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

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).

Sugar Cookie Princess

Sometimes, I compare the colors of my clothes to food.

It's an easy way to learn color and is more descriptive than 'orangey-red'. 'Orangey-red' could mean a number of things, but 'tomato-colored' is much more targeted.

When I am trying a new color or am attempting to pinpoint the shade that would look best on me, I mentally assign the color to a food item. Then, I section that food item off into groups.
This makes it easier for me to classify the color and, therefore decide if it is flattering.

Example: Beige

Biscuity (neutral)
-garbanzo bean (warm)
-snickerdoodle (neutral)
-mashed potatoes (cool)

See? I realize I sound a bit nuts, but it works for me. So, that brings me to my photo topic of the day: Princess Charlene of Monaco.

Charlene Wittstock, Princess of Monaco

Looks like she stole Kate's nude pumps.

This outfit is the color of a sugar cookie. It's a bit on the cool side and that works with her ice-blonde highlights and fair complexion. She has also grasped one of the keys to making a monochromatic look work: texture. Her skirt is a different texture than her belted poncho, which is a different texture than her leather gloves.

In short, this is fabulous.

But, don't get too excited.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert

We now have the Taupe Monster. Taupe does not have an assigned food because it is half gray and half brown and that's a pretty easy concept to grasp.

Now, I actually really like the dress. It's bold to swathe her strong swimmers shoulders in an origami napkin of velvet, but she is quite tall and carries it off. And I don't even mind the color as much as I mind her face paired with said color.

At least she has color on her nails...?

She could also use an eyebrow pencil.

She has no color. I mean, she's put purple on her eyes (which is a mistake in my opinion), but has nothing on her lips and no blush. She looks like a weird, unfinished mannequin. Ladies, this is why we need blush. And lipstick. Something. Anything. Help her.

And what is with the Tin Tin hair? That mess is so full of Dep it could withstand a hurricane.

And does her uni-sleeve have a thumb hole? That's a cute addition on a sweater or tee, but on a formal gown? No.

Tilda Swinton would have done this better. But I suppose that's unfair because, when it comes to fashion,  Tilda Swinton does everything better.

Charlene, you are both Doing It Right and Doing It Wrong. Kudos.