The Duchess of Cambridge's Eveningwear Part 6: October 2015 - April 2016

[Curryong]

It's a miss for me, I'm afraid. I really prefer lighter colours on Kate and this dress does nothing for her IMO. I wish she would wear more updos and partial updoos like loose chignons, too. That hair is terribly distracting. The earrings can scarcely be seen.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

... [snipped]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/...9970258912.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/...9970270795.jpg

I am not sure whether the dress was a proper choice for the engagement. The dress per se did not flatter Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, at all. Inelegant posture further aggravated the look.

[Danishla]

Originally Posted by Parrothead

How on earth can anyone tell what jewelry she is wearing with all that hair in her face? She looks like she is drowning in bad 1970s fashion with the hair, the dress and her slouchy posture! A pretty awful combination for her. I wish someone from the palace would take her aside, pull her hair off her face and tell her to stand up straight!!

Not a great look, she blends well with the other ladies in the photo

[cepe]

I really wish it was possible to have a sabbatical on the long hair complaints.

I know and accept that everyone's opinion is valid, but no complaint that some of you have repeatedly made has made a difference.

Maybe we need to go into hash mode. Just type #hairhate. Or #hairlove. Or #prefhairupdo

Instant understanding!

[Curryong]

Yes, but the other ladies in the photo aren't senior royals are they, about to embark on an official tour to a Commonwealth country? Also, complaints about Kate's slouching and her hair swamping everything when she wears it down are ones that come up again and again, and not just here on TRF. I think Kate's posture is the result of being tall and feeling she's towering over everyone, but it should be addressed all the same. It can spoil the look of a whole outfit.

[ladongas]

An "elegant slouch" can be the mark of a tasteful and graceful woman. Carole Lombard back in the 30's, and Maggie Gyllenhal, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton are noted practitioners today. A tall woman standing ramrod straight can be intimidating. and a princess doesn't want to intimidate her guests.

My 5 feet tall mother was obsessed with standing up straight, because she wanted to be sure of being noticed, or heard. A rather tall woman needn't fear being overlooked, and indeed, may wish to give the appearance of approachable intimacy.

If Catherine does slouch, she does it elegantly.

[Florestane]

It's a fashion thread - if the hair and posture spoil a look (subjective, I know) then I don't see a problem in saying so. Just as if it when we like it we comment.

It doesn't have to make a difference - it's highly unlikely she reads these forums to see whether we approve or not.

[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

Kate looks fab as usual. I like the dress, it and Kate got great reviews on social media. I'm looking forward to India

The sapphire blue was a nice choice for the occasion.

[Queen Camilla]

Not a good look. The color is nice and the matching shoes are okay.

I think she was trying to 'match' the Bhutanese women with an Indian designer dress. She was trying too hard to cover all aspects of her trip. She should have gone for a simple dress, whether a long simple dress or a dress where the hem reached her knees.

This dress looks like she recycled one of her mother's dresses from the 1970s.

It looks like it was a bridesmaid dress from the early 70s.

If she wore her hair in braids she would have looked like she was in the 1970s.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_nul8n9d.../s1600/kpn.jpg

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I said I like the dress. Maybe you missed it. My Twitter feed was/is full of positive reviews

As for the 'pattern' it's pretty much a rule of royal watching. If one likes royal 'A', one will put down other royals to boost royal 'A'

Not a hard and fast rule but it applies more often than not ( I'm just starting to flip through the fashion threads)

I think you are in error here. Fashion is fashion and there is no way I can boost another royal woman's sartorial taste by posting a negative view of Catherine's.

And yes, it is negative. The gown itself is quite quirky and I think if she had paired the hair, as the model did, with either very short hair or a high updo, she would have looked quite stunning. However, as per usual, the detailed neckline was obscured by copious amounts of hair, as indeed were her somewhat odd choice of earrings. As previously mentioned, the faux see-through look is just plain odd and the skirt was too long, as it pooled on the ground.

