My aversion to skinny jeans has something to do with the fact that I look terrible in skinny jeans. That’s only part of it though. I think a lot of people look bad in skinny jeans, but the skinny-jeans trend is still happening, all over the place, regardless of body type or occasion-appropriateness. And now the trend has happened – perhaps for the first time? – on an actual Queen. These are some photos of Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain handing out scholarships and research grants for the Iberdrola Foundation at the Casa de America building in Madrid yesterday.
As you can see, Queen Letizia wore cropped skinny jeans in an odd shade of yellow. She attempts to make the ensemble look classy by pairing the jeans with a sharp white blazer, then she sexes it up with some snakeskin stilettos. While I normally love whatever Letizia wears, I think this was a miss. I get that it’s summer and that the occasion was a little bit looser and “younger.” But still… cropped skinny jeans? On a Queen?! She just looks too dressed down.
I’m also including some photos of Felipe and Letizia’s trip to the Vatican earlier this week, where they had a private audience with Pope Francis. This was the first meeting between Francis and Felipe since Felipe became King. I was side-eyeing the length of Letizia’s skirt here, so I had to double-check the papal-audience dress code. Apparently, you still get to see the Pope when you’re wearing a knee-length skirt. Letizia barely made it. Again, her top half looks fine – she always looks professional and conservative from the waist up.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
it looks like an elegant curtsey that she did to the Pope.
Love her, and I think both these looks are great!
Why does a young modern queen need to be conservative???
I hope she keeps pushing a modern look. Unlike Kate who has a stick firmly lodged up her keister and wears clothes my mother would consider too old.
ITA, she looks great. I don’t find anything wrong with either outfit. The skirt is an appropriate length (it is knee length, after all) and the yellow jeans are cute too. Not every royal has to dress like they’re in their dotage, after all.
When a woman meets the Pope, she should wear black and her head should be covered (that,s what they said on the news …)
There are a limited number of women who can wear white, and the Spanish Queen is one of them (this is not a privilege extended to any of the Protestant queens though). It’s also been the case that the current Holy Father appears to be encouraging less formal dress for his audiences. This would be in keeping with his emphasis on service to the poor, rather than the trappings of his office.
@LadyMTL and @ Lara K – A woman wears black when meeting the pope, and a veil. Our (US) First Ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, bot not Catholic, met the dress code out on their visits to the Vatican. Letizia is the the queen consort of Spain, wife of its head of state. Spain is also a predominately Catholic country (69% of the population). There are times she has to dress appropriately to keep close ties and good relations. I don’t know what the reaction is for her outfit at the Vatican, but let Letizia visit a mosque without meeting the required dress code for a woman and watch the PR fallout from that. She and the king would be dragged for disrespecting Muslims and their culture. Sometimes you can’t wear what you want to wear, especially if you’re in her position.
@aquarius64
Ellen is correct. Monarchs and wives of monarchs from Catholic countries are permitted to wear white when meeting with the pope. It’s called Privilege du blanc. Letitia did nothing wrong.
GNAT, just saw your post, so mine is a bit redundant.
Yes, Ellen is correct. Letizia is dressed according to the papal dress code for a Spanish queen. It is called Privilège du blanc and it is rare. A very limited set of Catholic queens (and some princesses) have the right. Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg that I can think of.
If you look back at the photos from the papal coronation, you’ll see a small set of royal ladies dressed in white – because they have special papal permission to do so. It is considered an honor, not a slap in the face. Letizia is dressed appropriately and honoring the fact that the Vatican has gifted Spain with that privilege.
Edited because my comment was redundant with GoodNames and nota.
Will still add that before becoming Queen and assuming privilege du blanc, she wore conservative black on her visits to the Vatican.
Yes, AM she did wear black before. At the recent papal coronation she wore black and covered her hair with black lace. There are also photos of her with JPII where she is wearing a much more formal black dress and the black lace mantilla, which supports Ellen’s statements that the current pope is focusing on work not fancy dress. Letizia has shown in the last decade that she knows how to dress appropriately at the Vatican, according to her position (Crown Princess vs. Queen) and the dress codes/wishes of the current pope.
