Royal style & gossip: back to style, back to reality...

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Sorry! I was in a meeting and dropped the ball.

Previous thread and previous rules apply!

@BertrandRussell because while someone might recognise the dress as smartworks they won’t know whether you bought it or were given it. Levels the field.

It's very clever because not only does it generate huge publicity for everyone involved, it shares the cost out. So while the store is subsidising the donation, they're probably not completely losing out and, importantly, they're getting people into the store/onto their website so even if there is a financial impact, it's chalked up to marketing.

And I think it makes complete sense to donate clothes, particularly for this charity. Their entire thing is about helping women to feel confident by dressing, and acting the part when they go for job interviews. Sending them off to M&S with a voucher is not exactly going to do the trick!

And of course they might choose to sell the items after. But many of them will value that outfit and how it helped them, will save it for special occasions or even re-donate it back to Smartworks.

I am giving them credit. Mothers are incredibly selfless and always put themselves last.

I know I would have spent the vouchers on the children rather than myself at that stage in life. It's an instinct to look after them first.

Trying to get a job and have a career isn’t putting yourself last.

Using a voucher that can be used as an investment in your future on a treat that will gone or forgotten isn’t selfless. It’s stupid.

If you have ever worked at the sharp end for a charity you will recognise the “rail of end of season lilac blazers” heart sink feeling.

Oh yes, I know that one

I think giving clothes is a good thing. Anyway, surely rather than handing one regulation dress, shirt and trousers to each woman, what this means is there will be more basics available to choose from - perhaps to pair with a lilac blazer, should one feel the need? It seems to me that the collection has been chosen so it will go with lots of things - I could wear those trousers with a tweed blazer I already own and look smart, for instance, rather than being handed out as a complete set.

I know I would have spent the vouchers on the children rather than myself at that stage in life. It's an instinct to look after them first.

But wouldn’t you be looking after them
Better in the long term if you used that voucher to invest in your job and your future?

The only thing I think might be iffy about the Smartworks thing is that the shirt designer is a friend. All the businesses involved stand to make money from this as well, and it would be a shame if the intiative is marred by this. Otherwise it makes good sense from the POV of charity and business, and the women who need the charity's help get more choice.

In other news, Princess Madeleine has been interviewed by mum magazine "Mama". Cover picture attached. News from the article include that she was in labour and three cm dilated at PCP and Sofia's wedding. Prince Daniel had to chat at the dinner when she had contraction pains so she could focus on just smiling. She spent the service wondering what she'd do if her water's broke. Stay seated? Also, her children don'tknow they're royal. She says that people in Sweden are very kind and give them a lot of privacy. They are seldom approached when out and about with the kids.

I’m not getting the Lilac blazer thing

With Vouchers , maybe they can only be redeemable on clothes or shoes.

Or better yet JL ,M&S go to SmartWorks with a big variety of clothes and style the women.

I just think the Idea was initially good, focus on this particular charity which looks like it needs a lot of help. But the whole capsule collection was basically one item pair retailer, I was under the impression that each retailer would launch a whole capsule ‘wardrobe’ of back to work clothes. Not worth the hype M&S and JL are getting !

“I’m not getting the Lilac blazer thing”

What don’t you get?

Princess Madeleine is very relatable somehow. Very rich, wears lots of couture but somehow still appealing.

Omg go Madeleine! She was so heavily pregnant at that wedding but still managed to look amazing.

@BertrandRussell

“I’m not getting the Lilac blazer thing”

What don’t you get?

Why do you put quotation marks round posts you are referencing rather than put them in bold?

Asking for a friend.

Surely the idea of smart works is to support women getting into work with a decent interview or first day outfit? The capsule collection looks great to me and smart works will have additional good quality items for the women they support. When I had my first job I had a black skirt and one blouse which I washed each night! As I got each month's salary I added one item. Smart works would have been a brilliant resource. The collection spearheaded by Meghan also raises its profile and will hopefully encourage people to pass on good quality stuff for more women to benefit from. Does anyone know if there's a men's version? I am pleased that Meghan has used her considerable status to support charities like this. Nothing against RHS and other 'royal ' charities but these new and younger ones are also meeting a big need

Eh? Because I was quoting another poster- is that wrong? Is there a house style i’m missing?

Madeleine's outfit. CPV looked amazing too. In H&M if I recall
orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2015/06/prince-carl-philip-sofias-wedding.html?m=1

Sorry- that was to @Antigonads.

I thought accepted MN house style for quoting another poster was to put it in bold.

Bertrand maybe Ive missed something ? But I don’t get the Lilac Blazer reference, did someone donate a lilac blazer? Is it a reference for unwanted stock?
And there is no need to be snippy about it. You were not obliged to answer.

I’m sorry @queenofthefairies- but the DofS explained in her speech and several other posters did too. One of the problems with accepting donations is that people sometimes use it as a way to get rid of stuff that they can’t sell at the end of the season.(and expect the charity to be grateful!) A rack of 40 lilac blazers for example. A “heartsink” moment for donation sorters. And a proxy for “these people are poor, they should be grateful for anything”.

And i’m truly sorry for sounding snippy. It was obvious to me- but there is no reason why it should have been to anyone else.

I think the rail of lilac blazers were the catalyst for the realisation that what was needed was key basics as they don’t get donated so much.

Madeleine's outfit. CPV looked amazing too. In H&M if I recall
orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2015/06/prince-carl-philip-sofias-wedding.html?m=1 Haha this article has such brilliant descriptions of KCG:s sisters as well, love it. They just rocked up, they did.

@Sooverthemill There's a similar organisation for men called Suited & Booted.

I agree that it's nice this initiative and the Together cookbook to see smaller charities get some attention and, judging from this initiative and the Together cookbook, Meghan seems to have a very practical (or is it American?) attitude towards being involved with charities that goes beyond just "raising awareness".

@banivani I remember seeing photos of Princess Birgitta in her jumpsuit at CPV's wedding and thinking she looked a character. She clearly Gs no Fs!