Catherine Middleton's Fashion and Style Part 3: January 2011 - March 2011

[melissaadrian]

Originally Posted by muriel

IMO, whilst there is no hard and fast ruless, most British people would like Catherine to primarily wear British designers, or those from other commonwealth countries if the occassion warrants. She could, on occassion, wear foreign labels, but those should be an exception rather than the norm.

It is tradition for the wedding, but no tradition after the wedding. It is your hope perhaps. But other members of the royal family have worn foreign designers.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by rcra

But can she chose a tiara to wear and then change later on or is she only allowed one tiara?

There are no specific rules, it is up to HM to decide how many tiaras and what other jewels Catherine is priovided access to.

Originally Posted by melissaadrian

It is tradition for the wedding, but no tradition after the wedding. It is your hope perhaps. But other members of the royal family have worn foreign designers.

You may find I suggested that there are no hard and fast rules, and whilst members of the BRf do wear foreign labels, these are by exception rather than the rule. My own personal hopes and aspirations are not really something that we will be discussing on these forums.

[melissaadrian]

Originally Posted by vittoria

melissaadrian, I've seen a large number of grumbling complaints about Middleton's ability to spend several hundred pounds on a dress. My point is that several hundred pounds spent on a dress or expensive purse by a non-British designer could -- and I guarantee it, would -- elicit even more complaints.

By the way, I just saw Daniella Helayel of Issa interviewed on US television. When asked what sort of wedding dress she thought Middleton would wear, she really squirmed and replied, "I don't want to talk about wedding dress, please." The interviewer clearly jumped to the conclusion that she might be the designer. I've no idea, but her reaction to the question certainly was interesting.

It's not like she has to go to Paris or Italy to buy the clothes. Channel, and other designers can be found in London as well. You can buy them in North America. And while maybe not for every day, no one is going to expect the wife of Prince William to wear a 100 pound dress to a royal charity ball or something. They will expect a designer gown and jewels, even in this climate. If she wore some cheap 100 pound gound, the talk would be even worse. So why not once and a while a nice foreign designer? And handbags, you don't need 1 for every outfit. Matchy matchy is not fashionable any more. A few classic designer hand bags, which could be paired with almost anything, is not about to break the bank.

[KittyAtlanta]

Originally Posted by jdcharlie

Middle class Americans only have coach purses if they bought them at an outlet.

That is an incorrect statement. I've been using the same 3 Coach bags for 25 years. I saved up for them and they were worth every penny at Macys.

Kate will have lots of handbags, from lots of different designers, in years to come. However, the brown slouchy thing seems to have lived it's life and needs to be either passed on to charity or replaced.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by melissaadrian

It's not like she has to go to Paris or Italy to buy the clothes. Channel, and other designers can be found in London as well. You can buy them in North America. And while maybe not for every day, no one is going to expect the wife of Prince William to wear a 100 pound dress to a royal charity ball or something. They will expect a designer gown and jewels, even in this climate. If she wore some cheap 100 pound gound, the talk would be even worse. So why not once and a while a nice foreign designer? And handbags, you don't need 1 for every outfit. Matchy matchy is not fashionable any more. A few classic designer hand bags, which could be paired with almost anything, is not about to break the bank.

I agree people are not oging to expect Catherine to shop at Primark or Asda for her clothes, but they will certainly appreciate her extensively recycling her wardrobe - just as the Duchess of Cornwall and other royal ladies do.

I agree, a few classic handbags would work well for Catherine - again, Camilla and the other ladies always seem to use a small selection of bags extensively, often for years. Catherine being younger and potentially trendier can rely on a a wider selection to stay up to date, but she will very much expected to be an unofficial ambassador for British couture and fashion. London has a vibrant fashion scene, and London Fashion Week has really come a long way, Catherine will almost certainly be expected to support a lot of upcoming talent from there, rather than primarily relying on established European names.

