Duchess of Cornwall Fashion and Style Part 1: April 2005 - December 2009

[giov]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Charles looks great, one of the - if not THE - best dressed royal men around.

Undoubtedly THE!

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Boris

The Duchess' mother-in-law, certainly blessed with a 'fuller figure' as well, very much succeeds in this regard when it comes to her daywear which is quite wonderful these days, while the Duchess' designers rarely do.

I honestly don't think "figure" matters, it's all a question whether a design suits a woman or not, no matter if she has a "fuller" figure or a "model" figure. A designer doing the job properly will adapt to the facts in best possible way by stressing the strong points and concealing the weak points. Depending on the woman's figure this task might be easier or more difficult but the job is about challenge, isn't it? I agree with you Boris - I am surprised by how often Camilla is let down by her designers keeping in mind how well the other protagonists of the BRF do (HM, Charles, Duke).

[Madame Royale]

A designer doing the job properly will adapt to the facts in best possible way by stressing the strong points and concealing the weak points

Absolutely. And it's for this reason that I believe the Duchess is being woefully letdown, on occasion. Last nights evening gown was a clear example of that. It was undeniably frumpy, as I mentioned in another thread, and the stressing point is that it didn't have to be.

It's not her figure I have an issue with..not at all. But her figure should be agreeably tailored too.

[MARG]

IMHO I think that Camilla is getting sort of "pressured" to wear more cutting edge clothing. Big mistake! Huge mistake. There is really nothing at all appealing seeing a woman turned out looking like mutton dressed as lamb, and that is where all these "styles" are heading.

Camilla has more stlye in her little finger than a lot of "stylists. I really hope that she reasserts her own naturally elegant stlye (a la her wedding dresses), fires the new-age stylist, and we all get to sit back, sigh and say "really like that look, something like that would even look good on me . . . . . . hmmmmm"!

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Boris

Wearing an older one-piece frilly dress she has grown out of as today in Japan doesn't help matters.

I think the grey one-piece dress is a classic, and looks lovely on Camilla. Very much her own style. I also don't think she has grown out of it

[MARG]

I'm with Boris on this one. Definitely not the sort of dress a woman of 60 should be wearing. MDAL!

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by MARG

IMHO I think that Camilla is getting sort of "pressured" to wear more cutting edge clothing. Big mistake! Huge mistake. There is really nothing at all appealing seeing a woman turned out looking like mutton dressed as lamb, and that is where all these "styles" are heading.

Camilla has more stlye in her little finger than a lot of "stylists. I really hope that she reasserts her own naturally elegant stlye (a la her wedding dresses), fires the new-age stylist, and we all get to sit back, sigh and say "really like that look, something like that would even look good on me . . . . . . hmmmmm"!

I too don't want Camilla to adpot a 'cutting edge' wardrobe. I just want her wardrobe to accomodate her figure (as many women and man would expect of their wardrobe) whilst retaining a flattering style and cut. I'd love to give her stylists and tailors a foot up the**

And I couldn't agree more, MARG! Her wedding dress (to Charles) was an exemplary choice and so very elegant. She couldn't go wrong

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

keeping in mind how well the other protagonists of the BRF do (HM, Charles, Duke).

It isn't hard to dress a male, a good well cut shirt and suit and that's it. Same suit day in, day out.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by muriel

I think the grey one-piece dress is a classic, and looks lovely on Camilla. Very much her own style. I also don't think she has grown out of it

It is, I think Duck Egg Blue and not Grey at all, nor do I think it is something she has grown out of, what a strange thing to say. I loved the pale blue silk dress and coat she arrived in. Not a suit but a lovely semi fitted dress with Duster Coat. The suggestion that it was baggy made me wonder if posters had realised it was a coat over matching fabric dress.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

It isn't hard to dress a male, a good well cut shirt and suit and that's it. Same suit day in, day out.

I don't know if you follow for example the Danish Royal Family Skydragon but when looking at CP Frederik it must be extremely hard to dress a male Seriously, it's not that easy and Charles is definitely standing out among his peers or future peers.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

I don't know if you follow for example the Danish Royal Family Skydragon but when looking at CP Frederik it must be extremely hard to dress a male Seriously, it's not that easy and Charles is definitely standing out among his peers or future peers.

No, I don't follow the DRF. Males do have it easy, all of mine are measured by their tailor, he then has his staff 'run up' their uniforms, day wear, evening wear etc, from the same patterns. No worrying about different hemlines, necklines etc. The rules are set for males, with very little room for fashion, apart from garish shirts or ties, and how to tie them.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

No, I don't follow the DRF. Males do have it easy, all of mine are measured by their tailor, he then has his staff 'run up' their uniforms, day wear, evening wear etc, from the same patterns. No worrying about different hemlines, necklines etc. The rules are set for males, with very little room for fashion, apart from garish shirts or ties, and how to tie them.

You have a point but IMO that doesn't make it easier. Still, you need the right man to wear the right clothes. It's no different from what is valid for women, it has to be suitable for the specific person. Fitted, high quality clothes can still look horrible if they don't suit the type of person / figure, no matter if on men or women. Finding the right cut, the right colour, the right type of accessory, the right pair of shoes also applies to men and the BRF leading males usually get it right. Camilla had fantastic outfits in the past but especially her evening gowns are matronly and frumpy, without any finesse. And what an 80 year old still gets right, a 60 year old should get right even more - with a good designer who understands how to present her in the best possible way.

[Al_bina]

It is entertaining to see a great debate about fashion choices made by Duchess of Cornwall. I do not expect her to wear the cutting edge designs because of her age. Her outfits are safe and comfortable. Duchess of Cornwall should find a designer, who can better tailor her dresses and suits. That is all.

Originally Posted by Boris

[snipped] ... and the 'Japanese' homage in the back may be well intended but looks more pathetic than charming. ... [snipped].

I wonder who suggested paying Japanese homage by incorporating some variation of an obi belt into the dress. Generally speaking, Japanese do not like such things.

[milla Ca]

I´m sometimes astonished about the harsh words in questions of style and fashion in threads like this one.
Okay, everybody should say if he / she thinks a dress, a fashion style, a jewel or a make up is nice or bad.
But it´s only a question of someones taste - nothing more!
But some critics here need words like worst, awful , terrible, frumpy...( It´s hard not to see an attack against the person who wears this sort of ´unacceptable sacks´ ).
Sorry, but do these people judge in the same way when they have a look in the mirror?

[Duke of Marmalade]

Trip to Japan, Day 4

Camilla in a dark purple dress, one of her better outfits. Suits her very well.
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Dinner with TIH Naruhito & Masako, CPs of Japan
Camilla looks elegant in a dark blue / black combination.
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[giov]

The purple dress/suit looks ok, I agree it is one of her better outfit in this tour in Japan!
Purple dress!
Zimbio
Purple colour seems to suit every woman very well!
I don't like the bag very much!

[Menarue]

Since Carla Bruni wore that stunning purple outfit on her visit to England women all over the world have rediscovered purple. Beautiful. It looks very nice on Camilla...

[giov]

Thanks all for the info!
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a Banquet at the Royal Palace on October 31, 2008 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

Light pink dress! It suits her well!

http://i35.tinypic.com/fx6p90.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/14n37us.jpg

[MARG]

Thanks for the pix giov. Fabulous gown. No tiara, but a consolation with the diamond collett?

[Menarue]

I think she looks fabulous in that colour pink. Since her marriage she has really blossomed, somthing I, for one, never expected.