This is why CB is great – it’s educational! As a non-Catholic American, I cringed when I saw her in white, since the tradition of wearing black is about the only thing I know of papal etiquette. I love the name privilege du blanc, heck I love that it even has a name.
Only 36% of Spaniards say they are practicing Catholics. They may have been raised Catholic, and check “Catholic” on a survey form, but the Catholic religion is not part of everyday life for many Spaniards.
@Ellen – I stand corrected. Thanks for the info! 🙂
+1
I just learned from the royal order of sartorial splendor website that Spanish queens are along a small group of women allowed to/supposed to wear white to meet the pope.
Agree agree. I just don’t see “immodest” in her rather conservative white business suit-dress outfit at all. Totally appropriate. And the skinnies are fine for that type of academic event–a youth-oriented casual one, compared to many.
That was my thought too. They were not inappropriate considering her audience was YOUNG adults. That said, the skinny jeans trend….ugh!
Both outfits look nice and professional. A pencil shirt hitting at the knees is what professional women wear day in conservative atmospheres. Her skinny jeans with the blazer also looks both pretty and professional. We are not living in the Middle Ages when women had to cover up every part of their body. Her husband on the other hand could use some fashion tips. His suits are horrible.
I’m torn on the pants. They look great and hits only a bit above the ankle… but still… I wear those to the mall.
Everything else is great. Woman knows how to dress and appeal.
Wrong spot
Agree. She is modern, fresh and appropriate.
besides, the first event is not a formal one,since the King himself is wearing an informal morning suit – bright color, striped shirt and brown shoes (not his best look, anyway).
As for the visit to the Pope, traditionally the Queen of Spain always wears white, being Spain a Catholic country and a historical ally of the Vatican. The lenght is also appropriate.
The reason for the abdiation was to modernize the monarchy. So “keeping with tradition” of my catholic forefathers is perhaps not that modern? Covering the head is done in a show of humility and submissiveness, but is not to be done unless you feel it in your heart. Black is a tradition but not a necessity. The pope-mobile bullet proof glass is a tradition as well, and Pope Francis eschews it with great gusto in order to be in touch with the people.
I think that the problem with ‘traditionalists’ is that they are.. just that.. there is no reality to what they are doing or feeling but rather a desire to do it because that is ‘what is done’.
What she wears or doesnt wear doesnt make her a better queen. It is how she acts and behaves and follows through, and in times of great austerity in Spain. I like to think that they’d rather see her as one of them, instead of spending more money on a pair of shoes or a dress while the unemployment line up is full.
+1000
Both looks are great on her.
It still looks conservative and not really modern at all. It more or less looks like she showed up late and didn’t have time to change. Looked down and said. “I’m good.” And I would agree she looks fine.
I think the problem is that it’s cropped, longer would be better
She looks amazing in them! Wow.
Are we sure those are jeans…? They look like cropped slacks to me.
I thought the same thing!
Agree. They look like a silk/cotton blend. Or just silk. I think she looks cute.
They are not jeans. And they are not supposed to be so tight, she choose a wrong size
http://desvistiendo-a-letizia.blogs.diezminutos.es/files/2013/06/pantalon.jpg
In the pictures on other sites you can see they’re a lightweight summer material (the seam shows through, not great) not jeans at all. Jeans are defined by the styling around the waist, hips and pockets (they don’t HAVE to be denim), not by the fact that they’re trousers. All jeans are trousers, but not all trousers are jeans. These are tailored, cropped summer trousers. They’re not super-formal, it’s true, but they are far from jeans.
Jeans? To me it looks like regular pants. I don’t think it was made of denim. Love the colour.
Shoes are great too.
She looks great in both looks. The kings doesn’t look so good. Could we discuss the looks of Sheikah Mozah? She has an amazing wardrobe.
Sheikah Mozah is my FB profile pic. I absolutely love her.
