The Duchess of Cambridge's Daytime Fashion Part 12: November 2013 - April 2014

[cepe]

Originally Posted by Elly C

Although I thought Kate looked good ( she pretty much always does), I thought the outfit was what I can best describe as typical of what Senior British Royals wear on Official visits, and that makes me a little sad. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Kate to do something extreme, but I think this was rather an old -and dare I say, dated look for Kate, and way too fussy with all those buttons plus the brooch. Whilst I understand this was a formal arrival with William inspecting the troops etc, I really hope Kate has the confidence to develop a style that is comfortable and more what a young woman might wear and yes that may mean trousers.

Maybe that is what she has done. She has found a style that she is comfortable with and appropriate for the job.

She is probably happier in jeans/casual wear. These are her workclothes. I spent years wearing stuff that I only wore to work and considered my "uniform". Lots of people do this

[Isabella]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

So, the pillbox is dead forever except to female air stewards? How long has it been since you saw an air steward in a hat? Much less a pillbox?

For me, when I see any red toned pillbox, I see President Kennedy's brains and blood all over the suit that it matched. But I don't let it spoil the Cambridge's moment because I am stuck in 1963.

IMHO

I think (most) stewardesses stopped wearing hats around the time the term stewardess went out the window - I can see how Kate's outfit might recall a vintage stewardess look, but not something one would see on a flight attendant today.

Sadly, the pillbox does seem to be mostly dead these days, along with nice hats in general - it seems I only ever see them on royals. I must say it's a favorite style of mine in large part because of Jackie Kennedy (Jackie, coincidentally, didn't really care for hats - she favored the pillbox because they were a kind of compromise, since they just kind of set on the back of the head unobtrusively). That's why I like it when Kate and other royals wear classic pieces that most of us couldn't get away with these days.

[cepe]

Originally Posted by Isabella

I think (most) stewardesses stopped wearing hats around the time the term stewardess went out the window - I can see how Kate's outfit might recall a vintage stewardess look, but not something one would see on a flight attendant today.

Sadly, the pillbox does seem to be mostly dead these days, along with nice hats in general - it seems I only ever see them on royals. I must say it's a favorite style of mine in large part because of Jackie Kennedy (Jackie, coincidentally, didn't really care for hats - she favored the pillbox because they were a kind of compromise, since they just kind of set on the back of the head unobtrusively). That's why I like it when Kate and other royals wear classic pieces that most of us couldn't get away with these days.

see my post 3 back from this - Maxima is keeping it alive

[soapstar]

Originally Posted by cepe

Maybe that is what she has done. She has found a style that she is comfortable with and appropriate for the job.

Exactly. People may not like some of her clothing choices, but that doesn't mean that she hasn't developed a comfortable style. In fact, I'll say she's quite comfortable in the things she wears, since she hasn't changed her style even with all of the criticism.

[Nico]

I'm with Albina on this by saying that Mette Marit knows how it's done with a goo'ol pillbox:

Mette-Marit Pictures - Barack Obama Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - Zimbio

[Isabella]

Originally Posted by cepe

see my post 3 back from this - Maxima is keeping it alive

Yes, great examples! And I seem to recall CP Mary wearing a pillbox on a trip to Washington a few years ago - I remember being quite excited about that.

[COESpiral]

Loved Kate's coat and dress but I'm still not sure how I feel about the hat. I think it's just the shape of it that doesn't quite work for me. Ladies like Maxima and Mette-Marit can work a pillbox hat but the jury is still out for Kate. Maybe if it was a smaller pillbox shape?

[cepe]

The pillbox was a good choice - otherwise the hongi would have been in jeopardy!

[4Pam]

I like what she's wearing, it's OK. My favorite red outfit of Catherine's is the one she wore to the Jubilee celebration. It was perfect from head to toe.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by cepe

The pillbox was a good choice - otherwise the hongi would have been in jeopardy!

When I read this I wondered how her headwear would have some impact on whether or not they got to have lunch, but then I realised it was "hongi", not "hangi".

[Humera]

Perhaps Kate's hat is not the right size for her? It seems a little too big for her head:

*Images have been heavily cropped, comprising less than 20% of the original versions, and are not subject to copyright

[Baroness of Books]

From those angles, it does look a bit too oversized. Thanks for the views, Humera.

[Isabella]

Originally Posted by Humera

Perhaps Kate's hat is not the right size for her? It seems a little too big for her head:

*Images have been heavily cropped, comprising less than 20% of the original versions, and are not subject to copyright

Yes, I think you are right. It seems to be a bit too big, and therefore doesn't seem to sit quite right on her head (and thank you for posting pictures of those good angles!). I would think just about anybody can carry off a pillbox, they just need to find the right fit.

[cepe]

this is an example of oversize (but one of the best Maxima pix ever)

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1153293/th...-HAT-570.jpg?1

[Baroness of Books]

Max's turban/pillbox is smaller in diameter but puffier than Kate's, and she's wearing her hair up which really gives an elegant, professional look. Kate might want to experiment similarly with her hairstyle when wearing a pillbox.

[soapstar]

See, I prefer Kate's. I think Maxima's pillbox is seriously ugly.

[Frelinghighness]

Originally Posted by cepe

Jackie Kennedy (with thanks from blog Berkshire to Buckingham

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cN00zRKyja...ed+pillbox.jpg

Looks familar hat territory, but these two examples (from same source) surprised me - in a nice way

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXBYWpRo1w...ey+hepburn.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6YeU97Vkr...illbox+hat.jpg

Now , now, Givenchy vs. who ever made kate's hat, really unfair. Plus, the hats for Audrey Hepburn are really custom made, almost not pillbox, worn very close to the front almost like a turban. Jackie on the other hand didn't want to wear a hat on her bouffant hairdo and wore the Givenchy knock=offs way back on the head. Kate's is definately too big for her and her hair is wrong, but she is trying!

[marfre]

Originally Posted by soapstar

See, I prefer Kate's. I think Maxima's pillbox is seriously ugly.

I agree, I think Kate's hat looks much nicer.

[Baroness of Books]

Beautiful examples of very elegant women wearing classic examples of the pillbox. Thanks for the links, Frelinghighness.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by cepe

Jackie Kennedy (with thanks from blog Berkshire to Buckingham

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cN00zRKyja...ed+pillbox.jpg

Looks familar hat territory, but these two examples (from same source) surprised me - in a nice way

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXBYWpRo1w...ey+hepburn.jpg ... [snipped]

Neither Mrs. Kennedy nor Ms. Hepburn had long hair.