Basically, the dress itself was a beautiful nod to Regency times. However, the beautifully detailed collar contrasting with stunning see though elements made it a very 'Naughties' gown and as such should have been drooled over on the model and left there!

[Countessmeout]

I much prefer her last look by this designer

Kate Middleton Blue Dress Style | POPSUGAR Fashion

And here she had a nice half up do which would have helped now

[TLLK]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I didn't realise fashion threads were so negative. I don't post in other threads or follow other royals' fashion but I think I will start. It must be quite the gauntlet to run

I can assure you Rudolph that they are not typically negative. There are only a few universally on the TRF fashion threads which include: Queen Margrethe's "golden poppies," the bows on Princess Mabel's wedding gown, Queen Sonja's "Big Bird" gown come to mind, the red/pink/orange pants worn by some of our royal gentlemen.

Otherwise they are often just about the clothing, accessories or shoes worn by the royals we follow.

I love the color on the gown, but this isn't my favorite that she's worn. For this event I don't mind that her hair is down.

[titiromi]

She looked "blah" for me here. Not good not bad. She is hidden behind her hair.

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by cepe

I really wish it was possible to have a sabbatical on the long hair complaints.

I know what you mean, it does get old!

It's obvious that she likes her hair that way, and she isn't going to change, so we should just deal with it, imo.

As for the dress, it isn't one of her best looks, but she probably wanted to cover up, so it is an appropriate choice, if not very exciting.

[Catharina]

Originally Posted by ladongas

An "elegant slouch" can be the mark of a tasteful and graceful woman. Carole Lombard back in the 30's, and Maggie Gyllenhal, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton are noted practitioners today. A tall woman standing ramrod straight can be intimidating. and a princess doesn't want to intimidate her guests.

My 5 feet tall mother was obsessed with standing up straight, because she wanted to be sure of being noticed, or heard. A rather tall woman needn't fear being overlooked, and indeed, may wish to give the appearance of approachable intimacy.

If Catherine does slouch, she does it elegantly.

I fail to see how a bad posture would be elegant. I never slouch and that still doesn't take away from my approachability even though I'm tall. I am not willing to suffer back pain in order not to appear intimidating to shorter people. Unless you have a health issue that cannot be helped, I don't think bad habits should be glorified and admired.

Same goes with other appearance. Looking at Kate I feel like I should start skipping meals and I'm of normal weight. But I'm not thin enough for modern standards.

[Daria_S]

The color of the gown is very nice and it suits Catherine, but that's about it. At first glance, it looked like she was wearing a jumpsuit. Not a good look.


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[Pranter]

The color is gorgeous....the back of the gown is beautiful....then front is meh. I think if she would of pulled her hair back and worn some different jewelry the look would of been better for her.


LaRae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCEEmUJ736g

This gives a better look at the dress

[Elly C]

I agree that seeing the footage provides a better impression. I think a dash of a contrasting colour say a red shawl /sash might have made a striking outfit. I think we all keep making remarks about Kate's hair in the hopes that Pippa or a close friend might occasionally have a peep at this forum :)
I still can't quite decide whether I like this dress - definitely like the back.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

I know what you mean, it does get old!

It's obvious that she likes her hair that way, and she isn't going to change, so we should just deal with it, imo.

As for the dress, it isn't one of her best looks, but she probably wanted to cover up, so it is an appropriate choice, if not very exciting.

Its a fashion thread and how one styles the outfit is as important as the dress. It's not about the length of the hair but the fact she never contains it, its is always in her face, hiding her jewels, so on. Commenting on her hair style is the same as commenting on her dress. Just as people may complain every time she wears a coat dress (she obviously likes wearing them and isn't likely to change), we will comment on our desire to see her do something with her hair. Its a fashion thread, what we are here to do.

[miche]

She style her hair just like every women of today, this isn't the 60s so she doesn't have to wear her hair like it is.