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Tour Poll #1: Kate’s Party Frocks

Hello and greetings, we are back with the polls we promised on Kate’s Tour looks. But first, an apology to those receiving an email an erroneous post on the topic, that was a finger hitting “publish” when I meant to hit “save”.

In an effort to keep this from being one endless scroll we have divided the dresses into two polls, the daytime looks and those styles worn primarily to dressier, ‘invite only’ events. We begin with Kate’s ‘party frocks,’ for lack of a more descriptive term.

Singapore State Dinner – Kate’s first dressier style was worn on Tuesday the 11th, for a State Dinner hosted by the President of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam, at the Istana, his residence. The Duchess chose a dress by Singapore-born designer Prabal Gurung. The wool-silk blend dress featured a dramatic print, bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a concealed zipper.

PHOTOS: James Whatling/Splash News

Singapore Eden Hall Reception – For Wednesday night’s reception at Eden Hall, the British High Commissioner’s residence, Kate changed into Erdem. The Duchess opted for a modified version of a piece from the designer’s spring collection in silk chiffon with a pleated skirt, exposed back and flyaway sleeves.

State Dinner Malaysia, Bespoke Alexander McQueen: Kate’s creamy white dress featured a sheer overlay with gold lame embroidery bordering the sleeves, neckline and center of the gown. Other elements included an empire waist, shirred white fabric at the bust, short, sheer sleeves and a full, flowing skirt. In another wise bit of fashion diplomacy, the glittering gold embroidery was done in the shape of a hibiscus, the official flower of Malaysia. This may have been the most-discussed dress of the Tour, it seemed to have a polarizing effect.

James Whatling Splash News/Mark Large PA Wire

Kuala Lumpur Tea Party – Kate chose an elegant dress by Alice Temperley for tea at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur. This frock is from the designer’s fall 2012 collection, it features that exquisite white embroidery contrasting with an almost Wedgwood blue lining, bateau neckline, flared skirt and sheer three quarter sleeves. Kate remained in the dress while traveling to Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysia, she remained in the dress for the welcoming ceremonies there.

Arthur Edwards-The Sun-PA Wire/Rebecca English, The Daily Mail/Mail Online

Solomon Islands, Governor General’s Banquet TAV Pacific Dress – Many will recall the lushly colored dress Kate ultimately wore to the evening’s events was *not* what was packed for the function; instead she wore a dress given to her as a welcoming gift. It was an off-the-shoulder piece with multiple tiers and batik print showcasing a design of flowers, fish, and vines; it is by TAV Pacific NZ.

Chris Jackson/PA Wire

Tuvalu Dinner – Kate returned to ALICE by Temperley, wearing the label’s Beatrice gown for the function hosted by Tuvalu’s Governor General at Vaiaku Falekaupule, the town hall. The Beatrice has a vintage feel, reminiscent in some respects of the frocks worn in the late 1960s and 70s, the embroidery at the neckline, sleeves, center of the dress and hem add to that sense. It is viscose chiffon with a polyester lining, polished gold buttons, banded elbow-length sleeves and what is called a scarf neckline.

Arthur Edwards-PA Wire/Temperley London/Arthur Edwards-PA Wire

We’ll also be posting a separate poll shortly with the less formal dresses Kate wore on the Tour. Many thanks in advance to everyone who votes!

 

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Annie

Tuesday 9th of October 2012

Temperly for sure. The Prabal purple print would have been right up there if only it fit her better and she had worn her hair up or at least pulled back. I just don't like how heavy her hair looks and that the neckline of the dress shows her shoulder blade like it does. Also with her being so skinny, she doesn't fill out the back of the dress all the way and there are some weird folds/draping in the hip area.

Reena

Wednesday 3rd of October 2012

My first choice was Temperly with the white beautiful embroidered lace over the the serene Wedgewood blue. The diamond and aquamarine earrings were perfection. I loved her hair pulled softly back, and accessorized with the pearl hairpins. (I am sure this will be a new trend.)

I liked the McQueen fabric - the gold embroidery was beautiful and I like the nod to Malaysia's official flower - the hibiscus. The flow of the dress looked like it was probably more amazing "In Motion." I didn't care for the white bodice - it contrasted too much with the soft, flowing embroidery.

Love this site and enjoy the polls - it's fun to see and read how others feel.

As always, attention to every detail. Personally, some of the choices, especially the modifications to other designs, were perhaps not Kate's first choice but she respected the customs of her hosts.

Rene

Monday 1st of October 2012

This was a tough choice! All stunning!!!

Caroline

Friday 28th of September 2012

For those who love the Temperley blue and white lace dress there is a similar Temperley dress (all white, alas) on the Outnet US site. The dress has been reduced from $1 365 to about $410 and they still have a variety of sizes. The neckline, and netting are similar but the embroidery is different and only on the neckline and sleeves but I thought I would let others know, in case there is interest.

Suzy

Tuesday 25th of September 2012

LOVE the Prabal Gurang. I'm sure the ice blue Temperley with the lace will be the winner, but I just didn't love it the way others did. That was, though, my favorite hairstyle of the tour, especially once I read the BBC report about how it's a tradition of Malay brides to dress their hair with pearls.

Amy

Thursday 27th of September 2012

I love the tidbit about the hairstyle worn with the Temperley...thanks! Nice touches like that made my choice between the Temperley and the Gurung even harder! I went with the Gurung as well, though; not only did it look stunning on the Duchess, but I love it that she wore a Singapore-born designer while in that country.

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