Wessex to Edinburgh: Dukedoms, designers and definitely bling - royal style and beauty

[Maireas]

Join the gang!
Waves to long term friends, happy to see newbies!

[paradyning]

Looks like Kate has some interested corset detail on the back of her suit today! And a lively blue hat

[Serenster]

Ooh - is Camilla wearing the Prince Albert sapphire brooch??

Loving the drama of Kate’s look - real Alexis Carrington vibes! I am here for that 😀

[stillavid]

Am loving Kate's outfit. she has been very dull style wise recently but this is super chic.

Is it Alessandra Rich?

[stillavid]

I can correct myself, Erdem allegedly.

[Serenster]

Excellent, will add it to the list of Erdems I love 😀

[maisiedaisy64]

Love this, must see if I can find a full
length photo! No idea where she is either

[Maireas]

I think that's the first Erdem I've liked!
Very chic and stylish. Great hat - and proper earrings! I think they were Diana's double sapphires.

[gluenotsoup]

Love Sophie’s outfit, that’s beautiful!
Kate looks very chic too, lovely Erdem! I have to disagree about the hat though, it’s the wrong shade of navy and I would have picked the shade of cream of the dress lining. Sapphire 😍

[gluenotsoup]

With pics

[AdaColeman]

I was just musing that Jamie Lee Curtis in her other guise as The Right Honourable The Lady Haden-Guest might be attending the Coronation. If so, an ideal time for a rewear of her lovely Oscar gown, if that agrees with the dress code of course.

[WontTheRealSlimSheldyPlsFuckoff]

Oh that is quite a striking outfit on Kate there.

[Maireas]

Good point, @AdaColeman - I'm sure I've seen her in a tiara at some sort of peerage event.

[Maireas]

Sophie's coat and bag - very nice.

[GrouchyKiwi]

Are Kate and Sophie at the Commonwealth Service? I have a feeling that was coming up.

Re the Oscars: Malala looked AMAZING, and I loved the drama of Cara D's gown, if not the height of the slit. There was a lady in a beautiful cream and green creation that I also loved, and Sandra Oh looked amazing as well.

[Maireas]

Yes, it's the Commonwealth Service.

[AdaColeman]

I love Kate's ensemble for the Commonwealth Service today, though I think the hat would have been improved with a different coloured embellishment, perhaps acid green, just a splash of another colour to lift the navy blue.

Sophie looked nice, but her hat was a bit too Air Stewardess Uniform I thought, hopefully she will soon add a bit of Duchess Dash to her style.

[TangledUpInTiaras]

I don't get why Kate almost always matches it so rigidly.

Totally agree that it would have been much nicer with a different colour to lift the whole thing. Or at least cream/white instead to match the lining, with a navy embellishment, although that's still a bit matchy for me. Nothing wrong with that but she does it so often that it's always nice to see something different.

I also didn't think the blue in the hat looked particularly good with the dark blue of her outfit. But overall a gorgeous ensemble, and some lovely bling too. Erdem FTW!

[CanOfPop]

I like the lining of the blue dress. But the blue of the hat does not match the blue of the dress. So it just looks wrong.

[paradyning]

I really love Kate's outfit today! (I know shock horror what's wrong with me etc etc).
She has the prince of wales brooch on as well.

[paradyning]

@CanOfPop

I like the lining of the blue dress. But the blue of the hat does not match the blue of the dress. So it just looks wrong.

I know what you mean about the hat colour but it looks different in different photos. Must be the nap reflecting differently in different lights

[Maireas]

Lovely updo
Good hairdresser.

[KillingMeDeftly]

Sophie will be serving the drinks as soon as the turbulence dies down...

[TangledUpInTiaras]

Yes. The hat is okay from the back with the black embellishment, and goes well with her bag, which I do like. But from the front very nurse/air hostess.

[SenecaFallsRedux]

@AdaColeman

I was just musing that Jamie Lee Curtis in her other guise as The Right Honourable The Lady Haden-Guest might be attending the Coronation. If so, an ideal time for a rewear of her lovely Oscar gown, if that agrees with the dress code of course.

I was thinking the same thing when I was watching the Oscars last night. Lord Haden-Guest looked pretty spiffy, too.

[AdaColeman]

Re the Oscars... I thought Angela Bassett wore the best "Awards" gown, a striking colour, and a dazzlingly beautiful complex shaped frock in a gorgeous gleaming fabric.

Ralph Lauren cleverly pulled off a difficult task for Malala, balancing modesty with glamour, making her stand out in the crowd by emphasising her demure beauty. I loved the soft alluring drape of the dress from the rushed waist, contrasted with the long tight sleeves, and the choice of shimmering silver fabric was a genius touch.

I liked the design ideas that were Giambattista Valli's inspiration for his gown for Alison Williams, the sheer jewel encrusted shift with the huge sweeping over dress. I especially liked the clever way the overdress trailing skirt was shaped with gathers, and the glittering shift dress fabric was amazing, but somehow it didn't really work. Maybe the feathers on the hem were a step too far, had they been added because the shift was too short?
<shuts up now!>