Margaret Atwood is a 75-year-old living legend. She is a poet, inventor, humanist, novelist and Canadian. She is wry and forward-thinking. She is amazing. Go here to read her Wiki. For some reason, someone asked Margaret Atwood what she thought about Duchess Kate’s style. Surprisingly, Atwood had an opinion. Incidentally, I don’t think this is anti-feminist or anything, to ask a living legend like Atwood about something superficial like Kate’s style. For all we know, this came up organically within a longer interview. And who says that we can’t be good at our jobs AND have an opinion on Kate’s style, you know?
Her style is followed by women across the globe and whatever she wears is sure to sell out within minutes. Yet the Duchess of Cambridge has been dismissed as an ‘uneventful’ dresser by leading author Margaret Atwood.
‘I think she dresses quite uneventfully,’ the author of The Handmaid’s Tale said. ‘I think she’s watching her back, I think she probably has people who pretty much tell her what is appropriate for her to wear. I don’t think she’s become the fashion plate that Diana was, and I think she’s probably doing that advisably, wouldn’t you say?’
Miss Atwood is just the latest high-profile female writer to apparently attack the duchess’s image and public persona. Double Booker Prize winner and Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel has described Kate as a ‘shop window mannequin’ and a ‘machine-made’ princess who has been ‘designed by committee’. Meanwhile Sandi Toksvig has said the duchess doesn’t have a ‘single opinion’ of her own, and Joan Smith caused outrage by labelling Kate ‘unambitious and bland’.
Speaking at a talk at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Miss Atwood, who has also won the Booker for The Blind Assassin, admitted she judges women on the clothing they wear. The novelist, who has been described as a feminist writer, said: ‘Let’s pretend you’re meeting a person for the first time, as you do when you meet a character in a book. What do I see? Your dress, I see your face of course, I focus on that. I see your earrings, I see your necklace, and those are all part of you. They are all part of the total image of who I’ve just met.’
All of those descriptors fit Kate: she is uneventful, bland, unambitious, designed by a committee, etc. But let’s be real – we would always find something to bitch about with Kate. That’s the nature of her role at this point. I would hope that after four years with The Firm, she would have learned to put on panties, stop fiddling with her hair during events and find a way to at least feign professionalism, but I do get the impression that Kate is “dull” on purpose, because that’s the way William wants her, and that’s the way the senior royals want her. And here’s something nice: her style was SO MUCH better during her second pregnancy. Seriously. She managed to dress appropriately and almost conservatively for the entire pregnancy.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Ouch.
I know I’m in the minority, but I think she dresses appropriately for her position. She isn’t a high fashion dresser, but I think she usually looks nice and ….appropriate. I think that’s all we can really ask. Fashion isn’t everybody’s thing.
+1
I agree, but then look at queens Letizia and Rania and think there’s a way to look appropriate without it being boring?
Yes, I do, but I just don’t think she really has “it” in her. So what can she do, really? Hire a stylist, maybe. I guess I just think on one hand she’s criticized for being shallow and on the other for not being fashionable enough. I think it’s fair to say be appropriate, but not fair to say have style and flair if she just doesn’t.
As usual, you’re probably right, GNAT. I shouldn’t judge her anyway… looks like I brushed my hair with a rock today.
@GNAT, I’m inclined to agree, especially judging by the way Pippa and Carole dress. Pippa attempts to go outside the box sometimes, but it always looks weird because I don’t think any of them have a unique sense of style. I’ve begrudgingly come to terms with that. I only say begrudgingly because if I can’t talk about anything else that one is doing, at least give me clothing. Kate’s wardrobe is the “golf clap” of royal style: not meant to be showy, only appropriate.
Abbott
Sorry if this is a silly question.
What does brushing your hair with a rock mean? That you’ve damaged your hair or scalp?
FLORC
Just something my dad would say to us daughters sometimes, meaning, it doesn’t look like you brushed your hair today. ‘Did you brush a hair with a rock this morning?’
Abbott
Thanks!
I guess we all have phrases that make no literal sense, but understand the meaning of.
Princess Märtha-Louise is probably the most adventureous of royal dresser – along with Maxima. That means they sometimes look absolutely amazing in interesting outfits and other times “what was she thinking moments”. 🙂
I too find Kate’s public persona bland and incredibly dull – however, I think that’s what the BRf wants after all the scandals of the 90s. But it also makes them less endearing to the public since a public persona that is about as interesting as a piece of wet cardboard really don’t inspire people and this is where I think the BRF get it wrong – they need the British people to invest in them emotionally as unifying national figures but that investment is only really possible if some genuine personality shines through – Diana had that and so does Harry, which makes them much more endearing than someone who is too afraid to ever say something that isn’t just blandly polite. Kate’s public persona is something of a cipher as she rarely if ever shows the public any glimpse of a genuine personality. That means that people freely can project all sorts of different things onto her, whether it is extremely positive or extremely negative but I also think that she loses control of the narrative about her public persona and that can be dangerous in itself.
Two days ago I saw a very interesting documentary on Queen Margrethe who turns 75 this month. She was very honest about herself and her flaws (especially as a mother) in the interview and there was a lot of candid footage of her and her family together – like her sitting down with her grandchildren and opening presents, cooking with her son, working on her art, etc. I found this rather endearing since it certainly made her relatable on a human level even though she is the Head of State and lives in a Palace. A silent Stepford-like woman in nice clothes isn’t really that inspiring or endearing.
Totally agree.
But, do you just mean sometimes? Because there have been oodles of times she’s dressed inappropriately for a professional setting.
Skin tight jeans/jeggings + platform wedge heels, and at least 5 times when her skirt has flown up to reveal her bare butt cheeks – while “at work.” Is that really appropriate? Also…the hair fidgeting and crotch jockeying scream inappropriate to me.
I really feel the bar has been so lowered for her that anytime she doesn’t show off her bare a$$ she is hailed as a conservative, appropriate, fashion plate. It’s so strange to me because I feel like she has been asked to do so little (show up without touching your hair or privates) and she can barely do that.
I love you for this!
Yes, of course she had the fly up problem which drove me nuts and was inexcusable. And the hair touching. Haven’t noticed any privates touching, lol. I just mean in general, when she’s not exposing her bottom, she looks dressed up and fine for the event. Not WOW, but nice. But I’m sort of a conservative, boring dresser, so maybe that’s why it doesn’t bother me.
