U.S. resident here -- I bought a few pairs of the Izzy Star earrings after reading about the backstory and cause they support. I've since bought the company's earrings honoring the Princess of Wales. Just one example of how knowing what the POW wore can help a small business thrive.
So much of what the princess accomplishes in her role comes about through visual communication. She makes very few speeches and only very rarely gives interviews. Therefore, the various elements of the visual picture she paints become hyper important. I have always loved the subtle elements of her fashion that nevertheless speak loudly about the people, cause or country she is highlighting. Jane, you pointed out a few years ago the shift to a more corporate look to Kate's outfits as she tries to convey the seriousness of her work. I rue this change since I think it projects a somewhat colder or more masculine approach to her public appearances. I prefer her to lean into the softer, more colorful and feminine side of dressing since it lifts our spirits when we see her in something pretty and unique rather than the monochromatic pant suits. However, at 67 years old, I know that life is long and we are always evolving, even at my age. Therefore, I understand that this mode of dressing in a more low key way and perhaps downplaying the fashion side of her wardrobe is possibly just a phase that the Princess is going through that will change over time. She ALWAYS looks beautiful and well put together. Thank you for this post and continued best wishes for your and your family's health.
Have a speedy recovery, Jane. Btw, I never knew KP released details of Kate’s clothing. Maybe William and Catherine don’t want to appear as show offs? I don’t know. Her cancer diagnosis and treatment has definitely grounded her a lot. (And she was super down to earth already!)
Very glad you’re feeling better. I’ve read elsewhere that a spokesman has walked back the announcement about giving details about the Princess’s clothing saying that it didn’t come from the Princess and that essentially, details would could continue to be released for some, but not all, appearances 🤷🏻♀️
Commisserations to you on being sick. I picked up two separate viruses from my classroom these past two weeks. The second knocked me to the ground and I am typing this from bed. I am taking tomorrow off after taking today off as well. I really should know that I can't power through illness in my 70s the way I did in my 40s.
I love my Izzy Star earrings and I also bought their Catherine earrings too that they came out with last year in support of the Princess' cancer battle.
Sending you well wishes Jane that you are fully on the mend and the illness is behind you.
I know people are disappointed about the recent discussion of Kate's clothing. I think a "journalist" ran with this to draw attention/clicks and now the palace was forced to respond. Her stylist has talked to the press in the past which I think got mixed up with times KP may have commented directly. She's has gone through so much this past year. She may feel self conscious. She may want to wear clothing that makes her the most comfortable. Even now people are commenting about the dress she wore to Wimbeldon and assuming it was modified to hide her cancer port (which is might have been). She is praised and then ridiculed for the very same things. And I for one would be exhausted.
I don't think we are going to see her be thoughtless about her clothing. I think she is always deliberate and I do think her cancer experience will influence that. I do love seeing her style but I know that if she's taking on more limited engagements, she wants the attention to be on those issues, and not what she's wearing. Especially if we are not seeing her as frequently.
And as you noted, that palace doesn't have to say one word. There are enough people whose entire social media is uncovering her fashion (and that of other Royals and celebs). Time will tell.
All you say is absolutely true. Only recently Kate wore those pearls at the holocaust memorial event she attended that turned out not to be from the royal vaults, but from a Jewish company. Her special event clothes are all about nods to nations or military regiments, and so they should be. She needs to look businesslike and relatable, but she also needs to stand out a little and wear slightly elevated looks, for it to be noticed that she is there and be reported.
Look at Princess Anne - we all know she is said to be the hardest working Royal, but do we see her at many of her events? No. In fact, her policy of constant repeats has now turned against her, as she is only reported when re wearing a 20 year outfit, with the clothes, not the event, being the talking point.
Haven't they made an announcement like this before though? I distinctly remember reading something like this in the news about how they wouldn't be sharing details about what she was wearing and being very disappointed. But eventually realized news outlets still know what she's wearing and report on it, so nothing really changed thank goodness.
Perhaps the rejection of focusing on style reporting is going to change after a few years. Her serious illness and treatment may have made all the planning that goes into her events just too much to include the fashion side for now.
If I was doing important work I guess I would be frustrated by the headlines being about my outfit the next day too. That being said, it would have been better to do a quiet campaign with the media and discuss with them the importance of highlighting the work over the fashion.
And as many have pointed out, often her fashion choices are for a reason (ie: the pearls) so I would think Catherine would want that covered.
