We have a very quick update today on the dress Kate wore to Prince Philip’s 90th birthday party Sunday night. The occasion was a private family dinner at the upscale Waterside Inn, put together by the grandchildren. We’ll put this one in the “not a stellar moment” for Kate, the Stella McCartney dress is simply not a flattering style on The Duchess.
The utterly amazing Leisa, one of the incredible WKW Facebook detectives we are so grateful to have helping us, made the early call:
WKW Facebook Page
As many readers will have already learned (I am very late with this one), the dress is one worn by Madonna at the 2008 amFAR gala in Cannes. Grazia says the silk dress is from Ms. McCartney’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection. The Grazia story also notes that Kate was frugal, purchasing the frock three years after its original release. (Good for her!)
We made no secret on FB or Twitter we are not fond of the look on Madonna or Kate, and doubt it is flattering on anyone. To be clear, we are big Stella McCartney fans. We love that Kate is wearing an ‘edgier’ designer, and like the color a great deal. Unfortunately this seems one of the designer’s rare misses – while the dress design *looks* in theory like it should be lovely, the satin fabric isn’t able to sustain the cut and construction of the garment. The tie at the neck drapes nicely, just as it should, but that same weight of material that works for the tie makes the center embellishment too heavy, it pulls at the fabric.
By no means is everyone of a similar mind, several people we admire and follow on Twitter/Facebook like the look, pointing out it could well be a dress that looks great in person but photographs poorly. Satin can be problematical, it will *always* wrinkle (I swear if you look at it wrong it wrinkles) and it reflects light in an odd way, especially from flashbulbs. It’s just not a style we find flattering for Kate.
Thanks also to our friend at Kate Middleton Style Blog for making the Grazia connection, a wonderful tip!
meme&meme
Monday 7th of November 2011
I think it looks better on Madonna.
Sarah Snap Fashion
Wednesday 28th of September 2011
@alpa you'll be glad yo hear that Kate's embracing a younger look and has been shopping at Topshop! Check out what she bought!
http://snapfashion.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/kate-middletons-topshop-spree/
Anne
Tuesday 13th of September 2011
The Duchess does not look chic or classy in this dress - it certainly is a very poor choice. Mind you, it looks awful on Madonna too. As you say the style of this dress is not right for the fabric used.
The Duchess is finding her feet when it comes to fashion - although I like much pf what she wears - she doesn't always get it right. She does not always get it right when it comes to accessorizing an outfit either - her choice of shoe colour and clutch bag colour isn't always right. However, as I said, she is still finding her feet and I am sure with time we will see her choice of outfits and how she puts them together improve (and then she really will look chic).
Cassondra
Tuesday 28th of June 2011
Do we know what earrings she wore with this dress? I'm sure it would be hard to see them with only these pictures. Just wondering.
Stephanie Veltri
Tuesday 28th of June 2011
If I had to guess, I would say the bracelet is by links of london with a charm.