Boom!!
Crotch jockeying? Are you talking about when she puts her hands in front of her in what I’m assuming she thinks is a demure look? I mean, I think it looks stupid, but how is it inappropriate?
so true!
IntheKitchen
thank you – so on target!
Much respect to Ms. Atwood’s work. Waity for the most part dress as ma caroi (common style) and forget she is now a member of HMs the BRF and representing a great institution and tradition than the middletons and buckleberry. From past behaviour, royal advisors seem to be ignored unless on occassions with RF appearance.
I don’t think she dresses badly, but I think Atwood is correct in noting that she’s not like Princess Diana fashion-wise. The media seems to want to have us believe that Kate dresses and influences as well as Diana though. That’s probably why people chime in with their thoughts, although I never thought of Atwood as thinking much about royal fashion (and find it funny that she has an opinion like the rest of us).
ITA The media is where the problem lay for a lot of people. Kate is sooo overexposed on magazines and on the internet. Personally I get sick of seeing her hyena smile every time I walk through the check-out lane. But Kate loves the publicity, from the very start. If a person repeatedly engages the media for self-promotion, she will eventually find herself on a slippery slope, open to all kinds of criticism.
I think Ms. Atwood was just politely answering questions put to her. I’m guessing she’s got a new book to promote? This reflects more on the press than it does on her–why would anybody ask this author her opinion on Kate’s style?! What was the follow-up question, did she think the baby was going to be a boy or a girl?!
Totally agree. I see nothing wrong with how she dresses. I like her clothes. She looks like a young, cute mom. I guess it makes me boring, but I would love to have her wardrobe:) LOL
I would like “bespoke” items for myself…
I don’t understand why the press would refer to her as Miss Atwood. She has been married and divorced and the title of Ms. should be used for any woman in this day and age. Women should not be defined by their marital status just as men of any age or marital status do not have different titles. I notice the British press still uses Miss, whereas you won’t see this in North America.
I’m pretty sure Margaret Atwood would support me on this.
I don’t know why they do, either. Ms never really caught on here, although it is always an option on forms.
What *is* happening here is a trend to drop honorifics altogether. We tend to just refer to one another as FirstName LastName. I just had a flick through my “personal admin” pile and I’m written to by government departments, utilities companies and my bank just as Sixer Sixersdottir. No honorific. (See what I did there? With the matronymic? Teehee.)
But how are the Sixlets addressed, *that’s* the burning question! 🙂
Pinky and Perky Whyhaventyouemptiedthedishwasheryetyouhorriblelittleherberts.
!
Sixer
You gave me a genuine fit of laughter trying to figure out that strung along word!
1st few attempts were to the sum of “Why haven’t you tied dishwasher heartbeats” or “Why haven’t your dishwasher Yeti You Riddle Hermits” My brain was just trying to make sense of it all. And now it hurts from the squinting.
Still, lol!
The husband finds this all hilarious.
When I posted that, FLORC, it was the very last thing I had said to them, verbatim. Honest!
LOL Sixer. You just gave me the best trip down memory lane. My dad would call us little herberts when we were small. He’s gone now so I can’t tell him, but I laughed!!
Today’s address:
Pinky and Perky Theplacefordirtywashingisinthelaundrybasketnotontopofit.
🙂
Your family sounds absolutey adorable!
I got that message from my mom before. Clothes go in the washing machine. Not at the base of it and not on top of it.
I hate being addressed as Ms my name is Miss by my choice.
I couldn’t give the chuff from a flying monkey what Kate wears, but, but but but BUT…
Margaret
Atwood
Can
Do
No
Wrong
Love her. Some people are just wonderful in their thoughts and how they express them. They don’t showboat. They’re just on point when asked seemingly random questions.
I’m with you on this one SIxer. The Hand Maid’s Tale is one of my favorite books of all time.
A-freakin-men. I don’t care what she says, I just want more of her in the conversation, all the time, every day.
Asking MA about Kate is a total waste of an interview question. Margaret is so much intersting than that.
I also love The Handmaid’s Tale but Oryx and Crake is my favourite.
She’s clever and forthright and frighteningly prescient.
Oh Oryx and Crake was my favorite too! Most people I know seemed to never have heard of it.
I’m going to my bookstore today — we have a lovely small new and used bookstore in my little town. I go there rather than Amazon and the big stores whenever I can. If she doesn’t have it she’ll get it for me. Thanks for reminding me of Oryx and Crake. I never read it. And now I feel an urge to re-read The Handmaid’s Tale too!
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I’ve never read The Handmaid’s Tale – and I love sci-fi! Better get to a library, STAT.
The Penelopeiad though.
I gave it to a friend as a birthday present ten years ago and she still counts it among her favourite books today (as I learned last week via Facebook lol).
(The Blind Assassin is still my personal favourite though)
My favourite is The Handmaid’s Tale. Whenever I think of Handmaid’s Tale, it always makes me think of The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson. Spooky pair of stories.
The Penelopiad is on my to-read-list because I always find it very interesting when modern authors tackle ancient myths and fairy tales. A lot of these old stories deal with archetypes, which are open to constant reinterpretation. I’ve read some wonderful re-interpretations and re-inventions on the classic fairy tales.
Well, I for one like that she at least sticks to the style rather than changing what she wears based on public opinion (true rebel? haha). Also, I think it’s lame that people feel so strongly that the fact that she’s not a “fashion plate” means her personality is dull.
And I love that she is not afraid to wear something more than once. Like a normal human being. How refreshing!
Most royal women wear their clothing multiple times, just like the rest of us. Middleton works so little and shops so much, it is easier to point out when she repeats.
Do you know how many coats the woman has? It would take 10 years for her to wear each one twice.
But Kate doesn’t have much of a personality either. She is whatever her husband wants her to be. Atwood herself is no fashion plate and yet has oodles of personality. Other members of the Royal Family have personality and aren’t fashion plates either. Kate is just dull. If we compare her to Princess Anne, someone who is fairly conservative in her attire, but yet is still a badass, we can see just how boring Kate is.
I’m sure Deacon & Co. tell her the same thing everytime:”Oh yessss Your Royal Highness you look RAVISHING!” Nice but uneventful style.