And I really think Letizia looks great here!
agreed, once Felipe became the king, me no gusto him anymore. His facial fur is MIA and I liked him better with it.
Letizia looks fine. the yellow pants just appear to be cropped pants not jeans.
The jeans look like pants. Also this wasn’t a major event so I don’t think she looks underdressed. The jacket and shoes add to the official feel so the outfit looks appropriate. I don’t understand how the skirt is too short. I’ve seen plenty of women meet with the Pope in skirts this length. I think this is average for business suits.
+1 on everything you said.
Yeah, those aren’t jeans. They’re slacks. Jeans wouldn’t bunch up like that so easily, and Jeggings would be tighter. Slacks.
Better than Kate’s jeggings, but the fit is awful. Skinny jeans should huge the body , these look really loose around the crotch and the knees, which combined with the cropped length and pastel colour makes them really similar to the kind of slacks my grandmother favours.
It’s not skinny jeans that’s why. It looks like slacks with maybe some silk combo material that’s why it bunches like that.
Amazing. Love her style!
Given that we are constantly bombarded with Kate’s boring style, it’s nice to see a royal dress with a little flair. I think she looks great at both events, and I LOVE that her shoes weren’t nude. I want to burn Kate’s nude shoes and her wedges as well.
Yes! And I really think Queen Letizia looks fantastic, she could probably wear a potato sack and make it look fashionable…
I think she has style. Looks elegant no matter.
The skirt is completely fine and straight, so no danger of it flying up and exposing anything. The cropped pants aren’t my favorite personally, but they’re not tight and I don’t think they’re inappropriate.
I think Letizia always looks good and appropriate above and below the waist :).
She’s a beautiful, classy woman with impeccable taste in clothes. So nice to see after being assaulted with Kardashians every day. Kim should take note.
Looks good on her. Love it.
YES TO ALL. Love her.
She looks modern…and classy. Love it!
First off, they don’t look like jeans they look like cropped pants. Secondly, she still looks polished and has the body to pull off the look. Finally, why was there no critical/ negative article about Duchess Kate when she wore those ridiculous jeggings – and that seemed more inappropriate and emphasized her skeletal figure.??
Wendi, this post is not about Kate, it’s about Queen Letizia. If you have a problem with Kate – can’t imagine why, she’s impeccable! – then go to the appropriate article. Jeez..
I think her point overall is valid. She might be questioning that Kaiser criticized Letizia for wearing these pants but not having written a post specifically criticizing Middleton’s jeggings in the past.
There are people who say that Kate Middleton’s jeggings are just fine for royal engagements. These *may* be the some of same people who turn around and say that Letizia is wrong for wearing cropped trousers and a blazer to a youth event. Building one person up by tearing the other one down, etc.
But we’ve had numerous posts about Kate’s inappropriate clothing. Numerous posts.
And very few people think ‘jeggings’ are okay for a royal engagement — even a casual one. Cropped trousers/pants, sure, but leave the jeggings for personal time.
I think she looks great. And fortunately she seems to be staying away from those awful hats–“fascinators”–that the British royals favor. In fact, Kate and company had better look into the possibility of hiring Letizia’s fashion consultants.
Thankfully Spain seems to be mostly hat-free, at least in royal dressing. The only time I remember seeing Letizia in a hat was at W&K’s wedding.
The hat fascinators are a British upper class thing in my recollection and not a royal thing. Sometimes other royals wear hats but far less frequently.
Fascinators are a british thing worn by everybody. Not a class thing.
I love it! She’s one of the best dressed royals out there.
I think she looks modern and sleek. Both ensembles are FAB. The pants aren’t skin tight and she’s not showing her bum like some princesses we know. The cropped pants look great with the jacket and heels, IMO.
And in Spain as well, during the Franco dictatorship and the post-Franco, pre-Law of Historic Memory period:
http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/spains-stolen-babies-a-50-year-trafficking-scandal-revealed.html
Nothing to add but:
Happy 4th July, American Celebitches!
