Monday 20 June 2016

UK Royal Fashion Fluff, Fashion, and Getaway

I am off on my summer holiday this week and part of me is wishing I had postponed it a few days because I didn't take into regard the EU referendum that Britain is having on Thursday.

I have already warned my friend that I will venture out for dinner but I will be back glued to my new laptop for the results.  I can see why referendums are rare and once a generation because it is exhausting and I feel like I have been studying for a final exam.

That is why I thought I would do a nice fluffy piece that activates a completely different cerebral cortex.



I loved this story on the Daily Mail but even they didn't dare say the obvious.
The fact is due to patriotic and ambassadorial roles the largely politically defunct royal family have the importance of comportment and what they wear take on greater meaning and significance.

But also due to this ambassadorial role they are urged as an unwritten fashion rule to promote British fashion houses naturally.  I am also a fan of a few - my favourite being Amanda Wakely.

But this is why the "publicity tier" of the UK royal family will rarely be seen in Chanel or any other well known foreign fashion brand.  So seeing Amelia Windsor in Chanel and frankly blow everyone else away in the fashion stakes almost seemed unfair.  She has the advantage of being referred to as a 'minor royal'.
Imagine the furore if Kate wore Chanel to a public function although I personally find her support of dubious high street chains annoying - I refer to the whole True Cost issue.
I almost prefer she wore Chanel than Zara but that's another story.




Of course, it was the Queen's special day and I think yellow suits her tremendously.



She genuinely looked so pleased and happy for the special occasion.

I also liked her in the almost neon green dress on the Trooping of the Color when she told off Prince William.

But I agree with the Daily Mail and think that Amelia Windsor just picked an appropriate dress and suited her age and I always think that Chanel is best for occasion dressing.


I loved her shoes with the pearl details.




Her sister Marina also looks like she opted for Chanel and I liked her Chanel ensemble too.



Speaking of royal sisters...


The second star was the red dress and I have never seen Princess Eugenie look so lovely.


Princess Beatrice gets much maligned and I can't say I always like her choices but I admire that she takes fashion risks and seems to have a quiet confidence despite the harsh press she gets.


Kate wore a nice,sweet, and polite Catherine Walker dress.
It's a bit mother of the bride but I have given up on her being a genuine fashion icon.


Camilla knows what suits her and I must say she hasn't aged at all in the last decade since she has married Charles. 


Prince Charles hasn't veered off in his style of suits either.


Princess Anne is not known for her fashion but she is a genuinely busy woman and it's times like that I think fashion can be not even secondary but at the bottom of one's list.


Her daughter has heavenly bone structure and she doesn't play the whole press attention coy games as inherited by her mother.


`Princess Sophie wore a lovely coat dress that was my favourite out of all the coat dresses on parade.



Princess Michael wore a respectful outfit though I found the detail in the front somehow ruin the tailoring of the dress and the pleated skirt seemed a bit too much fabric.


The whole of the royal family was complimented by the nation really but the major fashion faux pas was committed by Samantha Cameron who is the wife of our Prime Minister and also the sister of one of the editors at UK Vogue magazine.



Posh British girls tend to have a habit of either rebelling against fashion or breaking fashion rules.

First of all, the dress was sleeveless which in most formal gathering in religious institutions isn't encouraged and is a case of etiquette.  She was attending a service for the Queen at St. Paul's - it wasn't a charity bake sale mid morning gathering at her local church.  I am impressed by her toned physique and her sculpted arms a la Michelle Obama but there is time and a place.

Second, and this is a fashion prejudice I have inherited from my mother, is that if you have lots of folds in your armpits then it is best to avoid a closely cut sleeveless top.  A capped or straight up and down cut is encouraged but the gathering of flesh at the armpits is not the most attractive  feature.
But of course it has nothing to do with weight as the picture of Samantha demonstrates.

On another separate note, I have deactivated my Facebook account and therefore the Facebook page for the blog is now gone as well so if you follow through Facebook which I can see a good percentage of readers do then perhaps you could subscribe by email instead.
Mind you those following through Facebook might not be able to read this as I forgot but I really don't want to go back on for the moment.

