Duchess Kate wore a $280 Luisa Spagnoli sweater & it was shockingly cute

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with runners after they put a Heads Together headband onto the Kensington Palace post-box in support of the Royal Mail wrapping 70 post-boxes that line the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon route

Heads Together is the charity sponsor (or whatever you call it) of this year’s London Marathon. Heads Together is the charity-conglomerate that Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate put together, although only Harry is the actual patron of the London Marathon. Still, because so many runners are going to be running for Heads Together, Will and Kate have been doing events around this year’s Marathon. On Wednesday, Kate met with runners at Kensington Palace, and she placed a blue ribbon around the Royal Mail box which designates the marathon route. As in, the route will be marked with those blue ribbons, so the marathon goes past KP.

For the event, Kate kept is casual and I have to say… she looked great. The only criticism I have is so minor, which is that she’s wearing too much makeup for a casual, daytime event. But otherwise, I’m totally fine with her look. Kate rarely wears things that I, a common peasant schlub, would want to wear even if I had Prince Charles’ credit card. But I would love to own this sweater. It’s by Luisa Spagnoli and it retails for $280, so that’s totally out of my price range. Still, it’s super-cute. Kate enjoys striped sweaters, but she usually sticks to blue-and-white stripes, giving her a constant nautical theme. So it’s nice to see her mix it up even with just a minor hint-of-red stripe.

Considering this is a casual, sporty event, I’m not going to bitch about the jeggings, mostly because I’m so relieved that she didn’t pair the jeggings with cork wedges. Look, a sensible shoe choice! And look, she’s even smiling like a normal person at children! Bless her heart, she’s trying.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with runners after they put a Heads Together headband onto the Kensington Palace post-box in support of the Royal Mail wrapping 70 post-boxes that line the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon route

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with runners after they put a Heads Together headband onto the Kensington Palace post-box in support of the Royal Mail wrapping 70 post-boxes that line the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon route

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with runners after they put a Heads Together headband onto the Kensington Palace post-box in support of the Royal Mail wrapping 70 post-boxes that line the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon route

Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News.

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77 Responses to “Duchess Kate wore a $280 Luisa Spagnoli sweater & it was shockingly cute”

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  1. Daisy says:

    I saw a video and she looked so so pretty. And somehow younger.

    • Christin says:

      I think so, too. Either the makeup is well done, or the images have been airbrushed. Some have pointed out that some photos go through a good round of photoshopping.

    • reddy says:

      And she can stand up straight! She looks so comfortable in her own skin, very sporty (which is appropriate for this event) and especially in the first picture on this page, I would even say she looks confident, an adjective I have never before associated with her. Is it the flat shoes?

    • Bitchy says:

      Fillers and photoshop filters. Basically they have photoshopped all shadows and dark colours out of Kate’s face.

    • raincoaster says:

      I think it’s the change in makeup. She doesn’t draw on the raccoon eyes again. She always does well with sportswear, in my opinion.

  2. Lainey says:

    I can’t get over how thin she’s been looking these days. I think it was kp who had a video of her tying the ribbon onto the letter box and then standing for pics and she looks so much thinner then she has in a while. She also looked so awkward compared to the man who was with her. He was so relaxed and at ease while she looked closer off and rigid.

    • Anon says:

      Looks like a healthy weight to me. Most people are overweight, so someone at a healthy size might look a bit jarring to some. I also think her makeup looks fine.

      • Tata says:

        Interesting. I was visiting a country where there is practically no overweight or obesity (like <9%) and they all said she looks too skinny. You can't escape the judgments, anywhere.

        That said, I think it is usually her body language that is so out of place to me – mostly a lack of power and energy in her stance, poor posture, or heck, actual language which seems so stuck and stilted.

        Something nice – she seems relaxed here. I guess I would be too, if everyonemet outside my house mail box, and that was my only job.

      • Bettyrose says:

        LOL @ “most people are overweight.”

      • littlemissnaughty says:

        Really? Where in hell do you live???

        I’m not going to comment on her weight, it’d be hypcritical. I’d love to lose a few pounds and pull of skinny jeans.

      • hmm says:

        @Bettyrose, in countries like the UK, US, or Australia, that is simply a fact.