It gives her a 50’s vibe – and this style looks good in yellow – people need to ditch the black and go for more of this!
She carries herself with so much grace that any outfit looks good on her. I compare her to Kate, and when you see Kate there just isn’t as much grace. Kate can spend all the money she wants on shopping, but Letizia looks much more graceful and put together. And clearly she doesn’t go crazy with expensive shopping.
The cropped slacks look really cute on Letizia! She looks dressy and current at the same time.
I can’t wear skinny jeans either but I think she looks great.
Love her outfits and they look perfect for the occasions… This idea that queens should dress like my grandmother really upsets me… She’s a young woman, for God’s sake..
Next, people will want her to wear curtains from the 18th century?
Those are not jeans, nor are they the ‘skinny’ fit. They’re just regular cropped cotton slacks.
I think she looks absolutely beautiful, if a bit casual but the cropped pants are so cute. I think any body type can wear skinny pants its just a matter of wearing proper shoes (for most that means heels) and the proper shirt (again for most that means long). Don’t hate the pant, hate the lack of fashion sense. Kaiser – don’t give up on the skinny pants!
Fabulous at the Vatican. Letizia always looks great in white.
As for the skirt length, it’s fine. This was not an official visit. This was an introductory meeting. If this was an official visit, Letizia will be decked out in full privilege due blanc attire with the beautiful Spanish mantilla. Letizia knows how to dress for every occasion and depending on the atmosphere. When it’s time to be glamorous and she pulls out all the stops, few royals can beat her, even though she wears less jewels and less expensive clothes.
Pope Francis is also different from John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He is more informal and relaxed. His ‘inauguration’ was attended by Letizia last year as well as other royals, and they all looked very toned down. No big jewelry, no showy veils, and the lengths of the dresses varied. Charlene and Letizia wore knee-length dresses, Maxima (not yet a queen at the time) wore floor-length dress, and I think Angela Merkel was wearing a simple black skirt suit.
Letizia has also worn cropped/Capri pants to events before. She’s been doing it for years now. She dresses like most Spanish women her age dress, more casual and modern. I think she’s hit the right spot. She used to wear a lot of pretty suits early in her marriage and princess years but she was criticized for being too old fashioned and not like a modern royal, so she changed her style to this.
IMO she looks fresh, young, and vibrant. Exactly like the event and its audience and atmosphere. Even when she wears ugly clothes, she still comes across as serious and intelligent. She has gravitas and confidence that no amount of clothes can replicate. Great posture, too.
I think the Queen could have dressed like a $2 prostitute and the pope would have still received her.
The Catholic religion in general has left an extremely sour taste in my mouth do to many personal experiences, but I really, REALLY like this pope.
Letizia has been critized in royal fashion circles for dressing like a bank manager. These looks both reflect that. Boring and old fashioned( albeit well tailored)
Keep watching, she wears the same silhouette with the same style jacket and skirt every single time.
Absolutely nothing wrong in her attire.
Is this the curve? As in, due to her now being in the press more, we are starting to see them get bored with complimenting her fashion sense and instead try and find a way to drag her?
Love both looks. Don’t look like jeans but like slacks and she is not immodest. A little leg is fine. Europe is a little modern, when it comes to showing a bit of skin, not tube top but a little leg is fine. She looks stunning.
Go Leti! Those snakeskin shoes need to get in my closet. Also love the white jacket and navy trousers ensemble she wore to the Red Cross event.
LOVELY. This woman could never look tacky.
Women can also wear white to meet the Pope if they are receiving a sposi noveli.
(My husband and I received one on our honeymoon, and the catch is that the couple must dress like a bride and groom.)
They look like pants, not jeans, to me. Perhaps an unusual choice, but whatever. It’s 2014. But they’re definitely not jeans.
She looks fantastic in those pants/outfit (doubt they are jeans). She’s got a flair for fashion and dresses well for her figure.
[*Love those snakeskin shoes!*]
I think it’s a cute outfit although wrong for the gig …
She looks frail and neurasthenic