I am back with a quick post looking at poll results and then some fashion collaborations involving brands the Princess of Wales has worn.
The results of the trouser suit vote are not a surprise, with the red Alexander McQueen receiving the most votes, followed by the dark teal Alexander McQueen and the Emilia Wickstead separates.
And the results of your votes on the skirt suit and separates. Your favorite ensemble featured Sézane’s ‘Sami’ Jumper ($145) and ‘Naelle’ Skirt ($175), with Erdem’s Ottoman Jacquard Peplum Jacket ($749 on sale) and Flared Ottoman Jacquard Midi Skirt ($1695, no longer available) taking second place.
Here are the results.
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Now to coverage of fashion collaborations by brands the Princess has worn. Last week, Mango revealed it will launch a capsule collection with Victoria Beckham. Below, the Princess in a Victoria Beckham dress in 2023, wearing a Mango dress in November 2022, and a Mango top in 2020.
The collection launches on April 23. Below, a look from the upcoming collection via Mango’s Instagram.
More from British Vogue.
From slip dresses and knitwear, to sleek accessories and tailoring, Victoria Beckham’s debut collaboration with Mango is comprised of pieces that wouldn’t look amiss in the designer’s own wardrobe. The silhouettes are reminiscent of the everyday uniform she’s championed for decades – think flared trousers, angular blazers, satin blouses and spaghetti-strap slips – all rendered in a colour palette of soft pastels and neutrals.
With a focus on longevity, the designer promises that “when you invest in one of these pieces, you won’t just wear it for one season, they’ll be pieces you’ll keep in your wardrobe and wear time and time again,” adding that the quality hasn’t been compromised, despite the price-points being lower than her usual ready-to-wear designs.
Below, a ruched, hater-neck dress from the collection. The Guardian reports prices “…are expected to be higher than Mango’s typical offering but still a snip compared with items from Beckham’s mainline brand…”.
Barbour has long been a go-to label for the Princess, and this spring, it is part of multiple collaborations. Below, the Princess wearing her Edith Jacket from the 2020 Barbour x Alexa Chung Collection, her quilted Longshore Jacket, and her Defence Jacket.
The brand has collaborated on one piece of outerwear with another Princess favorite, Erdem. Below, the Barbour X Erdem Waxed Cotton Coat ($4895). On the left, you see the coat as shown at Erdem, and on the right, without the removable gilet, as shown at Harrods.
British Vogue offers more on the genesis of the collaborative effort.
While learning about the life of Deborah “Debo” Cavendish – the Mitford girl turned Duchess of Devonshire – the designer found himself falling for her Barbour jackets, rather than the ballgowns she wore to host at Chatsworth House. “She was very much of the land,” recalls Moralioglu, who was fascinated by her love of rare-breed chickens and the “push and pull” of the two sides of her eccentric personality. He dreamed up a piece of outerwear that was one part quintessential waxed cotton Barbour, two parts opera coat, complete with floral quilting and a resplendent lining.
Bergdorf Goodman offers the design as a Hybrid style ($4895) that converts to a shorter length. I’m guessing this won’t be a reader favorite.
The iconic British brand has released a capsule collection with Danish label Ganni, another brand the Princess has worn. In this photo, you see her wearing a quilted Ganni vest.
Pieces in this collection include (from left to right) the Burghley Quilted Coat ($484), the Spey Jacket with Removable Corduroy Collar ($332), and the Diamond-Quilted Gilet ($201).
The Princess has worn several Diane von Furstenberg designs over the years, including (from left to right) the Simyonette coat, the Maja dress, the Patrice dress, the Zarita lace gown, and the Lio wool coat. Several of these styles have made multiple appearances.
DVF has two collaborations of note: the DVF for Target collection and the brand’s capsule collection with Castañer. I mentioned the Target capsule in a previous post and wanted to follow up briefly on the line. There are still quite a few apparel choices available, with several versions of the brand’s iconic wrap dresses in the mix. Below, a green geometric style ($50), a sleeveless sweater-knit design ($45), and a black print ($50).
The quality of the apparel pieces I looked at in-store last week seemed okay but not terrific. The accessories and the housewares offerings seemed pretty good with some fun designs. Below, cotton bedding ($35 – $55) and cosmetic bags ($20).
Other items in the collection include a Cellphone Holder ($20), a Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($15), and a Tote Bag ($40).