      • Bettyrose says:

        No, on pro-ana websites that’s simply a fact. It’s also the narrative being sold to you by the billion dollar diet industry. Yes, some people are overweight. Not “most people.”

      • Joannie says:

        You’re right. Most are overweight or unfit. Go to the US. It’s astonishing!

      • Matomeda says:

        But most people are indeed overweight, at least in the West, and it’s a growing problem in developing countries as well. That’s all over the place- CNN, the CDC says it- it’s a fact that’s everywhere. I’m not going to argue how they measure it, but that’s what is being said. It’s not a pro-Ana thing.

      • Lady D says:

        Not most. Go to Google, type in ‘top ten countries for obesity’ and look at the results. I did a few days ago, and I believe the obesity rate in the states was just over 32%. Admittedly still high, but less than a third of the population. The country with the highest obesity rate was Kuwait with a little over 48% of the country obese.

      • Bettyrose says:

        There are two different issues here. Yes, there is an obesity problem in the U.S. but if you fall into the category of someone who eats healthy and lives an active lifestyle, the diet industry will still tell you your size 6 body is fat because thet want you endlessly spending money chasing an unattainable goal. To suggest that Kate, who has noticeably lost significant weight and muscle tone in recent years, only looks skinny because everyone else is so fat, that’s straight up pro-ana nonsense.

      • Llamas says:

        She’s not normal sized. She used to be normal; NOT overweight. Her bones stick out. Bones ARENT effing normal and if you think they are you have issues.

        THank you Betty rose for being the voice of reason.

      • Anon says:

        68% of adults in the US are either obese or overweight. Also, seeing bones is normal. If you can’t see any of your bones that’s a pretty good clue you’re overweight.

      • suze says:

        This is nonsense. Kate is very, very thin by any objective measure.

        The rates of obesity is an entirely different topic.

    • fiorucci says:

      she is very thin, I don’t think it’s new. See pics of her and Michelle Obama together a few years ago. I somehow saw them recently Kate is tiny. Pippa must be really tiny !

      • Andrea says:

        I have a friend who is anorexic and it is very difficult to have a meal with her. There are a lot of overweight people in the west, but those who are super skinny usually are anorexic as well. I am a recovered anorexic and I can spot a fellow anorexic a mile away, and trust me when I say that Kate is one of them along with Victoria Beckham.

    • Sheila's Wheels says:

      Criticizing a woman’s weight in either direction pisses me off no end. Andrea, I’m sorry for what you’ve had to battle. But the claim that you can diagnose anorexia from photos is ridiculous, to be frank.

      • Matomeda says:

        +1 I’m super thin and I’d be pretty angry if you counted me as anorexic. I’m not at all. I eat nonstop. But I also have a thin family I come from, am vegetarian and do cardio on a plan to prevent heart disease that runs on one side. My sister is even thinner and does no exercise at all and eats meat! Don’t judge either way, I agree

      • msthang says:

        Don’t forget the camera adds 10 lbs, so if you thinks she looks thin in pictures, you would be shocked at how she looks in real life, and we won’t even go to about what folks have said about her skin, when they have seen her at those walk abouts!!!

  3. detritus says:

    She looks cute. No problem with the makeup, it looks fine.
    I want a pair of sneakers like that, but I have no idea how to keep them clean

    • Goats on the Roof says:

      Makeup is actually very improved here. She toned down the brows and eyeliner (none on the bottom!) and is wearing a color on her lip. I wondered if she didn’t have someone help her with it.

      • Deedee says:

        She also has an upper lip, which usually doesn’t show.

      • detritus says:

        I think she changed up her makeup, awhile ago now? I’m not sure how long, but I wonder what made her mix it up.
        Whatever it was, this new makeup is much, much better.

      • Christin says:

        Her hair color is great, too. She fights the grays, too, and it looks like a fresh coloring in a nice, flattering shade.

    • sienna says:

      I have a pair of Kate Spade for Keds that I have worn every where, including 3 days at Disneyland. They are still very white. If anyone ever steps on my toe, I immediately wipe them against the fabric on the calf of my pants and always brush them off with a dry cloth when I take them off. After 3 years they still look like new.

      That said, if anyone spills on white canvas shoes, you will need to throw them into the washing machine, but they will come out looking great, just a little stiff when they dry.

