The Duchess Does Citrus

Looks like Miss Catherine's been at it again. With her hubby off in the Falklands, she's keeping busy by hanging out with the in-laws. Stylishly, bien sur!

What Kate Wore

What Kate Wore

For a visit to Great Britain's Men's and Women's Olympic Field Hockey Teams, she wore a navy Pucci blazer, official London 2012 scarf, white tee and navy L.K. Bennett 'Art' pumps.

The jeans were a smidgen too tight for my taste- she is a Princess after all...

But, I adored the color. Way to look youthful and trend-appropriate, Kate! "The Today show" called her as-yet-unidentified jeans "tangerine", though I would definitely err on the side of coral or, perhaps, bittersweet.

Wikipedia

Kate's look may be easily adapted for daily wear:

1) Classic Preppy

Boat shoes /Sperry Top-Sider @ Nordstrom

Joe's Jeans @ Nordstrom

Boyfriend belt /Asos

Man's faux ostrich watch /Asos

Ikat printed scarf /Asos

Washed chambray shirt /J. Crew

2) Romantic

Dainty earrings /anthropologie

Girly ring /kate spade

Bow clutch /Ted Baker

Ladylike heels /Nordstrom

Lace Tee Shirt /J. Crew

J.Crew

3) Modern

Cobalt pumps /Aldo

Printed silk blouse /Theory

Joe's Jeans @ Nordstrom

Buttercream bag /Asos

Statement cuff /Asos

Bare Legs in Winter? Emily Post Would Faint.

I just really can't get behind this whole 'bare legs in winter' fad that's going around.

There are a few things I can count on during fall and winter: the air getting colder, bundling up in cozy sweaters and blankets, drinking a delicious hot beverage that truly warms from the inside out, wearing an array of fun tights, not having to shave my legs every other day, and giving my pedicure a break.

It's like we're adding to our workload here, ladies. Are you telling me you want to go back to shaving/waxing and pedicuring every week? Please!

A bit warmer than normal? Go for a light wool gabardine and cotton t shirt under an open-knit sweater. And for goodness sakes put on a pair of tights.

There are a fantastic array of sheer hosiery options that will not cause you to overheat while still keeping you seasonably appropriate (and giving you coverage if you have scars, blemishes, or spider veins).

First of all we have a great secret weapon: nude-colored fishnets. Beyonce and Lady Gaga wear them while performing as they add a fuzzy, airbrushed quality to legs. Cellulite is less noticeable and so is uneven skintone.

J.Crew's Nude Fishnets

Fishnets are actually really comfortable.

Try tights with open weaves. They are much stretchier and therefore less binding. They also breathe nicely and you can wear them through spring.

And don't forget that Duchess Catherine made the stodgy old nude pantyhose look modern and pretty. Go for a denier of less than 15 for ultimate sheerness.

Her legs look smooth and covered, not old and crotchety.

Taking White Wedding To A New Level

Thanks again, Kate Middleton: The ivory bridesmaids' dress is huge.

Pippa and the flower girls

When I first saw Pippa walking down that aisle in a white dress I thought it was a bit odd but totally smart. Women all over the world were going to emulate Kate's wedding, and I was glad she didn't limit us to seeing every bridesmaid in lime green until the end of time. She chose a color that is always wedding-appropriate and timeless.

Is there any doubt as to which one is the bride?

White, ivory or nude bridesmaids' dresses look fresh and young. They look lovely on Pippa's tanned skin (ahem), and also beautiful on Pale girls.

Classical and Botticelli-esque

Three different skin tones, all glowing and ethereal

I predict this is a trend we'll be seeing for a long time to come.

Things That Shouldn't Work But Do: Boots Edition

Everything goes with black. I used to think that, if most of my basic pieces were black, that my shoes and purses had to be, too.

Man, is that wrong.

Don't misunderstand me, I love black. I just don't always love it head-to-toe. Especially on a Pale person, all black can look a bit goth, which is fine if that's your aim. I just feel that, for the most part, black boots are rather Hard Rock.

You can wear brown boots with a black outfit. It is actually very attractive as the brown helps to break up and soften the harshness that black can impart. Check it out:

She's wearing 3 neutrals: black, gray, and brown. The scarf adds softness in the form of a silver gray knit. The boots are a slightly slouchy suede that contrasts with the stark monochromatic aspect of her tights, dress, and gloves.

Pippa Middleton wearing a coat that I suspect is Burberry and a satchel I believe is Mulberry

Here, Pippa Middleton shows the same principle. She has used a silk scarf and suede boots to soften the structure of her coat and bag. She looks both glamorous and like the girl next door.

Pippa Middleton and Kate, pre- Duchess of Cambridge

Goddess Kate here wears structured riding boots with a cinch belt and softens the outfit with a flowy top and velvet blazer.


Half the battle when it comes to fashion is BALANCE. When you understand how to balance the clothes on our body, you can get away with a multitude of 'sins' (like mixing black and brown par example).

Rachel Bilson

Anne Hathaway

Me

Aubergine Dream and A Well-Tailored Coat

 Often, women go overboard with holiday-themed sweaters a la Mark Darcy

Green, gold and cherry red are all lovely colors but can come off as a bit too 'on-the-nose' and wind up looking simply comical.

But Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge earns top marks for her gorgeous Christmas morning ensemble.

Color correct: Her coat is aubergine and her hat is cranberry.

She looks festive (what's more festive than cranberries?), regal, comfortable, demure, and (most importantly) warm.

I love that the hat and coat do not match. They coordinate. They are the same tones of two similar colors. The hat is a warm hue made in a soft velvet, bot of which serve to warm and soften her complexion. And she wears matching gloves. *swoon*

Her coat is perfectly tailored. Note the shoulders: draw an imaginary straight line from the widest part of her upper arm. If the shoulder seam falls on that line, the shoulders fit. If the seam hangs over, it's too big. If the shoulder sticks out from under the seam, it's too small. Remember: shoulder pads are your friend.

I really don't love her heavy eyeliner. I know I've said it before, but it ages her and I don't feel she needs it. Having said that, it's clear that she likes it and clearly so does Will. That's good enough for me.




P.S. I will love forever the person that finds me a picture of the back of this hat.


EDIT: the lovely jeanettic found some more great profile shots of the hat and coat, as well as Kate's lovely pair of Mascaro suede shoes.

 By the way, this hat is a modified trilby (essentially a fedora without the pinches).