PS: I also hope she continues to dress stylishly. I am one that doesn’t get the quick re-wears. She has a closet full of beautiful appropriate clothes.
I'm probably in the minority in that I really like her monochromatic pantsuits. They seem very fresh and modern and chic. Traditional royal styles can seem a little dowdy and dated today. That said, I do hope she mixes things up just for variety. One thing that seems constant with her is that she always has amazing, perfectly tailored coats. While it's perhaps a bit too soon for a rewear I really love this coat and am happy to see it again. What I'm really looking forward to is a tiara event, with her in a gorgeous gown and jewels.
I think there is a world of difference between giving background info on a special piece of jewelry, especially if it has a link to the event. And releasing details like she is wearing a zara blazer from the previous season. As you rightly said, there are lots of fashion bloggers who can provide that info very quickly.
I expect we will continue to see the first, it is the latter that they want to cut down on.
I think this was walked back two or three days ago so not really current today.
I am more interested in the Ppow skipping the Baftas. It’s a high visibility engagement and it seems off that neither of them are going this year. I think they need to maintain a balance of family and engagements and not tip too far into not maintaining marquee events. It seems they are avoiding evening gown type appearances this year- diplomatic corps, baftas etc. This is a curious development is it because they are long and entail more unplanned interactions? So far Catherine is in very controlled environments. Her wattage even in small doses is so high in comparison to other working senior family members including William. Is it that they are trying to slowly bring her back without her popularity burning too brightly. It’s intense to maintain that. I feel when she first became Duchess of Cambridge they slow walked her engagements to avoid it becoming anything like William’s mother’s emergence. The public emotional fuel was there for her to become a super star but they didn’t feed it with constant appearances and lived in Angelsey with much privacy. That public slow burn could have been a huge flane as she returned from her treatment. I think her first formal dress appearance will be very anticipated.
I suspect that the length of the events like the BAFTAs and evening big dinners may be too hard for her right now. We don't know how her days are going in terms of energy or challenges. And I don't think these are the types of things she could leave early/quietly if she was having a hard time. I think that's the reason she's not doing these events just yet.
U.S. resident here -- I bought a few pairs of the Izzy Star earrings after reading about the backstory and cause they support. I've since bought the company's earrings honoring the Princess of Wales. Just one example of how knowing what the POW wore can help a small business thrive.
Same here in the US. I have three pairs of the Izzy Star and two pairs of the POW earrings,. I have also bought others for gifts.
I gave both as gifts, too!
So much of what the princess accomplishes in her role comes about through visual communication. She makes very few speeches and only very rarely gives interviews. Therefore, the various elements of the visual picture she paints become hyper important. I have always loved the subtle elements of her fashion that nevertheless speak loudly about the people, cause or country she is highlighting. Jane, you pointed out a few years ago the shift to a more corporate look to Kate's outfits as she tries to convey the seriousness of her work. I rue this change since I think it projects a somewhat colder or more masculine approach to her public appearances. I prefer her to lean into the softer, more colorful and feminine side of dressing since it lifts our spirits when we see her in something pretty and unique rather than the monochromatic pant suits. However, at 67 years old, I know that life is long and we are always evolving, even at my age. Therefore, I understand that this mode of dressing in a more low key way and perhaps downplaying the fashion side of her wardrobe is possibly just a phase that the Princess is going through that will change over time. She ALWAYS looks beautiful and well put together. Thank you for this post and continued best wishes for your and your family's health.
I so agree with you. I miss the more feminine dressing, too! I’m 66, so maybe it’s our age, lol.
Have a speedy recovery, Jane. Btw, I never knew KP released details of Kate’s clothing. Maybe William and Catherine don’t want to appear as show offs? I don’t know. Her cancer diagnosis and treatment has definitely grounded her a lot. (And she was super down to earth already!)
Very glad you’re feeling better. I’ve read elsewhere that a spokesman has walked back the announcement about giving details about the Princess’s clothing saying that it didn’t come from the Princess and that essentially, details would could continue to be released for some, but not all, appearances 🤷🏻♀️
I also read this. I wondered if the Princess had asked the spokesman to clarify this in the media.
Commisserations to you on being sick. I picked up two separate viruses from my classroom these past two weeks. The second knocked me to the ground and I am typing this from bed. I am taking tomorrow off after taking today off as well. I really should know that I can't power through illness in my 70s the way I did in my 40s.
I love my Izzy Star earrings and I also bought their Catherine earrings too that they came out with last year in support of the Princess' cancer battle.