    • fiorucci says:

      I adore those sneakers too. They are never comfy for me though. My arches are too high or something. You can clean the fabric carefully with blue dawn detergent.(i use it for cleaning things but not dishes!) you can also Rub the rubber with a magic eraser.

      • LAK says:

        We have the same problem. Arches too high. Can’t wear anything truly flat like ballet pumps or keds or converse.

        On the plus side, i’m incredibly comfortable in extremely high heels. The higher the better.

      • Liberty says:

        That makes three of us. Can’t wear cute flats but high heels are great.

        I think Kate looks nice here, more natural in terms of makeup, hair, event-appropriate wardrobe. When they first got together years ago, this is the princess I expected to see.

      • detritus says:

        I did not get those arches. I have super high arches as well, but I do not find heels any comfier, I mean a slight heel is like 0.5 to 1 inch, but the rest, nope. Looks hot, but hurts like hell.

    • manda says:

      You can spray a pretreatment on them. I used to know the name, but it is something you can find by the shoe polish and shoe laces at like, Target, or whatever. I wish I could remember the name! But it makes the material stain resistant

  4. Clare says:

    Her expressions always look like she is making pantomime faces for the camera.

    But I agree, I like the jumper/jeggings/shoes combo.

    • Guest says:

      “Her expressions always look like she is making pantomime faces for the camera.” – that’s why so many people say she looks fake and doesn’t really care. It’s just acting.

  5. CrystalBall says:

    She looks tense and rigid quite often.

    It was an okay outfit – but why not red or black trainers instead of the white?

  6. jb says:

    Kudos for the shoes!

  7. anna says:

    oh dear, the bar is set so low with kate. she didn’t flash anybody, didn’t say inappropriate stuff and had rather normal facial expressions. we’re supposed to be excited about that? pfff.

    • Olenna says:

      ITA, anna. I guess we’re suppose to praise her clothes. But, ignoring that massive head of hair, she’s dressed like an average woman on her way to the mall.

    • notasugarhere says:

      So low indeed, like we’re all doing the Waity Limbo. Still here to bitch about the jeggings/skinny jeans which are not appropriate and yet another striped top, where she already has 5-6 that we know of. Nice pair of navy trousers would have been good here. She owns trousers, she knows they exist. We saw her wear trousers in the Decade O Dating.

      • Maria says:

        Agree, Nota. And she was a bit more curvy at that time. She is too thin, and wearing skinny jeans is not flattering. And get a haircut!

    • bluhare says:

      No, but a compliment when she gets it right would be nice.

      • Liberty says:

        This, I agree with. If she tries to work, get some things right, I will happily withhold the snark. I think she looks ok today and made a nice work effort. Even if the bar is low, encourage the effort.

  8. Becks says:

    I think she looked great. Her hair looked really good and I think she looks good with some color on her lips.

  9. Odell says:

    That’s an expensive sweater, and it’s not even a pretty one.

    • Capepopsie says:

      I like it. Taste is so individual, isn’t it?!

    • Chaine says:

      It is just an OK sweater. It does not in any way look worth $280. Looks like something unde $100 from the Loft. It does not fit her well. Look how bunched up and wrinkly it is at the waistband. IMO it needs to be shorter or tighter at the bottom.

  10. Patricia says:

    I couldn’t outfit myself for an entire season for the cost of that very basic and boring sweater. Yawn.

  11. littlemissnaughty says:

    I mean if it was still available and not this expensive, it’d be in my closet right now. The outfit is cute, summer-y and appropriate.

  12. Olivia says:

    Same here. There are women who are naturally skinny and born with no curves. I have struggled with accepting my body in the past and I am now learning to accept it. Hearing people comment about how real women have curves is sickening for me.

    • deevia says:

      It’s never about the women naturally born with hour glass shape, rather a body positive movement for big girls or worse, being used by the Kim K of the world to justify their bought and paid for body. So I don’t think you are missing out on anything.

    • sophietta says:

      As a well rounded woman there have been times when I’ve wished for some straight lines for my body so enjoy what you have is my way of thinking!

      For perhaps the first time ever I think Kate looks, smiles, acts, holds herself a bit more upright and talks in a far more natural fashion at this event than at so many others. The hair isn’t going to change anytime soon but it is healthy looking on my screen. She also looks a little fresher – new lipstick colour perhaps? And far more animated without William’s presence. I also think TQ might overall approve of the way Kate presents herself although not sure about the work ethic as there appears a strong nod toward ‘work’ has been placed on Kate’s plate.

