We are back with a few fashion tidbits, as well as our poll asking for your vote on the ensemble Kate wore during the tour that you liked the most.

First, a followup to a topic raised in comments and on social media regarding ‘resort’ collections. This was prompted by references to the Alexander McQueen dress Kate wore for Tuesday’s Team GB reception as coming from the label’s “Resort” collection. (I should more accurately describe the frock as “based on a dress from that collection,” or as “made with fabric used for other pieces in that collection.”)

For decades “resort”collections, also called “cruise collections,” were just what they sound like: upscale clothing and accessories appropriate for warmer climes, purchased by those fortunate enough to be escaping the winter blahs. The collections generally were in-store in October, featuring styles in lighter weight fabrics and brighter color palettes. But as the popularity of ‘fast fashion’ goods offered by H&M, Topshop and Zara has grown, so has shoppers’ appetites for “buy now, wear now” merchandise.

These days pre-spring and pre-fall collections generate far more revenue for fashion houses and retailers than the standard “spring” and “fall” collections do. Pre-collection merchandise is on the selling floor for a longer period of time than items from the spring/summer and autumn/winter collections, and as a rule, markdowns are not taken as quickly for the pre-collections as they are for spring and fall merchandise. The pre-collections provide fresh editorial fodder for fashion sites and magazines, and offer consumers transitional clothing that can usually be worn when it is purchased.

The Alexander McQueen dress the Duchess wore in Canada is modified from a piece in the pre-spring 2017 collection.

Alexander McQueen / i-Images

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