We are back with some poll results, the start of a deep dive into Kate’s dresses with floral motifs, and a fashion flashback.
But first, an update on royal engagements. Today several royal family members carried out in-person engagements. Below, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at their first in-person engagements since the COVID-19 outbreak started. 
More from The Telegraph’s story:
Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall made an unannounced visit to a hospital to meet frontline NHS staff and key workers – their first royal engagement with the public since the coronavirus outbreak began.
After Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall met staff from a number of trusts at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, he said: “It’s been a marvellous opportunity just to have a chance of seeing people I know have been doing so much – literally on the front line.
The story notes that “With lockdown restrictions being eased, the royal family have chosen this week to take a step towards a return to normality – with a series of face-to-face public engagements.”
Also today, Prince William paid a visit to Kings Lynn Ambulance station at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, speaking with staff about their experiences as they responded to the coronavirus outbreak. 
The Evening Standard reports the Prince “…passed a Covid-19 temperature test and washed his hands before stopping himself from shaking hands with hard-working staff from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST).” 
The Standard article also note the Prince joked that “… he was worried about the nation’s waistline as he ended three months in lockdown to thank hardworking ambulance crews.”
In her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Logistics Corps, Princess Anne visited the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, where she met personnel who have been part of the British Army’s pandemic response. 
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have been doing in-person volunteer work for weeks. Reporters at today’s engagements noted the royals adhered to government guidelines regarding physical distancing, masks, etc.
More on the prospects for future in-person engagements from Rebecca English of The Daily Mail, via a series of Tweets last Friday:
- the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are also looking at scheduling in a small number of face to face official events too. But royal aides have stressed that this not a sign that they will be back to regular engagements in public…Most of their work will still be conducted via video conference calls for the foreseeable future, given government advice.
If I hear anything more about prospects for more ‘normal,’ or non-Zoom engagements, I will update here as well as on FB and Twitter.
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Now for our poll results: your favorite daywear dress from 2019 is…..
…not a dress at all!
It is the Elie Saab separates worn to Royal Ascot last year, included in the dress category because the look didn’t really work with the separates group. Below, another look at the Duchess in the ensemble.
Here is how the voting turned out for the top three choices, with just a bit less than 3000 votes cast.
And the results displayed in a more visually appealing fashion. Your second choice is the yellow Alexander McQueen seen at Trooping the Colour and the light blue Emilia Wickstead from the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles Final was third. 
NOTE: With enormous thanks to Jack for his comment, the post originally had the 2nd and 3rd place dresses reversed. The image above now correctly reflects the poll voting.
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There were several requests to take a more in-depth look at Kate’s floral dresses. I have been going through old posts and photos researching the topic; it will surprise no one there is a lengthy list of designs in this category! There are so many I have divided the collection into multiple posts. This first portion will look at some of the more subtle styles, with the floral motif incorporated through weaving the pattern into the fabric as opposed to printing it on the material used for a garment.
We’ll start with the lace dresses. 
Our first batch begins above left with the Dolce & Gabbana style worn in October 2015 for the China State Visit.
In a color called eggplant, the Lace Guipure Dress (sold out, but the product description is still available) was made of a rayon/cotton blend with a touch of nylon atop an internal slip dress. The knee-length piece had a fitted bodice, and it was slim through the hips. It also had a high, scalloped neck, sheer sleeves and upper bodice, and a concealed back zipper.
Next, another lace Dolce and Gabbana design, this one in black and worn to the annual Festival of Remembrance in November 2015. 
Similar to the design the Duchess wore for the state visit, this dress was crafted of ‘bobbin lace,’ designed to lay flat, offsetting somewhat the perils of things that might snag or pull, like jewelry. The neckline was lower than the other D&G design while also featuring sheer sleeves and upper bodice, concealed back zipper, and a knee-length fit.
Next from this group, the white Dolce & Gabbana piece worn for Kate’s Royal Ascot debut in 2016. 
This piece had cotton-blend lace over a smooth satin slip for coverage, with sheer sleeves, a nipped-in waist, and a tiered, swishy skirt.
And the final dress from the montage, the lacy white Alexander McQueen we saw for Royal Ascot 2017. 