      A small win for me apart from those white shoes and I suppose the leggings are somewhat appropriate for this event.

    • Erica says:

      It’s different when you are naturally skinny, nothing wrong with that.Kate was a healthy looking girl while a University. Kate has dieted her way to her ultimate goal of thiness.Her face looked a little like she has been getting fillers or Botox. it seems her top lip went from non existent to suddenly visible and plump.I hope she doesn’t go to far with the beauty tweaks.

      • lobbit says:

        It shouldn’t be different, though. Her “thinness” is her choice and she has every right to it.

      • graymatters says:

        Lobbit, it is her choice and she does have the right to it. I suspect she’s at the low end of her healthy weight spectrum, so I won’t say that she’s “too” thin. I did, however, worry about girls who might look up to her and note her dramatic weight loss around the time of her wedding when she clearly wasn’t satisfied with her healthy, slender body. I wouldn’t hold a silent public figure responsible for someone else’s eating disorder, but there could be a link nonetheless.

      • Erica says:

        If she wants to be that thin yes,Lobbit it is her choice.You have your opinion and I have mine.

      • Nic919 says:

        When her extreme weight loss from a previously healthy weight is praised as being fit or healthy then that is a problem. She can be as thin as she wants, but no one should be pretending that she was not a healthy weight before or that looking emaciated is the same as being fit. She is a woman with insecurities and not a fashion icon or role model.

  13. OTHER RENEE says:

    She looks great. And pretty.

  14. MellyMel says:

    I basically own this exact outfit and variations of it (at a lower cost of course) so I think she looks great!! She pulls off casual looks so much better imo.

  15. L84Tea says:

    I think the outfit is cute. I would’ve loved her hair in a ponytail!

  16. minx says:

    I would never guess that sweater costs that much.

  17. Cerys says:

    I think she looks good here. It’s a nice jumper, the leggings don’t look as bad as they usually do and flats instead of wedges. She also looks quite relaxed in the photos.

  18. vava says:

    It’s an OK outfit, but not all that noteworthy really. The sweater looks fine next to the marathoner’s colors too, but my only question would be: how many striped sweaters does she have? Also, a different type of trouser or jeans would have been refreshing. The sneakers are a good choice.

    The makeup is a huge improvement and the hair looks fine.

    Now what I would find really great is if she actually participated in the marathon!

  19. TheOtherOne says:

    She looks nice and relaxed. Dare I say even a little confident. Keep it going, Kate.

  20. Karen says:

    She is wearing.a boring striped sweater. Let’s not get crazy. I would wear this to go to the supermarket.

  21. Patty says:

    Love it. Casual, cute, and fun. And as a Superga lover myself; I gotta say I wish I could keep my shoes that white.

  22. Joiluv says:

    I think Meagan has her shook maybe that’s why for makeup improvements.

  23. Joannie says:

    This is her comfort zone. She looks great!

  24. Starlight says:

    When I first looked at these pics I thought yes lovely and still do! Th third picture looked as though she had that sealed lipstick look where you hold your mouth in a certain way to keep the lipstick looking perfect. After a while I thought she looked very feline cat like in this make up. All in all could not fault the look

  25. Susan says:

    The sweater is cute. Now just imagine how killer the outfit could have looked with some awesome tailored trousers instead of those raggedy leggings she always wears!

    It’s so weird how her options are either “old lady dress up” or inappropriately tight millennial leggings. Why is there nothing in between for her? Chic and appropriate are foreign words to her and her stylists apparently.

  26. Casi says:

    While we’ve already established that internet-diagnosing is not a thing, I still say that she looks to me like she suffers from anxiety…the posture, the facial expressions, her general discomfort in speaking publicly. This is something in her comfort zone so of course she looks more natural.

  27. Anitas says:

    I like it. Casual clothes suit her much better than when she tries to dress up, you can tell she carries herself with much more confidence. But she wears almost the same style of hair, makeup and jewelry regardless of the clothes she wears and the event she prepares for. You could pin an evening gown on her in this photo and it’d look like it was taken at one of her galas. Why not a ponytail and stud earrings if she’s going for the sporty look?