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Your Thoughts About Kate As a Style Icon, Temperley London Fall 2014, Popular CopyKate Coat Reissued as the “Kate Trench”

We are back with some fashion notes and a follow-up to our previous post discussing Kate’s position in the fashion zeitgeist, more specifically, asking if she is a style icon. The thoughts you shared on the topic were outstanding; watching the discussion unfold and reading the varying perspectives on what constitutes a fashion icon and/or a style icon has been a delight.

There were several comments about the specific terms that are part of today’s lexicon. Here is a brief sampling:

  • Lili: “I do think part of the problem with the term “style icon” and whether it applies to any given person is the slipperiness — the malleability — of the definition.”
  • TMM: “To me, fashion refers to what’s new and popular and trendy in the world of clothing and accessories. A style icon, however (in my mind), is one who takes a look and makes it uniquely their own.”
  • ElizaMo: “I’d have said that Kate was a style icon and not a fashion icon as for me there’s a clear distinction: it’s perfectly possible to have a consistent style without having fashion come into it.”
  • Miss Maddox: “I do think the Duchess is a style icon; and for me that is very different then being a “fashionable” woman. I would never suggest that Duchess Kate was a “fashionable” woman. Style icons are the women who choose to be above fashion!”
  • Erin: “Is Kate a stylish woman? YES. Is she a style icon? NO. There is a difference.”

While fond of Kate’s fashion choices and style , some felt it is just too early to make pronouncements or confer titles:

  • Judith (via Facebook): “Personally I think that Kate is not a fashion icon…yet. Her style now is very suitable for her place as the wife of the second in line. But these are early days.”
  • Lauri: “Kate certainly would have made the Hall of Fame, in the future, but to include her this year is much too soon.”
  • Sampson (via Facebook): “I think it’s way too early to tell. She dresses beautifully, but give her time. She’s made an effort to not be defined by her clothing choices, so I think we should let her WOW us on her terms.”
  • Ashleigh: “I agree it’s too early to tell whether Kate’s normality and what some refer to as formulaic dressing will cement her iconic fashion status. Only time will tell…”

For many others, there’s no more time needed, Kate is iconic. And regardless of the terms used, many expressed thoughts on the positive impact Kate’s style choices have had on their wardrobes:

  • Amy: “I don’t know if Kate should be defined as a style icon, but I’ve certainly adopted her as MY style icon!”
  • Melissa: “She’s the only person I look to for what is appropriate/looks put together, precisely because I know that I can replicate her look almost exactly.”
  • Lulu (via Facebook): “I think that she is an Icon for the very reasons that her critic note: she does things her way & breaks rules & wears what she likes & feels comfy in rather than what the style experts might approve of.”
  • Adrienne: “I’m 33 and never really knew how to dress… Until I saw Kate wearing the nude pumps I never thought to buy some. So I did. She influenced my personal style….I’m not afraid to wear a dress to work anymore”.
  • Rachel: “When I was younger, I wasted a lot of money on “fast fashion”, buying whatever was trendy at the time that was cheaply made and wasn’t necessarily flattering. Kate has taught me that investing in well made pieces, and paying attention to fit goes a long way…”
  • Jennifer (via Facebook): “I don’t find her a groundbreaker, but I find her an icon as well as a source of returning style and class in clothing as opposed to what so much of what youth and young women are seeing in the media. Thank goodness there is this alternative to show…”

In a somewhat related note, a recent story in The Telegraph offers a smidgen of insight on how Kate looks at fashion. The article profiles Sara Parker Bowles, associate editor at Harper’s Bazaar UK and senior editor at Town & Country UK. From that Telegraph story:

Of the Duchess of Cambridge, she will only say: “We’ve talked about designers we admire in the past and she’s always very complimentary about what I wear but, clearly, she feels she’s got more important things to think about – and that’s what makes her so endearing.”

You may recognize the name because Ms. Parker Bowles is married to the Duchess of Cornwall’s son, Tom Parker Bowles.

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Next, our look at some of the new fall styles at Temperley London. These pieces are all from the label’s pre-fall collection.

