The Duchess of Cornwall's Fashion & Style Part 7: June 2014 - May 2015

[muriel]

Originally Posted by MARG

You illustrated the reason her dresses need room to move and even that her boots have their place (I didn't actually take the nature of the engagement into account). Exactly that effect has been achieved before this tour wardrobe and it didn't look so bad.

Unfortunately, against all those examples you used to illustrate your point, (lovely) it makes her US Tour Wardrobe seem even worse. All those seams and patches in odd places and funny necklines that left so many ensembles looking lumpy and frumpy.

I have always admired Camilla's style as it suits real women of a certain age and is, more often than not, elegant and stylish. But this tour wardrobe veers madly away from her usual style, and not in a good way. Does anyone have any credible sources that can tell us why she changed her style so radically? Even reasonable theories would be a start.

I agree, some of her recent suits have been quite fussy, and not the usual style we have come to love (and expect!) from Camilla. I do think a lot of this is to do with Bruce Oldfield replacing Anna Valentine as the clothing designer of choice. BO has done some amazing clothes for Camilla, most notably the lovely evening gowns over the last 2 - 3 years. I think his day suits for her have been less of a success.

[AdmirerUS]

I think you all care far more than the DOC does. I remember back in earlier years of the marriage the scuffed heels on pumps and all the times she wore knee highs instead of long hose under her skirts. She's just not that into the fashion details. As long as she looks somewhat appropriate, I think she has hit her own fashion goals.

And frankly, I think it is a bit refreshing that she (like the Queen) is not trying to wear the latest thing or get squeezed into a tight suit because that's what people are wearing.

She dresses for work - as her husband does. She will wear things over and over. She will be comfortable, a bit dull and probably will not meet your expectations for how things should be done. She has her own set of standards that suit her just fine. Good for her.

[casualfan]

Originally Posted by AdmirerUS

I think you all care far more than the DOC does. I remember back in earlier years of the marriage the scuffed heels on pumps and all the times she wore knee highs instead of long hose under her skirts. She's just not that into the fashion details. As long as she looks somewhat appropriate, I think she has hit her own fashion goals.

And frankly, I think it is a bit refreshing that she (like the Queen) is not trying to wear the latest thing or get squeezed into a tight suit because that's what people are wearing.

She dresses for work - as her husband does. She will wear things over and over. She will be comfortable, a bit dull and probably will not meet your expectations for how things should be done. She has her own set of standards that suit her just fine. Good for her.

The difference is that the Queen dresses up to her status as the people's Queen and a representative of the United Kingdom. Camilla dresses like she forgets what a tailor is.

No one's asking her to rock jeggings, but one would settle for well-fitting clothes with some sense that we live in the 21st century.

[Queen Camilla]

A review of her clothes from 2005 or earlier shows classic cuts and styles.

Most of her dresses and suits were simple and elegant. The dress coats were simple with clean lines without pockets and minimal or no embellishments.

Now there are pockets, bands, embroidery, dangling sashes and all kinds of decorations, add ons and patterns on almost every item of clothing. She has pleats on top of pockets.

Her wardrobe in 2005 featured pastels and brighter colors.

Now her summer clothes are creams and her winter clothes are navy blue unless she wears something from 2005.

Originally Posted by casualfan

Camilla dresses like she forgets what a tailor is.

Camilla does not have a tailor she has Oldfield, which it the problem.

He nor his team can sew. She need a tailor who can cut the pattern to fit her shape. Oldfied uses bands and bits of material to try to compensate for his lack of tailoring skill.

[Al_bina]

Most of The Duchess of Cornwall's suits are poorly-tailored. Various decorations and other embellishments often look awkward and unnecessary. She does have a nice collection of the hats.

[wyevale]

Bring back Anna Valentine PDQ !

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Queen Camilla

Camilla does not have a tailor she has Oldfield, which it the problem.

He nor his team can sew. She need a tailor who can cut the pattern to fit her shape. Oldfied uses bands and bits of material to try to compensate for his lack of tailoring skill.

Wow ! Bruce Oldfield killed your goldfish or what ? The problem is that Bruce Oldfield is very talented but his skills are more telling on 4 size models than on a 67 years old woman with a generous body.
Plus some dresses made for Camilla were quite successful :

Prince Henrik Of Denmark Pictures - The Prince Of Wales And Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Denmark - Day Three - Zimbio

James Bond Pictures - Dame Judi Dench seen attending the world premiere of film 'Skyfall' held at London's Royal Albert Hall - Zimbio

Camila Parker Bowles Pictures - The State Opening of Parliament in London 5 - Zimbio

Camilla Parker Bowles Pictures - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles Visit Sri Lanka: Day 2 - Zimbio

[Queen Camilla]

Originally Posted by Nico

The problem is that Bruce Oldfield is very talented but his skills are more telling on 4 size models than on a 67 years old woman with a generous body.
Plus some dresses made for Camilla were quite successful :

Prince Henrik Of Denmark Pictures - The Prince Of Wales And Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Denmark - Day Three - Zimbio

James Bond Pictures - Dame Judi Dench seen attending the world premiere of film 'Skyfall' held at London's Royal Albert Hall - Zimbio

Camila Parker Bowles Pictures - The State Opening of Parliament in London 5 - Zimbio

Camilla Parker Bowles Pictures - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles Visit Sri Lanka: Day 2 - Zimbio

His skills do not translate to a womanly figure so he compensate with bands, bows and seams that fail.

