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A Big Jewelry ID & Pick Your Favorite Dress Worn by Kate in 2013

We are back with our annual dress poll, as well as the results of our 2013 coat poll. But first, news that a jewelry set Kate has worn several times has been identified.

The set is seen on more formal occasions has been seen just once, in December 2011 when the Duchess attended the Sun Military Awards with William and Harry. (The black velvet frock is by Alexander McQueen.)Polaris Images/Splash News/Splash News

A closer look at the necklace.

Splash News

Splash News

It turns out the set is by Mouawad, credit for the identification goes to Lurdes of Tesouras & Tiaras, Boryana and the HRH Duchess Kate blog. The two women had an idea the designer might be Mouawad and let Charlotte at HRH Duchess Kate know their thoughts; she wrote the company for confirmation. Mouawad responded, verifying the pieces are theirs; our thanks to all three for getting this IDed. As suspected, Kate’s necklace and bracelet are made from diamonds and rubies set in 18K white gold. Below we show another Mouawad set, somewhat similar to Kate’s.

Mouawad Jewelry

Mouawad Jewelry

I speculated in one post that perhaps the necklace could also be worn as a tiara; after seeing the pieces above and looking at Kate’s set again I no longer believe that to be the case.

Mouawad has been in business for more than 100 years. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Mouawad has stores throughout the world, including one in Los Angeles. Celebrities are often seen wearing Mouawad pieces on the red carpet. One of the company’s more notable products: the jewel-encrusted ‘Fantasy Bras’ worn on the Victoria’s Secret runway every year; Mouawad has made many of them. Below, two recent advertisements show other pieces created by the company.

Mouawad

Mouawad

Kate’s earrings are not part of the set; they are the pair first noticed when worn to the Canada Day concert during the 2011 North American Tour.

Splash News

Splash News

These earrings have a matching bracelet, this set has not yet been identified.

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We move now to our annual dress poll. Per usual, I have divided pieces into one of two groups: daytime dresses and more formal looks. We begin with a 2011 wrap dress from MaxMara Studio worn on a visit to Hope House in February. The frock’s official name (as best I can tell) was “Gray Long Sleeve Dress“.Splash News/Lyst.com

The Duchess visited the town of Grimsby in March. For that engagement she selected the ‘Cezanne’ dress from SplashNews.com/Great Plains London

It was a simple Topshop dress that Kate wore for her engagement at the Child Bereavement Center with William. The Contrast Collar Dress is mostly polyester with 6% elastane for stretch. it originally sold for £46, approximately $75.

Paul Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire

Paul Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire

For an appearance at an elementary school in April Kate wore Erdem, the Sophia floral print dress.  The frock is 100% silk, with burgundy, navy, and pink print; it originally sold for $1880 at Net-a-Porter.Rota/

One of the more lighthearted engagements of the year was a trip to Warner Brothers Studios in late April. We debated whether Kate was wearing Topshop‘s “Polka Dot Skater Dress” or its “Florence Maternity Dress,” I would lean toward it having been the Florence. Kate also wore it to the May wedding of friends William van Cutsem and Rosie Ruck Keene.Photos: James Whatling/Splash News

For Prince George’s introduction to the world, Kate wore a cornflower blue Jenny Packham dress. The silk crepe de chine frock featured cap sleeves, a gathered empire waist and a self-belt.Splash news/Georgina Brewer ITV/PA Wire

A photo of Kate, William, and George was released in mid-August. Kate wore the Knot Front dress by Seraphine Maternity in fuchsia. The center knot creates fabric gathers just under the bust; the dress also has cap sleeves and a deep v-neck front.  It remains available now for £46.PA Wire/Seraphine

I have not included dresses we have seen Kate wear previously, nor those that we really couldn’t see Kate wearing. The latter category includes the peach dress underneath Kate’s Tara Jarmon coat, as well as several maternity styles by Seraphine.

Now for our more formal looks, starting with the custom piece by Emilia Wickstead worn to an April April event at the National Portrait Gallery. Kate’s dress was a custom piece made in a silk blend, modeled on the designer’s CZ dress from her spring/summer 2013 collection.

For a church service honoring the 60th Anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation Kate wore a bespoke ensemble by Jenny Packham. The champagne or blush lace dress had a gathered waist, with eyelash fringe at the hem and neckline.

Sean Demspey-PA Wire/Weir Photos-Splash News

Sean Demspey-PA Wire/Weir Photos-Splash News

Kate’s first formal appearance after Prince George’s birth was at the Tusk Conservation Awards in September. She wore a Jenny Packham dress covered in pale gold sequins. The frock had a bateau neckline, empire waist, and keyhole back.