Temperley London

Temperley London

Several more looks.

Temperley London

Temperley London

Many of the pre-fall pieces can be found on the Temperley site, although some are not yet in stock. One style currently available: the Catroux dress, shown in the center of the photo above. Here’s a closer look at the frock, available in three colors.

'Catroux' by Temperley London

‘Catroux’ by Temperley London

Below left we show the brand’s Berge dress with its tailored top and full skirt, on the right it’s the ALICE by Temperley Madison dress, in a classic fit and flare silhouette.

Temperley London

Temperley London

The Moya Wool Jacket struck me as a piece that seems ‘very Kate’. It’s a wool/angora blend that looks both snuggly-warm and chic, not always an easy combination to pull off.

Temperley London

Temperley

Our next two items are from the ALICE by Temperley collection, offering the brand’s younger, edgier styles. The Donna Jacket is made of a wonderful material “…embellished with floral mesh appliqués…” and has a cropped silhouette… softly puffed shoulders. There are several other pieces in the eye-catching fabric if one is looking for a matching top/bottom, we show the Donna skirt. These pieces are part of the ALICE Winter 2014 collection.

ALICE by Temperley

ALICE by Temperley

The Callas Evening Coat is elegant and would work well for Kate. It comes in both black and a deep olive.

Temperley London

Temperley London

Also new in stock, the Luz Dress in a silk/poly blend. The structured fabric has an openwork design on the sleeves and the lower third of the frock.

Temperley London

Temperley London

This is a mere sampling of the online selection, the site is well-stocked with new pieces for the fall and winter seasons; those interested in what’s to come might enjoy perusing the 2014 Winter lookbook.

The brand also happens to be having an excellent sale, offering 60% off of spring and summer styles. That makes items like the Lucy Shirtdress (seen below) a very good buy. The dress was originally priced at £395, it is now £160, that’s about $260.

ALICE by Temperley

ALICE by Temperley

Accessories in the sale are also pocketbook friendly. Below we show the Chapelle Scarf (lower left) is on sale for £35, as is the yellow and pale pink Sylvia Scarf seen in the center of the photo, both would be roughly $55 – $60. The turquoise and pink Lace Bi-Couloured Scarf on the far right of the montage is discounted to £60, about $95-$100.

ALICE by Temperley & Temperley London

ALICE by Temperley & Temperley London

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We have a few more Sales & Savings opportunities:

  • One of our favorite sponsors, Beulah London, is offering a scarf Kate has worn at a special discount this week. We’re talking about the Eden scarf seen on the Duchess at a rugby match in Sydney, Australia. The cashmere blend scarf normally sells for £125 (about $210), but it’s discounted to £99 (roughly $165) this week only.
Beulah London

Beulah London

  • 6pm, the sister site to Zappos, has a sizable selection of Aquatalia on sale, with discounts running from 30% to 70% off the original price. The majority of the shoes are summer styles, but there are some past season boots and booties. Below, some of the styles currently available.
6pm.com

6pm.com

Stuart Weitzman

Stuart Weitzman

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Finally tonight, word of a favorite ‘copyKate’ item being reissued. Some will remember seeing Kate in the Temperley London ‘Odele Classic Sheepskin Coat‘. (There are photos here of Kate wearing the piece during a walk in Kensington Gardens.)

Temperley London

Temperley London

Via Spiga made what became a popular repliKate last year, and now the coat has been reissued for this fall. It’s interesting to see how different retailers are marketing the coat, and what it is selling for. At Macy’s the coat is called the “Faux-Leather and Faux-Fur Kate Trench Coat,” it is priced at $359.99.

Macy's Via Spiga Faux-Leather and Faux-Fur Kate Trench Coat

Macy’s Via Spiga Faux-Leather and Faux-Fur Kate Trench Coat

At Bloomingdales it is the Faux Leather and Faux Fur Collar coat, it is “on sale” for $337.45.

