Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie's Fashion & Style Part 3: June - December 2013

[Pranter]

Love the color on her but the dress doesn't seem to fit her right...I think that's what is throwing everything off.


LaRae

[Mariel]

In responding to Stephanie never being glamorous, I have seen pictures of her looking glamorous. The one I remember most is that off the shoulder green grecian formal gown that she wore to a dinner. I can't remember which dinner. It was SO different from the usual things she wears. And she has the figure and poise to carry it off, and of course the patrician face to go with it. She should go much simpler in her designs. Maybe go to Tessy's dressmaker, to get simple dresses with great lines, and forget the little decorative stuff, for the most part. Not that she and Tessy look alike, but Tessy is the Queen of Clean Lines. I read here that Tessy's dress at the Claire/Felix wedding was Calvin Klein. I am very little aware of various designers' styles, but that might be a place to start. OR: I believe Stephanie has two or three times worn outfits by Weill which was simple and flattering. She might try sticking to Weill and/or Calvin Klein.

I do not share the passion for Saab held by many on TRF. I think his wedding dresses look heavy, weighed down. Not BAD, per se, far from that! But I prefer a lightness, a floatiness in gowns. I even like the strapless gown Tessy wore for her own wedding, combined with a light, frothy veil. Not that I'm for strapless at weddings, just that I like the light, vernal, floaty look. I saw it also in the gown of Princess Alice of Gloucester and in various other gowns I can't identify here, as I am not a collector of wedding gown information, just a relatively new observer of this grand scene.

But one more thought--the gowns Stephanie has looked best in were not the light frothy kind per se. They just had simple clean elegant lines. Again, maybe she should "major" in Weill and Calvin Klein.

[Moonmaiden23]

Mariel, of course you are right. She has indeed looked glamorous and is one of the best Royal brides of all time. She has looked fantastic at some events and at other times she hasn't. She isn't consistent, and it's the times she has flopped badly that tend to stand out for some.

I have loved clothes since I was a small girl, but I cringe when I look back on some of the things I wore in my teens and 20's. I didn't learn what looked good on me until I was mature in my 30's.

For women who do not have the "knack" it can take time.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by NGalitzine

If she actually was chic it would not be a problem, but she was neither casual nor chic at the wedding. No one expects her ever to be glamorous as it is quite apparent she does not have that in her.

I didn't mean chic as in posh, but rather chic in an appropriate way. Decent. I don't see anything inappropriate with her outfit. And I do feel that some here expect her to dress (or at least going to) as they would like to see her. Hence comments as "she's married now", "she has access to .... so why doesn't she use it/them?" etc..
Well, all well and good, but maybe that is not the way Stéphanie wants to see herself.

"Glamorous" princesses are more often at risk for missing the point/spirit, as I think even "my" Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has done at times.

I rather like Stéphanie's demure style, I find it refreshing.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

Mariel, of course you are right. She has indeed looked glamorous and is one of the best Royal brides of all time. She has looked fantastic at some events and at other times she hasn't. She isn't consistent, and it's the times she has flopped badly that tend to stand out for some.

I have loved clothes since I was a small girl, but I cringe when I look back on some of the things I wore in my teens and 20's. I didn't learn what looked good on me until I was mature in my 30's.

For women who do not have the "knack" it can take time.

That is something that has not chased me at all, what I wore when I was a girl and a teen. Nor am I ashamed of my clothes back then. It was what was in fashion and I still like the bright colors of the day. Why cringe over what was in fashion then? Will you (not you specifically, rather a general question) also cringe over what you wear today when we are about 20 years further from now?

[Moonmaiden23]

Hi Skippy, I choose classic, tailored clothes now and I tend to buy less and pay more for them...quality rather than quantity unlike when I was much younger.

I am often complimented on my wardrobe now but who knows??

I sure hope I don't cringe, LOL!