Now to a Castañer capsule collection with DVF. Below is the Castañer Carina ($138) worn by the Princess.
The DVF/Castañer collaboration launched last year, so there are only a few styles to choose from, but the upside is that every pair I have seen is discounted significantly. Below left, the Jorgelina Espadrille ($106), and on the right, the special Carina ($100).
Other styles include the Paos Sandals ($94) and the Chiara Wedge ($112).
The Princess has been wearing Sézane designs more frequently. Below left, you see her in the French brand’s Martin Trousers ($170, sold out), followed by the Tulio jumper ($125, sold out). Also shown are the Dina Earrings, the Celeste Mother-of-Pearl Earrings, the Stéphanie Cuff style bracelet, and the Artemis Belt.
Sézane has a capsule collection with sustainable fashion brand Pangea. Fashion items on offer: the Pierro Shirt ($110) and Heart Earrings ($110).
The line includes things like Cosmetic Bags ($50) and Posters ($35).
The Princess has long favored Beulah London. Below, you see her wearing the Sonia dress at a July 2023 polo match, the Ahana dress at the V&A last June, and the Calla dress in September 2020.
A few pieces are still available from a joint collection the label created with fashion journalist Louise Roe.
The capsule features designs made of natural fibers, handwoven, and hand-embroidered in Bangladesh by economically vulnerable women. A set of four appliqued linen napkins is £20.83 (about $25 at today’s exchange rates), and a tablecloth is £41.67 (about $5).
One other quick retail update: the good folks at Emmy London tell me their 20% Off Sale is expected to run another two-three weeks. Use promo code LOVEEMMY20 for 20% off in-stock fashion and bridal products only, including bags and shoe clips. This includes the Josie Low-Block Heel Pumps, the Lulu Flats, and the Natasha Clutch.
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Please share your ideas for a post on One-Hit Wonders, as I call them, popular styles that we haven’t seen again. I did a brief post on the topic in late 2020 covering the black velvet ensemble worn to the Sun Military Awards in 2011 and the Jenny Packham seen when the Cambridge family arrived in Canada in 2016.
Of course, I neglected to remember that the blue Jenny Packham was *not* a one-hit wonder: it was worn a second time to the Imperial War Museum in 2018. I will endeavor to do a better job in the next post showcasing designs worn just once. Let me know in your comments what designs you think should be included.
berenike
Thursday 25th of April 2024
I really liked her in the gray trousers and the slipover, it was elegant and down to earth at the same time. I also loved the black evening dress, she was so young, but it looked cool. She is an amazing woman, can wear almost everything and looks SO nice!
Carol
Monday 22nd of April 2024
Thank you for keeping our love for the Princess fashions up for us to partake in! Praying for a full recovery for her! ++ I have always loved the Velvet strapless dress she wore way back when and especially the drop necklace with diamonds and rubies! Never seen again! I wonder why? Does anyone know if that is hers personally thru a gift or from the jewelry vaults? It is fabulous and I wish she had worn it over the years! That dress was just smashing on her and wish we could have seen more of it in images. I loved that is was bait more daring and off the shoulder and not so buttoned up. So nice to see again Thank you for the post!
Cant wait for her to make an appearance again but only when she is willing and wants to!
berenike
Thursday 25th of April 2024
@admin, yes, I remember the the necklace was a wedding gift. From one of the Middle-/far East countries. Not sure which, but I believe there was a bit of "political correctness" at the time, and it was newer publicly told where it came from.
As I'm Princess Diana's age, I followed the Royals quite closely, and to this day as far as I know, it has newer publicly told from whom/country it came from.
I believe she did not wear it often (or did not like it), but read somewhere that she took two of the pieces and made them it to earrings. There was a lot of political problems with some of those countries in those times. But of course she has worn the earrings alone at least on a couple of times.
admin
Tuesday 23rd of April 2024
It's believed the ruby and diamond jewelry was a wedding gift. Earrings worn to the 2020 Commonwealth Service are believed to be from the set as well. :) https://whatkatewore.com/2020/03/09/the-duchess-brings-back-catherine-walker-coat-for-commonwealth-service/
Nancy
Monday 22nd of April 2024
1- Beige Packham lace worn in France - 2016 2- Erdem 'Evita' dress -2017 black wi. yellow floral 3- Grey Erdem coat - Commonwealth 2016 4- Plaid Michael Kors skirt suit - 2015 5- Dark Green McQueen gown worn to BBC Sport Awards in 2012
fun to revisit and hard to pick just one
Zell
Sunday 21st of April 2024
I have identified a gown that I love and that I don't think was worn more than once. Others here, might also have mentioned this gown, before me, as being a possibility for the upcoming "One-Hit Wonders" post by the Admin, that will showcase gorgeous and interesting outfits only worn once by Catherine.
