Our age and life experience certainly alter our view of royal outfits. Anyone who has worn a style in its previous incarnation decades before might not appreciate the current version; or, as here, we might not appreciate the choice if we haven’t been a mother. As I’m pretty sure Catherine would have breast fed George at least for the first weeks, this style that disguised her upper torso was an excellent choice! I’m not very enamoured of the side panels either, but still, off the peg it was great.
It’s not my favourite gown by any means. Like you, I dislike the stretchy side panels and the sparkly fabric seems coarse and heavy. And sequins are bits of synthetic material usually sewn onto more synthetic material and are essentially unsustainable. But there’s a little bit of Kate magic that comes into play. The dress’s shine adds to her new mum glow. She looks happy to be there and it makes me smile, despite all my reservations. The bracelet and earrings are beautiful.
I love sparkly dresses so that’s the first thing I liked about it. Now that you tell me how close she was to post natal, I think the choice of a looser fitting top was great with the long slim silhouette. She looks fuller in this dress in a good way—like she is now a mother but definitely not “mummy”.
I don't remember this dress, but I wasn't doing much royal (Kate) watching in those days. I love it and while the side panels aren't elegant I think they're a good solution to the open armholes. I often see styles where there are large, loose armholes on celebrities who wear them with exposed side-boob. Kate of course can't do that so it works for me. Love the shoes and jewelry and especially love that she looks so happy.
I actually LOVE the look of the dress, minus the side panels. I don't find the material off-putting at all. And honestly I think she looks great at this "in between" weight.
Loved the dress then and now. The side panels are common in sequin gowns to prevent a rash on the upper arm. I only wish her hair had been a tad bit more styled - like her ends finished or completely straight. Her beautiful hair looked unfinished, but I wonder if she intentionally made her look more free than usual or perhaps George just needed her when it was time to polish up her look. Anyway, she is gorgeous as always.
I remember thinking at the time, and again now seeing the dress again, that although it isn't my favorite of her evening dresses, I thought the sequins, style, etc all worked really well for being just a few months postpartum.
Never liked it, but as a mom myself, that time period is the worst for clothes (closely tied with that period where you are pregnant but just look chubby; I much prefer when you just look real preggers!). She carried off as best she could.
Our age and life experience certainly alter our view of royal outfits. Anyone who has worn a style in its previous incarnation decades before might not appreciate the current version; or, as here, we might not appreciate the choice if we haven’t been a mother. As I’m pretty sure Catherine would have breast fed George at least for the first weeks, this style that disguised her upper torso was an excellent choice! I’m not very enamoured of the side panels either, but still, off the peg it was great.
It’s not my favourite gown by any means. Like you, I dislike the stretchy side panels and the sparkly fabric seems coarse and heavy. And sequins are bits of synthetic material usually sewn onto more synthetic material and are essentially unsustainable. But there’s a little bit of Kate magic that comes into play. The dress’s shine adds to her new mum glow. She looks happy to be there and it makes me smile, despite all my reservations. The bracelet and earrings are beautiful.
I love sparkly dresses so that’s the first thing I liked about it. Now that you tell me how close she was to post natal, I think the choice of a looser fitting top was great with the long slim silhouette. She looks fuller in this dress in a good way—like she is now a mother but definitely not “mummy”.
I don't remember this dress, but I wasn't doing much royal (Kate) watching in those days. I love it and while the side panels aren't elegant I think they're a good solution to the open armholes. I often see styles where there are large, loose armholes on celebrities who wear them with exposed side-boob. Kate of course can't do that so it works for me. Love the shoes and jewelry and especially love that she looks so happy.
I actually LOVE the look of the dress, minus the side panels. I don't find the material off-putting at all. And honestly I think she looks great at this "in between" weight.
Loved the dress then and now. The side panels are common in sequin gowns to prevent a rash on the upper arm. I only wish her hair had been a tad bit more styled - like her ends finished or completely straight. Her beautiful hair looked unfinished, but I wonder if she intentionally made her look more free than usual or perhaps George just needed her when it was time to polish up her look. Anyway, she is gorgeous as always.
It wasn’t my favorite and still isn’t. But I also remember being just excited to see her out and about.
I miss that earring and bracelet set
I remember thinking at the time, and again now seeing the dress again, that although it isn't my favorite of her evening dresses, I thought the sequins, style, etc all worked really well for being just a few months postpartum.
Never liked it, but as a mom myself, that time period is the worst for clothes (closely tied with that period where you are pregnant but just look chubby; I much prefer when you just look real preggers!). She carried off as best she could.