The Duchess of Cambridge's Daytime Fashion Part 7: March 2012 - April 2012

[Dierna23]

Originally Posted by Zonk

I love your avatar! Who is that?

I'm glad you like it. It's Princess Marianne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn.

Originally Posted by Zonk

I think someone (can't remember who at the moment) made a really good point that with Kate buying off the rack, she needs to take into consideration that while her size might be good for off the rack clothing, her height puts her at a disadvantage in terms of length.

Personally I don't think the dress was that short but as evidenced by her trying to exit the car, it probably wouldn't hurt to add a couple of inches to her dresses. And really, you can't do that off the rack. Its liek if you are a little hippy, you want to purchase a 14W for example, but you are short, so it hangs off your lengthwise but you can't do a Petitie size because it takes into consideration your height and not your width!

That's a good point indeed. I had similar thoughts in mind when I saw the first pictures. Kate is a tall woman with long (and great) legs. It is possible that some of her outfits wouldn't seem "too short" on a petite lady, like for example Princess Marie of Denmark. I think Kate can show her legs, I have no problem with it, but I do think that her skirts could be a bit longer as she must be extra-careful when she exits cars or bends forward while talking to children. Some of her poses yesterday appeared to be awkward as she seemed aware that the wrong move or pose would probably offer a bit too much of her legs or other things. It would be easy to avoid this, adding a few inches to her skirts would make it only more comfortable for her. I think she will notice that in time.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by MARG

It's not being a "hater" to say she is wearing her skirts too short for her engagements and it makes me laugh when people blame the photographer for the photos of her sitting down (wow did that clutch come in handy - not to self, must buy more of them), nor blame the Queen for the fact that the Bently is designed for her. Both of those shots were less than stellar!

I love her hairstyle. It works so well with her hat and, contrary to those that say that references to Air Hostesses is just a b****y snipe about her mother by "haters", I beg to differ. It's about style! Many years ago our national airline had "Air Hostesses" whose uniform was very much the same as this ensemble only with a smaller peplum. Their hat was also not unlike Catherine's except for the flower/bow. There is nothing derogatory about noting such similarities, in fact those "Hosties" were admired for their style and elegance and they only recruited "the best".

Thanks for pointing this out, MARG


Footwear fit for a princess: Talented fashion student wins competition to design shoes for the Duchess of Cambridge
Fashion student Becka Hunt to design shoes for Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton | Mail Online

Not keen on this shoe being worn by any royal lady ...

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Thanks for pointing this out, MARG

Footwear fit for a princess: Talented fashion student wins competition to design shoes for the Duchess of Cambridge
Fashion student Becka Hunt to design shoes for Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton | Mail Online

Not keen on this shoe being worn by any royal lady ...

That shoe looks nothing like the drawings, although neither look royal.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by cepe

I think that the Duchess looked elegant today but there are limitations in buying clothes from the high street and one of them is length of the skirt.
On someone who is 5'10 most off the peg clothes will be short.

I have two nieces who are 5'9" and 5'11" respectively. When they both buy the same dress one looks great and everyone comments on how much leg the other is showing. The eldest has "legs that go all the way up" which is what Catherine has and she has the same problem. Skirts are uncomfortably short and so she finds it more comfortable when she has something specially made whereas her shorter cousin doesn't have that problem at all.

I think with time Catherine will be getting her clothes custom made. Now whether that is couture or special edition High Street is anyone's guess but I think either would be more than happy to accommodate Catherine's needs.

[Jacknch]

I think I would prefer it if Catherine had her clothes made "in-house" so to speak, like the Queen does. I'm not sure if this would be more expensive than buying high-street fashions, but I guess there can't be much in it if you buy wholesale material. Either that, or the high-street clothes could be adjusted to fit not only the Duchesses height, but her very slim figure. As lovely as Catherine's legs are, seeing at least 3/4 of them getting out of the car behind the very well-covered Queen, certainly broadened the generation gap!

On another matter, has Catherine ever worn trousers (as opposed to jeans)? I wonder what a trouser-suit would look like on her?

[EIIR]

If a skirt that's about an inch above the knee is too short, then she won't be able to wear the vast majority of skirts/dresses on sale in the UK today. If I wore that skirt to work no-one would bat an eyelid.

Skirts of all lengths have a tendency to ride up somewhat based on what the wearer is doing.

Case in point

When you see the way the Queen clambers out of the State Bentley, even though it was made specifically for her, anyone wearing even the most conservative short skirt is going to show some leg.

Queen climbs out of State Bentley

The only way to negate that would be to wear skirts the same length as the Queen, and given Kate is not an 86 year old lady, I think that would be unfair.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Well, these pictures dont look good. Given these events are often meticulously planned and it would be wise to chose a different outfit when having to sit down or having to climb out of the for-the-Queen-designed State Bentley.
Its clearly an uncomfortable position to be in for Kate, and its not to be expected that photographers will put down their cameras the next occasion Kate gives to opportunity for some nice views.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...00_470x583.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...54_470x804.jpg

Kate's daring hemline: Duchess of Cambridge shines in short skirt as she joins the Queen on first day of Diamond Jubilee tour
Middleton and Queen board train for 1st day of Diamond Jubilee tour | Mail Online

[EIIR]

So Kate should change her style because some people are so small minded and petty as to get up in arms over her showing a bit of thigh? At no point did Kate look vulgar, nor could you see her underwear.

Seriously, did I go to sleep last night and wake up in the 1950s?!?!

