It’s Poll Time: Kate’s Coats in 2018, A Trip to Scotland & Lacorine Update

Hello and welcome to another in our series of polls, as well as an update from one of our favorite sponsors. But first, news about a visit to Scotland tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan 29) for the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, as William and Kate are styled in that country. Below, a tweet by Joe Little of Majesty Magazine explains the purpose of the trip.  

More from our Kate’s Calendar page:

• Tuesday, January 29: The Earl and Countess of Strathearn will visit Dundee, Scotland, where they will officially open the V&A Dundee, the country’s first design museum and the only V&A museum outside of London.  As patron of the V&A, Kate will deliver a speech, and the couple will also do a walkabout on the waterfront.

This will be the couple’s second trip to Dundee; you may remember their October 2015 visit. 

This should be a terrific engagement, the new museum is stunning and it will be fun to have a look inside.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Today we’ll look at the new coats Kate wore in 2018. After looking at all of the photos from engagements I pondered the best way to categorize things because we had multiple instances where the Duchess wore something referred to as a “coat” in the information released to the media by Kensington Palace, but it really didn’t strike me as something many of us would consider a traditional coat. I’m thinking of pieces like this.

The official description provided by the Palace was “primrose yellow wool silk tailored coat by Alexander McQueen.” That seems a different type of garment from the majority of new outerwear we saw in 2018. It seemed we might want to revisit the categories, so I asked for input on Facebook and received very helpful input. Thus, this year’s coat poll includes the traditional coats Kate wore; the coatdresses and ensembles will be in a separate poll. Nor are the casual jackets included in this poll.

We begin with a new piece from Hobbs worn in early January for a visit to Reach Academy.  

Called the Gianna, the coat is inspired by a traditional riding coat and made in a wool/poly blend. The midi-length design features double-breasted styling with a deep inverted pleat at the back creating a flared skirt. The Gianna also features a wide curved collar, notched lapels, pewter buttons, and side welt pockets.

When visiting Great Ormond Street Hospital in mid-January, Kate debuted a coat from a brand new to her closet (as far as we know), British retailer Boden. The Duchess wore the label’s Lena Coat ($330) in a color called red pop.

The vivid red-orange piece was 100% cotton and tailored with a snug bodice and a slightly fuller skirt; it also features oversize buttons and ruffled trim at the collar, cuffs and pockets.

For the first engagement of the Sweden/Norway tour, Kate waved the British retail flag, wearing Burberry’s Toddingwall Shearling Trench Coat.

A double-breasted style, the Toddingwall featured traditional Burberry trench details like buckled epaulets and cuffs, multiple pockets and a belt.

The afternoon activities in Sweden were more formal and Kate changed into a Catherine Walker ensemble that included a deep green coat with attached faux fur trim at the collar and cuffs. The coat is a fit and flare silhouette with oversize buttons at the off-center closure.

Day 2 of the royal tour we saw another Catherine Walker design.

The double-breasted style hit just above the knee, showcasing an oversized red and ivory houndstooth print with red buttons.

At a celebration of Swedish culture that evening we saw the Duchess wearing a local designer that has long been a favorite for Swedish royals and many others, Ida Sjöstedt.

From the a/w 2018 collection, the ‘Antonia’ coat features an A-line silhouette and hidden button closure. The unique design element is the scalloped lace hem; we show it in the lower right-hand corner of the montage. For this engagement, Kate added the faux fur Troy London collar and cuffs she was mistakenly thought to be wearing with the green Catherine Walker coat.

February 1st the tour moved to Norway and Kate arrived in another bespoke Catherine Walker design.

The tailored coat featured a hidden front closure, funnel neck, princess seams, and a deep back vent.

On the final day of the tour in Oslo Kate sported Dolce and Gabbana outerwear.

The wool coat was a deep plum color in a double-breasted style that featured peaked shoulders, slanted oversized flap pockets, inset fabric panels on the bodice and a broad collar.

For an early February Action on Addiction engagement, Kate was in a coat by Goat Fashion.

The marine blue Ellory included a high collar, diagonal front pockets and concealed fastenings on the front placket. Arguably the most distinctive design element is the perky bow at the neckline.

The Duchess debuted another Dolce and Gabbana coat for a day of engagements in Sunderland, in northeast England. 

It is another double-breasted style that showcased extended rows of oversized buttons, giving it a military feel. The coat also had pick-stitching on the front panel, princess seams and front pockets.

Remembrance Sunday 2018 brought a new design by Alexander McQueen. 