I won't bore you with the details but I didn't appreciate all the sponsored posts and the ads that would follow me everywhere I went.  It made me feel so uncomfortable that there were so many algorithms about me.  

I am taking a couple of weeks off and will be back mid July and I hope you all stay well x

All images via the Daily Mail.

36 comments:

  1. Oh, what a fun post! Princess Eugenie's red dress was the winner for me. She looked simply marvelous; the fit and color were spot on. Less is more to be certain. Mrs. Cameron should know better than to appear with shoulders on parade at a church service, regardless of how nice the dress was (and I did think it suited her).

    Enjoy your break and hope you survive the referendum (so excited to see what happens - and yes - exhausting to follow).

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    1. Doesn't she look genuinely lovely? Very feminine and I also applaud that they don't really feel the need to be super slim. It is odd that SamCam as we know her here would commit such a breach of etiquette as her dress wasn't avantgarde enough to overlook this oversight. She is known to work out like mad. Thanks CD and I oddly hope the result is not so close bc that would just ensue in further political wrangling either way!

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  2. Oh goody a bit of fashion snark to lighten the mood! I know I'm apparently in the minority, but I loath what the Duchess of Cambridge wears. Boring (especially the shoes), repetitive (so many similar things), poorly tailored, and agree with you about the lack of UK designer stuff. Why no Jimmy Choo shoes? Why all the Zara? Why all the jeggings?
    I liked Eugenie's dress as well, and thought you were spot on with your assessment of Beatrice. Sure she looks ridiculous quite often, but at least she tries. And seems to have fun with her fashion. As for Sam Cam, hasn't she done similar before? I seem to recall she didn't wear a hat to the royal wedding, which was unusual in the extreme.
    Interesting you're off Facebook - I don't miss it at all. I feel though that sadly Insta is going to go the same way. The new algorithm has rolled out in Australia and the lack of timeline is annoying. posts from 22 hours ago mixed up with 1 hour ago and it's very confusing. Plus stupid ads. Wish they'd do the sensible thing and allow the user to CHOOSE whether they want that format or the original one. Enjoy the holiday! xx

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    1. No I actually don't think you are in the minority as even the Daily Mail doesn't bother to write fake superlatives like - the it has now sold out after she wore it - bc the press departments of the various companies would complain and it became a bit of a hoo ha - the only items that sold out genuinely was the blue Issa dress she wore to announce their engagement and those nude platforms by LK Bennett. I really just don't understand what stance she is going for. She doesn't have an intrinsic style but gather she isn't that bothered and yet she puts so much effort into her appearance in other ways so I am confused. Sometimes it can come off a bit patronising as it's a bit of a bad ploy to be a 'normal mum like the rest of you' and yet they don't act like it in any other way. Yes Sam Cam seems a rebel and I think her fashion editor sister must have an influence though it comes out stifled as she wants to break away but is restricted by her position. Yes, she didn't wear any sort of hat or fascinator to the royal wedding but then that wasn't a breach of etiquette press. Insta is so annoying bc i follow people for a reason and i don't appreciate they being my curator for my feed. Plus I notice they have so many ads. I can always go back if I miss it but I felt it was targeting me too much with ads so I wouldn't let them force feed me their ideology thank you very much. I do need vitamin D very badly! xx

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    2. Naomi, Sorry to hear you're dropping pout of FB. Will miss you there and have long missed Heidi. The adds don't bother me - I hardly glance at them. Find FB messenger to be a bit of a lifesaver when travelling and my normal emails don't work. This trip I can receive - but not send, so keep in touch with family through FB messenger and let them know what we're up to with posts of pics.
      Think the women in Family are careful to let Queen's outfits be the spotlight when attending special events for her. They all choose careful pastels that blend and don't draw attention. Except Fergie's girls. Not that I didn't admire the red dress - it's just an observation. Also an observation on other Windsor girls, Amelia and Marina. Very chic in Chanel. But black? What happened to old rule? British Royalty never wears black except at a funeral/death. SamCam - maybe she's going through hot flushes - otherwise whouldn't she have been v cold? Weather hasn't exactly been balmy. Agree about D of C too. She usually looks best when not trying - wearing sporty casual clothes. Occasional High St dresses fine - but gets boring. Her other ventures as in last trip abroad have been hit and miss. Poor thing. The focus of so much critical attention and she has such a hard act to follow with a dead woman, William's beautiful mother who finally knew exactly what was right for her. But she and W do seem to be genuinely loving and happy together. Wonderful.
      Best wishes and have a great holiday!! Pammie xx

