Kate Down Under...the fashion verdict so far...

[susannahmoodie]

Changed my username when I changed my password but am a regular...

Thought we could enjoy a (shallow and lighthearted, yes) analysis of Kate's antipodean wardrobe choices?

I'm finding it all a bit matchy matchy so far, all the colour blocking reminds me of the queen herself.

Would like to see we in more trousers other than the skinny navy jeans + Breton combo which has been done to death.

I like her wearing the skinny jeans and Breton combo - I think that is her "true" style (ie pretty much what a lot of us wear bar the 4 inch wedges)

The other stuff has been dictated by the Queen so not surprised that she looks like a mini Liz. Must be hard to have your husband's granny tell you what you can/can't wear.

I feel sorry for her in the 'formal' outfits, coatdresses and matching hats, they are pretty dreadful and I can't believe they are Kate's choice.

I was waiting for the wedges to appear, they are dreadful! I wish she would do what Diana did and get Vogue to style her. She is gorgeous with an amazing figure, designers would be killing themselves to dress her considering everything she wears sells out instantly.

I've really liked a lot of what she's worn so far, especially the black and white dress at the Plunket play date, the red coat on arrival and the cornflower blue suit at the ANZAC service.

Skinny jeans and Breton - predictable, but what else would she wear to go sailing? I didn't love the blazer, to be fair. Also didn't like the emerald green outfit, but that's as much because I hate exposed zips.

Her legs are amazing.

Also - Wills has spent his life training for this role. She has not. She is doing amazingly well - her confidence and poise is faultless. She hasn't put a foot wrong.

It has to be said, they're going down extremely well down here.

Breton top wasn't great tbh - stripes didn't match up at the seams (a la Sewing Bee)

I love the strong colours she has been wearing.

Wish she could wear her own thing though. Some of the outfits are a tad frumpy but she does not have a choice really.

Wish she would wear her hair up more.

I thought that about the stripes! I have a rifle through the rail to get good stripes.

I hate the royal colour blocking thing. Matchy hat, dress, bag etc.

Apparently the Queen does it so she stands out in one uniform colour. I think it makes her (and Kate) look like Teletubbies (slim ones!)

I think Catherine has looked fabulous. Of course some of her sartorial choices are not what I would wear however one must be mindful that this woman is the future Queen and can't be seen parading around in cutting edge fashion.

I really think that what she wears is perfectly befitting of her status as the wife of the heir to the throne.

I have to admit I have loved seeing what Prince George has worn.

I think her hemlines have been too long - many sit below the knee - making her look a bit frumpy. I absolutely loved the Tony Burch (?) dress which she wore for George's playdate, the jeans combo was fine and sensible for the activities, blue coat was just middle aged looking - might have looked better with a few inches lopped off! She must have taken advice from somewhere having moved from dresses to the coat/dress look and it adds too many years.

I loved the Tory Burch dress too. Everything else she's looked gorgeous in apart from the second navy blazer.

I've only seen a couple of things. Really liked the Tory Burch dress and didn't like the red- too strong.

I really like Kate's style but I agree with other posters who say she could afford to dress a bit more 'young'.

However, I was surprised the other day at how deliberately Diana-ey her outfits seem to be. The red outfit for getting off the plane just like Diana, and I hadnt realised that her 'coming out of hospital' outfit was so similar as well.

I find it all a bit strange.

I find the dress code that she seems to be following to be really strange. Knee length skirts, god-awful boring heels, high necklines, long fitted sleeves, tan shiny tights.

No trousers, only two pairs of shoes, no patterns or multiple colours. Why? She's a young, attractive woman with a great figure. Why does she have to wear such prescriptive styles? There's so many fabulous clothes that she could wear, and so many glorious shoes. (I hate her shoes. Both pairs)

The skirt of the red suit she wore today in Chch seems to have been lengthened by a couple of inches. There's nothing wrong with her knees, why do they need to be covered? Why couldn't she wear trousers and flat shoes for the baby playdate last week? I'm a kiwi, so I don't really get the hat thing either.

She dresses quite similar to me for events and work and I have a good ten years in her and am not that stylish. In fact a few times she has worn something that I have which had made me reconsider and put it on ebay - good for the bank balance though.

Tbh I think she's damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. She always looks smart if a little boring and safe. BUT if she wore anything slightly more exciting she risks offending older royals and those she is visiting. It's workwear. I'd love to see what she wears when no-one is watching...

I agree glee, I have to dress in a very safe conservative manner for work as I teach, i dress very differently in real life. I guess she is doing the same.

The light blue McQueen had been altered for her - the second frill (above the waistline) had been removed. The red dress yesterday was longer than when she wore it in St Andrew's a couple of years ago - or more likely a different dress with the same jacket. I think she should wear the designer stuff but keep it as it is - don't try to 'sensible it up' (or down, more like). I am not sure she can do much about the boring tan tights and heels - what else could she wear, really? I agree, far less colour blocking and more contrast colours. However, I still think she looks pretty amazing and I would kill for her legs. I actually think she should wear less High St and more designer. Zara stuff will sell out regardless - we all wear High St. The British fashion industry needs the publicity abroad, so Kate should get selling the designer stuff to the people watching who can afford it.

She looks well but a little pattern wouldn't go a miss.

I love Kate Middleton, she has to dress that way I think. She seems very careful and cautious as a person IMO. I am not crazy about some of the down under outfits - the green coat and today's red blazer outfit

I love her in pink and nude (christening outfit for eg)

Also loved the first outfit off the flight.

Lol at slim tellietubbies. Tellitinies, perhaps?

I Jjust think the whole look is so SAFE. London fashion is renowned for being a bit edgy or clever; she could be showcasing lots of young designers who would love her to wear their stuff. It doesn't have to be outlandish, just a bit wittier. Anglomania rather than full on Vivien Westwood ripped tartan iykwim.

Phil - I teach too, secondary, like you and have been SLT. So smart, but not dull

Anglomania is very safe as well though - it is one of my workwear staples - and because she lacks curves it will look even safer.

I suspect I am very dull sassy.

Sorry, posted too soon - smart, appropriate clothing doesn't have to be dull, esp when you are young and very slim. She has a clothes horse figure...and let's face it, that's about the level of her job isn't it? Look good and smile nicely in photos. So do it cleverly!