Some commentators noted that Kate's engagement dress was strikingly similar to Princess Diana's engagement outfit. I don't know what they were looking at, because in reality, the two outfits looked nothing alike. The only similarity is that they were both blue. The young Lady Diana Spencer had on a stiff, matronly-looking suit with an unfashionably-long skirt several inches past her knees. Paired with a white blouse set off with a large bow, it reminded some of a flight attendant's uniform.
Kate's figure-enhancing dress, however, had a wrapped detail which showed off her trim waist, and the fluid skirt was a flattering length just above her knee. She knows exactly what looks good on her, and suits her body. Of course, Kate is nine years older than Diana at the time of her engagement, and is more sure-footed and evolved in her personal style. Even so, as Catherine Middleton makes the transition from commoner to royal princess, she will no doubt be instructed on these rules of royal dressing:
1. Bright Colors
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Seems silly.
I agree!
If you ever look at pictures of the Queen and the other ladies in the British royal family, they are almost always dressed in a bright color. Diana frequently wore her favorite shades of eye-popping reds, vibrant pinks, and royal blues. The reasoning behind this dress code is that a royal should always stand out in the crowd. Of course, in practice, who could have missed spotting the late Princess of Wales? After all, she was one of the most photographed women in the world. However, the rule is there, and that’s why you rarely see a British royal lady dressed in pastels or some drab shade. The exception to this rule is if they are in the country, such as in Balmoral in Scotland, or attending the Braemar Games, then the tweeds and tartans come out of the royal closets. (Photo: Princess Diana in 1996; Queen Elizabeth II in 2010; Getty)
1. Bright Colors
If you ever look at pictures of the Queen and the other ladies in the British royal family, they are almost always dressed in a bright color. Diana frequently wore her favorite shades of eye-popping reds, vibrant pinks, and royal blues. The reasoning behind this dress code is that a royal should always stand out in the crowd. Of course, in practice, who could have missed spotting the late Princess of Wales? After all, she was one of the most photographed women in the world. However, the rule is there, and that’s why you rarely see a British royal lady dressed in pastels or some drab shade. The exception to this rule is if they are in the country, such as in Balmoral in Scotland, or attending the Braemar Games, then the tweeds and tartans come out of the royal closets. (Photo: Princess Diana in 1996; Queen Elizabeth II in 2010; Getty)
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Based on my knowledge of previous royal weddings, and from what I've heard so far, here's what I predict Catherine (as she prefers to be called) will be wearing on the big day.
If Prince William doesn't receive another title before his marriage, his bride will officially become "Her Royal Highness, Princess William of Wales," not "Princess Catherine."
Almost knocking off another person with her flying purse, flailing about because she hasn't yet discovered the use of a hat pin.
The British royals have always worn nice hats (except for the 'flying saucers' Sophie Wessex and Zara Philips have worn before). Camilla's hats are also very pretty.
nashnash: lol at picture 4. You'd think she'd learn by now...
Diana's style was awesome and raised the bar on Royal style but I recall thinking it took her a little while to get it together - who remembers the engagment suit??? The ghastly blue nun habit looking 'thing' - Diana never looked back, she just blossomed. For some reason every time I think of Kate style I think of Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman - and so in the words of WW I say to Kate - Be Creative. Be Adventurous. Be Original.
Cathy_M_Rubin: Diana's style was awesome and raised the bar on Royal
In pic 7 & 8, are the , I assume, sapphire and Diamond bracelets the same? The multi stoned sapphires and Diamonds on the Queen (Rt. wrist) and on Princess Diane (Lt wrist) look similar.If not identical. Jewels get shared? Or do they have many of the same ? Maybe I need a life if I'm posting about The Jewels of the Monarchy.
Between British Royalty and the Vatican, they've got enough jewels to rid the world of hunger, treatable diseases and poverty.
But what they do instead is , globe trot and ask for donations,and creating charities for particular causes. While the Vatican wants you to Pray for this and that...Whereas they could eliminate so many problems by giving or selling a few Chalices, art works, bracelets and other gems.