[melissaadrian]

Originally Posted by rcra

You're right, the Papyrus Tiara is beautiful. And it looks beautiful on. I would be a good idea to start small, the Fife Tiara is quite opulent.
But can she chose a tiara to wear and then change later on or is she only allowed one tiara?

I am still hoping for the strathmore, a nice honor to Prince William's great grandmother. Or perhaps go to his other great grandmother, and wear the Greek key? It was a gift from Princess Alice to Elizabeth though I believe only Anne has worn it in public.

[Zonk]

I must have missed the Coach comment...what an interesting statement to say the least. Making an assumption about a whole country. Like KittyAtlanta, I have several Coach bags...some I have been given as gifts, won in sales contests, purchased at the Coach outlet or a regular store. I must admit that I ususally purchase my bags at the regular store when I get my Coach coupon. But hey...thats cause I am thrifty.

I don't think its a mantra that Kate should and will wear British fashion. But its is expected as Princess of the United Kingdom to support British fashion. Much like Mary in Denmark, Maxima in the Netherlands, etc.

I am sure once she starts her foreign trips.......she will break out with the foreign designers.

[rcra]

Originally Posted by melissaadrian

I am still hoping for the strathmore, a nice honor to Prince William's great grandmother. Or perhaps go to his other great grandmother, and wear the Greek key? It was a gift from Princess Alice to Elizabeth though I believe only Anne has worn it in public.

Yeah, I think Anne has claimed the Greek Key. I would rather see Kate wearing a tiara that hasn't been seen in recent years. Does anyone has a picture of someone wearing the Fife tiara?

P.S. I know this is not the place to discuss this, but i wonder if Zara will wear the Greek Key on her wedding, since it has been assossiated with Anne for so long...

[Zonk]

You should check out the Royal Jewels forums, I am sure there is a thread of Anne.

Royal Jewels - The Royal Forums

[Empress Merel]

Originally Posted by Zonk

I must have missed the Coach comment...what an interesting statement to say the least. Making an assumption about a whole country. Like KittyAtlanta, I have several Coach bags...some I have been given as gifts, won in sales contests, purchased at the Coach outlet or a regular store. I must admit that I ususally purchase my bags at the regular store when I get my Coach coupon. But hey...thats cause I am thrifty.

I don't think its a mantra that Kate should and will wear British fashion. But its is expected as Princess of the United Kingdom to support British fashion. Much like Mary in Denmark, Maxima in the Netherlands, etc.

I am sure once she starts her foreign trips.......she will break out with the foreign designers.

I don't think the problem would be for people if she wears foreign designers, but take Hermes, The Birkin. That ain't a bag you could just get, it used to have a waiting list. And it's expensive. The Chanel 2.55 is atleast 2500 euros, if not more, because they upgraded the price. Considering most British people's chagrin over the BRF and the tax, I doubt the Brits would appreciate it all that much. But hey, she will probably get send stuff. If designers want their designs to be an it-item, just let the future Princess wear it. Sold out.

[Zonk]

True but than we would get the claims in the British press and public that the Princess is sponsoring these designers.

Not a good look.

[Empress Merel]

Sponsoring and supporting are two entire different things. Like I said, all the designers who want more sales/fame/the it-item etc, will send their designs to her for free. The publicity that goes with that is so important when it comes to higher sales.

Style-icons like Kate Moss and Nicole Kidman don't buy, they get send. They make money for the House itself by simply choosing to wear it.

[vittoria]

Empress Merel, in the US, there would be tax issues, and I suspect there might be in the UK as well. For example, First Ladies are not permitted to accept clothes and other gifts from designers without paying taxes on them. Nancy Reagan got into trouble for this back in the 80's. I might also point out that when Michelle Obama recently wore an Alexander McQueen dress, she was criticized because it wasn't of American origin. Some people really do care very seriously about this sort of thing, and since the British royals are constantly being subjected to much criticism involving the cost of the monarchy and how much they do or don't do to earn their privileges, it behooves the female members of the family to be very attentive to the importance of promoting British designers.

[iceflower]

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Time to close this thread - thanks for all your contributions!
The new thread can be found here!