The Duchess of Cambridge's Eveningwear, Part 2: November 2011 - February 2012

[Scarebaby]

I think the problem with this outfit is that there's too much of it. The dress by itself, without the huge belt, might have been gorgeous, teamed with opaque black tights. The jacket with a different dress (color!) might have looked awesome. But this particular (tailored) jacket with this particular (lace, somewhat fancy) dress, with this particular belt and these particular tights -- it all adds up to a mixed up mashup that doesn't do justice to any of the individual pieces.

 

[ANNIE_S]

I totally agree. I like the dress, but the belt ruins it. The jacket don´t matched it and those black tights have to go, but then the dress should be a little longer... I think it isn´t an appropriate outfit at all.

 

[Prinsessan]

I actually like the dress and jacket, nothing special for an evening event though. Agree with PrincessKaimi that it's rather a hose problem, it's too see-through and that doesn't create a good look with her long legs and the shortness of the dress.

But gosh, she needs to do something about that make-up. I cannot believe this girl is supposed to be no 30 years old, she looks 10 years older at least.

Her hair itself is gorgeous, but she really should think about some different hairstyles.

 

[Lumutqueen]

People keep mentioning that Catherine didn't look festive enough. Well it was a concert not a Santa's grotto, would you like her to wear a Santa's hat with every outfit? It's only December 7th.

 

[biboquinhas]

The dress is lovely but that swede belt ruins all the look!!!! The dress is pretty enough she shouldn't be wearing that belt...

 

[EIIR]

This dress is incredibly adorable.

The thing that people here seen to be choosing to ignore is that this was a POP CONCERT!!! This event will have been attended by thousands of other people in jeans and mini dresses. This is not a gala event in the vein of the Royal Variety Performance or a night at the Royal Opera House.

With regards to the dress being too short, did I miss something and we're now in the 1950's???? That dress is nowhere near too short, it's a mini dress is the style which is very much in at the moment. She's wearing fairly dark tights which means she can get away with the shorter hemline. If this dress is 'vulgar' then you'd all think I'm a tramp when you see me heading out with my friends.

She was criticised last week for wearing an expensive dress. So she wears a dress that most people can afford and gets criticised still. She wore a bright green dress last week and was savaged for it and so wears something more demure and is savaged for wearing a dull colour.

I truly hope that Catherine never stumbles upon this forum because if she read these threads I wouldn't blame her for wanting to sit in a dark room and never go out!! No other royal female gets anywhere near this level of vitriol and mean spiritedness and it makes this site an increasingly unpleasant place.

 

[LovelyKate]

She's beautiful! Her hair is very glossy here.
I like the dress, but I find it a bit short for the occasion. It would have been a perfect dress for an other event, but not for a concert at Royal Albert Hall. I'm not saying that Catherine is vulgar - I even think that Catherine can't be vulgar - but her outfit is not appropriate.

 

[Kit]

weeell the outfit is not THAT bad in fact it is definitely better than the green nightmare from last week. The belt could be removed but otherwise I think it is okay I have already seen worse on Kate. However her eyebrows are really killing me that is just too much brown eyebrow powder. Back to normal if you ask me - her natural eyebrows are beautifully shaped and don't need this heavy make up.

 

[Dierna23]

Oh yes, the eye-brows are quite horrible as well. I still don't get it why she's "painting" her face like that (as it looked MUCH better with less make up). And I will never understand why she, as it seems, refuses to get advice from a professional make up artist.

Kate looks very blah and boring and style-wise not like 2011 but 1981.

Yes, as always. I guess I'll do a mark on my calender if she ever impresses me with an outfit. She really disappoints me - I've never been crazy about her style, but I would say that before she became engaged she dressed even better (and how rare is that? Most of the CP's have improved their looks after the engagement/wedding). Yes, there were outfits in the last eight or so years which I found elegant, classy or even stylish, but now she only goes for plain and boring stuff. Conservative style does not have to look boring, IMO!

The dress is nice, btw. I wouldn't mind to own it either, but for a Duchess/Princess attending a concert at the Royal Albert Hall together with the future King of England? Camilla looked appropriate, Kate as if she was any young woman her age, with not much fashion sense, who had been invited to spend an evening with Their Royal Highnesses.