[Mariel]

I have made Stephanie's mistakes when younger. Buying too big clothes. Wearing clothes with too many gathers at the waist. Liking feminine fripperies when I should have stuck to simpler lines. I cringe when I see pictures of me in those outfits! Gad zooks, my mother was right! She always bought just a few high quality items, always with straight skirts. She didn't even need to dress that way, as she was a "clothes horse", as someone put it...always tall and slender all of her life. She could have worn more voluminous clothes but she was tres chic, tres French in her dressing (she was Irish but she somehow French-dressed). I, on the other hand, weigh 20 pounds more than she did and I look silly in anything but straight skirts. I did look good in the hippy clothes and saris, which were more like Stephanie's Greek flowing gowns, but not in Victorian fripperies and femininities. Nope. Tailored or Grecian.

[Valerie Rose]

Skippy said "I rather like Stéphanie's demure style, I find it refreshing." - That's it exactly :)

[Mermaid1962]

Agreed. A dress with so much detail needs a simpler hat. Otherwise, there's too much to take in at one glace. I think the dress was pretty as well.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

I don't think her outfit was a "disaster" at all and in fact was rather pretty. It was the hat that ruined everything, imo.

[kathia_sophia]

I actually like the outfit, it's very girly and cute, love the color as well. I think the only problem I see is the fit, it's not flattering at all on her, pity, the major issue with her is the fit and not the clothes themselves. But otherwise, she looks good and not horrid at all.

Hat...I don't tend to mention hats, because they always (lie, 90% should do) look hideous, most royals who use hats, like to use diferent, unusual and unique hats, but for me 90% is disaster. Well, I think it's because of my taste, I tend to love hats that are traditional, so most of the non-tradional hats are absolutely horrendous to me. So this time as well, I can't even mention how awful it is.

[Moonmaiden23]

I agree ks. Very few Royal women wear hats successfully. Maxima and Kate are exceptions.

[marlene]

I think Stephanie would be more successful fashion -wise if she were to wear more simple and tailored clothes, fewer frills and loose items and more Chanel type jackets and simple but elegant shift dresses.When she becomes more confident in her fashions she could branch out, but like anything else it is always best to start simply and classically.

[QueenJen]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

I agree, this is a fashion thread after all. Some posters do get personal and cruel but I must say it rarely happens here at TRF and when it does thank goodness the mods step in.

Stephanie is one of my favorite Royal women. I think she seems warm, cultured, intelligent...the perfect wife for Guillaume. But I'd be fibbing if I said I admire her wardrobe-except for her bridal gown which was one of the most beautiful Royal wedding dresses I have ever seen.

As another poster pointed out, it's all in the way you say things.

Yes! I like Stephanie a lot, and I think most of the posters on this thread do as well. No one is criticizing her character, just her questionable sense of style. I also get the feeling most of the posters on this site really do want her to succeed. There is such excitement when she gets it right!
Her bridal goes in my top 5 gowns of all time - and she was just lovely on that day. She set the bar pretty high for herself and we like her so much we want to see her come close to it.

[Moonmaiden23]

QueenJen, she set the bar so high for herself on her wedding day that there was no place for her to go but down. I knew it would happen, just based on her other appearances before the wedding.

But on that most important of days she surpassed every expectation. She and Maxima of the Netherlands are tied for #2 on my list behind Grace of Monaco.

[Frelinghighness]

Well, I do think it was a disaster. If people look at what you are wearing and say OMG! instead of "oh, hi how are you" , yes, what you wear is important.
This dress looked like a mini me of mt, her mil, which is not a good thing. The coat dress, check, the long sleeves with ruffled at 3/4, check, lace, check, all one color, check, weird hat, check. Only thing she added was ugly shoes.

[Moonmaiden23]

People have also looked and it and liked it, so some people thought it was okay and others like yourself that it was awful.

As for someone walking up to the HGD and making a comment like "OMG" instead of "hi how are you?" I am almost certain she is never exposed to anyone so ill-bred.