Never has the gap between classes been so obvious than now. Aside from the historical gaps that help to build all the Empire of glitz, power and self glory.
artist-53: Between British Royalty and the Vatican, they've got enough jewels
What girl doesn't like to ogle jewelry? The Queen does lend jewelry to her family, and she has a vast personal collectionÂ. In pic 7, the bracelet the Queen wears is actually emeralds with diamonds. Diana's earrings and bracelet in pic 8 (white dress) were wedding presents from the Saudi Arabian royal family. The choker she wears with the black dress was originally a sapphire brooch given to her by the Queen Mother as a wedding gift, but Diana had it incorporated into a pearl choker.
hp_blogger_Yvonne Yorke: What girl doesn't like to ogle jewelry? The Queen does
Hats- worn when on daytime appearances effectivly replacing the tiara. Pulls the outfit together for a complete look. Also makes the Royal more easily seen when in a crowd. Bright colored outfits have the same effect. Besides it doesn't hurt to wear a hat when having a bad hair day. Gloves- imagine how dirty ones hands gets while shaking dozens, if not hundreds of hands. Sometimes several pairs are replaced at a single albeit large event. I'd wear gloves too. Besides, they do look elegent. Hemlines- weights advisable. Ones knickers should be ones own business!
colgan: Hats- worn when on daytime appearances effectivly replacing the tiara.
I think she looks good. Being a Redhead myself, i know we must wear neutural colors or we look rediculess. Since Fergie started wearing neutural colors nobody has put her on the worst dressed person in England. Now she always looks well dressed and more royal then ever before.
Redheads can not wear bright cloths and should never wear reds or oranges. If they stay with
neutural colors and shades, they will always look good.
JEAN609210: I think she looks good. Being a Redhead myself, i
You're constantly told how to act and what you're supposed to do/when you're supposed to do it. You can't just walk down the street, go to a restaurant with your friends, stop in a bookshop for the latest read. Never again can she just be a "normal" person. Yeah, I'd say it wouldn't be too much fun.
FPhoebe: You're constantly told how to act and what you're supposed
It's difficult to imagine using 'style' in any story describing the British royals. They've been a fashion train wreck for as long as anyone can remember, and Kate, with those hats? She'll fit right in! The Monagasques, the Swedes, Mette Marit of Norway, and Rania of Jordan. There is royal style, it's just never neared Britain's dreary shores.
Tim_Scholl: It's difficult to imagine using 'style' in any story describing
But isn't that quintessential British? Understated, "stiff-upper-lip", matronly (as a positive). I actually like the British look, it just seems right.
McCorbin100107: But isn't that quintessential British? Understated, "stiff-upper-lip", matronly (as a
You're forgetting Diana's fashion influence? When she first appeared on the scene, people were copying the "Lady Di" hairstyle (almost as big as "The Rachel"), her romantic frilly collars (it was the 80s), her cute sweaters like the one with the sheep, her pearl chokers, and so on. Later, her style evolved into something more streamlined and far sexier. As beautiful and stylish Rania of Jordan is, I can't think of a single fashion trend she created, or a single item of clothing she wore that caused people to rush to the stores to buy, like what's happened with Kate's engagement dress.
hp_blogger_Yvonne Yorke: You're forgetting Diana's fashion influence? When she first appeared on
Here's another one:
http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/?p=1267
Almost knocking off another person with her flying purse, flailing about because she hasn't yet discovered the use of a hat pin.
The British royals have always worn nice hats (except for the 'flying saucers' Sophie Wessex and Zara Philips have worn before). Camilla's hats are also very pretty.
But what they do instead is , globe trot and ask for donations,and creating charities for particular causes. While the Vatican wants you to Pray for this and that...Whereas they could eliminate so many problems by giving or selling a few Chalices, art works, bracelets and other gems.
Never has the gap between classes been so obvious than now. Aside from the historical gaps that help to build all the Empire of glitz, power and self glory.
Hey, I too would like a bit of glitz,but not as my world is experiencing such a horrific economic downward spin.
Redheads can not wear bright cloths and should never wear reds or oranges. If they stay with
neutural colors and shades, they will always look good.