Sorry if I "offend" someone's point of view - her outfit here isn't horrible or bad, but I personally expect something totally different...

 

[Susanna Wynne]

Posters here are pretty tough. If you want to see vulgar, go to the Daily Mail's femail column. Kate has never looked vulgar, ever. If you step back a bit, this was a POP concert, she's young and this is a young look. Using black/grey kept it from screaming. A red jacket, for example, with the black/white and grey would have called more attention to itself. I think she managed to look youthful and less serious than usual without crossing the "too much" line or into the dread vulgar territory.

 

[rsfc149]

Yes, as always. I guess I'll do a mark on my calender if she ever impresses me with an outfit. She really disappoints me - I've never been crazy about her style, but I would say that before she became engaged she dressed even better (and how rare is that? Most of the CP's have improved their looks after the engagement/wedding). Yes, there were outfits in the last eight or so years which I found elegant, classy or even stylish, but now she only goes for plain and boring stuff. Conservative style does not have to look boring, IMO!

I agree. I've kind of liked her style as Kate Middleton. Now it's always the same. Even her evening gowns aren't that spectacular...

 

[ashelen]

LACE TULIP DRESS - Collection - Dresses - Collection - Woman - ZARA United States

 

[Baroness of Books]

I see no reason why Kate couldn't have worn a bright jacket to call attention to the outfit. Why not? It's a pop concert, it's festive, it's fun, and she's young so wear a color to jazz things up and get in the spirit of the event. Even something in a metallic thread material would have been just the thing.

 

[EIIR]

Apparently Kate's vulgar, inappropriate and offensive dress from Zara is now sold out in the US, Canada and only available in XS on the UK site.

No other royal has this kind of power which I suppose explains a lot of the animosity she faces on this website.

 

[princess gertrude]

There is nothing wrong with the outfit. I liked the dress, very cute and appropriate for a pop concert. Yes, there are some things that I would have liked to have seen done differently, a smaller belt perhaps or a less structured jacket or sweater. But overall she looks fine for what she's doing. What I have issue with is the constant hair touching, if you can't keep your hands out of your hair, cut it or style it differently. And the blush was a bit heavy handed, I think she would benefit from a makeup lesson or two. But I do love the Duchess, young and fresh and she makes William and Charles (for that matter) smile.

 

[blauerengel]

The dress looks very nice but it´s the way you wear it that makes the difference.With the belt you can´t see the tulip shape and it would be great to see her wearing it again for a different occasion with other accessoires.I really adore Catherine and it´s not about picking on her so that I feel better but I expect someone with her resources and such a public role to dress better than average girls.
With her great figure,hair and face she could outshine most women,but she seems to be less confident about her style after she married...it´s probably very difficult to live in the spotlight all the time but she could hire someone to advise and help her so she doesn´t need to worry about fashion and makeup or if she is dressed appropriate for the occasion.

 

[soapstar]

This dress is incredibly adorable.

The thing that people here seen to be choosing to ignore is that this was a POP CONCERT!!! This event will have been attended by thousands of other people in jeans and mini dresses. This is not a gala event in the vein of the Royal Variety Performance or a night at the Royal Opera House.

With regards to the dress being too short, did I miss something and we're now in the 1950's???? That dress is nowhere near too short, it's a mini dress is the style which is very much in at the moment. She's wearing fairly dark tights which means she can get away with the shorter hemline. If this dress is 'vulgar' then you'd all think I'm a tramp when you see me heading out with my friends.

She was criticised last week for wearing an expensive dress. So she wears a dress that most people can afford and gets criticised still. She wore a bright green dress last week and was savaged for it and so wears something more demure and is savaged for wearing a dull colour.

I truly hope that Catherine never stumbles upon this forum because if she read these threads I wouldn't blame her for wanting to sit in a dark room and never go out!! No other royal female gets anywhere near this level of vitriol and mean spiritedness and it makes this site an increasingly unpleasant place.

I totally agree. Princess Charlene wore a dress the same length as this one, to a daytime event (a school I believe) and didn't get called vulgar or whatever. Someone already mentioned CP Victoria's short dresses and Letizia has worn a few short ones recently, yet neither of them have been called vulgar. In fact, I think people liked Letizia's dress.

