes me it’s the pronounced state of her calf muscles. The heavy workout routine is something that affects everyone from Letizia through Jessica Parker to La Jolie with similar sinewy effect, which may be less than wholly attractive. Overall Kate looks sweet and fresh here, though.

Claire

Sunday 28th of August 2016

It would be a real pity if Kate - or anyone else - felt that they had to adjust their exercise routine or sporting activities based on how their calves looked. She is extremely fit and looks healthy. It's very unusual to see criticism of body parts in this comments section - I thought we were above that?

KateZena

Sunday 28th of August 2016

Another observation: depending on your sport, your calves/legs may or may not be as defined as Kate's. I'm an equestrian and mine are not as toned as my second cousin's (wait, cousin first removed? second removed? It's so confusing) and she's in gymnastics. We are both in sports where the legs are dominantly used, but I use my thighs to stay in the saddle and feet to guide my horse (along with my hands) and she uses the muscles in her calves to help propel her in the air. Her body is toned to propel her in the air (short with coiled muscles); mine is toned to guide a horse (genetically short but long and lean muscle, a bit like Kate's.) It's very interesting to see how muscle develops to different sports. Rowers (like Kate) also seem to have like long and lean musculature.

Elizabeth

Saturday 27th of August 2016

Just a brief comment is support of ElizaMo's observation of Kate's very pronounced calf muscles. I was a devoted walker ( 3 -4 miles ) 5 days a week. I also developed very pronounced calf muscles - my husband, not being critical mind you, was always suggesting that I should mix my exercise routines up and work more a variety of muscles. I finally listened to the man - my legs are tone but the calves are far less pronounced - and in my opinion, more attractive. So it is a matter of personal preference... Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

ElizaMo

Saturday 27th of August 2016

Thank you both for refreshing my data on toned muscles! I will think twice before commenting another time ;-)

ali

Friday 26th of August 2016

I like the dress also as well as the fit. I find her legs gorgeous. They are firm, toned and smooth.

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