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Time to Vote on Your Favorite Daytime Looks from 2014!

We’re back, hopeful that all of you experienced splendid holidays, perhaps even enjoying time that was relaxing and restorative. Once again it’s time to seek your input on what Kate wore in the preceding year, asking you to vote in our non-scientific polls. At this point we’re planning to do the same categories used in previous years:

  • Favorite daytime wear (dresses, and the occasional suit/separates)
  • Semi-formal and formal dresses
  • Coats, there was quite a collection this year!
  • Shoes/boots
  • Probably hats, and perhaps jewelry

Some background on how the polls are structured, including what pieces are and are not included this year:

  • Because we voted on tour pieces in May it didn’t make sense to list them all out again (we’d be scrolling for days), so they are not included in these first two year-end polls. Once votes are in for these two polls we will take the top few choices and combine them with the tour poll results for a ‘super poll,’ for lack of a better term.
  • There is one exception for inclusion in these initial polls: repeats. If Kate debuted a piece during the tour that we saw again in the course of the year, it is being included in the “repeats” category.  Likewise, if Kate wore something in New Zealand or Australia that was worn prior to the tour, it is in the repeats category.

We start in February when Kate wore a new frock from LK Bennett for an Art Room opening. It is the ‘Detroit’ dress, a look that quickly became a favorite among the WKW crowd. The dress is a poly/rayon blend with a touch of elastene for stretch and comfort. The knee-length dress has a silhouette Kate is fond of, with a cinched waist, additional darts at the waist and shoulders, notched collar and sleeves.

SplashNews.com/i-Images, Polaris

SplashNews.com/i-Images, Polaris

Also in June, Kate’s visit to the Maritime Museum for an America’s Cup event; she wore Jaeger’s ‘Crepe Dress with Trim’ for this event. The piece is from the s/s 2014 collection, it is a basic sheath trimmed in navy at the neckline, shoulders and waist. (It is still available in the Jaeger outlet for £99.)

Steve Finn, Splash News/Splash News/i-Images, Polaris

Steve Finn, Splash News/Splash News/i-Images, Polaris

For Trooping the Colour Kate wore a new suit by Alexander McQueen. The jacket featured a peplum waist, hook and eye front closure, both pieces were made of a jacquard fabric that subtly showed off the brand’s popular skull motif.

We’re going to do something that may not make a lot of sense: include a dress that we have no photos of Kate wearing. It’s the Tory Burch ‘Chrissy’ dress, worn for a Place2Be conference in London. To see photos of the Duchess wearing the dress, click here. The piece is a jersey knit with a placed print, detachable belt, and bracelet-length sleeves.

Tory Burch

Tory Burch

The first of July Kate visited a school to look at how the M-PACT (Moving Parents and Children Together) program was working. For this function she wore Goat Fashion’s ‘Scarlett’ pleat front dress, in the label’s ‘geranium’ color. The piece is described as a “…feminine pencil dress in fine Italian wool crepe with self belt and pleats at front.”

Splash News/

Splash News/Oliver Dixon – Imagewise, Place2Be Facebook Page

Our next frock is the the Budding Hearts tea dress by Suzannah, seen in the official 1st birthday photos of Prince George released in July. Kate wore it beneath her green Erdem coat for several engagements in New Zealand, and also for the Tour de France race start. (Because the Duchess kept her coat on over the dress for those two occasions, this is the most we have seen of Kate in the dress. It seemed logical to include it here.)

john Stillwell, PA Wire/Suzannah

john Stillwell, PA Wire/Suzannah

In July the Duchess wore a new coat dress (McQueen’s descriptor) by Alexander McQueen for WWI centenary ceremonies in Belgium.

Kate 2014 Year End Polls Creamy White McQueen Liege Belgium J Taylor Hat 4 Shot

Once again we have to turn to product images to illustrate what Kate wore, this time for the Hobbs Animal Print Dress first worn for that November trip to Wales (below left), and then again under Kate’s Christmas coat (below right).

Nunn Syndication, Polaris Images/Hobbs/Nunn Syndication, Polaris Images

Nunn Syndication, Polaris Images/Hobbs/Nunn Syndication, Polaris Images

We have one more instance where we must rely upon product images for a look at dress Kate wore. In this case it’s the BCBG Max Azria Tuxedo Ruffle Front dress worn beneath Kate’s coat on Remembrance Sunday.  The frock dates all the way back to 2008. Identifying this was such an amazing piece of detective work we want to once again thank Dawn M. and Poppy G. on the WKW Facebook page for their efforts.

James Whatling/Splash News

James Whatling/Splash News

Kate was in a new frock by Goat Fashion for a November SportsAid workshop, the company’s Vreeland dress. Made of a lightweight wool crepe, the dress buttons down the front, has a self-belt, and concealed side zipper. The color is called ‘Iris.’

PA Wire/Goat Fashion/SplashNews.com

PA Wire/Goat Fashion/SplashNews.com

In late November Kate was in a rich red dress by Katherine Hooker for the launch of an EACH fundraising campaign. The ‘Ascot’ dress is a “classic shift dress with a high neck that works perfectly for a daytime or evening look.”

PA Wire/James Whatling, SplashNews.com/Andrew Parsons, i-Images/Andrew Parsons, i-Images

PA Wire/James Whatling, SplashNews.com/Andrew Parsons, i-Images/Andrew Parsons, i-Images

While in New York the Duchess wore a new piece by Seraphine Maternity for an afternoon reception honoring British creativity, part of the GREAT program. Kate wore the ‘Vanessa’ dress, done in a heavy knit fabric, with an a-line silhouette and curved empire waistline.

