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Kate in Roksanda Ilincic with New Victoria Beckham Bag for Wimbledon

The Duchess brought back a fan favorite for today’s matches at Wimbledon. Here you see Kate being escorted by Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Thomas Lovelock/AELTC

Many fans will recognize the frock as the Roksanda Ilincic dress worn for Kate, William and George’s arrival in Australia during the 2014 tour. (Check the end of the post for info about Rebecca Deacon’s dress.) 

In this photo Greg Rusedski, a former player, is to Kate’s immediate left.  Kensington Palace @KensingtonRoyal

Below, Kate greets ball boys and girls and other dignitaries.Kensington Palace @KensingtonRoyal

Kate attracted quite a crowd.

It was a gorgeous day for tennis. The Duchess headed to her seat to watch the match between Serena Williams and Elena Vesnina. 

Kate seated at Centre Court; Gill Brook (Mr. Brook’s wife) is on Kate’s right. Behind her to the right you can see Barry Gibb of Bee Gees fame, to his left is his wife, Linda Gibb.©Andrew Parsons / i-Images

It turns out that Prince George also likes tennis, more from The Guardian:

He may be third in line to become king but it always pays to keep one’s options open. Prince George, two, is already playing tennis, his mother, Kate, revealed during a visit to Wimbledon on Thursday…

Another view.Bob Martin/AELTC Facebook Page

We first saw Kate wearing this frock when arriving in Sydney, Australia in 2014.i-Images/Polaris, Splash News.com, i-Images/www.i-Images.co

The garment is a custom version of the Ryedale dress from the Roksanda Ilincic s/s 2014 collection. Below we show it in its original state. Kate Ilincic Ryedale Dress Pix Here are the changes made to the dress:

  • The neckline was squared off, it is not the rounded neckline seen above
  • Excess fabric was taken out of the belled sleeves
  • The colors were reversed; what is white in the photo above is yellow, what is yellow becomes white in Kate’s dress

This is the dress sometimes referred to as “the banana dress” by Kate fashion followers because Kate told a woman in Sydney that ‘William said I look like a banana.’  Another perspective on the colors from today’s Telegraph story by Emma Spedding:

Perhaps today it is more fitting to call this her ‘Slazenger dress’ though as the luminous colour with white blocks on the skirt and sleeves has led to tennis ball comparisons from some editors on the Telegraph fashion desk.  A refreshing alternative to tennis whites.

Now to Kate’s jewelry.

©Splash News/i-Images

©Splash News/i-Images

The Duchess was in the same earrings worn to last night’s Art Fund awards.

©i-images/Polaris

©i-images/Polaris

They are by Soru Jewellery, the brand’s Baroque Pearl Earrings in gold.

Soru Jewellery/Polaris/Soru Jewellery

Soru Jewellery/Polaris/Soru Jewellery

The earrings feature iridescent baroque pearls and Swarovski crystals in an 18ct yellow gold vermeil over sterling silver setting. They retail for £130 (about $170) and were purchased at Baar and Bass. The style will be available to order soon according to both Soru and Baar and Bass, either firm may be emailed if you would like to be put on a waiting list for the earrings.

Kate also wore her Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier.  

Kate carried a bag from a designer new to her wardrobe (as best we know), Victoria Beckham.Joel Marklund/AELTC

It is the Quincy Leather Tote Bag in textured white leather with dark green piping. The bag is made of 90% buffalo leather/10% calf leather; it features an adjustable strap that can be removed, canvas lining, and interior pockets. It originally retailed for £995, roughly $1300 at today’s exchange rates.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham

Our thanks to both Christin (@PackhamGown) and Michelle (@PerthsFashion) on Twitter for their ID assistance on Kate’s earrings and the tote.

The Duchess accessorized with the Malory pump in nude kid by Rupert Sanderson ($675). NOTE: An earlier version of the post used an incorrect product photo with a patent leather Malory, many thanks to Martina for her comment, it prompted me to locate a photo showing Kate’s heels.

©Splash News/Rupert Sanderson

©Splash News/Rupert Sanderson

We saw the return of Kate’s Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. It looks like it could be one of her folding pair, but I need to find a better photo to be sure which style she is wearing.

©Mirrorpix/Splash

Serena Williams was victorious in her match, more from CBS Sports.

Williams, the No. 1 player in the world, easily dispatched of unseeded Elena Vesnina in the Wimbledon semifinals to advance to her 28th Grand Slam final, her ninth at the All England Club.

The 6-2, 6-0 win took only 49 minutes, the shortest women’s match of the entire tournament.

She will play for the Championship on Saturday.

Wimbledon

Wimbledon

Kate and Sophie with the Brooks.

Joe Toth/AELTC

Joe Toth/AELTC

I’ve had a number of inquiries about the dress worn by Kate’s private secretary, Rebecca Deacon. It is the Kara by Madderson London. The dress is a classic shirtwaist and on sale for £98, still available in UK sizes 12 and 14.

Madderson London/Polaris

We’ll see you tomorrow for the Royal International Air Tattoo.

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Margo, Thrift at Home

Monday 11th of July 2016

I love this dress! But I think the earrings and heels are a bizarre choice for it. The earrings are arty and formal - I think she should wear clean, simple, modern silver earrings with this dress - hoops even. And much more casual shoes, although the nude is fine (but wouldn't dark green be cool with the dark green piping on the bag?).

Jeannette

Saturday 9th of July 2016

I have wondered why Katherine had not worn anything by Victoria Beckham. The Beckham's are personal friends and Victoria's designs are surprisingly good. (OK, I did not expect much from a Spice Girl but she proved me wrong!) Perhaps a stunning dress from Victoria is in our future. As for her predictable style choices, my humble observations about the Brits is their love of uniforms. The Queen wears a uniform for her appearances. We know she will appear in a hat, gloves, dress, coat, and sensible pumps. I believe Katherine is developing her own form of uniform for public appearances.

Emilie

Friday 8th of July 2016

Am I the only one to think those earrings are just plain ugly?!?

I thought the bag and the dress worked well, not so sure about the high heels... Love the sunglasses!

SuzanneC

Sunday 10th of July 2016

You are not alone, Emilie - not to my taste either.

Pru

Saturday 9th of July 2016

No, you are not.

katefanatic

Friday 8th of July 2016

I loved this dress the first time and still do. I think it was a great choice for tennis. The bag and her hair and makeup are also lovely. I loved the earrings last night; they might be a bit too dressy or "evening" for daytime tennis, but not overly so.

I don't mind the nude heels but I would probably have worn those sandals she wore to a polo event in LA--a bit more casual but still dressy enough for the royal box.

overall she looks happy and engaged.

Mel

Friday 8th of July 2016

Like the dress as much as the first time she wore it. Lovely summer colour and shows her figure with elegance and style.

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