To me, Kate is inoffensive. If William were the work horse like Granny or Aunt Anne or any other senior royal, you bet she would be too. Kate is just grateful she is invited to the party and to just be there and have the cushy life of a royal. She is not there to be forward-thinking, a fashion-icon or make a difference in the world. She does what she is told and doesn’t rock the boat too much, the funny thing is that when she does, it’s because she is adamant on flashing the royal crumpet, wearing painted on jeggins or the damn wedges of doom. She could have had SO much potential though. But the Firm wanted an anti-Diana and Kate is perfect for the role.
+1. It’s strange when people seem to be offended by her inoffensiveness.
Kate aside, i’m offended by bland inoffensive people. That’s because I come from a family of strong personalities with strong personas so I am eternally puzzled, then annoyed by bland, inoffensive people.
It’s not that I want them to have the same opinion/persona as I do. Just have an opinion/persona dammit!!!
And we, as a family, are attracted to similar people. All our inlaws are pretty much the same. A bland, inoffensive person would be eaten alive in my family and probably end up very stressed.
It’s sort of unusual, or maybe not, but even the young ones have strong personalities and opinions. It’s encouraged. They seem to attract similar friends.
I get that, but I suppose that being inoffensive doesn’t translate into dullness. All of my friends have strong personalities in the traditional sense, which I love about them, but they do unfairly write off people they perceive as not having strong personalities, merely because the person is quieter or more polite. I see it as being a little lazy and refusing to see that a diversity of personalities are valuable and just because someone is “inoffensive” doesn’t mean their personalities aren’t strong in a different sort of way.
Then again, there is a difference between inoffensive and bland, like notasugarhere points out below.
LAK. You stole the words right out of my mouth, but better.
And I don’t think she’s dull on purpose. If she was, we would have seen at least some bit of her wilder side before marriage. But that’s another matter. Also, she doesn’t have opinions of her own. When you hear her speak, she does come across as bland and uneventful. She doesn’t even come across well while speaking for charity.
She could have done so much before marriage. She just made herself available for her prince as and when he wanted her for about 10 years. 10 crucial years of her 20’s ! Geez. She didn’t have much of a job also at the time no?
That’s why I like you, LAK, you strong, recalcitrant diva, you!
Right back at you Baroness!! 🙂
I remain your humble and obedient servant!
I also come from a family of gobshites. When I first brought Mr Sixer home, he found family meals quite intimidating. He thought we were all having terrible arguments and couldn’t understand how one minute we were all going at it hammer and tongs and the next minute all laughing together. I pointed out that the arguing wasn’t arguing at all, just lively debate about a topic, and there was never anything in the way of personal insult so why wouldn’t we go from bellowing our point to laughing at a joke, but it still took him ages to get used to it.
LAK, I must say how encouraging your words were for me this morning. I love places where everyone can be an individual. In my family of origin, an independent mind came at a cost! On the other hand, independent thinking was the goal of my own mothering style.
Sixer, your family and mine sound the same. Poor Mr Sixer. LOL. I presume he finally got it?!
Wolfpup: Thank you and that makes me cry, but I am so happy to hear (read) that you broke the cycle.
He’s still the – comparatively! – quiet one but he has stopped worrying about an approaching Armageddon!
Good for you, wolfpup.
I’m right there with you guys. I’m having such a lovely memory trip this morning! My family (especially my dad) was like that too. We’d be at each others throats and no one could make me madder than my dad, but it was never personal and mealtimes were pretty much the same way.
GAH!! I’m getting all misty!
bluhare – it was Easter Saturday last year that my mum died, so I am misty, too. Glad for the good times, though.
I thought about your mum after I typed my post, Sixer. I’ll have a Cadbury mini egg (hell, I’ll have a packet of them) and give her a toast tomorrow.
Compare her to Sophie, who is also inoffensive but far more hard-working, professional, and engaging. Bland is not required to do the role well. And the BRF had nothing to do with the choice of Middleton or how she acts – that is all William.
Agree. I hope Bill is married to Kate and her mum for a long looong time.
Yes William has set the bar low.
But I think Waity does rock the boat A LOT. Most of the rocking apparently involves mummy, ie. living at Meddledoom Manor, leaking to the press, Xmas with the RF, etc.
I love Margaret Atwood she’s my very favorite writer.
She didn’ t ‘attack’ Kate she just spoke the truth. Kate is bland by design and it is advisible for her to be so.
+1000
I also didn’t think she was attacking Kate; she pretty much said she’s not rocking the boat, and that’s probably wise of her. No diss there really.
Excepting butt sightings, I think Kate is usually reasonably well dressed, and with everyone ready to pounce for any mistake, it seems fine to me. Really, Diana had style, but do you think she was HAPPY with all the life choices she made? Who is to say Kate doesn’t have a public and a private persona, and chooses her battles? Especially I can’t believe all the criticism when she ‘s PREGGERS and with a toddler, for Pete’s sake. Setting the bar low would be Princess Kim, Princess Fergie, or wearing maternity yoga pants and a ripped sweatshirt every day! Or especially low would be being rude and haughty with people, but she has always been described as friendly and unassuming, shopping for her own groceries despite no royals doing such things before, etc. oops, sorry: maybe she’s just a nice person who is kind and unassuming, but whose priority is not becoming a fashion icon.
Let’s not confuse types of celebrity. Why would Kate dress like a movie star, model, or other type of performer? Her celebrity starts and ends with her role in the royal family. You can’t even compare royal families. What the Monarchs of Spain or Sweden or wherever think is appropriate may not fly with QE2.
She is calling the shots. Her views were formed in a different era in regard to presentation of the royal family. The question is when she passes will Kate change up her style? I doubt Charles will be so controlling. She may or she may feel the same way as the queen does. But as of right now her control over her own style is limited.
Kate is a performer. Her job is to represent HM at British and international events. Unfortunately she has proven herself inadequate for the role. She barely feign interest in her “charities” , unless the involve attractive men in uniform or celebs.
Since this can be found on various websites & publications, I can assume that any expressions of joy, delight, devotion are merely an act, a performance.
