We are back with a few news tidbits about Kate-favorite French Sole and a look at Zara’s fall line.
First, the French Sole capsule collection with iconic British brand Liberty of London.
The collection launched in July.
Some of French Sole’s classic flats have been created in Liberty’s renowned prints.
Others have a Liberty print as trim/embellishment; below, the brand’s Henrietta flat in pink patent with Liberty’s Betsy print (£125, just under $200 at today’s exchange rates).
Below left we show the Phoebe print,(£80, roughly $125); on the right it’s the Stanley print in purple (£125).
Most styles are still available at French Sole, and you can shop the entire collection on Liberty’s website.
The other news from French Sole: the brand’s founder, Jane Winkworth, has launched a handbag collection. Below we show the Lavinia bucket bag (top), and the Sybil tote.
The Ethel in black leather (£170, about $260).
The Daisy leather tote folds up into its own case (£160)
You can see the entire collection at French Sole.
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We now move to fall fashions. Most readers will have seen many, if not all, of the jampacked September fashion issues. A glance through any of these conjours imagery of cooler temps, warmer clothes and new styles to ponder.
Quickly recapping the cover shots above (l to r): Beyonce stars on Vogue‘s cover, Katy Perry is Bazaar‘s cover star and Gigi Hadid is on the front of W. Below (l to r): Kristen Stewart covers British Elle’s September issue, Anne Hathaway is on the front of InStyle and Glamour uses Karlie Kloss on its cover.
British Vogue has Emma Watson on its cover, Keira Knightley fronts Elle and Rosie Huntington Whiteley is on the front of British Bazaar.
Seeing all of these prompted a stroll (in a cyber sense of the word) through Zara’s fall collection with an eye on what looks like Kate. We found just a few pieces, beginning with the Crepe Blazer ($69.90). We show it in sky blue to better highlight the cut, fabric and pockets.
It strikes me as precisely the sort of piece Kate would pick up in black, knowing how well it would work for multiple occasions.
It is also offered in brick and ecru.
A refresher on a Zara blazer we’ve seen Kate wear frequently, the label’s Double Breasted jacket.
Here is another tailored jacket, Zara’s Moleskin Blazer ($99.90) in camel and navy blue. The piece is slightly cropped with lightly flared sleeves and elbow patches, the latter making it unlikely we’ll ever see it on the Duchess.
Another very versatile piece, Zara’s Black Zipped Jacket ($129) in a cotton/poly/rayon blend.
With a closet holding several Barbours it’s unlikely the Duchess would purchase a waxed cotton jacket at Zara, but for those seeking a budget version of the style, the Waxed Fabric Overshirt ($99.90) is an option.
We turn to dresses; this is Zara’s Pleated Dress ($69.90) in 100% polyester.
It’s reminiscent of the Zara frock Kate wore the day after she married Prince William.
Another quick look back before we look ahead: Kate in Zara for a Gary Barlow fundraising concert in December of 2011.
The Duchess wore the brand’s $99 ‘Lace Tulip’ dress, topped by a Ralph Lauren jacket.
There are a number of similar dresses at Zara this fall, although many are even shorter than Kate’s dress for the 2011 fundraiser. Below, the Jacquard Dress ($69.90) in a poly/rayon/cotton blend.
There’s also a dress similar to Kate’s Topshop style worn to the Child Bereavement Center with Prince William in March of 2013.
The Zara Dress with Contrast Collar is actually navy, it is probably shorter than Kate’s Topshop piece, and without that slightly fitted cut the Topshop dress has.
A dress offering a little more length, this is the Short Sleeve Dress ($69.90) in 100% polyamide, a material with lots of stretch. (The image on the far right has been color treated to better show the ribs in the knit fabric.)
Below, Zara’s Tube Dress with Raglan Sleeve ($69.90), a more tailored style.
Our final frock is the Long Tube Dress ($69.90). None of these are pieces that shriek “Kate.”
Zara has a few plaid shirts that are somewhat like one Kate wore with George at a park playdate. Below, the Check Shirt in red ($29.90). While there are some similarities, this shirt has a vastly different cut, including the exaggerated shirttail hem and longer length.
The design of this Check Shirt ($49.90) is closer to Kate’s, but I don’t see her wearing this pattern.
To see more of the brand’s checked/plaid shirts, click here.
Knowing how fond everyone was of the Topshop Mom Jeans shown in last week’s post (cough-cough), I would be remiss if I didn’t include some fall denim designs. Below left, the Bootcut Denim Jeans ($69.90), and on the right, the High Waist Jeans ($49.90).
There’s no cause for alarm – there are plenty of Zara skinny jeans to go around. Below we show (l to r) the Skinny Jean in black ($49.90), the high-waisted Jeans ($49.90) and the Distressed Jeans ($39.90) are on the right.
That’s our look at Zara for the fall. What do you think, is there anything here for the Duchess? (Or perhaps for you?!)
One quick shopping note: Kate’s Issa engagement dress, now called the Phylis, is back in stock at Harvey Nichol’s.
The silk/rayon blend dress is available in UK sizes 8 – 12, it is priced at £575, about $900.
jim mogensen
Monday 21st of September 2015
This is terrific! If you're in the USA and looking for Liberty of London tops and dresses - check out http://www.sailorrose.com/
All hand-sewn in New York City using Liberty of London tana lawn fabrics.
Claire
Sunday 6th of September 2015
Sorry, that was supposed to be a reply to Liki's original comment!
Claire
Sunday 6th of September 2015
It's perhaps not exactly the same question, but do you feel the Emsley is a better likeness of the Duchess? I've just had another look at it, and to me it looks like an age-progression image - it adds at least a decade to her, if not two. I agree the talent of the painter is evident, but it's certainly not an accurate portrayal of its subject at the time of painting. I find it a very odd interpretation for an official portrait of a senior royal.
The Way We Were
Monday 31st of August 2015
I really like this painting of the Duchess. I don't have artistic eyes but purely judge from how comfortable my eyes feel when looking at the drawing. :)
Cass
Monday 31st of August 2015
The oil portrait is lovely, the earring especially is perfect. I like this much better than the commissioned artwork of Catherine where she looked serious and matronly.