It's called the Printed Crinkled Silk Chiffon and Twill Dress and is designed by Anna Sui. (Links below). It was worn in April, 2016, when Catherine was on tour in India with Prince William.
The Anna Sui gown is definitely going into my own category of: My All Time, Absolutely Favorite Gowns, worn by Catherine!
I think the Anna Sui gown is exquisite, both in the way it's designed, and for the immensely beautiful, colorful and eye-catching fabrics used to create the gown - there are actually 3 fabrics that make up this gown! To be able to combine 3 fabrics so successfully in one gown certainly takes immense skill by the designer!
We don't see Catherine wear such "boho" types of dresses or gowns much, anymore, if I'm not mistaken, but I think such clothes really do show another side to Catherine. She's not only about solid colors and classic looks. Catherine also has a "free spirit" side, if that's the way to put it. In any case, I love the complexity of Catherine’s wardrobe. I love many of her classic looks, but I also love her more fun and creative looks, too.
Catherine has worn so many gorgeous, printed dresses and gowns over the years, that I have to believe she loves such fabrics. Catherine certainly has also shown a very skillful eye, for choosing clothes with printed fabrics that are supremely beautiful (and yet, these gowns can draw much criticism from some, which is why I call them kind of "risky").
Well, as that timeless saying goes, no one can please everyone and I don't think Catherine should be expected to, either. 😊
Her beautiful looks, worn over the years, do seem to offer something for almost everyone, however. The Anna Sui gown is one that I adore, as well as many of the Erdem looks (probably all of them, come to think of it).
Here's the What Kate Wore link for the gown:
https://whatkatewore.com/2016/04/12/a-surprise-designer-for-kates-third-new-look-of-the-day/
Also, here's another link:
https://media.glamour.com/photos/570e876a6f8316b51b91ff45/master/h_1025,c_limit/kate-middleton-long-bhutan-getty.jpg
Zell
Saturday 27th of April 2024
@berenike,
"Maybe “boho chic elegant beach evening wear” would cover it. Not a thing many women could pull off."
That's a Great way to describe the dress, and I hope you find your very own “boho chic elegant beach evening wear” dress! 😊
berenike
Thursday 25th of April 2024
@Zell, Maybe "boho chic elegant beach evening wear" would cover it. Not a thing many women could pull off. I have never seen these pictures before, but Catherine looks seriously appopriate and lovely in the dress. I would love to own a dress like that, she looks lovely!
Zell
Monday 22nd of April 2024
@Diane,
So glad you love it too!
Diane
Sunday 21st of April 2024
@Zell, I LOVE this dress, thank you for pointing it out.
Zell
Sunday 21st of April 2024
@Zell,
Belatedly realized this is a dress, not an evening gown...so, I don't know why I called it an evening gown, except, it could make for a more casual evening look, for sure. I could see it worn with long, delicate, dangle diamond and gold earrings. Definitely a dress/gown that can be more casual or more dressed up.
Also, as I wrote, there's 3 fabrics that make up this dress - but I neglected to mention the embroidery embellishments on the gown. All all work together beautifully.
Georgia
Friday 19th of April 2024
One more: The black with white polka dots Alessandra Rich dress for the Day of Thanksgiving service for Prince Phillip. It was rather daringly worn, as Queen Elizabeth II was in a dark green coat and the other ladies were in solids: black, dark blues and dark greens . . . with the exception of Princess Eugenie, who wore a floral-on- black. Catherine looked stunning as she presented Charlotte to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. .https://whatkatewore.com/2022/03/29/a-service-of-thanksgiving-for-prince-philip-at-westminster-abbey/
berenike
Thursday 25th of April 2024
@Georgia, well, if you have a perfect body for the perfect dress what more can you say. I only need to go to the surgeon and then to the perfect dressmaker, I could look like that, the problem is that she is gourgeous, and i'm not :) It looks perfect!