I did not like any of the gowns

The Denmark dress could fix better and the extra material on the hips should be removed.

The Skyfall dress top is oddly made and doesn't flow naturally to the skirt.

The Parliament dress is a band used to shape rather than tailoring.

The Sri Lanka dress is the best but the lace could have been extended. This is another example of material used to shape rather than tailoring.

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Nico

Wow ! Bruce Oldfield killed your goldfish or what ? The problem is that Bruce Oldfield is very talented but his skills are more telling on 4 size models than on a 67 years old woman with a generous body.
Plus some dresses made for Camilla were quite successful :

Prince Henrik Of Denmark Pictures - The Prince Of Wales And Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Denmark - Day Three - Zimbio

James Bond Pictures - Dame Judi Dench seen attending the world premiere of film 'Skyfall' held at London's Royal Albert Hall - Zimbio

Camila Parker Bowles Pictures - The State Opening of Parliament in London 5 - Zimbio

Camilla Parker Bowles Pictures - Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles Visit Sri Lanka: Day 2 - Zimbio

I have always maintained that the Oldfield gowns are amazing, it s just the day dresses that end up being far too fussy for Camilla.

Bring back Anna Valentine!!

[US Royal Watcher]

Personally, I liked the cream (or dove gray) arrival outfit and the gray coat she wore on the second day. I didn't agree with her other fashion choices although I thought the colors she wore were very flattering.

[iceflower]

.

The Duchess of Cornwall at the launch of the 'Travels to My Elephant' Rickshaw Race at Clarence House yesterday, March 26:



** Full view 1 ** Full view 2 **

[muriel]

Originally Posted by iceflower

.

The Duchess of Cornwall at the launch of the 'Travels to My Elephant' Rickshaw Race at Clarence House yesterday, March 26:



** Full view 1 ** Full view 2 **

I thought she looked lovely. The oft-used scarf did a great job of lightening the whole outfit, IMO.

[ladongas]

Bruce Oldfield designs and makes what he designs and makes. It's not up to him to change his entire aesthetic to suit Camilla. Camilla has a daughter, a sister, a dresser, a daughter-in-law, friends, and countless pictures of herself. If she can't see that her clothes are unflattering, and her associates don't tell her, then it is the lady herself whose taste and judgment are the issue.

(I love Peter Pilotto's clothes, but I would look ridiculous in them, and it wouldn't be his fault.)

[US Royal Watcher]

Originally Posted by muriel

I thought she looked lovely. The oft-used scarf did a great job of lightening the whole outfit, IMO.

I'm not sure about the boots but overall she looked very nice. It's a great color for her and the scarf is a nice accessory.

[MARG]

Liked the colour and cut of her suit and loved the way the scarf lightened the whole "look". But, I am not a fan of what looks like suede winter boots worn for an indoor occasion that essentially looks to be a seme-casual cocktail affair.

Wearing such boots indoors is kind of like wearing gumboots in the kitchen. Not a good look!

[Roslyn]

The boots do seem odd, but my objection to them stems not so much from the fact she's wearing them indoors but more from the fact they don't seem to go with the dress.

I was thinking maybe she'd had to travel on a cold, bleak, day and the boots matched her coat, but the function was at Clarence House so that argument doesn't fly. Even if she did travel there that day, she would surely have shoes there that she could change into. Perhaps she had a run in her pantyhose and didn't have a spare pair! I feel there must be a reason for such an odd choice. Perhaps she gets cold feet and the heating at Clarence House is really bad!

[Queen Camilla]

Originally Posted by ladongas

Bruce Oldfield designs and makes what he designs and makes. It's not up to him to change his entire aesthetic to suit Camilla.

If these clothes are custom made then they should fix properly.
If Camilla is paying Oldfield for custom clothes then they should be made for Camilla's body and shape.

If Camilla is purchasing Oldfield items already manufactured then that is entirely different.

Originally Posted by Roslyn

The boots do seem odd, but my objection to them stems not so much from the fact she's wearing them indoors but more from the fact they don't seem to go with the dress.

I was thinking maybe she'd had to travel on a cold, bleak, day and the boots matched her coat, but the function was at Clarence House so that argument doesn't fly. Even if she did travel there that day, she would surely have shoes there that she could change into. Perhaps she had a run in her pantyhose and didn't have a spare pair! I feel there must be a reason for such an odd choice. Perhaps she gets cold feet and the heating at Clarence House is really bad!

The function was held in the garden. Several people were wearing boots including Ruth Powys. The ground was probably muddy.

Originally Posted by MARG

Liked the colour and cut of her suit and loved the way the scarf lightened the whole "look". But, I am not a fan of what looks like suede winter boots worn for an indoor occasion that essentially looks to be a seme-casual cocktail affair.

Wearing such boots indoors is kind of like wearing gumboots in the kitchen. Not a good look!

I didn't like the style of the dress/coat. The side cut/fold was not attractive.

The boots were worn because it was an outdoor event.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by Queen Camilla

The function was held in the garden. Several people were wearing boots including Ruth Powys. The ground was probably muddy.

OK. If the function was held in the garden, the boots are fine.

[MARG]

Indeed, if it was in the garden it's all sweet. The indoor photos misled me.

[HereditaryPrincess]

Camilla looks nice in her latest outfit and that shade of blue suits her, though I think the scarf spoils it a little because it's patterned. The boots are nice individually but I don't think they completely work with the dress. I love her brooch, doesn't Queen Maxima have a similar one or am I imagining things?