She most definitely puts on a performance every time she steps out in public. I will never forget her “performance” at the start of the Tour de France, when she reacted in shock to a fallen rider. Not once, not twice, but thrice until William and Harry noticed it too. She feigns interest in things because when she’s really interested in something, it shows. She is engaged. Her eyes light up. Like the time when she met J. Crew’s creative director. That genuine interest is missing from 90% of her visits.
I”m going to take issue with the word “performer”, although I think they see themselves as performing monkeys sometimes. That being said, I think representative is a better word. It isn’t her job to perform; it’s her job to represent the monarchy and advocate for her patronages. Not that she’s doing at great job at all of it, but I do think she’s upped her game this year.
Bluhare
Jason deserves some credit here. A friend told me today of the irony having an American save the future of the Monarchy by polishing the image of the heir.
I couldn’t agree more, FLORC. I think Kate’s game-upping has everything to do with him. She listened and acted!
I agree about representing. I think, if we must have royals (sigh), then their job should be embodying the best aspirations of the nation – the work ethic, the values, the charitable support – all the stuff we’d wish ourselves to do/to be if we weren’t too busy dealing with the day-to-day to manage very much of.
I think it’s HILARIOUS that an American is teaching duty – or at least, the appearance of duty – to the wife of a direct heir!
Perhaps the best part is that she is *listening*.
Agree, wolfpup.
Sixer I am *so* looking forward to the first time I get to call you a little Herbert! 😀
I’m really glad someone finally said it (and in a polite way too, I might add.) I stumble upon all these posts about “what Kate wore” and it really does floor me because 99% of the time she is wearing something boring. *shrugs* And that’s not a criticism of her per se. She isn’t a fashion model. She is supposed to be known for more than what she wears (emphasis on “supposed to be”.) Sometimes it just feels like the media is trying to make fetch happen with her. It’s never going to happen. She’s not a fashion icon. She’s just a girl who married a guy who apparently is a prince.
Her wardrobe is generally forgettable but I would kill for some of her extremely well-tailored coats.
I tend to love her coats too.
I used to like many of her hats until she started wearing more or less the same hat in different shades. I think that’s because she shops in only one or two places that are famous for that particular shape.
Before she married in, she allegedly borrowed her hats from a store that specialises in such a service which gives customers (and Kate) a variety to choose from.
When she first came onto the scene I loved her coat and boot combinations. Still do, but she really needs to up the boot game. I could help. Love boots.
Bluhare
I can see that. You’d drive up. Tell Kate what boots looked great, what didn’t, and that a shopping trip was needed. Then your car would have so much extra weight from all the boots you’re relieved Kate’s closet of the bumper would drag.
The result? You get a wide array of lovely boots (with complimentary coats and bags), while Kate wears those black suede wedge heel ones with every outfit.
I’m so onto you.
I like her coats too but a girl cannot live on coats alone! haha
Moi, FLORC? The wiglet wagon is sitting idle a lot these days though. 😉
Bluhare
You sadly have missed quite a few Wiglet Watches lately. Not always on royal threads too which is nice!
I do remember we had some amazing suspension and shocks installed on the Wiglet Wagon ages ago. You, LadySlippers and a few others were spilling your tea with my high speed driving so it’s a lot more stable now and can carry a lot more weight. We will use the Wagon to ease the burden on Kate’s closets!
And should we find a wiglet I want it! The Wet Wiglet has become to tattered it needs replacing.
You are a hoot, FLORC!
You have wiglet watches on other threads? I confess I hardly go over to other ones; learnt my lesson there. I stay here where I know everyone and people don’t get snippy for no reason.
Bluhare
We had one on a Travolta thread after his selfie at the gym where he had no wiglet on. Scandalous!
And a few other celeb threads.
I can’t blame you for avoiding the threads. People think this is tough, but some others are truly negative for the sake of it.
I still recall when Mich had to come to my aid after a KK thread attacked because I said Kris deserves more blame than Kim or something like that. As you know that was when I went into witness protection and became FLORC.
I think Catherine looks appropriate and pretty most of the time. She has made fashion mistakes along the way but she is human like the rest of us and therefore is prone to making mistakes.
I enjoy Catherine’s fashions but hope she can eventually becomes someone of substance and utilizes her unique position to help make this world a better place.
She has a team of professionals to take care of her clothing choices. She just doesn’t listen. She has become stubborn and set in Will’s ways.
Though she has improved. Thank you to the Queen for that
Laura
Snark 1st. I’d imagine if I forgot panties once around cameras I wouldn’t forget them ever again.
And now no snark.
Kate’s style during the girlfriend years was quite good. It sort of carried over to her adult casual style. Comfy boat flats, pants, button down blouse or shirt with maybe v-neck sweater and a simple baseball cap. Basic, but not sloppy and imo comfy. This tends to be my style so there’s a bias.
Most importantly though she looks comfortable in it. So many dresses wear her. The style seems out of place. We all have clothes that we feel so good in it looks natural. For Kate that style has been flats and pants with a cap. Completely seperate from her working style and maybe that’s why her outfits look off or young or dowdy. Because she’s dressing how she things she should dress and not how she wants to?
JMO.
Ameoba
William has had a style and type well established. Thin, long brown hair, and exposed legs.
Ok, I have to ask: forgot panties? As in, at all, or did she wear a thong??? I knew there were a few occasions where her skirt flew up, but I presumed that the big shock was that we saw the panties, not the buttocks. I’d imagine that’d be scandalous enough for a Royal. *yes, not following Kate very closely*
Timbuktu: we all *hope* she’s wearing thongs because the idea that she’s going without panties is too much considering the skirts fly up in work situations. We’ve all seen her bare bottom once too often. At official functions!!!!
All I’m going to say today is this woman has amazing skin for someone her age.
Gracias, Vava!
Do you mean Margaret Atwood? If so I agree. As for Kate, her photos are often photo shopped and her smoking habit has aged her skin beyond her actual age of early thirties. Also, the makeup, especially that eyeliner, does not help.
Such a beautiful woman. “Cat’s Eye” and “Robber Bride” are my fav’s.