The lace was created in Italy and was worn over a silk lining. The dress showcased a high, scalloped neckline, three-quarter sleeves with scalloped hems, grosgrain ribbon and peplum detailing at the waist, and an all-around scalloped hem.
Here is a closer look at the fabric for each frock. 
There are also several designs by Temperley London that featured lace, embroidery, and other techniques to create the floral theme. 
The first design was worn for a tea at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur during the Jubilee Tour in 2012. 
Similar to a dress from the designer’s fall 2012 collection, it showcased an elegant embroidery overlay atop a soft blue shell, with a boat neckline, flared skirt, and sheer three-quarter sleeves.
The next Temperley piece was seen when the Duchess attended a Buckingham Palace reception for Team GB members in October 2012. 
It was a modified version of the ALICE by Temperley Esmeralda dress (sold out, but the product listing is still viewable). The exquisite floral work on the sleeves and top was done in ivory bordered by gold; on the embellished portion of the skirt, it looks like a third color was used, a dusky rose or soft pink. The dress itself had many design elements, including multiple horizontal lines, belled sleeves, a tiered skirt, a large velvet bow at the front waist.
On the other hand, Kate’s frock features multiple colors and materials in addition to those design features, creating the impression an awful lot is going on with the garment. Part of the squared neckline is sheer, as are the sleeves and the lower tier of the skirt. There is a bow at the front waist in another fabric that looks to be a black satin.
Next, the distinctive green Temperley worn in April 2016 during the India Tour for a private lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ‘Desdemona’ was 100% cotton, with a high neck, fitted waist, and fluted hem with cotton voile pleats.
For Mental Health Day 2017, Kate wore the brand’s ‘Eclipse’ lace-collar dress. 
From the a/w ’17 collection, the dress was a cotton/rayon blend. Design elements included an A-line silhouette, cotton voile skirt panels, sheer sleeves and shoulders, and black velvet trim.
And this offers a closer glimpse of the fabric from the four Temperley dresses. 
And here are thee styles using the floral motif.
The first was worn in 2012 during the Jubilee tour. Described as being made by a ‘private dressmaker,’ it was made of primrose yellow broderie anglaise and featured a boat neckline, self-belted waist, full and unlined short sleeves, and a full pleated skirt. 
The Duchess brought the dress back during the 2014 tour when the Cambridge family visited the Taronga Zoo. 
The peach Orla Kiely dress was worn for a dance with Paddington Bear in 2017 at (where else?!) Paddington Station, part of a Charities Forum event. 
The dress is from the AW 2013 collection, and it showcased appliquéd flowers throughout the knee-length piece. Other design components included three-quarter sleeves, scooped back neckline, concealed back zipper, black trim at the neck, and a detachable bow belt.
The final piece in this group is by Jenny Packham, a design worn during the Germany tour in July 2017.
The dress had a fitted bodice with princess seaming that is accentuated by white piping, short sleeves, and a set-in waistband with box pleats that create the volume in the skirt.
Here is a better view of the detail involved in the different fabrics. 
Still to come on this topic, those floral evening gowns and day dresses!
Today’s fashion flashback is from eight years ago yesterday when Kate attended a Kensington Gardens performance of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. 
The Duchess was attending in her role as patron of The Art Room. 
150 Art Room students were at the performance.
Here you see the Duchess with cast members. 
Kate wore a jacket by Whistles over a Zara dress. 
She also had on an ornate necklace that I don’t believe was ever identified.
The Duchess accessorized with her bespoke Anya Hindmarch Maud Clutch (£475) and Prada pumps.
And her Links of London Effervescence Bubble earrings.
Here is one more look at the Duchess eight years ago. 
NOTE: The Olympic reception at Buckingham Palace was in October 2012 as the post now shows, not 2013, as I originally wrote. Many thanks to Ms Aria for pointing out the error.
Such a detailed and interesting post!! Thank you, Susan.
My favorite of these dresses is the blue Temperley dress worn in 2012. So elegant and feminine! It’s a really beautiful and unique dress, and I really wish we’d see it again. Surprisingly, I also like elements of the Alice dress—even though it’s not really my style and had way too much going on all at once. I think I like it best from the waist up, especially the sheer sleeves and the lovely floral embellishments.
