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Kate’s Philosophy for a Valentine’s Day Air Cadets Engagement

For today’s engagement with the RAF Air Cadets, the Duchess wore a jacket from Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini.© Ben Stevens / i-Images

The event was held at an RAF base in Cambridgeshire where the Cadets are taking part in a half-term skills development course.Kensington Palace

The Duchess gets a look at a training aircraft.Kensington Palace

From the Air Cadets story about today’s function:

Cadet Sergeant Jordan Bertalaso said: “Flying is my favourite air cadet activity and it was an honour to show the Duchess the layout of the Tutor cockpit, particularly as the aircraft is used by cadets for air experience.

“It’s incredible to have such a high profile Royal as our Patron, especially as she has strong links to the Royal Air Force with her husband being a former pilot.

RAF Air Cadets

The Duchess joined cadets in some of their exercises.Kensington Palace

More from Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story:

The Duchess now represents 42,000 air cadets aged from 12 to 19, and 15,000 adult volunteers at more than 1,200 units across the UK and abroad.

The week acts as an initial camp experience for cadets who are in their first six months of membership.

© Darren Staples / Reuters / Splash

Kate and the cadets in a training exercise.

Kate became royal patron of the Air Cadets in December 2015, taking over the role Prince Philip held for more than 60 years.Kensington Palace

Kate tried her hand on a flight simulator.

More from an Express story about today’s event:

 Kate reached a speed of 60 knots at an altitude of 4000ft as she took the controls of a flight simulator.  The simulator mimics the performance of a Vigilant motor glider that the air cadets use.

The Duchess clearly enjoyed her time with the Cadets.© James Whatling

Now to what Kate wore for the day’s engagement, a Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini twill blazer.

Net a Porter / James Whatling

Net a Porter / James Whatling

The jacket is from the label’s Resort 17 collection.© Zak Hussein, Splash News / Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Zak Hussein, Splash

It is a rayon/wool blend with classic double-breasted styling, and it features front patch pockets, peak lapels, front darts, center back vent, and embossed shank buttons. The official color name is claret, a stellar shade for Valentine’s Day. The blazer is available in most sizes at Net-a-Porter ($1515) and in limited sizes at Barneys ($1515).   

Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter

The blazer is also offered in a blue shade; it is available at Farfetch ($1515). It is carried at Browns as well, where it is a good deal; it is £760, roughly $950 at today’s exchange rates.

Farfetch

Farfetch

This is the second Philosophy piece we’ve seen Kate wear; the first was also a jacket, seen in a 2016 official photo. (More info in our post here.)

Philosophy is the Alberta Ferretti diffusion line targeting a younger demo with more contemporary designs and lower prices. The current Creative Director, Lorenzo Serafini, has previously designed at Dolce & Gabbana, and also Roberto Cavalli. The brand is carried online by Net-a-Porter, as well as Stylebop, YOOX, Barney’s, and the Philosophy portion of the Alberta Ferretti website.

The Duchess was in a black turtleneck (aka ‘polo neck’) that has yet to be identified. A WKW Facebook friend messaged to say she believes Kate was wearing Zara’s Body Curve Jeggings. The style is a blend of cotton/lyocell/Poly/elastane. Most recently the jeggings were sold for $7.99, discounted from their original price of $35.90.

ZARA

ZARA

She brought back her Stuart Weitzman Half ‘n Half Stretch Rider boots from Russell and Bromley (£395).  The knee-high boots are suede on the front, with a stretch material on the back and a low block heel.

Russell & Bromley / James Whatling

Russell & Bromley / James Whatling

These digitally lightened photos better show the different materials used for the boots. The pictures are from the first time Kate was seen wearing them at a SportsAid engagement in 2014.

BOTH: Nunn Syndication/POLARIS

BOTH: Nunn Syndication/POLARIS

We still haven’t identified Kate’s gloves. (Our friends at Cornelia James tell us she is not wearing one of their styles.) A message also suggests Kate might have been wearing gloves by Butterfly Lane. In the image below I have digitally enhanced the photo a bit to better show the details, it is difficult to tell if the two pair are the same. Kate Air Cadets Black Gloves Feb 14 2017 Butterfly Lane Digitally Lightened Product Shot

We saw the return of Kate’s Lauren earrings by Kiki McDonough. While they are officially designed as a leaf, today I think they are doing double duty as a stand-in for hearts.

© Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Kiki McDonough / James Whatling

© Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Kiki McDonough / James Whatling

When Kate arrived, her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail which she later loosened.© James Whatling/Zak Hussein, Splash

Kate signing the guest book at today’s engagement.Kensington Palace

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In case you missed yesterday’s post, you can read all about the trip to Paris Kate and William will take in March, as well as a quick look at the 2017 fall collections from Diane von Furstenberg and J Crew.

In addition to the Paris trip, Kate has added an engagement on February 28th, when she will officially open the new Ronald McDonald House located within a 5-minute walk of Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

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patricia

Tuesday 28th of February 2017

It's a beautiful blazer i like you so much and your style very unique one the blazer is very graceful looking and the color is very chic one and button style is very good. especially the blazer neck line design very beautiful and like your all the posts thanks for sharing good blog.

Tess

Sunday 19th of February 2017

Has nothing to do with the outfit but was your post title a reference to Shelley's "Love's Philosophy"? Apologies if anyone above me in the comments asked this already; I didn't have time to read them all.

admin

Sunday 19th of February 2017

That's a great question. I'm familiar with the poem (and very fond of it), but the post title was merely referencing the blazer brand. (I wish I was clever enough to think of the poem!)

Travelingblush.com

Saturday 18th of February 2017

That jacket is beautiful, well made and the fit is excellent. That shade of red looks really unique. Love this overall look, very athletic yet sophisticated, and agree with a comment above, equestrian. The hair seems to also transform seamlessly.

Larissa

Friday 17th of February 2017

To me this really feels like a perfect outfit. Lovely pop of colour from the jacket, the gold of the buttons continues through the earrings, the boots are stylish but appropriate for climbing in and out of planes and doing jumping exercises. Kate looks elegant and put together, but not like she is trying too hard in a setting that calls for appropriate but not over-the-top clothing. Her hair colour looks absolutely fabulous as well!

Lilly

Friday 17th of February 2017

At a first glimpse I thought this is a ZARA blazer!! and not such an expensive piece which I think is just another Jacket/blazer

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