Robber Bride is a thinly veiled story of Barbara Amiel, the disgraced Conrad Black’s wife. She hopscotched through 4 marriages before she married him, each one successively more lucrative and career-enhancing. She once described Israel as “that shitty little country” – interesting as she’s Jewish. Before her husband was incarcerated, she used to brag about her 100 carat diamonds and closets full of shoes. She’s consistently portrayed herself and Conrad as the victims of a gross injustice instead of realizing that he broke the law and had to pay the price. Not a very nice person by all accounts and disliked by many in the Canadian literary community who saw her rise to wealth and fame as nothing more than sleeping with the right men to get her there.
Jaded: I never knew that about the Robber Bride. I’m going to re-read it with that thought in mind.
Ps: I still think it’s funny that it was her bragging about her lifestyle to Vogue Magazine that really ignited the fire that led to Conrad’s exposure. So many people had tried and failed to pin him down, but an eagle eyed tax inspector close to the case saw the Vogue feature and used it to start digging.
What I remember from the feature is her quote,’ my extravagance knows no bounds!’ against a backdrop of extravagant acquisitions.
Fashion is an art . It’s not sexist to comment on art. It’s sexist to evade a question about or from a politician or scientists to comment on her fashion.
Her style is boring. No lies detected. And I’m not sure why Atwood’s opinion is considered an attack. She’s commenting on her clothes, not her person. Personally, I think Kate’s style reflects her Stepford wife image and a desire on someone’s part to dress her like Diana (not the exact dresses,but looks, of course), especially on tours and select events.
“If you’re put on a pedestal you’re suppose to behave yourself like a pedestal type of person. Pedestals actually have a limited circumference. Not much room to move around.” – Margaret Atwood
IMO Kate is slowly developing her style. The light, flowy, unlined dresses without panties are becoming less frequent. Her hemline by majority is becoming more appropriate. And her heels are heavily reduced in size which is helpful when walking on lawns or meeting people much shorter than yourself.
The poor tailoring and poor fit of many outfits I don’t believe is her fault. It’s certainly someone’s fault though. No excuse for frayed and uneven hems.
She still repeats severe clothing mistakes, but it’s not a weekly thing like it once was.
What she offers is appearance. And slowly that has been improving. I think the BRF is fine with this for now. And Kate is complacent with this being what she is to the world.
And its taken her almost 4 years to learn this – girl is clearly a ‘slow’ learner.
Margaret Atwood is one of the most amazing writers.
I’m sick of the fuss made over the royals period. We’re supposed to be in awe of their every move and treat them as if they are above us because of a title? The royals don’t even do anything. They are just celebrities. Princess Diana was always overrated because she had a public relations team working hard enough to make sure that even a woman who liked to sleep with married men could be crowned a saint by the public.
This Kate is being treated as her only function is to show up everywhere and put on a fashion show. All because of a stupid title.
Tara
Have you seen a show called The Royals? It’s ok and a lot trashy. 1st episode had the spare bumped up to becoming the heir and the King proposed disbanding the monarchy. The fallout from that was many of the royals in a panic having only ever known that life. The idea of having to find a skill and earn a living was a nightmare.
It’s outdated, but they do have power. And that’s the scary part that the charity visits, pretty clothes, and cute babies all distract from.
I tried watching that show, but I absolutely could not get past Elizabeth Hurley as the Queen. Just couldn’t do it.
Bluhare
It’s tough. It’s a tough watch even past the 1st episode. I’m about ready to swear it off from the 2 poorly dressed, nutty red head daughters of the spare (Andrew, Bea, and Eug)
But the Worst! The daughter of the King being blackmailed by her head of security after what was clearly a sexual assault when he drugged her and recorded her. Who knows if there even is a tape, but he’s letting her believe this and he did drug her. And the assulting is still ongoing out of blackmail. The story line is headed to make the head of security into a decent guy that really likes the princess, but the whole thing is so wrong.
If you could get past Hurley as the Queen you wouldn’t make it to episode 2.
I watched it. I thought parts of it were funny, but I couldn’t believe the portrayal of the prince who is obviously Andrew and the two daughters who are Beatrice and Eugenie. I can’t believe they get away with that! The Andrew character is a total scum, blackmailing staff for sex, and the portrayal of the two girls is very unkind – they are ugly and stupid, which is unfair, I thought. I don’t know if I’ll watch it again.
And bluhare, agreed, the Elizabeth Hurley character was absurd. They should have used a lesser known actor for that role.
Kate has got neither a stamina nor a charisma to pull off any of the outfits Diana wore. All Kate is capable for is to set a pair of shoes with a coat dress so their colors coincide or fit each other more or less. She is boring. Her clothes is boring. She has no opinion of her own. She has no style of her own. She dresses as she thinks a princess should do. And she dressed like that all those 10 hunting years. I for once think that she dressed so boringly while dating WillNot because her mother advised her to do so and guided her. Cariol is a good marketing expert, she knows how to place and adjust a “product” so the customer finds it appropriate and fit. So she did it with her daughter too.
I am in accord with your remarks, sad to say, or not.
Margaret Atwood has made it clear on twitter that there was no “slam”, that it is a non story and that DM took her words out of context. Watching the youtube video of the discussion, MA was asked the question during a Q&A and she was taken back by it. It was off topic and she made it clear she really had never thought about it and “why would she”.
DM did it with Mantel as well. Taking someone’s words out of context and twisting them for news.
Ah, figures. Sigh.
If DM keeps generating controversy about this dull duchess just to sell it’s rag and get online hits, I hope notable people who are asked about her start responding firmly with “no comment”.
I agree but Kate being ‘uneventful’ and ‘bland’ is wholly down to William – he wants a dull, stepford wife who has no personality plus because of Uncle Gary and his skeletons she needs to be seen as safe as not to embarrass him.
I really wish someone would give her a personality transplant – I get that she probably finds making small talk difficult its not easy but she should really be taking notes from HM, who is a master at it.
I think Kate’s style is boring too. Over @ Royaldish, someone has/had a side by side going where it looks as if Kate’s clothing choices while married are a direct modification of Diana’s, i.e., the polka dot dresses both wore when leaving the hospital with their newborn’s.
I’ve even stopped posting stuff or rarely post, I should say, on the Kate threads because it’s always about her clothes. Believe me, I don’t judge others who do, but I strongly feel that that’s what we’ve been reduced to because she (and he) offer so little in substance.