The nature of the event means we can only see the garment from the waist up and we don’t really know if it is a jacket or a coat. I have waffled on that issue, long having thought it was a jacket and matching skirt or possibly a dress, but when working on the polls, it occurred to me it could be a full-length coat. Thus it’s inclusion in this post and poll. The design has strong military references, including the shoulder epaulets and their red piping, metal buttons, and high collar.

Christmas Day 2018 brought another Catherine Walker coat in a rich berry hue.

The double-breasted style is becoming something of a signature look for the Duchess; most readers know Kate has an almost identical coat in green. The coat hits below the knee, has a fit and flare silhouette, angled pockets and velvet trim accenting the collar, cuffs, pocket flaps, and buttons.

NOTE: Elizabeth shared in a comment that the poll doesn’t work for her when she is using the Firefox browser. I am able to see it in Firefox, but am looking into the issue. If anyone else is encountering problems, please let me know via comment, email, whatever works best for you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Also today, a look at the latest from a favorite sponsor here at WKW, Lacorine. I think many of you will recognize the company name; we’ve seen the Duchess sporting their alpaca fur hats on multiple occasions. Below, Kate accessorizing her Moloh ‘Turpin’ tweed coat when at Sandringham just about a year ago. She is wearing the Lacorine Sumac Hat in chestnut brown. 

Lacorine was started in 2006 by Antonia Valentin Jacob, who now lives in England, but grew up in Peru. Below, Ms. Valentin Jacob as a child in Lima, Peru.

She travels there several times a year to source materials; the Peruvian alpaca fur used for merchandise is from animals that died naturally, most often from Peru’s harsh winter climate.

She also meets with the artisans who create the company’s products. More from Lacorine’s website:

Our clothing is designed by me and handmade in Peru by highly skilled artisans who live in remote villages and use skills that have been passed down through generations. Finding these talented artisans is no mean feat and local knowledge and contacts are key. The fact that I’m from Peru has enabled us to create lasting relationships centred on trust and respect and the love of the alpaca itself.

Ms.Valentin Jacob is committed to ethical, sustainable manufacturing, and Lacorine is Fair Trade certified.

When you see a product with the Fair Trade Certified™ seal, you can be sure it was made according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. We work closely on the ground with producers and certify transactions between companies and their suppliers to ensure that the people making Fair Trade Certified goods work in safe conditions, protect the environment, build sustainable livelihoods, and earn additional money to empower and uplift their communities.

Lacorine’s Fair Trade principles are explained on the company’s website.

Now a little more about the hats Kate has worn. Below left, you see her in the Sumac style in chestnut brown when visiting Norway in February of last year; on the right, she wears the silver grey color when attending church services at Sandringham in January 2017.

The Sumac is described as “Divinely soft, fluffy and warm, with a generous brim, our luxury alpaca hat is a knock-out – perfect for a winter wedding or the races.” Another look at the Duchess in Oslo.

The hat now comes in ten colors and three sizes. Here you see (left to right): white, champagne, copper, chestnut brown and chocolate.

It is also offered in silver grey, grey, red, a new cobalt blue color, and an always-in-style black.

Pippa Matthews has also worn the brand. Here you see her wearing Lacorine’s Qori style in chocolate brown at Cheltenham in 2013.   

If looking for something a little smaller than a hat, there are also headbands. We show them along with the Twizzle Scarf.

One of the newer items at Lacorine: Capes in 100% Peruvian baby alpaca woven fabric with alpaca fur trim. 

You will find a delightful selection of cute gift items at the retailer, like alpaca fur soft toys and pom-poms.

There is a terrific new video that covers the brand’s history while also showcasing Peru’s stunning scenery and the artisans who create Lacorine’s products.

If you’re thinking of treating yourself to one of the treasures at Lacorine or maybe thinking about a gift for someone else, now is a great time to shop because we have a discount code for you. To receive 10% off your purchase use promo code WKW at checkout.  (This offer ends February 28th.)

Anecdotally, in November we heard from a WKW reader who has shopped Lacorine. She left a comment on our after-Thanksgiving shopping post complimenting the brand, saying, “One site I love… is Lacorine. The knitted fur hats are wonderfully warm… Since we live in Alaska, I bought two of the Sumacs as gifts. Now we can all pretend to be as glamorous as KM.” Below, I believe these are the hats being referenced, the Alpaca Wool Pom-Pom Hat.

You can also follow Lacorine on Facebook, as well as on Twitter and Instagram.