And I always like the last outfit, the blue Zara dress and Whistles jacket. Did Kate ever wear either piece again? Not that I recall. I’m not crazy about the necklace, but I suppose that it made the outfit a little more casual and less business-like. It appeared to be a fun evening, and Kate looked professional yet relaxed. I’d love to see the dress and/or jacket repeated.
That Temperley dress is my favorite too! I tried in vain to find a RepliKate for my tiny wedding in 2014 but alas, no dice.
I think it may be my all-time favorite day dress.
Betsey NYC and Susan, You both have excellent taste! I agree that the 2012 Temperley is exquisite in every way. It would also be lovely in other color ways, including champagne for a wedding dress — sorry you couldn’t find a replikate. I also love the Paddington pink and yellow 2017 Peckham. Classics, all. Has she reworn any of them? And are beautiful, high-quality fabrics such as these ever reworked into new garments?
Yes!! The blue Temperley. I always refer to it in my mind as the ‘Wedgewood Blue’ dress. It is actually one of my top 10. I would love to see her wear it again.
It’s a hugely welcome sight to see royals out on in-person engagements again, and a surprising relief to see them full-length and have a chance to assess outfits. I’m struck by how shut off it can feel only being able to see them via video.
I was thinking floral frocks would be the many prints Kate has worn over the years so I welcome being challenged to see how many flowers turn up in lace, applique, and broderie anglaise as well.
I’ve always loved the D&G purple sheath, with the shape of the underslip bodice leaving the lace exposed over the shoulders, and am a big fan of the intricate green Temperley worn for the private lunch with PM Modi in India. The elegant and elongated embroidery on the overlay over the sleek blue Temperley sheath is an all-time favourite. The applique on the pink Orla Kiely improves in close-up and I remain fond of the yellow Packham damask-style frock from the Germany tour. I wouldn’t necessarily have thought of them all as coming under a floral heading. I look forward to our further dives into matters floral.
Always fun to see a flashback, I’d forgotten the UFO necklace. The Zara dress is sweet and low-key for talking to children, the Whistles jacket has a super cut on the hemline, though we can’t really see it in the photos. With her big hair and Links drop earrings, Kate looked as glamorous as ever.
Lovely post, with many dresses I had forgotten.
Would love a poll, they are always so interesting.
Thank you!
Are you considering a poll or two for these??
That is a good question, Ginny! If people would like a poll or two I can do them, that’s the easiest part of the process. 🙂
I thought it was a pill at first & was trying to pick!
I actually love the white lace dressmaker dresses. In generations past many dresses were made this way. I would love to see Kate in more. Is there any way to determine why none have been worn in public in the last couple of years.
What a treat for the eyes! Thank you, Susan for keeping these posts going. As others have said previously, I cannot adequately express how comforting this site has been during these past several months especially.
That ice-blue and white Temperley dress is when I first found WKW and just fell in love with her style, and your site. I remember thinking that it was the most perfect dress I’d ever seen, and to this day, it remains among my very favorite looks for her. I was almost relieved to see that this wasn’t a poll, as there are so many lovely choices, but as soon as I saw that dress, I knew I’d vote for it!
I couldn’t agree more, Danielle B. The only word for the ice-blue and white Temperley dress is ‘exquisite’. One of my all time favourites.
Agree with your comments on the dresses. So many lovely ones. I also like the ice-blue and white Temperley dress. In my opinion, there is something unique about the look of it that makes it stand out.
Since she recently wore another dress from 2012, I’m sure she could fit into all of them. Yes, I’m jealous and also totally impressed by her ability to do so.:)
The Temperley London worn during the Jubilee Tour of 2012 might be my favorite dress Kate has ever worn…it is in my Top 5, for sure!
Thank you for all these fun flashback posts these past months. I miss seeing Kate’s “full body” fashion with the video calls, but to look back at her styles in the different ways you’ve presented them has been just great. Lots of work on your part, and much appreciated!
The pale blue Kuala Lumpur Temperley: pretty, stylish and not fussy in shape. I think the others all have too much going on
The pale yellow is also very pretty. Is it just me or does the egg yolk yellow one remind anyone else of textured crimplene (one of fashions dreadful abominations). Or, horrendous thought, I am one of the oldest commentators on this site……
In more normal times this would be Royal Ascot week – and we’d possibly have seen Catherine on Ladies Day, although I have to say none of her Ascot outfits really do it for me, they are all quite fussy and ‘frilly’. We know Catherine seems drawn to that style of dress which, for someone who looks so much more at home in casual, sporty wear, always strikes me as odd. For me the preference is always her more tailored, sheath styles.