Given what I just wrote, I hope this next won’t be hypocritical of me:
1. I think they get the coat-dress matchy thing from the Queen. That’s her style, so it gets a green light. The Queen is in her 80s. Kate and the other royals aren’t. They can dress in ways that are contemporary, sophisticated and age appropriate. Look at other other royal women. The problem for Kate is that her “dress” models are her Mom, her sister, fashion magazines and her college friends. Her circle hasn’t really included professional or professionally dressed business woman. In a lot of ways, her clothes choices appear childlike to me as opposed to refreshingly her. They don’t have to be avant gard or anything but what is her professional signature?
2. # 2 mimics #1. Kate (with support from her family) was groomed to be an upper class wife. IMO because that’s not where her family started their origins and perhaps with limited access throughout their own ascendancy to families of that class whose feet had been planted there for a couple of generations, the only thing Kate’s family could offer her was: (1) tuition at schools where the monied and privileged attend; (2) the types of vacations that the monied tend to take (as not to feel inferior and to be able to better fit in); and (3) advise that basically says “don’t rock the boat / we are trying to gain entry here / be as agreeable as possible / we will make changes only if something truly awful happens / find one or two rich and connected girls to be fiends with. I said all that to say this: she was bred to be bland because she wasn’t bred or groomed to be an individual but a tool of upward mobility. Most folks Kate’s age would have had at least 1(!) experience doing something for charity by now either thru something going on at her college or via a company or corporation she worked for ala corporate friends or a United Way campaign (don’t know the equivalent in the UK).
3. The BRF needs to come to terms with the persona, the wounds / the grooves and the change agent that was Diana. Lay her ghost to rest. And I truly get that conversation around someone’s clothing shouldn’t push more important messages about childhood diseases, plagues and famines off of the front page but it does or did happen—partly because Diana was new, young and pretty and not as taciturn as the usual players. Had Princess Maragaret’s heyday been in the go-gos 80’s with the type of celebrity media that had evolved by the time Diana appeared in the BRF, she too would have knocked QEII et al off of the front covers.
4. Hopefully, as Kate & William age, William will get the psychological help he needs re: his Mom and her sojourn thru his life and Kate will want to spread her wings and bloom–realizing how much she has been sacrified & sacrificed (in terms of everyday people experiences) to hold on to Big Willie.
My 2 cents.
Dena, I enjoyed reading your very thoughtful 2 cents.
Me, too. That was a worthy two cents, Dena!
😉😄
The feeling of being a sacrifice is exactly how I felt after being in a Women’s Studies program after a year or so. We are betrayed by our culture, and I believe that Kate was taught that her sacrifices were “for her own good”.
Of course but there are so many ways of measuring and weighing that. Right? Materially & in terms of status, Kate has hit the jackpot–better than the powerball. From here until perpetuity, her line will always be associated with the House of Windsor (good and bad) but emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically @ what price? She’ll have to do the accounting. Thanks wolfpup.😄
For Gods sake the girl gave the queen a son on the first go. She can’t be Dianna beause she saw where that got her… Maybe she wants to play safe because she doesn’t mind it and may actually enjoy not having much of a role. Anyone ever thought of that? I would be the same way if were in her shoes. Sorry if that bothers people.
Sara
Kate gave the Queen a son?
Kate said and has supported this numerous times that she only cares for William’s opinion. This holds up.
And her position is a job. She receives many perks for her job. And it’s a role that can do amazing good. Eventually wouldn’t you get bored of your day consisting of exercise, dieting, shopping, and maybe an event for an hour or less? Keep in mind your only friends would be your immeidate family and your husband is often elsewhere.
And all of this would be nothing if she wasn’t a representative of the monarchy that thrives off goodwill of the people.
Perks come with duties. More perks you indulge in more duties you should hold to. To her credit she has been doing a bit more. Baby steps.
It’s a trade off. Personally, I do not understand the mentality that some people would be just fine with that lazy type of lifestyle for the long term. I like working. I like contributing.
Everything FLORC said + this: the girl (any girl) has zero ability to determine the sex of her child. All she can do is supply Xs. It’s up to the baby-daddy to supply a Y chromosome or not. Or, for those with the means and motive, it’s up to the doctor to select and supply the XY embryo for implantation. Not sayin’, just sayin’.
CynicalCeleste
2 things.
It’s costly, but you can pick the gender of your child upon implantation. No evidence though that’s the case here. Just saying.
And a father isn’t even needed really. Women can reproduce in an all female society. We can only produce other females though. And not with out artificial help. Neat!
FLORC – Perhaps men ought to understand this! They should be more grateful for our loving…
Wolfpup
Fully agree. We can adapt and continue without them, but they can’t say the same.
Diana wasn’t very chic until she her marriage got rocky. By then she didn’t care that she was taller than Charles & started wearing proper high heels & spending big money on a wardrobe. She undeniably craved attention. Kate doesn’t have the same need for the spotlight that her deceased m-i-l did. Most of the time her clothes are fine. If she were a great style maven, just as many of you would criticize her for that.
Prince Chas pays for a lot of her wardrobe – do you really think he’d encourage her to step it to max and overshadow Camilla by miles? Sophie usually looks good but she’s had some high-fashion misses that should have stayed at the boutique. Based on what I’ve seen in photos, for years, of the BRF, they really don’t want their women very stylish. Yes, QE gets lots of love because she’s old, always matches hat-dress-coat, and has achieved iconic status for being on the throne for decades. Is she truly stylish? Predictably but colorfully staid, with fantastic jewels. The grannies I see at church on Sundays have a better fashion sense, if fashion is more than the same shoes with a monochromatic ensemble.
Atwood is a great writer who wears boring clothes. Hilary Mantel Is a brilliant writer who wears caftans in public and usually needs a root touch-up. I don’t think either of these very intellectual women are stylish enough themselves to comment negatively on how another woman dresses.
Middleton has courted the spotlight for 14 years. She has paps and reporters on speed dial. She would deliberately exit the front door of clubs to be photographed after a night out. She and her family play the press games as much as Diana ever did.
Diana wasn’t always chic, but she was put-together and carried herself elegantly. Not easy with those goofy styles of the eighties, but she knew she had a role to play and she usually played it well.
