Carol Concert Planning and Fall Fashion from LK Bennett, Alexander McQueen, and Emilia Wickstead

Hello, and welcome to a post covering some of the fall fashions offered by retailers the Princess of Wales frequents. First, a couple of quick news updates to share. The first is that the Princess met yesterday to start planning for her Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey. More from Kristin Contino’s piece in Marie Claire. 

The Princess of Wales held a planning meeting for her annual Royal Carols: Together at Christmas concert at Windsor Castle, as reported in the palace’s court circular.

“The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this morning held a Meeting at Windsor Castle,” the announcement read. And while it might not have revealed much, multiple outlets confirmed Tuesday’s meeting was regarding the holiday season event.

Thank you to my friend Micki for the heads-up on this. Below, the Wales family at last year’s concert.

Also, this past Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen at Crathie Kirk Church at Balmoral. 

There are not loads of photos and none that I was able to license. You can see images in the Telegraph, Daily Mail, and other outlets. 

🚨 BREAKING: Princess of Wales seen for first time since announcing she has finished her chemotherapy

Find out more👇https://t.co/K8tToBjQnC pic.twitter.com/VUB4Q7OHZq

— Telegraph Royal Family (@TelegraphRoyals) September 22, 2024

The Princess appeared to wear her Blazé Milano jacket, the Lahloo Anyway Checked Blazer (sold out), a double-breasted design crafted of 100% virgin wool in a large windowpane check.

The Princess was first seen wearing the blazer on Christmas Day 2021 (shown below) when attending church services at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the grounds of the Sandringham estate.

It looked like she also wore her Hicks and Brown Suffolk Fedora ($160) and her Cassandra Goad Temple of Heaven earrings ($3407).

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

Now for our look at autumn styles from a few brands the Princess has favored over the years. We begin with LK Bennett. We know the Princess loves a polka dot print, and there are plenty of options available. On the left, I show the Tallis Print Pleated Shirt Dress ($237), followed by the navy and cream polka dot Mathilde Silk Tea Dress ($476), then the Celestia Lace Applique Tiered Dress ($520). On the right, I included a frock worn by the Princess that is still in stock, the green polka dot Mortimer Dress ($520); it was first worn when doing engagements in mid-December 2018.

There are a number of soft, floaty, diaphanous designs offered by the British retailer. On the left, the Erin Pink Watercolour Dress ($580), also available in petite sizes, the Selina Print Dress ($380), and on the right, the Flora Wildflower Print Dress ($636).

LK Bennett offers several dresses with a more budget-friendly price point, including the Halina Black Dress ($300) seen on the left, which has a bit of an Eponine feel. In the center, the Alexis Wool Crepe Shift dress ($287), and on the right, the Lila Tuck-Front Dress ($180).

There are tailored designs as well, including the Nina Peplum Jacket ($380), the Mariner Jacket ($440), and the Christie Belted Wool Coat ($795). 

In the footwear category, there are some decent repliKate styles. On the left, the Marissa Suede Espadrille ($295), similar to the Russell & Bromley Cocount espadrlles worn by the Princess. Next, a lower-heeled stand-in for the Monsoon Fleur wedges, the Evii Espadrille Wedge ($350). Also, three styles the Princess wore frequently, the Fern (3.9″ heel, $325), the Floret (3.3″ heel, $325), and the Sledge ($325), are still available.

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

Last week we looked at the impact of Alexander McQueen designs in the process of Wales’s wardrobe. Should she continue to wear the brand, there are styles similar to some she already owns, and variations on those designs. This autumn, the Leaf Crepe separates are offered in several colors. Below left, I show the Peak Shoulder Leaf Crepe Jacket in black ($2590), followed by the ivory Double-Breasted Cutaway Jacket ($3400) and Double Pleat Wide-Leg Trousers ($1350). In the center is a shrunken version of the tailored blazer, the Shattered Jet Stone Embroidered Jacket ($10200). The blazer has also been updated in a longer length with broader shoulders, as seen in the Lust Red Single-Breasted Jacket ($2490). You see even more dramatic proportions in the Stacked Shoulder Single-Breasted ($2890) on the far right.

Many of you will remember the bespoke Alexander McQueen dress in a Prince of Wales check that was worn during the 2014 Singapore state visit.

Autumn styles in the pattern include the Prince of Wales Slashed Midi Dress ($2890), Pencil Skirt ($1090), Peak Shoulder Jacket ($2590), Tailored Shorts ($960), and a Slashed Fitted Jacket ($2490). 

Alexander McQueen autumn dresses include the Pinstripe Wool Midi Dress ($2490), the Sleeveless Thorn Jacquard Midi Dress ($2690), the Wool Pinstripe Day Dress ($2890), and the Drapey Jersey Dress ($1730). 

Here is a quick look at some of the formalwear designs. On the left, the Draped Neckline Evening Dress ($3900), the Bustier Evening Dress in pink ($4500), the Gathered Cape Evening Dress ($4600) in silver, the Long Jacket Dress ($3200), and the Asymmetric Evening Dress in Cherry Blossom Pink ($2890).

Looking at outerwear designs, there is a Pinstripe Wool Coat ($2990), a Moulded Shoulder Double-Breasted Coat ($4800), and the Military Trench Coat ($4790).

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

Emilia Wickstead is also offering fall styles in a Prince of Wales check. The Kelin Coat ($2405), Dida Jacket ($1690) and Kenzie Skirt ($1390), and the Brinkley Trousers ($1255) are all crafted of merino wool in an oversized check.

Dress styles include the Seneca Dress in red and beige embellished wool ($2990), the Cappia Dress in candy-floss pink moiré with floral appliqué ($2725), and the Mara Dress in a floral jacquard ($1855). 

Formalwear offers new designs as well. On the left, the Gracia Dress in pink moiré ($3056), the Winslet Dress in lime green jelly sequins ($2725), and the Sima Dress in black seersucker cloqué ($2635). 

Three more dress designs that caught my eye: the Georgie Wool Georgette Dress ($3055), the Mara Dress in gold jacquard ($2645), and the Malinda High-Neck Gown ($2565). 

Our final three designs are all available at Net-a-Porter: the Malcolm Open-Back Maxii Dress ($5250), the Adele Pleated Wool-Twill Midi Dress ($2405), and the Uriela Plissé-satin Maxi Dress ($2755).

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

A quick retail note to share with thanks to Middleton Maven for the news that Holland Cooper now has a dedicated US website. She also reports the latest Barbour X Alexa Chung collection has launched. Below (from left to right), we see three of the designs: the Dorothy Waxed Cotton Coat ($680), the Jamie Quilted Shell ($345), and the Amy Quilted Shell ($430)