The Duchess Dress Off

Howdy Y’all,

Today I wanted to share something fun and that is meant in good taste. On Saturday in London was Trooping the Colour, this is a ceremony performed by all regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies to mark the official birthday of the sovereign HRH The Queen. It is a tradition which began in the 17th Century. It was particularly exciting because it was the first time we got to see HRH Duchess of Sussex with the rest of the Royal Family, since her wedding. I was secretly thrilled because it was one of the first times we would see both Duchess’ in their finery as members of the family. I want to preface that I am not going to make a habit of comparing Kate and Meghan, they are both incredibly beautiful (albeit in different ways) smart and stylish and to me that is where all comparisons should end. They are both Duchess’ with very different destinies and I think that will become more evident as time progresses. I did however think it would be fun today to compare their fashion choices. To summarize I think even their fashion choices on Saturday spoke to their destinies. Nobody could take from Meghan how incredibly beautiful she was as a bride, everything about her choice of dress, accessories the way she walked down the aisle spoke to the modern, confident, informed, ethical Duchess she was becoming and her fashion choice on Saturday said much the same. I also want to cut her a little slack, royal life must be so intimidating and she is handling it like a pro. Kate on the other hand is destined to be a Queen, I thought her choice of outfit for the Royal wedding spoke much to her character. Wearing something she had worn before as not to draw attention displays the thoughtful, poised, elegant, educated, and regal woman she is. I thought her outfit on Saturday shone as she stepped out onto the balcony she projected regality.

HRH Duchess of Sussex

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It is difficult to get a full length image of Meghan and this was about the best I can do but it does show us the highlights of the dress/outfit. The dress is by Carolina Herrera and it is effortlessly elegant. The pale pink/nude color compliments Meghan’s skin tone incredibly although the color is very similar to the Goat dress she wore to the Garden Party. I was a little disappointed because I would like to see her in another color. The over jacketor neckline of the dress (not quite sure of the design, )is beautiful. I feel the way her hair is styled sort of spoils the effect and silhouette of the neckline but she looks spectacular. The buttons have a very vintage/80’s vibe as to me does the length of the jacket part. Although I love the design I am not sure is suits Meghan. Like Kate this beautiful woman could make a paper bag look good so I am in no way saying she looks bad. I feel the length of the jacket does her little favors, it sort of flattens her hips and dwarfs her beautiful curves which I think is a shame. She is too petite for that length of jacket. It doesn’t enhance her waist. I also question with the length/lack of sleeve, how appropriate this choice was for the event. I echo again I love the dress but this is a royal event and I fear there might have been a little too much flesh on show so perhaps best that her hair was down. It might have been good to have had a bracelet of something on her wrist with such a short sleeve.

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In contrast to Kate I feel Meghan hits the makeup jackpot each time. I love the natural softness that allow her beauty to shine through. Her soft pink lipstick compliments her outfit color and skin tone perfectly. She has this effortlessness with her makeup and the placement of her contour is amazing. She equally kept her jewelry minimal her decision not to wear a necklace and to allow the outfits neckline to sing was perfect. A slightly bolder earring choice might have been a little more appropriate they are royal after all. I did not feel her hair was appropriate, when wearing a hat ones hair should be back and away from the face, I think Meghan may have regretted it because she was fiddling with it a lot throughout the event. Her Phillip Treacy hat complimented the look but if her hair had been similar to her wedding style, I think the hat would have looked better.

HRH Duchess of Cambridge

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It is difficult to get a full length picture of the Duchess of Cambridge so this will have to work. This is HRH at her finest. The designer for all big events or when HRH wishes to make a statement she turns to her wedding dress designer Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Sarah never disappoints. I adore the ice blue colour of this outfit, it compliments the summer day perfectly. It is fresh and eye catching without being loud or bright. The fit and fabric is outstanding. I love the tailored look on Kate it compliments her figure, the modern square neck is softened and made feminine by the puff sleeves and who doesn’t like a bracelet length sleeve? The waist band adds a modern touch and I love how they keep the tailoring simple by having it in the same color and fabric. How is it possible she had a baby only sixish weeks ago????? The nipped waist going into a fuller pleated skirt which adds dimension and balances out her petite shoulders.

This close up really allows us to see the details of Kate’s hat and jewelry. Her hair is so chic and tidy and allows the beauty of her spectacular hat and the simplicity of the jewelry to shine. This statement hat was spectacular by Milner Juliette Botterill, I always think this style is the most flattering on Kate and what sets is off is the flowers, netting and bow which follow through to the front of the hat. It is millinery masterpiece. Ladies and gentleman this is how one wears their hair when wearing a hat, chic and neat allowing the hat to shine. It is also positioned correctly but still allows us to see the beautiful Duchess. With her hair so neatly off her face you can see her spectacular earrings by Kiki McDonough, they match the outfit color exquisitely and their size is a perfect balance to the hat. They also look regal and are a bolder choice than say wearing a simple stud. Her choice of necklace is also stupendous because the delicacy of it does not fight the neckline and tailoring of the dress. It is also smaller and simpler than the earrings and allows those to be the statement. I love the detail on the chain, it provides balance. This closeup also gives us a chance to look at the Duchess makeup. I will confess I am not the biggest fan on the Duchess’ makeup choices I often find there is little variety to how she does it day/night and I find her eyes a little heavy and dark (sorry Kate!)At this event I thought the makeup complimented her exquisitely, her blush and lip colour were elegant and understated and complimented the ice blue of her outfit. I think the eyemakeup worked also in providing contrast to the hat.

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I added this picture because this bunch generally scrub up very well and I just love the Queen, she certainly stands out on the balcony in her blue. So elegant and poised for a lady of 92.

Whose outfit did you prefer? What are your thoughts on Kate and Meghan? I would love to know.

Have a fab week friends.

Ta Ta for now

Kx