These writers didn’t set out to talk about Middleton’s style. If you’ve read Mantel’s entire speech you’d know that clothing was not the point of it. Atwood was lobbed an oddball question about Middleton and answered it well. If they wear sweatpants all day they are still allowed to comment on Middleton’s style or lack thereof, freedom of speech and all that jazz. This person represents them on the global stage. They are allowed to express their opinions about all aspects of her performance.
Nota
2 Questions.
Are you nowherenearsugar above? That comment struck me as odd.
And wasn’t HM’s comment (essay?) on Kate in her defense? That she’s a human being and not a clothes horse that should be stripped of personality and what makes her unique to fit a preformed role? Those comments sure were spun to be an attack.
I post as “notasugarhere” here, not under any other name.
Only a small part of Mantel’s Royal Bodies speech was about Middleton, and when read overall, it is a very sympathetic view of what it must be like to be a public figure. At least I thought it was a sympathetic view.
Nota
Well, notasugarhere is such an original name. Nowherenearsugar seemed like a play on your name.
I thought sympathetic too. The overall speech was something I needed time to absorb. Really well thought out though.
Taxi
But by the time Charles and Diana were more publicly seperating fashion had greatly improved imo. The 80’s were just hideous.
And neither Hilary or Margaret are known for fashion. They offer us literary talents. Kate is only viewed and known for what she wears and how she looks. And the question was posed about the clothes. What was she suppose to say? No comment? That would not have gone well. Her repsonse was perfectly fine.
I think your view has missed the proper context are what the forum was, what was asked, and in full how Atwood responded. She was respectful and honest.
Why such hostility towards Atwood and her style when she didn’t attack or even want to discuss Kate’s style?
She merely offered an opinion – where’s the real harm of that?!
I’m not hostile at all to Atwood as a talented writer, but I don’t think she shows enough fashion flair to justify her remarks about anyone else’s style with “I think she dresses quite uneventfully.”
Atwood’s outside her own expertise but said “Let’s pretend you’re meeting a person for the first time, as you do when you meet a character in a book. What do I see? Your dress, I see your face of course, I focus on that. I see your earrings, I see your necklace, and those are all part of you. They are all part of the total image of who I’ve just met.” For an avowed & self-described feminist to focus initially on clothes & jewelry is either shallow or over-reaching. The comment would have some gravitas coming from a designer or fashion editor.
Margaret has a point, however. Body art is as old as man, and I say all my diamonds , are merely “a bad tattoo” (for those who call them over the top). Atwood, as a writer, would find descriptors necessary.
Taxi/Wolfpup
I had a long response to you both that never posted i guess.
To sum. Atwood creates characters. These details like appearance speak to us before they do. She’s qualified to answer. And to be fair designers have also said Kate’s style is bland. Jenny P had to defend her styles after some backlash on how Kate made her clothes look awful.
And Atwood didn’t want to answer the question. How could she have answered it any better without being untrue to herself?
And she didn’t attack Kate’s clothes so why criticize hers? Can Taxi say they are a fashionista? Because by that logic only designers can judge how another dresses.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m sick of her wearing coats. I didn’t mind a coat as long as it looked like a dress, like the one she wore in Belgium. I hope we are safe from the skinnny jeans and wedges of doom after she gives birth. I wish she would adopt a short jacket or cardigan with a dress or blouse/skirt combo when visiting charities every now and then. And I hope that she never tries trousers like QLetizia or CP Mary.
SOCAL
Agree on too many coats. Coats may have worn disguise the bump/ any weight. More short jackets-regal interesting suits upon return from leave (maybe another year).
To other tread; on the question (lacking substance but all anyone can speak to on. Wm – ) may be beneath Ms, Atwood brilliant mind – but equally surprised, she had a response; maybe out of respect to HM and the BRF.
I hated “The Handmaid’s Tale.” And I couldn’t give a fig what this woman has to say about Kate. Diana craved attention, had the paps in her hip pocket, loved leading the life of a jet set divorcee. Kate does not. She won’t ever want to be in the limelight more than her husband. I’m sure her mother drummed that into her years ago. That’s why he married her. Because he knew she’d never show him up for the lazy slacker he really is.
Middleton does crave the attention. She and her family have their own mouthpiece at the Daily Mail and their own pap on speed dial for over a decade. They’ve funded their skiing vacations by selling exclusive photos to Hello. She deliberately exited clubs out the front door so she could get her picture taken as the Prince’s girlfriend. She and her family have courted press attention as much as Diana ever did. James Whittaker pointed out that Middleton always knows where the camera is and finds them for the money shot – more than Diana ever did.
OT, but does anyone know why she’s named Catherine with a C but nicknamed Kate with a K?
This isn’t gospel, but I was taught that whichever way one spells Catherine, C or K, Kate with a K was always the nickname version of both names.
I’d never heard of Kate with a C until Cate Blanchett became famous and even then, I never associate her name as a shortened version of Catherine, C or K.
I agree, LAK. When Cate Blanchett came on the scene I thought it might be pronounced “sate” for a while!
Literally yours,
bluhare
Bluhare, me too!!! Was very confused as a result.
I love Margaret, I saw her give a great talk a few yrs back at local university, then had the pleasure of overhearing her drop several f-bombs as she was walking directly behind us – mouth like a trucker, seriously hilarious! But picking on Kate for her boring wardrobe is a bit of an easy target at this point. To be fair she was asked about it and she does seem to think Kate doesn’t have much say in the matter (I think Kate has more say than she is given credit for but sticks to conservative preppy in a fruitless effort to please HRH, who is like the Miranda Priestley of royal fashion in my imagination – one side eye and poor Kate has to retire that particular skirt for life!).
OK i’m getting a bit annoyed at people who think that Kate is some sort of closet intellectual who is secretly working on a stable renewable energy source while single handily bringing about world peace but is crushed by a jealous Queen. Oh please, it has been stated by official and unofficial sources (press, leaks and otherwise) that these 2 set their own schedules and pretty much have the freedom to do as they please – which they do with abandon. Neither she or William are being ‘bullied’.
I was just joking about Kate and the Queen because that is the running gag, didn’t mean for it to be taken deadly seriously. I don’t know that I buy any of the crap we’re sold about the familial politics. The “freedom to do as they please” – to some extent sure, but be sure there are protocols and dress codes. I was just riffing, as this is a gossip site and this is one of the sillier subjects on here, sorry if that got lost in translation.