[blauerengel]

I can´t believe anyone would approach her and tell her anything unkind about her look,but it is important to remember
1)it was not her own wedding - she was not in the center of attention
2) a wedding is NOT a fashion show - it is much more important to have a good time with your family and friends and be happy, especially for the married couple!
3)she looked acceptable and nice,even though the look is not everyone´s cup of tea ;-)

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

Well, I do think it was a disaster. If people look at what you are wearing and say OMG! instead of "oh, hi how are you" , yes, what you wear is important.
This dress looked like a mini me of mt, her mil, which is not a good thing. The coat dress, check, the long sleeves with ruffled at 3/4, check, lace, check, all one color, check, weird hat, check. Only thing she added was ugly shoes.

But not that important. I think only looking at attire instead of the complete picture is a bit superficial - no harm intended.
And to each his/her own opinion, but I think the word "disaster" is a bit too much.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

People have also looked and it and liked it, so some people thought it was okay and others like yourself that it was awful.

As for someone walking up to the HGD and making a comment like "OMG" instead of "hi how are you?" I am almost certain she is never exposed to anyone so ill-bred.

Exactly, it would be plain rude.

Originally Posted by blauerengel

I can´t believe anyone would approach her and tell her anything unkind about her look,but it is important to remember
1)it was not her own wedding - she was not in the center of attention
2) a wedding is NOT a fashion show - it is much more important to have a good time with your family and friends and be happy, especially for the married couple!
3)she looked acceptable and nice,even though the look is not everyone´s cup of tea ;-)

1) And when she was she blew everyone away - just as how it is supposed to be IMO.
2) Agreed.
3) Precisely, it's not like she wore a totally unacceptable outfit. Stéphanie is different from "all the others", is not a Crown Princess but a Hereditary Grand Duchess and in general just has another style. Demure, de Lannoy style.

Originally Posted by QueenJen

Yes! I like Stephanie a lot, and I think most of the posters on this thread do as well. No one is criticizing her character, just her questionable sense of style. I also get the feeling most of the posters on this site really do want her to succeed. There is such excitement when she gets it right!
Her bridal goes in my top 5 gowns of all time - and she was just lovely on that day. She set the bar pretty high for herself and we like her so much we want to see her come close to it.

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

QueenJen, she set the bar so high for herself on her wedding day that there was no place for her to go but down. I knew it would happen, just based on her other appearances before the wedding.

But on that most important of days she surpassed every expectation. She and Maxima of the Netherlands are tied for #2 on my list behind Grace of Monaco.

I rather think she set the expectation bar high for herself with her wedding gown. And you can never meet everyone's expectations.
She's basically doing what I plan on doing myself - wear normal clothes and go all out on my wedding day. It's the one day to be a star, fashion wise.
Why else do most fashion shows end with a wedding ensemble?

[Frelinghighness]

Whoops! I made a terrible typo. I meant if people walk up to you and THINK not say OMG. So sorry for the mistake.
I DO want her to succeed. What I intended to convey is that you don't necessarily have to be the latest in fashion, if you're not interested in fashion, just stick with the classics and dont stand out in a bad way. Imitating her mil look is not the way to go, too old.

[Mariel]

I agree that this outfit was like those of Maria Teresa. Probably the family like that style, especially the men, as they are used to it. I just remember that wonderful green greek dress she wore at a formal dinner....and how great she looked in THAT.

[Lady Daly]

When it was revealed Stephanie's outfit was from the Belgian designer, Stephanie Le Grelle, I went to her website: Stéphanie le Grelle - Styliste belge as well as read a French blogger's interesting comments:
STEPHANIE LE GRELLE | be. get. see. "the latest collection of a young Belgium designer: Stephanie Le Grelle. She only does cocktail and wedding dresses, and stays quite classical, but does it while mixing fabrics and materials in a very qualitative way that you don’t see very often ....fell in love with the wedding dresses, made of fine lace and soft fabrics."

I then remembered a very early picture of Stephanie when she was much, much younger http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...c9bbd378a4.jpg The Le Grelle designs and early picture of Stephanie may give insight into Stephanie's fashion choice... at least this time 'round.