Thank you for commenting, Sue. I learned a new term via your insight, “textured crimplene,” something I wasn’t familiar with. 🙂
For those interested, the definition I found online from “A Cultural History of Fashion and Dress in the Moderne Age,” edited by Alexandra Palmer, reads: “heavily-textured Crimplene (a “crimped” polyester manufactured in the UK by ICI)…”.
Another description comes via the ‘Vintage North Blog’ in a post titled Dating Vintage Fabric: “Crimplene: (polyester) is a thick yarn used to make a fabric of the same name. The resulting cloth is heavy, wrinkle-resistant and retains its shape well. Britain’s defunct ICI Fibres Laboratory developed the fibre in the early 1950s and named it after the Crimple Valley in the UK in which the company was situated. Crimplene was used in garments that required a permanently pressed look, such as skirts and trousers. The fabric enjoyed popularity upon introduction in the 1950s in response to its convenient ‘wash-and-wear’ properties. Crimplene was often used to make the typical A-line dress and 1960s fashion. Likewise, it was popular amongst men in British MOD culture for use in garish button down shirts.” That post may be found here: https://vintagenorth.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/dating-vintage-by-fabric/
In the 60s I made all my own clothes and Crimplene was a well utilized fabric. It was a joy to sew, because nothing frayed or unraveled, so seams were very neat and zipper installation was a breeze. You could actually wear it without hemming the bottom, although I always hemmed mine for a neater looking finish. The material washed well, dried quickly and never wrinkled, so was wonderful to pack in a suitcase. I even made placemats out of it, because it was so easy to sew and launder. Now I totally cringe at the thought of how much it was featured in people’s wardrobes. It screamed polyester, often came in garish colours, was frequently patterned with a textured tone on tone design and was thick, so never draped well. I do miss the ease of using it; I certainly don’t miss the unsophisticated and bulky look it gave.
What very interesting research you did, Susan! That’s why we all love your site. I hadn’t actually known it was a British invention or that it went that far back: I remember it from my (mid to late) teenage years in the 70s living in the then Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) when it was all the rage for home sewers as well as most of the stuff in the shops. A thinner version was more crepe-like.
I agree that I’m not crazy about her “fussy” Ascot outfits, and like her in the more tailored looks. I love many of her lace dresses, but not when they include all the gathers, ruffles, and frills.
I remember Crimplene well, it was all the rage in the day, though I never went for it myself. I associated it with my mother’s generation who leapt at the chance synthetics offered to have smart, affordable clothes in manageable fabric. I’m tickled pink that admin has looked up its history, that does make it seem old. Too funny to think of that dimpled texture being called ‘textured’, sounds quite posh put like that.
The stiffness of the fabric never appealed to me, but then I didn’t get on with many synthetics and it’s only in recent years I’ve taken some of them up again as the quality of a present-day polyester, for instance, is a world away from the static-electric creations of yore. I’m amused when those stiff qualities of Crimplene are referenced now in vintage styles, I thought they were in Kate’s powder blue Wickstead maternity dress, which worked brilliantly in my view.
I was also amused to see that ornate yellow Packham worn in Germany compared with Crimplene . I thought it was much better managed with great fit and the skirt not too full. The Packham fabric reminded me more of a regal brocade than dear old Crimplene.
Miss the icy blue temperly dress from Kuala Lampour! Oh how I miss when Kate wore tailored knee-length dresses. I like almost all of them pictured here. Reminiscing about all her lovely day dresses!
I make the same complaint on every post, but so much of her wardrobe now seems to be midi-length and / or very flowy / ultra-modest. Sometimes I’ll rifle through old posts to remind me of the style I once loved.
Hi there,
Just wanted to drop by to let you know how nice it is to read your posts.
You have been doing a great work throughout these new/ hard times. I know that you had doubts if you should continue posting but I would like to take the time to underline once again how great it is.
The recap of all these floral dresses is so refreshing and fills the gap of the spring season we missed due to the lockdown.
