Danish New Year Courts: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

[fromEU]

Originally Posted by bigheadshirmp

what is mary wearing these days man! i thought i would see something that would "wow" us like in her previous outings.....omg.....she just wore 2 of the worst dresses....!!! 2 times in a roll~!!!

You people don't seem to have any sence about what this occasion is. This event has nothing to do with being "wow" or being smart or fashionable. It is a formal reception for diplomats and ambasadors from different countries and cultures around the world to greet the Queen. The different diplomats show up in thier national dresses if they have any and the Royal family tries to show a little formality and regalness instead. Imagine showing too much skin or being too sexy when greeting an ambassadors from the middel east:) This is not a show for you.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by fromEU

You people don't seem to have any sence about what this occasion is. This event has nothing to do with being "wow" or being smart or fashionable. It is a formal reception for diplomats and ambasadors from different countries and cultures around the world to greet the Queen. The different diplomats show up in thier national dresses if they have any and the Royal family tries to show a little formality and regalness instead. Imagine showing too much skin or being too sexy when greeting an ambassadors from the middel east:) This is not a show for you.

this has nothing to do with a show. it has to do with Mary's looking no better than a dowdy housewife!

[Noelle9982]

Well said fromEU!

Mary's job first and foremost is to act as a representative of one of the oldest royal families in the world, not to be a fashion icon. This dress wasn't worn to make a statement...it was worn because it was appropriate for the formality of the evening.

Granted, I highly doubt any of us would ever choose this dress for ourselves but then again, none of us will probably ever have a chance to attend such an event.

I don't know about any of you, but I've never seen a "doudy housewife" that looks like she does.

[pdas1201]

Now, I don't see a need for members to state "that you all don't have any sense of fashion" or "Mary as a dowdy housewife." First, lets not generalize, if you don't agree with a statement, please don't categorize everyone in a lump saying they have no idea about fashion, for fashion is a very relative thing, what you may like doesn't have to be favored by everyone. Secondly, stating "Mary looks like a dowdy housewife" could be stated a little subtely, using harsh words will only force members to retaliate forcefully and lead to a verbal war, yet again, on the forum--which none of us want.

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by Noelle9982

I don't know about any of you, but I've never seen a "doudy housewife" that looks like she does.

Actually I had a very lovely, very old and slightly chubby great-aunt (grand-aunt?) who had an enormous dress made of a fabric very similar to the one of Mary's dress. The similarities stopped with the dress, however.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by Smilla

Actually I had a very lovely, very old and slightly chubby great-aunt (grand-aunt?) who had an enormous dress made of a fabric very similar to the one of Mary's dress. The similarities stopped with the dress, however.

what? your great aunt doesnt have a mary bee-hive 'do?

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by fromEU

You people don't seem to have any sence about what this occasion is. This event has nothing to do with being "wow" or being smart or fashionable. It is a formal reception for diplomats and ambasadors from different countries and cultures around the world to greet the Queen. The different diplomats show up in thier national dresses if they have any and the Royal family tries to show a little formality and regalness instead. Imagine showing too much skin or being too sexy when greeting an ambassadors from the middel east:) This is not a show for you.

Exactly :) What Mary has worn these two past days are not to be seen as ordinary dresses - they are 'kurkjoler' - like a uniform. As such I think the old-fashioned - and that term is not meant negatively - is very appropriate. I think that these 'kurkjoler' will reappear in years to come at these events, just like QMII's sometimes do - which is fine and sensible.

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by pollyemma

what? your great aunt doesnt have a mary bee-hive 'do?

Sadly no. She didn't have a lot of hair left, but apart from that she looked a bit like the ladies in the Gary Larson cartoons. And believe me, she chose the most daring, shiniest fabrics for her gowns. Looking at some of her huge dresses actually could make you feel seasick.

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by H.M. Margrethe

It is not a painting with paint,but a tapestry.
If my memory is rigth they receivede it as a present when they had their silver anniversary from the town council in Copenhagen.

It's actually a gift for Queen Margrethe for her 50 birthday in 1990. The gift was from Danish trade and industry and the tapestries are designed by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard and show the world history and Danish history. The tapestries were made in France and were ready in 2000.
Here is a link to some information about the tapestries: http://www.ses.dk/397a55f0
At this link - http://bjoernnoergaard.dk/gobeliner/ - which is only in Danish, you can see the individual tapestries by placing the cursor on the individual time period designations.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by UserDane

I think that these 'kurkjoler' will reappear in years to come at these events

oh please no....