[Artemisia]

With respect, people can and do have different opinions.
No one asked Kate to dress like a Stepford Wife. Nevertheless, some, including me, did think the skirt was just a little too short. True, it wasn't vulgar and there were no unfortunate pictures (which may also be due to photographers' discretion, however unbelievable that may sound); however, the point is, if Kate wears an equally short skirt, it may lead to some unpleasant incidents.

Kate is not an average person; most of us can wear mini skirts whole day and no one will mind. However, none of us are surrounded by dozens of photographers on every public or private outing.

[EIIR]

Take a look at the skirt in this picture:

Lady Gretton Curtseys To Catherine Duchess Of Cambridge As

The hem is touching Kate's knees. If that's too short then she's going to have to stick to skirts that hit below the knee/mid-calf, which is very limiting and will no doubt lead to more people saying she's boring, dressing too old, too conservative etc. etc.

I attended a strict, all girls grammar school. If Kate had turned up in a skirt that length it would have been considered long.

It's ironic, yesterday was International Women's Day, and we're debating whether a skirt that touches the wearer's knees is too short. Seems we haven't moved on as far as we thought.

[Artemisia]

Take a look at this picture; hardly a dignified look for a Princess, isn't it?
Let's agree to disagree. I'm not criticizing Kate's look. She is, in fact, one of those ladies whose style I genuinely like, even though she is good ten years older than me. Had Kate been a plain Mrs. Cambridge, I would say go for a shorter skirt to show those toned and brilliant legs! It is because I like Kate and her style that this particular dress is somewhat unfortunate.

[EIIR]

What's not dignified about it? She's sitting demurely with her knees together, not showing anything she shouldn't. Even if the skirt was an inch longer, we'd still have had the same view.

[miche]

Originally Posted by EIIR

So Kate should change her style because some people are so small minded and petty as to get up in arms over her showing a bit of thigh? At no point did Kate look vulgar, nor could you see her underwear.

Seriously, did I go to sleep last night and wake up in the 1950s?!?!

I think we went all the way back to the Victorian Era

[miche]

Originally Posted by EIIR

What's not dignified about it? She's sitting demurely with her knees together, not showing anything she shouldn't. Even if the skirt was an inch longer, we'd still have had the same view.

Letizia and Victoria also wear the same length and sometime shorter than Catherine, but I don't see the same complained when it comes to them. It truly fascinating.

[Artemisia]

Originally Posted by miche

Letizia and Victoria also wear the same length and sometime shorter than Catherine, but I don't see the same complained when it comes to them. It truly fascinating.

I suggest you visit their threads; you'll find more than enough complains about the lengths of their skirts and/or dresses.

Originally Posted by EIIR

What's not dignified about it? She's sitting demurely with her knees together, not showing anything she shouldn't. Even if the skirt was an inch longer, we'd still have had the same view.

As I said, let's agree to disagree. At least, we both appear to genuinely admire the Duchess of Cambridge and her style.

[KittyAtlanta]

Originally Posted by EIIR

What's not dignified about it? She's sitting demurely with her knees together, not showing anything she shouldn't. Even if the skirt was an inch longer, we'd still have had the same view.

I disagree. There is visibility where there shouldn't be. I'm sure the skirt was lined, so no liner was necessary, but I can see her underwear and I should not be able to see her underwear. As I've said before, we (and she) know what the photogs are like, so it is up to Kate to protect herself from this kind of photograph. Either start wearing underwear that matches the outfit or black, so that there isn't such a view, or don't sit down.

Still love the outfit, tho.

Originally Posted by EIIR

Take a look at the skirt in this picture:

Lady Gretton Curtseys To Catherine Duchess Of Cambridge As

The hem is touching Kate's knees. If that's too short then she's going to have to stick to skirts that hit below the knee/mid-calf, which is very limiting and will no doubt lead to more people saying she's boring, dressing too old, too conservative etc. etc.

I attended a strict, all girls grammar school. If Kate had turned up in a skirt that length it would have been considered long.

It's ironic, yesterday was International Women's Day, and we're debating whether a skirt that touches the wearer's knees is too short. Seems we haven't moved on as far as we thought.

Moving ahead was never about skirt lengths. There are those of us who struggled to open the door for younger generations of women so they could "have it all." Skirt length as a measure of women's success is quite an absurdity.

I love her suit, tho.

[Prinsessan]

I think her outfit was fabulous. But I agree with those who say it is too short. She should really wear her skirts an inch longer, at least when she is on official duty, to avoid situations like these.

[miche]

You could see her underwear?

[life84]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Well, these pictures dont look good. Given these events are often meticulously planned and it would be wise to chose a different outfit when having to sit down or having to climb out of the for-the-Queen-designed State Bentley.
Its clearly an uncomfortable position to be in for Kate, and its not to be expected that photographers will put down their cameras the next occasion Kate gives to opportunity for some nice views.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...00_470x583.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...54_470x804.jpg

Kate's daring hemline: Duchess of Cambridge shines in short skirt as she joins the Queen on first day of Diamond Jubilee tour
Middleton and Queen board train for 1st day of Diamond Jubilee tour | Mail Online

Lovely pictures for Kate and Elizabeth... I liked her outfit..

[Princess of Durham]

Sorry, but I think "the underwear" is in the eye of the beholder ... whether one thinks the skirt is too short or just fine, my 20/20 eyes see no underwear.

In actuality, I have seen HM sitting (at the Braemar games) with her knees not quite together which made me a tad uncomfortable. Whether it was "angle" or "respect" by the photographers no harm was done however there was definitely an opportunity there for those who wanted to take advantage of it.