Kate's dress looks fine. It's cute and age appropriate. She was going to a pop concert where many of the other attendees were dressed casually. Last week she was called out for dressing too old, now she's dressing too young. It seems like she really can't win.

As for her makeup, I don't think it's changing any time soon. She's probably aware of the criticism about it, but obviously likes the way it looks. I have to admire that a little. She likes what she likes and isn't going to let others change her.

 

[Al_bina]

Apparently Kate's vulgar, inappropriate and offensive dress from Zara is now sold out in the US, Canada and only available in XS on the UK site.

No other royal has this kind of power which I suppose explains a lot of the animosity she faces on this website.

I wonder why anyone would be in a hurry to buy poorly made clothing from Zara, even if it is worn by someone famous. Does Zara provide Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with better made articles? Power to sell some clothing is more appropriate for models and celebrities, not for royals. As for the sold out vulgar dress, people tend to be sheeple.

 

[Lumutqueen]

I wonder why anyone would be in a hurry to buy poorly made clothing from Zara, even if it is worn by someone famous. Does Zara provide Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with a better made articles?

I didn't know Zara's clothes were poorly made, for the prices they shouldn't be.

 

[fandesacs2003]

The dress looks better on display than worn. The jacket and the belt are hidding its nice shape and i would choose opaque tights NOT shiny.
Nobody is perfect

 

[Al_bina]

I didn't know Zara's clothes were poorly made, for the prices they shouldn't be.

Given my personal experience from Zara's online shop in the UK, I would never buy a single item from this shop.

 

[fandesacs2003]

I do not agree! I bought some articles from Zara Woman line which perfectly lasted for more than 2 seasons very often worn.

 

[soapstar]

^Yep. My friend bought a skirt from Zara that has held up pretty well. Maybe it depends on what you buy.

 

[Duchessmary]

One word: BORING. Her hair is boring, her makeup is overdone. *sigh*. Next, please!

 

[agami.pearl]

On the website this dress seems to be beige/black on Kate white/black. It's just a light or there are two color versions? she overdose the accessories, dress is enough nice, with all this black lost 'festive look'. Now it's just another printed dress.

 

[miche]

I cut my hair, it is very short right now and I still touch it constantly unless I wear a hat or a beaning. It a nervous habits, it doesn't matter if she shave it all off, she will still be touching her head.

 

[LovelyKate]

Posters here are pretty tough. If you want to see vulgar, go to the Daily Mail's femail column. Kate has never looked vulgar, ever. If you step back a bit, this was a POP concert, she's young and this is a young look. Using black/grey kept it from screaming. A red jacket, for example, with the black/white and grey would have called more attention to itself. I think she managed to look youthful and less serious than usual without crossing the "too much" line or into the dread vulgar territory.

I agree with you, as the vulgarity is concerned: Kate is not vulgar.
However, I still consider that this dress is not apropriate. I think that there are other ways to have a young look than wearing this kind of dress for an official event. Kate has to find her style, she's still looking for herself - what a gap between the green granny dress she wore last week and this zara dress! She's beautiful, she's very elegant, and no doubt that when she'll wear the right outfit for the right event, she'll be a stunner. Especially if she tries another make up.

 

[carlota]

i think she looks great. yes, the dress is short but:
-it doesn't make her look at all vulgar, i think she can carry it with elegance,
-she is young and this was an informal event.

it's a beautiful dress and i'm glad she keeps to her motto of using high street clothes every now and again. she proves that she can look just as great in a zara dress or in a haute couture one. it's crisis times, even for the monarchy.

 

[4Pam]

I thought Kate looked very nice for a concert. Black & white may seem boring but Kate knows what works best for her so, why not wear it? I see nothing wrong with her outfit at all.

 

[Empress Merel]

A short dress can look very elegant for evening wear. However, the dress Kate chose rather resembled a "party dress" for a young girl. Wrong style for her completely. The black hose also looked harsh. The jacket was smart and elegant though but not enough to lift the overall look.

Ehh, party dress for a young girl? Have you ever seen a ''party dress'' for a young girl? I'm 18 and I'm telling you, that is not a dress I or most others would choose to wear. That dress is not young but occasion approriate I guess. It's more office-y to me. Camilla looked, gasp, slightly more like she was heading for a fun night out.