Sending you well wishes Jane that you are fully on the mend and the illness is behind you.
I know people are disappointed about the recent discussion of Kate's clothing. I think a "journalist" ran with this to draw attention/clicks and now the palace was forced to respond. Her stylist has talked to the press in the past which I think got mixed up with times KP may have commented directly. She's has gone through so much this past year. She may feel self conscious. She may want to wear clothing that makes her the most comfortable. Even now people are commenting about the dress she wore to Wimbeldon and assuming it was modified to hide her cancer port (which is might have been). She is praised and then ridiculed for the very same things. And I for one would be exhausted.
I don't think we are going to see her be thoughtless about her clothing. I think she is always deliberate and I do think her cancer experience will influence that. I do love seeing her style but I know that if she's taking on more limited engagements, she wants the attention to be on those issues, and not what she's wearing. Especially if we are not seeing her as frequently.
And as you noted, that palace doesn't have to say one word. There are enough people whose entire social media is uncovering her fashion (and that of other Royals and celebs). Time will tell.
All you say is absolutely true. Only recently Kate wore those pearls at the holocaust memorial event she attended that turned out not to be from the royal vaults, but from a Jewish company. Her special event clothes are all about nods to nations or military regiments, and so they should be. She needs to look businesslike and relatable, but she also needs to stand out a little and wear slightly elevated looks, for it to be noticed that she is there and be reported.
Look at Princess Anne - we all know she is said to be the hardest working Royal, but do we see her at many of her events? No. In fact, her policy of constant repeats has now turned against her, as she is only reported when re wearing a 20 year outfit, with the clothes, not the event, being the talking point.
Haven't they made an announcement like this before though? I distinctly remember reading something like this in the news about how they wouldn't be sharing details about what she was wearing and being very disappointed. But eventually realized news outlets still know what she's wearing and report on it, so nothing really changed thank goodness.
Perhaps the rejection of focusing on style reporting is going to change after a few years. Her serious illness and treatment may have made all the planning that goes into her events just too much to include the fashion side for now.
If I was doing important work I guess I would be frustrated by the headlines being about my outfit the next day too. That being said, it would have been better to do a quiet campaign with the media and discuss with them the importance of highlighting the work over the fashion.
And as many have pointed out, often her fashion choices are for a reason (ie: the pearls) so I would think Catherine would want that covered.
PS: I also hope she continues to dress stylishly. I am one that doesn’t get the quick re-wears. She has a closet full of beautiful appropriate clothes.
I'm probably in the minority in that I really like her monochromatic pantsuits. They seem very fresh and modern and chic. Traditional royal styles can seem a little dowdy and dated today. That said, I do hope she mixes things up just for variety. One thing that seems constant with her is that she always has amazing, perfectly tailored coats. While it's perhaps a bit too soon for a rewear I really love this coat and am happy to see it again. What I'm really looking forward to is a tiara event, with her in a gorgeous gown and jewels.
I think there is a world of difference between giving background info on a special piece of jewelry, especially if it has a link to the event. And releasing details like she is wearing a zara blazer from the previous season. As you rightly said, there are lots of fashion bloggers who can provide that info very quickly.
I expect we will continue to see the first, it is the latter that they want to cut down on.
I think this was walked back two or three days ago so not really current today.
I am more interested in the Ppow skipping the Baftas. It’s a high visibility engagement and it seems off that neither of them are going this year. I think they need to maintain a balance of family and engagements and not tip too far into not maintaining marquee events. It seems they are avoiding evening gown type appearances this year- diplomatic corps, baftas etc. This is a curious development is it because they are long and entail more unplanned interactions? So far Catherine is in very controlled environments. Her wattage even in small doses is so high in comparison to other working senior family members including William. Is it that they are trying to slowly bring her back without her popularity burning too brightly. It’s intense to maintain that. I feel when she first became Duchess of Cambridge they slow walked her engagements to avoid it becoming anything like William’s mother’s emergence. The public emotional fuel was there for her to become a super star but they didn’t feed it with constant appearances and lived in Angelsey with much privacy. That public slow burn could have been a huge flane as she returned from her treatment. I think her first formal dress appearance will be very anticipated.
I suspect that the length of the events like the BAFTAs and evening big dinners may be too hard for her right now. We don't know how her days are going in terms of energy or challenges. And I don't think these are the types of things she could leave early/quietly if she was having a hard time. I think that's the reason she's not doing these events just yet.