Also a small note: the Temperley piece at a Buckingham Palace reception for Team GB members I think it was October 2012 before she got pregnant and not October 2013 as written above.
Lots of love,
A
Thank you for the kind words about the site, Ms. Aria, and for letting me know about the error! 🙂
I hope to see the D&G lace Guipure and the Temperley green dress again, they’re beautiful. Kate looks very Italian in her D&G.
Hope all will be well.
NOTE: admin edit
Great to see some of the Royals back to actual in person visits…although with distancing restrictions in place. Hopefully there will be more outings to come.
What a smorgasbord of lace and lacey look dresses you have presented Susan. I’ll mention my most and least favourites. In the top spot is that beautiful Temperley blue, with the white lace overlay, worn in Kuala Lumpur, when I recall that Kate had pearls in the back of her chignon. I also like the eggplant lace dress for the sheer drama of it. My least favourite is the Jenny Packham worn in Germany. The colour is just too intense and I’d call it egg yolk yellow. Perhaps the fact that I am highly allergic to eggs, has clouded my thinking. Also on the dislike list is the blue Eclipse lace dress. It just has too much going on…frilly collar and cuffs, black bow at the neck and black trim on the sleeves, black buttons and those awful inserts of a different material in the skirt.
All in all, Kate wears each garment so very well.
Thanks for the wonderful posts of such beautiful clothes.
I really want to like the green Temperley she wore in India, but I can’t get past how unflattering the bosom area is.
I wondered if I was the only person who saw that. It looks as though she isn’t wearing a bra. I don’t think I would love the dress in any case, but I think it could look much better on her than it seemed to.
What a fun a meticulously presented retrospective! I especially liked the close up photos of the kind of fabric used. Delightful details!
I think the eggplant colored lace dress is my favorite – I love that deep color on her. I found both of the white lace Ascot dresses to look like fancy, frilly nightgowns, and those have not improved upon a second look.
Kate’s smile is always her best accessory!!
I also love the deep purple!!
I’m a retired librarian and offer my kudos for organizing all these outfits into easy to understand subheadings. Your talents would be welcome in any library – you have the subtlety of mind of a cataloguer. Thank you for all your wonderful work on this blog. My favorite “guilty pleasure” is to spend time catching up on What Kate Wore.
What a lovely compliment, Mae, thank you! (My mother will be tickled, she is a retired research librarian.)😊
I have a daughter in law, who is a librarian. They have a unique and special way of thinking and organizing. Susan, your mother trained you well!
That white Dolce from Ascot. Love. She was ahead of the curve on the midi trend.
Also love the light-blue and white Temperley. A classic look for the Duchess.
I don’t know when I’ve seen royal family members seeming to enjoy their engagements more! All of them look so happy to be making visits in person instead of just on video.
I love the look back at Kate’s floral dresses, and hope they turn into a poll or polls at some point! I have some all-time favorites among them that I’m itching to vote for.
And a bit off-topic – it looks like Princess Anne is carrying a vintage Dooney & Burke bag. I could be wrong but I’d love to know, if there’s any clearer photo or confirmation.
(Augh! That’s Dooney & Bourke. I knew I’d get it wrong. 😎 )
That was my first thought when I saw Princess Anne’s picture, I have that Dooney bag! They are indestructible.
I love the absolute no nonsense of Princess Anne. Of course she would have a practical Dooney & Bourke handbag!
That black lace dress is divine- one of my all time favorite dresses of hers.
I think the 2019 day dress poll results are the wrong way round in the picture round-up: yellow Alexander McQueen came second and Wimbledon Wickstead came third.
It’s very enjoyable to be reminded of all the floral dresses. The icy blue Temperley worn in Kuala Lumpur is one of my all time favourites; whereas I had completely forgotten about the yellow Jenny Packham worn in Germany. I’d love to see that brought back for a summer engagement.
Thanks for sharing!
You are a lifesaver, thank you, Jack! 🙂
In your closeup of the 2016 D&G gown it looks like you accidentally show a picture of the 2017 McQueen gown. Easy mistake, they’re similar, but the necklines are different.
Love the blog!
Yikes, I did it again! (Back when doing the original post about the 2017 McQueen gown I mixed them up at some point as well, argh!) A thousand *thank yous* for the heads-up! 🙂