James Whatling, Splash News/Seraphine

James Whatling, Splash News/Seraphine

 

REPEATS

In February, we had another look at the red Alexander McQueen dress worn for the Jubilee River Pageant in June of 2012. The Duchess wore it for a dramatic arts reception at Buckingham Palace that she attended with the Queen.

David Crump, Daily Mail, PA Wire/SplashNews.com

David Crump, Daily Mail, PA Wire/SplashNews.com

When visiting Christchurch and Canterbury during the spring tour of New Zealand and Australia, the Duchess wore her red Luisa Spagnoli suit once again.

Andrew Parsons, i-Images/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris

Andrew Parsons, i-Images/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris/Robin Nunn, Nunn Syndication, Polaris

For one of the Queen’s garden parties in June the Duchess brought back another Jubilee piece, the elegant lace dress by Alexander McQueen initially seen at the Jubilee Church service in June of 2012.

John Stillwell/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

John Stillwell/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

When visiting historic Bletchley Park in June the Duchess repeated distinctive separates from Alexander McQueen. Many will recognize them from the first time they were worn in August of 2011, when the Duke and Duchess visited Birmingham.

i-Images, Polaris/i-Images/Polaris

i-Images, Polaris/i-Images/Polaris

We saw Kate repeat another dress in early June when attending the Gentlemen’s Quarter Final match at Wimbledon with Prince William.  The ‘Roamer Day Dress’ by Australian label Zimmermann was worn for several engagements during the April Tour of New Zealand and Australia.

i-Images, Polaris/Starface, Polaris

i-Images, Polaris/Starface, Polaris

The Duchess brought back a piece from another tour for the Gentlemen’s Finals at Wimbledon. The ‘Evelyn’ dress by Jonathan Saunders was first worn during the 2012 Jubilee tour in 2012.

Both Photos by i-Images/Polaris

Both Photos by i-Images/Polaris

When at the Commonwealth Games at the end of July Kate repeated a dress that has been worn on multiple occasions, the Stella McCartney ‘Ridley Stretch Cady’ dress. It was most recently seen when Kate, William and George arrived in Canberra, Australia, during the April tour. Prior to that it was worn for a National Portrait Gallery event in July of 2012, then again in August 2012 during the Olympic Games. (Kate is also wearing her One Button Blazer by Smythe.)

i-Images/Polaris ,

Splash News/i-Images, Polaris


There are a couple of stories from the past week that may be of interest, here is a quick rundown.
  • Sunday’s Daily Mail has a story about a topic we have previously discussed in this space, the Duchess waiting to wear items until they are no longer available. From the piece by

“The Mail on Sunday can reveal ‘hoarding’ is now a deliberate strategy by the Duchess, who is keen to avoid causing fashion stampedes or, perhaps, coming face-to-face with women in the same outfit. So she often waits months, or even years, before wearing purchases.”

  • StyleList has a fabulous slide show of everything the Duchess wore in 2014. Click here to have a look.

We’ll see you in a day or two with Kate’s coats from 2014 and her formal looks.

 

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Angelina

Saturday 10th of January 2015

I missed the white-blue Lasa Poppy dress from L.K. Bennett in the poll for new daytime-looks 2014. Kate has worn it in Brisbane, Australia. Is there any reason why it hasn't been included?

admin

Saturday 10th of January 2015

Hello, and thanks for commenting. Near the top of the post I explain why dresses worn on the tour are not included in this poll. The specifics are covered in the second set of bullet points.

Cathie

Wednesday 7th of January 2015

I think that turtleneck dress is so chic and flattering! I'm normally more attracted by the more formal pieces, but this one really stole my heart. It's a little bit Audrey --always a winner in my books. :)

Of all the repeats, I really wanted to vote for the McQueen lace dress, but without the sash, it's just too plain! I also preferred the hat she paired it with previously. Seems like this time around, she was trying to coordinate with the fabric underneath the blush lace, and with no visual pop, everything falls flat. So, my vote goes to that wonderful Zimmerman dress... the perfect summer piece. A picture of it is still taped to my wardrobe door to remind me that the search for my own summer perfection continues!

Brenda

Wednesday 7th of January 2015

I'm not sure Kate deliberately hoards clothes. If you count the number of days in a year versus the days on which she has engagements, you will find ample opportunities for her to wear clothes. It's just that we don't get to see them. Princess Diana apparently had dozens of ball gowns never photographed, but worn only for private occasions. The same could easily be true for Kate and her wardrobe.

Margaret

Wednesday 7th of January 2015

Thank you for this enjoyable blog. It is a favourite site to visit. Kate's fashion is fun to follow and I am a fan of the way she manages to be fashionable and fashion appropriate simultaneously!

The poll was difficult to decide on but I went with the McQueen peplum suit and the Luisa Spagnoli. Both to me had a bit of a wow factor.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Duchess's choices over the coming months.

Larissa

Tuesday 6th of January 2015

This was hard! It took me a while to decide between the LK Bennett, Katherine Hooker, and Jaeger dresses, and I actually really like the Tory Burch one as well. I ultimately went for the LK Bennett because I can just picture it in front of the bright red Tower Poppies and how wonderful it looked there.

As for the repeats, I agree with other commenters that the updated Luisa Spagnoli suit was very well done. It looked much better in warmer weather with nude tights and no turtleneck. I also really grew to love the Zimmermann dress by the time Kate wore it to Wimbledon, it's really a defining summer look for me and I'd love to get my hands on something like it this year. Ultimately I went with the McQueen separates because, well, they are classic McQueen and it was an outfit really appropriate for the occasion. I love almost all of the pieces in this post, however.

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