Bloomingdales Faux Leather and Faux Fur Collar Coat-

Bloomingdales Faux Leather and Faux Fur Collar Coat-

The best deal by far seems to be at Saks Off Fifth, where the Via Spiga Faux Fur Collar Coat is priced at just $223.99.

Saks Off Fifth Via Spiga Faux Fur Collar Coat

Saks Off Fifth Via Spiga Faux Fur Collar Coat

This is clearly one of those cases where it pays to shop around.

We will say goodbye until next time, with a “Thank You!” to those who shared their thoughts in the ongoing style icon/fashion icon conversation. If you haven’t yet had time to weigh in on the topic, click here for the original post and join the conversation.

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Elaine

Sunday 31st of August 2014

For anyone looking, Amazon.com has the Via Spiga coat (from last year) on clearance for $129 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3BHGB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I just purchased it last month and it looks great in person.

PinaColada

Monday 25th of August 2014

Some very stunning fashion here... love that camel colour coat. Thanks for posting!

MissMaddox

Monday 25th of August 2014

I was so flatterd to be quoted in this post! :) I do believe that style and fashion are two different things. But what is stylish for an individual can also be (or become) fashionable. Stylish women can also incorporate fashion items ocasionally to great effect. To me, "style" is knowing what works for your body type, coloration, lifestyle, and budget and then making informed choices from there. Sometimes that means having a few signature peices that you wear over and over (Audrey Hepburn's turtle necks, Jackie O's big glasses, Duchess Kate's nude pumps) but that isn't always the case. Stlye is not being bullied by the fashion industry to buy and/or wear things that don't express who you are. Clothing shouldn't be a costume, it should be a continuation of a personality. I work in a highly visable postion for a male dominated field, so my natural affinity for more formal and conservative looks suits me well. California flower child would feel totally costume-y, along with really huge necklaces and cocktail rings. But I've seen several women pull those fashion items off and still come across as genuine and classy because that was their personal style. (I am sometimes a tad jealous of those who can "let their hair down" into saltwater kissed waves! But all in all I am a french twist kind of person.) Style is a very individual thing. A "style icon" is someone who's personal stlye speaks to a lot of other women's personal stlye on a deeper leval then "oh, that looks cute". But these are my thoughts. I'm really enjoying the conversation! PS "Kate Stlye" by Alisande Healy Orme is an excellent record of Kate's "early days" that makes it fairly easy to see how she's grown into her style over time. I can get it at my local public library.

ElizaMo

Saturday 23rd of August 2014

My word, Temperley London really does Gothic. Morticia would be delighted. Not so sure Kate would take to much of what’s on show, though the Madison dress is similar to styles she’s worn before. The Moya Wool Jacket is a good pick for Kate, though I don’t care for it myself, the shaping is too pronounced and I’m not wild about such generous lapels. But it’s a good designer piece.

The Donna Jacket, however, I simply love, such a fascinating fabric for colour and texture. It seems a good price for something I feel I could live in, it has so much versatility built in.

The replicate Odele coat is also a good find, again not a style that appeals to me. I can’t help feeling it looks like a gorilla might have come off worse in an encounter at the leatherwear counter. Sorry, just a passing fancy.

Thanks too for the “style icon” discussion, it looks like one which could run and run. It’s been a real pleasure to read both here and on Facebook and has helped me clarify my own thinking lots.

Separately, I’ve been intrigued by the photos in this week’s UK Hello magazine, showing Kate in her most recent McQueen coat and in the blue LKB at the Tower of London. Hello is a past master at finding a flattering shot and the McQueen looks better to me, the soft pleating echoed by the shape of the peter pan collar, which has looked incongruous otherwise.

I was also able to see a small but clear gap between collar and coat and am happy to have caught up with those who have pointed out that the collar may well have belonged to a dress worn underneath. I do hope so. I’d like to see that coat come out again minus collar.

The LKB Detroit is also shown in a pose where the fabric is not being bunched by the wearer’s natural movements which improves the look of its tailoring no end.

Kate

Saturday 23rd of August 2014

I love the Temperley "Alice" dress: I could definitely see Kate wearing that!

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