I have no problem with the way she dresses. I feel she dresses appropriately for her role as the possible future queen. Her clothes are not dowdy and she’s worn some outfits that I wouldn’t mind adding to my closet.
She’s doing fine; people should let her live her life in peace (or as much peace as can be expected).
Looking back at photos of Diana I think she looked her best in plain classic suits. Some of the outfits she wore were plain horrendous. I will never forget the woolly jumper, flared summer skirt, polka dot ankle socks and high heels she wore to a polo match one Sunday and that was 5 years after her marriage. If Kate ever wore anything like that she would be crucified on here. A lot of what Diana wore was to draw attention to herself. There was also the gypsy style dress, knee length at the front and long at the back which she with different coloured evening gloves. There was also the State Opening of Parliament when she wore her hair up (it did not suit her) and there was nothing in the British press the next day about the Queen’s speech which detailed the government’s plans for the next session of Parliament but it was all about Diana which was what she wanted. Diana also wore too short skirts on platforms but that all seems to have been forgotten. Diana was all about upstaging. No wonder they must all be so happy with Kate. I also don’t know what is wrong with her wearing coats. This is Britain and for the last 5 months the weather has been cold. What is she meant to wear on public engagements – a padded jacket?
Haha! I remember the polka dot ankle socks very well and that was ridiculous,, even for the 80’s. However, Diana cannot be accused of immodesty or the kind of inappropriate choices we’ve seen Kate in – seriously. I mean seeing Kate’s skeletal frame in jeggings for an official “working” appearance was just painful to watch and I was embarassed on her behalf. It’s one thing to dress like that on her down time, but for a royal engagement — SMH.
I thought her unweighted sheer skirt blowing up to show a thong and most of her ass far worse. I think the jeggings were in Canada and she had to paddle a canoe that afternoon, so I’ll give her a pass on that. But with the high winds that day in Australia, no one can tell me she didn’t know what she was doing with the flyaway skirt and thong underwear – my guess is that she was titillating her husband.
The jeggings and skinny jeans have appeared multiple times on duty, not just in a canoe in Canada. Trousers would have been appropriate at the events.
I remember that Diana outfit, loved it, but I was also ten at the time.
That said, my older cousins all dressed the same. Polka dot pop socks with a big ra ra skirt and a jumper were the rage that year. Diana was wearing what every fashionable young thing was wearing that year.
It’s similar to Fergie’s big hair bows worn with a midi skirt and a big boxy jacket the following year.
Or the big bow at the hip of an otherwise body con dress or the ra ra skirt attached to the bottom of the dress.
That my dears was the 80s, and Diana was in her twenties during this time.
The fashion was hideous and even I cringe at a lot of what was fashionable that I wore as a tween and a teen, so you can’t compare Diana and Kate in that sense.
What you can say is that Diana had the confidence to try out the big fashion trends. Kate would NEVER DARE to wear something that was considered fashionable irrespective of whether it was ridiculous or not.
LAK, how would you classify the Jenny P pale blue mini skirt underneath the split long skirt, worn with the bow-on-the-ankle sandals? That seems Hollywood and fashion to me.
Nota: you know how a designer shows a range of looks where some are good and others should never be reproduced in real life?
That’s how I feel about the mini skirted dress with a extra mullet skirt combo. It flatters no one, and she looked ridiculous in it. Colour was great though.
That said, it was a peak at some sort of personality, so there is that. I still call bland personality because no decent stylist would pick out something like that, which was blandly racy, for a client.
I see LAK’s answered so I can say I thought it was bloody awful and the shoes made it worse. I think that might be her worst evening outfit ever.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say that.
The Windsors I’m sure have had quite enough of “eventful” royal consorts. Kate’s no fool in that sense – I’m sure the ghastly lesson of Diane/Fergie was drummed into her by Ma Middleton. But it’s also true that the girl is inherently vapid. You can’t spend your twenties doing absolutely nothing but waiting for the SS William Sales to sail into harbor and turn into someone interesting. So why would her style be interesting? She looks exactly like what she is: a stringently sheltered Mama’s girl now moving into stringently sheltered very rich matron who never had a single self-directed ambition or goal except to hook William. Her style seems eminently of a piece with her persona.
Of course I meant DianA/Fergie – typing too quickly, sorry!
Michelle Obama has amazing taste, I think. So did Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
The birth must be imminent as Kate wasn’t with the royals at the traditional Easter visit to church. Even the York sisters made it. Sophie and Autumn were well-presented and dressed appropriately for the occasion.
On second thought,maybe the birth is still a ways off and Kate simply didn’t want to go and be gawked at. Yeah, that’s probably it. She’s so body conscious and intent on being as thin as possible, this baby weight must be killing her.
They don’t usually show up for Easter at Windsor. The rest of the extended family does, but not W&K. I don’t think Charles or Camilla are there either. In past years, the Middletons spent Easter as their skiing holiday.
Wendi
I agrEe – HM and the royal ladies looked regal and lovely.
Your second thought of no shows seem more likely- (even with waity ‘forget I’m pregnant’) and considering waity avoids bonding with members of the RF POW; never mind her title position in the world, wealth luxury lifestyle, palaces multiple homes/cars all due to the POW.
Its strange – carol the middletons hangers as “close family’ – however, waity carol middletons clan, support and try controlling P Wiil / George staying away from the very important royal sibling, dad/grand and the RF.
First photo – Waity treated color/rinse her hair while with bump – .(Is she preping for delivery paps!)
Kate has never attended the Easter service and I can’t remember the last time William did. Probably have to go as far back as before Diana’s death as she attended every year and brought the boys along.
I find it so interesting that it never seemed to occur to Margaret Atwood, (who looks like the head librarian of the Sack of Potatoes School of Dressing), that Kate may simply be interested in other things than setting fashion trends.
Of course she is. That’s why she’s spotted shopping all the time. So she can avoid them all.
snap
The talk at the V&A was actually about fashion. Part of being a writer is observing the way people choose to present themselves to the world. I’m not at all surprised that she was asked this question, and her response wasn’t an attack – ‘uneventful’ is not an inherently negative term – you can tell that Kate is deliberately trying to be uncontroversial.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/4061/margaret-atwood-fashion-and-fiction-398140206/