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    3. yes black is also a bit of a pause for thought but I think Chanel almost overrode it. I think that the Queen is never really eclipsed though - she is beyond fashion and now firmly in a safe position which ever way. thing I find a little bit odd is that standards of relationships have gone down so badly that a normal couple who seem to get along is seen as something extraordinary after Diana and Charles - mind you I personally dont' find Wills and Kate's relationship very enviable or all that unusual except for the fact Kate has had no life apart from him - truth is albeit it had many many dramas - the real love story is Charles and Camilla despite their past deeds. I know that is not a popular sentiment. Diana was lovely but now I get older I can see why he would have been driven insane by her.

      Glad you are having a great holiday!! xx

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  3. Great post and oh do I have big opinions. Re Kate, totally agree with you, she's no icon. Also, she needs a stylist. It's time. I like Sophie. Can't stand to even see Camilla. The Queen looks lovely in yellow (and with a nice big diamond brooch!). I think Zara and Eugenie and Beatrice are such pretty ladies! But I expect that Eugenie and Beatrice will always be ripped apart by the press because of their parents. I loved Bea's look last year that featured that adorable Edie Parker clutch that said "Bea." I do not understand why SamCam is touted as a fashion icon either. I have never seen her in one thing that looked good. Maybe she and Kate can split a stylist together. Enjoy your break. So curious about the Brexit vote. xx

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    1. Apparently she does have one official stylist and her mother and sister who aren't really the best gauge unfortunately. Thing is Kate isn't really a girl's girl so doesn't really have too many friends to rely on and it shows. Sophie is apparently the Queen's favourite daughter in law and non blood related relative. Camilla isn't so hated anymore although she keeps such a low profile which is very smart actually of her. Yes I think the 3 girls are all quite pleasant looking and easy on the eye without imposing themselves visually too much. SamCam is slim and in the world of fashion and luxury and her sister is one of the top editors of UK vogue so there is the inside word thing going on there. She has the sort of look that posh guys love over here though. She wouldn't do so well in Essex. So funny about splitting a stylist!!! both skinny brunettes so it would work though. I am beyond curious and can't think or read of much else quite frankly xx

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  4. Thanks for the roundup! I was curious about the fashions but was in the US so, predictably, not much of the fashion rated a mention there.

    Have a lovely break and look forward to reading later about what you got up to.

    SSG xxx

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    1. Thanks SSG - I think New Orleans would definitely trump anything else going on in the world!! xx

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  5. Great fun! I can say that if I were a Royal, I'd go the Minor route and pop for Chanel; she's one of the youngest women there but is dressed in an age-appropriate, yet sophisticated manner.

    I'm newly conscious of my arms, and am about to go check to see how many fat rolls I have in my armpits. A new part of the body to worry about--goody! Because I truly doubt that they're lithe. People probably see me in a sleeveless dress and say "Nice woman, but she's got armpits like a Shar-Pei's face!"

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    1. Yes I agree and while I love a dress coat myself the royal gatherings are never one for fashion inspiration but Amelia does seem to have good style bc she has worn non Chanel outfits rather well too. Arms and one thing and armpits another! But then my mother was a bit of a fashion dictator in her time - the korean joan rivers without the sense of humour.

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  6. love reading your insights and I will miss you on FB!

    Kate's outfit reminded me of what her mum Carole wore to her wedding.

    Have a nice break xxx

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    1. Thanks FF - I might be back but the targeting was doing my head in!

      Yes Catherine Walker did something very similar. But part of me wonders why she bothers starving herself if she is going to go all mumsy and then other times do a marilyn monroe and let her skirts fly up. confused.com hehe xx

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    2. PS Oooops! By DoC I meant Cambridge not Cornwall. Pammie

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  7. Nice blogpost,you,re right on everything! I wish our Queen Maxima wore more Dutch design,instead of a belgian designer,but at least she wears it with style and fun.
    I am so curious what Britain will vote..
    Enjoy your break!

