Royal Style 👑 Evenings drawing in, more bling?

[Maireas]

Evening all! Next thread ready...

Yes, that’s true actually.

Today's Times magazine has a top 5 selection of long tartan kilts/skirts so I assume Catherine's skirt is very of the moment.

Yes, looks like it

But it’s the styling. I was wearing a pleated skirt, with blouse and heels like that to the office in 1985. I wouldn’t wear it all now as it looks rather dated styled like that.

https://www.newmyroyals.com/2026/10/princess-stephanie-and-her-children.html?m=1
Meanwhile Stephanie and her children have attended a gala together.

I know some people don't get on with the NMR website, but I hope you can see the pictures. Stephanie in bright red, it's cut a little high around the arms, but I quite like it. The other dresses are very glamorous. Especially Marie's.

Ah but that's only because we remember 1985. 😊

That is true. I remember how fashionable the 1930s look was at some point in the 1970s, so I suppose it’s the same interval, which is rather sobering. Just as long as pale grey with pastel yellow and/or pink doesn’t return.

Hey my favourite outfit in 1983 was a pale grey, pink and yellow striped ra-ra skirt and matching top, worn with a high slide pony tail. In my defence I was still in single digits age wise.

Kate was 3 years old in 1985 though - these are not fashions she has worn before so they won’t strike her as dated. In the same way I (10 years or so older than Kate) don’t see fashions from the 1970s or 1960s as dated - they rather look vintage and interesting. My Mother considered them dated though when I wore anything inspired by those eras.

And yes, fashion is hugely cyclical. The 1980s borrowed liberally from the 1940s - you just have to look at Dynasty to see this. Those people watching it as teenagers in the 1980s probably had grandmothers who thought it all horribly dated, while the teenagers thought it impossibly glam!

Now I was a huge fan of old Hollywood glamour 30s and 40s. Had lots of books.

Good point!

I'm only a few years older than Kate so I never wore those fashions before either but that skirt with high heeled pumps is still not to my taste! I don't think it looks particularly 80s though - Joan Collins as Alexis would never!

I would think Catherine puts a lot of thought in to what she's wearing every time she's visiting/meeting up. It may not be to our taste but is obviously hers. Perhaps she just can't be parted from her heels!

I don’t understand why heels are considered old fashioned? You still see loads of women wearing them in the office and on nights out , weddings etc. ie to “ dress up “ a bit. Isn’t that what Kate is doing?

I had two kilts in the 1980s. And some incredibly comfortable heels because I was on my feet all day.
My boss has a grey leather jacket and matching tie. I hope William doesn't copy.
The droopy dresses were awful. Especially the peach ones with grey or white stilettos.

https://www.queenletiziastyle.com/blog/queen-letizia-brings-back-pertegaz-for-spanish-reception-in-helsinki
Leti and Felipe on a three day visit to Helsinki. No tartan.

A feather and rhinestone jacket sounds a bit much, but actually I rather like it, it adds a bit of fun. Everything else is pared down. I like the black cigarette cut trousers and of course her trusty low heeled slingbacks.

The fit of both Leti’s and Felipe’s suits are superb. The shape is incredibly flattering and Leti looks amazing….apart from the Oscar the Grouch affair on the bottom half of the sleeves 🤔

Felipe and Leti know about tailoring. Everything always fits so well (with occasional glitches from Letizia).
Oscar the Grouch? No! It's a bit of fun, otherwise it's just another (albeit a very nice) plain black suit!

I like it in theory because, as you say, Maireas it should add a bit of fun, which is what fashion is about. However I think that as the feathers are a bit sparse (which I suppose they would have to be), it looks a bit like pulled threads iyswim. Maybe they would look better in a contrasting colour like a jewel purple 🤷‍♀️

Lots of points for it being a re wear though

Purple? Well, that wouldn't be my choice!
I rather like it.

Derek Guy, who comments on men’s clothing on X, absolutely idolises Felipe’s tailoring and regularly explains what makes it so perfect.

Felipe always looks sharp. He's an inspo to other royal men. Naming no names.

https://www.queenletiziastyle.com/blog/queen-letizia-in-signature-hugo-boss-for-flight-to-finland
Whereas this suit... I'm not a fan....
Felipe great as ever, the cut and colour does nothing for Leti. Hugo Boss again.