PA Wire/Splash News/Splash News

PA Wire/Splash News/Splash News

For the 100 Women in Hedge Funds dinner Kate selected a Jenny Packham gown. The silk blue dress was an inky blue color, with gathered short sleeves and wrapped front. Stylebop is allowing customers to sign up for a waiting list, so perhaps the dress will be reissued.

PA Wire/Jenny Packham/PA Wire

PA Wire/Jenny Packham/PA Wire

When it came to Prince George’s christening the Duchess turned to a designer she favors for State occasions and formal events: Alexander McQueen. The eggshell or cream style was distinguished by the cascading ruffle on the front and peplum waist.PA Wire/Splash News

Kate selected a piece by Temperley London for November’s SportsBall. The ‘Templeton’ dress is from the label’s 2012 autumn/winter collection. The most notable design element is the laser-cut fabric used in the dress, while the neck and sleeves are bordered in a scallop motif.

PA Wire/James Whatling, Splash News/SportsAid Facebook

PA Wire/James Whatling, Splash News/SportsAid Facebook

And now, here is how you voted on our coat poll.

©WhatKateWore.com

©WhatKateWore.com 2014

With almost 5500 votes in total, the Noa coat by Temperley London is the big winner.

James Whatling, Splash News/Temperley London

The surprise for me was how closely the next three were: the teal By Malene Birger, yellow Emilia Wickstead and peach Tara Jarmon were all part of a very tight race!

NOTE: The post has been corrected to reflect that the jewelry has only been worn one time we know of, to the Military Awards. My thanks to those who pointed that out. 

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Angella

Friday 5th of October 2018

I would just like to know where Queen Elizabeth has purchased her pearl earrings that she has shared with Catherine so often. The ones with the diamonds on top?

MissMaddox

Tuesday 21st of January 2014

I think the Inky Blue Jenny Packham look was lovely. :) As for a jewelry poll, that would be great! but I think I can guess what would win: her lovely, sentimental, trend-setting engagment ring! :D

Elizabeth Anne HIn

Monday 20th of January 2014

Thank you deeply for your wonderful work for us all. Always, Beth

Penelope

Monday 20th of January 2014

For the day dress I voted for Erdem, partly because I was able to buy it on sale at net a porter, and also because before it arrived I thought I would probably return it as I wasn't so blown away when I saw it on line, but then I saw that it was indeed a sticking dress, with a very elegant fresh print. It does look like a classy dress which will not date.

I also loved the Alexander McQueen christening christening outfit: I know that some prefer more tailored lines on the duchess but I think she suits the full skits with fitted waist very well and her outfit matched her son's so well. I think for the formality of the event the ruffles on the bodice worked very well and I t was also nice to see the duchess wear sth a bit different but still classic.

On the Redgrave coat worn by the duchess: when last spring I emailed customer care of the official goat site to ask about the cream coat of the duchess and if they planned to restock it, I was told she was actually wearing the nude colour (even though in a lot of the pictures it looks like she is wearing the cream). They assured me she has bought the nude and actually if sb googles the name in some photos you can see it's not cream, I.e. off white but actually the the nude shade which has sold in most sizes after they restocked it. Nonetheless, the cream, as Susan suggested is still available.

katefanatic

Monday 20th of January 2014

I voted for the contrast collar dress that she wore with the coat by Goat---I thought it was perfect for the coat and the simple lines were perfect for that stage of her pregnancy. I also had to vote for her ensemble at the christening---again, just perfect for the occasion and it photographed beautifully. As for the jewelry ID, I agree that the entire look at the sun military awards was her overall best to date: from shoes to hair to makeup---just a perfect all around look. While I do agree with some of the other posters that the jewelry is not my personal taste, I think it is obvious that the Duchess is not going to be wearing any more "substantial" jewelry anytime soon. I think that this is due to a number of reasons; first of all, I think that the Duchess' personal taste runs to smaller and simpler pieces, she is not married to the Prince of Wales like Diana was, this is not the 1980's when wearing the major bling was expected, and the sparse economic times make it less accepted for the Royals to be seen wearing obvious displays of wealth. For all of these reasons, I expect that the Duchess will not be seen in any of the "major" jewelry for some time to come---perhaps not ever, depending upon her personal tastes even after William is the Prince of Wales. If I were in Kate's shoes, I would be wearing anything HM was willing to take out of the vault for me, but that seems to not be the Duchess' style.

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