The Duchess of Cambridge's Eveningwear Part 4: August 2012 -

[Pranter]

I love the frame of the dress, the style...but I don't care at all for the stark white plunging neckline. I think it would of been much nicer to have the neckline go straight across with some decoration/pattern...and her neck is so bare! Would it of killed her to wear some sort of necklace??


LaRae

[Daria_S]

This dress has a very whimsical feel to it, almost fairy-like, and it reminds me of gowns worn in Regency era. I think Catherine pulls it off quite nicely, but I could do without the overlay. Too much, in my opinion. I do love her hair. It goes with the whimsical feel.

[PrincePatrick]

Originally Posted by Boris

Yes indeed, the design of one of the last Emmanuel dresses Princess Diana ever wore is comparable – from 1986, and also quite a mistake style-wise.
It was from the Emmanuel’s ‘Diaghilev collection’, meant to be inspired by costumes of Diaghilev ballets and made for a fashion show in benefit of the Red Cross.
Pic:
http://s17.postimage.org/nfew68cbj/Screenshot_2.jpg

The Duchess of Cambridge wins this fashion showdown!

ETA: How brilliant would she have looked with the Strathmore Rose to top it off? I think the tiara's discoloration that seems so apparent in photographs would actually have gone really well with the white and gold of the dress. Then there's the flower motif... Whoever did the photoshop of her in the Lover's Knot should tackle this look with the Strathmore Rose!

ETA (again): Or INDEED the Teck Crescent!!

[Avicenna]

The more I look at it, the more I like. This dress is definitly unique and outstanding. Plus it suits the Duchess IMHO. Whether it is culturally appropriate ... I checked two career-sites with regional information and both recommend dresses/skirts and advise women to cover their knees and their upper arms respectivly. Nothing said about the neckline. However, both sites recommend not to wear the color 'yellow'. It's obviously the prerogative of the Malaysian Crown to wear this color. Therefor I am bit surprised about the golden applications. But maybe gold is treated different to yellow? Any insight on the color scheme from locals would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly in advance.

[Danishla]

Thanks for this coverage! The pictures and videos are terrific! Unfortunately I do not think she made a good selection of wardrobe for this trip (not bad, but not great)

[Grandma828]

I think Catherine is absolutely beautiful in that gown. The gold is for royalty and she fits the bill. She has made a good selection.

[Frelinghighness]

I weigh in in the Disney costume reject vote.
To lump this fashion faux pas with anything her late mother in law wore is really off the mark.
The cut of the dress, style, cut and color, not to mention lack of hairstyle, and jewelry or accessories just don't make it

[AdmirerUS]

I have thought about posting this, or not. I decided to post.

For everyone who thinks the white/gold dress had too low a neckline I would point out:
1. Catherine's best features are her smile, her waistline, her neckline and her height/legs (IMHO). This gown took advantage of those.
2. Many here in the blogs hold up Princess Diana as a fashion icon. Please, go revisit her choices of neckline/plunge.
3. The DOC played by the rules. She covered her arms. The "plunge" is not deep and it shows and athletic rather than a pulchritudinous figure. She is fit and that what shown rather than deep decolletage.

She portrayed herself as a respectful, western woman. I liked it for many reasons.

[Duchessmary]

It's a pretty gown. But all I can say is "no tiara".

[roseroyal]

Originally Posted by ladongas

As usual, the DM has the best pix:Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Malaysia: Kate Middleton looks every inch the princess at lavish dinner | Mail Online

Wow, stunning, gorgeous, awesome, amazing, Cinderella at the ball!

[Bensgal]

I absolutely loved this gown! Beautiful, simply beautiful.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Scarebaby

Am i the only one who thinks that dress is just a tiny bit Imelda Marcos? And I completely agree that if the overlay can be removed, this dress can be a winner, and worn again.

I think this dress, minus the overlay, would look elegant in almost any situation . . . except this one!

Originally Posted by dazzling

. . . . . Not sure why the embellishments didn't start on the bust area. The proportions are off to me.

It appears to be an overlay and that, I think, is where the problem starts. And yes, the proportions are definitely off. I think it is very unfortunate that the lack of overlay over the bustline actually "frames" her breasts and décolletage . . . not exactly a good look for such a time and place!

Originally Posted by Noble Consort Ming

I love the dress but I think it's way too low cut to wear in Malaysia. The last time I wore something that low cut it was at a wild street party and I still felt self conscious.

I think that Catherine's dress juxtaposed with those of the other guests ended up looking almost vulgar in it's sparsity above the bust line. Don't they have any decent advisor's at the Palace?

Originally Posted by lancchick

The dress is bit Disney, I agree but she does look very nice. When it comes to the modesty issues, I think she missed the boat. The video and pictures show almost every other woman at the event covered their hair and certainly do not show any chest.

I'm not quite sure what it is about Kate, but if I were in her position, I'd err on the side of discretion. I think a high neck dress would look very nice on her given her "girls" are quite small.

I think the amount of bare décolletage is somehow more shocking than showing part of her lower arms would have been. Why on earth didn't she wear one of her beautiful and elegant higher necked evening gowns? The very first pink confection would have looked great.

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

I weigh in in the Disney costume reject vote. . . . The cut of the dress, style, cut and color, not to mention lack of hairstyle, and jewelry or accessories just don't make it

I think the dress, with overlay, would have looked fabulous with a killer up do, diamond earrings and a really large diamond necklace (something along the lines of the Greville 5 Strand Collier ). . . but it seems Cinderella's mice lost the baubles . . .

[NoorMeansLight]

Originally Posted by roseroyal

Wow, stunning, gorgeous, awesome, amazing, Cinderella at the ball!

Kate herself looks gorgeous, but I can't go crazy about this gown, sorry.
It's quite interesting though how these Malaysian ladies wear their hair...

[Daisiesforever]

Kate looks ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and the gown is exquisite designer perfection. The white and gold combination is very striking indeed whilst the gown is soft and magical. Her hair is simply beautiful. The jewellery is understated but then the Alexander McQueen gown just does it all. This look will certainly take a lot of beating!!!

[IloveCP]

September 18th:

Full View Upper Half Upper Half 2 Dress on Model/Details

[DaughterofFrance]

The details are interesting but, I am not a fan of the dress.

[roseroyal]

Originally Posted by IloveCP

September 18th:

Full View Upper Half Upper Half 2 Dress on Model/Details

I love this dress. Not as stunning as Malaysia mind you, but really lovely and elegant.

[MARG]

To compare this gown with that worn in Malaysia is like comparing apples and pears. The gown Catherine wore for the King of Malaysia's Banquet would have looked totally inappropriate at the dinner hosted by the Govornor of Tuvalu. They are two totally different cultures.

I actually love that Temperley dress. I'll be honest and say that IMO this is the most casual yet utterly elegant ensemble Catherine has sported this tour. Match that with an off the face hair do and it was perfect for this occasion. (As I can't see what's on her feet . . . no problems!) Kudos to Kate for her entire "look", she nailed it!

[ashelen]

cereteny she neil it in the tour, she must have a great lady assesing her. and even notice her eye liner is much softr than she normaly use it

[IloveCP]

The Temperley London dress is nice but I don't love it. The details are interesting. Overall, it's a lovely and elegant dress.