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by pollyemma

oh please no....

Why not? The men's uniforms reappear. Try not to look at them as ordinary dresses. They are not meant to be considered as such. FromEU explained it spot on.

[paca]

I do agree with those that the occasion didn't call for a fashoin statement and that too much skin would be offensive to some rather than pleasing. But still I believe that one can still be very formally dressed and have the wow effect as in wow being elegant, suitable to role, age and occasion. And that IMO opinion has not been achieved at these last two occasions.

But even the most flawless pic the wrong robe at times ( look at Caroline of Hanover at the last Monaco National Holiday and you will know what I mean). Maybe these were her two bad taste days of the year and we will see better dresses next time.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by UserDane

Why not? The men's uniforms reappear. Try not to look at them as ordinary dresses. They are not meant to be considered as such. FromEU explained it spot on.

I strongly support rewearing beautiful clothes very often. I also strongly support donating ugly clothes to your local goodwill.

[laduchesse]

At first I wasn't sure about the outfit, but I think some of the pictures (due to flashes) didn't do her justice. I can understand why some people think it looks like a housecoat, but upon closer examination I now think it's quite classy and well-coordinated. I think it suits the occasion and can easily be recycled in the future with different coloured dresses underneath. I suspect a lot of thought went into the planning of this outfit to ensure an elegant, yet appropriate outfit that reflects the importance and traditions of this event.

[Noelle9982]

This argument is really a battle that isn't going to be won.

Some people refuse to think these two dresses are anything but ugly and frumpy and others (myself included) won't stop thinking Mary picked these gowns because of their formality.

Maybe we should all just move on?????

[Princejohnny25]

Formality has nothing to do with it. You can still have the princess formal look and be elegant and up to date. The first dress was so so. The color was divine. I loved it. But, it was way to tight on her stomach. I think that dress was made for her pre-pregnancy figure. She needs to resize it to her much healthier figure. I think the dress just needs to be recycled and altered a little and you got a gorgeous dress. The hair sucks. Plain and simple. Really bad. I love the jewels but they did not work for Mary with the blue dress. I also felt the order was worn a bit sloppy. Alexandra had it on nice but for Mary it looked like an oversized ghetto necklace. The second outfit. Well, her worst one yet. No more to say. I also really like the tapestry. It is really cool and unique.

[bigheadshirmp]

Originally Posted by Princejonnhy25

Formality has nothing to do with it. You can still have the princess formal look and be elegant and up to date. The first dress was so so. The color was divine. I loved it. But, it was way to tight on her stomach. I think that dress was made for her pre-pregnancy figure. She needs to resize it to her much healthier figure. I think the dress just needs to be recycled and altered a little and you got a gorgeous dress. The hair sucks. Plain and simple. Really bad. I love the jewels but they did not work for Mary with the blue dress. I also felt the order was worn a bit sloppy. Alexandra had it on nice but for Mary it looked like an oversized ghetto necklace. The second outfit. Well, her worst one yet. No more to say. I also really like the tapestry. It is really cool and unique.

well said! i dun think Mary or any of the princesses just choose sth to wear just because it looks formal (maybe in some occasions u need to dress formally) BUT the thing is that you can always choose something that's fashionable, elegant and formal (all in one dress!)
it's not like she needs to choose that dress because someone MAKE YOU to rite? I also think that the princesses (especially CPs) have LOTS and if not more TONS of choices in these kinda of dresses, they dun need to stick to the ONLY ONE choice!:)

[Noelle9982]

Keep in mind she probably has very little say in what she wears. She gets the last word, yes, but a team of stylists are to blame/praise when it comes to any celebrity looking bad/good.

[pollyemma]

Originally Posted by bigheadshirmp

BUT the thing is that you can always choose something that's fashionable, elegant and formal (all in one dress!)
it's not like she needs to choose that dress because someone MAKE YOU to rite?

I couldnt agree more. Many royal women have demonstrated many times that you can wear a 'uniform'-like modest formal dress that is entirely appropriate for this type of event but is still look elegant and beautiful-these things are not mutually exclusive.

[Harmony]

I think she looked very beautiful, elegant, formal with much dignity fit for a future queen. Her gown is gorgeous from the close ups seen in CPMB.

http://crownprincessmary.ipbhost.com...pic=3748&st=30