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    1. I am so curious too - I follow polls all the time but they tend to be wrong and it is sooo close!!

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  8. I tried to leave a comment earlier but it disappeared. I am so exhausted by the Referendum and have read so much about it I have come to a complete standstill. Really wish it was not happening, and it has caused such ructions in our house.Your roundup is a welcome distraction: love the look of the girls in Chanel; agree with you re DoC - she just always looks a bit meh, and so uptight in her High Street clothes. But even the expensive stuff seems oddly lifeless on her. Charles and Camilla do always look so happy.Have a great break and please keep instagramming.

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    1. We all knew it was coming but I never knew it would be this intense. The sad thing is that it does seem like a civil war in a way and my worry is that the tribal divisions that have now arisen won't simply be washed away as there has become new demographic crossovers of laboor leave or tory remain etc.

      I was looking forward to her at least being a fluffy type of ambassador but alas she is taking being normal a little too seriously! Hope you have a lovely time too Sue

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  9. totally agree with your comment on the dresscode in a cathedral. Happy holidays and have fun!

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  10. Enjoy your holiday!!!! Loved this fashion break :-)

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  11. Have a lovely break. Its that time of year again for the Mayr Clinic isn't it? Looking forward to your detox reports, if that's where you have gone xx

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    1. Thanks Colleen thought now you know I am in Italy xx

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  12. Loved this roundup! You're dead right about D.Kate, she tends to look like she's attending an event at her husband's boss's country club - well, I guess that is what they're doing, innit?

    Have a lovely break, will miss you!

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    1. True point re Kate - even off duty she looks like like that! Thanks WFF

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  13. Gosh, I couldn't put a name to half those Royals! Princess B. only needs a few shiny buttons to turn into a pearly queen. Why do so many of the Royals look frumpy? A decent hairstyle would be a good start.
    Have a great holiday and I hope that we'll hear about it on your return.

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    1. Yes i know the royals as we go way back when :)

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  14. Have a great time in Italy.
    When I first saw the picture of SamCam, I thought she's wearing the Greek flag in 2 different ways. Maybe she was hoping that Brits would do what Greeks did & vote to stay in EU. In one way, it's almost as if Yanis Varoufakis was listened to by the Brits. Den xx

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    1. Made me laugh about Greek flags! Yes that dress was a portent somehow of a sideways flag of the most euro sceptic nation. I do respect Yanis but find it hard to heed him when he himself saw the worst of the EU so it's a very confusing message...xx

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  15. Beatrice's red dress does make her look the best I've ever seen but too loud for the occasion. SamCam (per Pack Drill Pammie) looked ridiculous in her 'check out my toned arms' get-up. The young Amelia Windsor did look fab in black Chanel but also not right for the occasion...if only the Queen Mum were around to take her to the Royal Woodshed.
    You girls are way to tough on Kate and her outfit was perfect for a QE2 b-day at St P.

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    1. Yes I see your point about black Chanel but she's a minor Royal. I think we are actually lenient on late especially those who remember her mother in law in nostalgic terms. But one can constantly forelock tug. It is what it is and Kate isn't a fashion icon is all. I was very pleased for Beatrice though

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  16. With your wantonly malicious incendiary remarks regarding the armpit folds shaming, I anticipate a new victim group forming with hashtag commandos hunting you like a dog.
    Just for the record, be it armpit folds, creases, rolls, flab, or blubber; it's all beautiful to GSL.

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    1. I'm a fat cow so it wasn't shaming. I don't make the rules. Nor do I make money from this blog and plenty have left before so it's fine. It's just a body term that isn't as mainstream as muffin top or thunder thighs. And at this point after Brexit im have developed a rather scaly skin.

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  17. Naomi loved this post! I agree on everything except I think Kate looked pretty, thought the coat was something an older person might wear..Are you back on FB? I saw the link today? I hope so, or I might not catch your posts. I agree it's pushy and annoying. Hope your holiday was lovely. xo Kim

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