There are a lot of “surprise” visits happening lately with the royals. Yes, I know “surprise events” aren’t really surprises – they are simply embargoed events with no advance press, and often royal reporters and photographers are simply told where to be, but not the specifics of what will happen. I also tend to believe that many of the “surprise” events are last-minute decisions, added to a royal person’s schedule maybe 24 hours or 48 hours beforehand. What does it mean that both the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge had separate surprise events today? I think it totally means that they aren’t competing and never will, of course!
Duchess Kate made a trip to the Psychology & Language Sciences Division at UCL, where she “will learn more about the Unit’s neuroscience research into how environment and biology interact to shape the way in which children develop both socially and emotionally. The Unit aims to better understand the factors that contribute to healthy development, as well as those that are linked to the emergence of behavioural and emotional problems in children” (via The Daily Mail). Basically, it sounds like she’s visiting a scientific lab full of scientists studying how language and verbal skills are embedded in infants and young kids, and how that affects future behavior. Is it predictive? I don’t know. But I know it’s good to talk to your infants and children.
For this visit, Kate repeated a years-old suit by Paule Ka. The DM says the suit is six years old, but I feel like this was one of the ensembles she had in her closet since before she was even married. Like Meghan’s cranberry look, this is a great color for the season and for Kate in particular. One of the reasons why I think this suit is older is because it always looked like something Kate chose when she was in her 20s – that flared skirt, the hemline. Oh well, at least she’s being “thrifty” again. And I do enjoy the ponytail (but not the girlish ribbon).
The Duchess of Cambridge is learning more about @ucl research into what affect trauma in young children can affect the brain. pic.twitter.com/ubx3Ju7O6L
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 21, 2018
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Yeah, it just seems an odd fit – not physically speaking, but this outfit says “just out of uni or still in” to me. Not a woman in her 30s.
But it’s a great winter color. Glad Kate is out and about.
The skirt is a little too short, but other than that I think the suit is cute. It’s from 2012 and I’m surprised this skirt was missed when she was read the riot act and had to get longer skirts for all her jackets. I guess the fabric was considered heavy enough to be safe.
Was just going to say, aside from the length I really like the color, fit, black tights and shoes. Very nice.
I agree – I like this outfit – would be better a bit longer but I still think it’s nice. She looks good.
Really dig those shoes! (I thought she [and Meghan] would never deviate from stilettos, which irritate me with many an outfit.)
Peculiar rigout, but she wears it well!
I think the outfit just looks dated. It looks like something which probably would have been lovely in around 2001. I really don’t like her ponytail here either which is a shame because Kate had been doing so much better recently.
I’m not a big ponytail person but I like them on both Meghan and Kate today.
Totally agree. love the color, the blazer still works but that skirt looks super dated/cheap. It looks like something I would have worn going to work a business luncheon before I had a real job and thought it looked “businessy”. Then I got an internship in Congress and realized I looked like a freaking idiot and started wearing proper suits.
Looks about four sizes too small.
No, it doesn’t.
Maybe not, but there is definitely something off about it.
I agree but yet don’t really think it’s too small as much as the skirt looks too short.I think black trousers,and I mean real actual trousers-not skinny jeans/jeggings would elevate this look from outdated to more modern,but at least she’s out and she’s still a pretty lady,no doubt.
The whole “thrifty” thing is weird. Just about every single other high profile royal re-wear clothing, because people don’t just throw away their clothes after one wear. This idea that it’s noteworthy of Kate to do so is really strange.
I mean i know how celebritities do it,they never repeat and I am talking about celebrities that have been famous for decades and I have never seen them repeat an outfit.
You realize that you’re saying that people who wear clothes they don’t own themselves don’t seem to repeat much, right? Celebs typically borrow their red carpet looks. You’re talking about items that they don’t own in the first place. Not to mention, you’re talking about red carpet appearances, where with the royals it’s a ton of day to day appearances in addition to big state events.
The daily fail is milking the “thrifty” thing as hard as they can, then publishes an article about Meghan looking “stunning” in a coat and mentions it cost thousands of pounds…. they’re trying to get people to hate Meghan and judging by the comments, it’s working. Suddenly Catherine, previously known as Cannot, is the wise, modes, thrifty one. “A credit to the royal family” and “a real duchess”. Just like all of Harry’s exes, who in several cases droppped him due to the negative attention from the press they got, and who used to be ripped to shreds in the comment section, are now “the one that got away”.
You know that this pre-dates Meghan by years, right? It has nothing to do with her.
No red carpets I totally get it, but even street or casual wear if you will never seen Beyonce,Rihanna,Jlo,Kim K,Mariah etc repeat ANY outfit.
Yes, it’s disgusting what they are doing on that site.
It’s an old playbook. The wife of the heir is protected & elevated. The wife of the spare is not.
I do worry a bit for Meghan, though, as I suspect there may be some real animosity towards her in certain circles. A divorced American biracial actress is not exactly on brand, you know?
The DailyFail loves to add zeroes and generally give false, exaggerated costs of Meghan’s outfits (her coat isn’t even close to $1000), so it makes their little “spendthrift” smear campaign even worse.
Kate is repeating her outfits because it would look bad if she buys new clothes when she has so many clothes already.
@elo320
You are talking about a tabloid, the Daily Mail. Nobody with adequate brain cells gives any credence to anything published in that rag. People who would even waste their time commenting in those sections are generally racists rubbish losers.
Do yourself a favour (along with the Dutchess Meghan) and don’t waste your time reading it, supporting it with a click and especially reading any of those rubbish comments.
You can show your support for Meghan by not giving the Daily Mail any of our clicks on her stories.
Agreed, the rewearing is suspicious for pr manipulation to make herself look better. IMO not nice.
@ Kerfuffle
The articles about Kate rewearing outfits are nohing new, sure. Publishing them next to those that describe how much Meghan spent on her clothes for this or that outing is. It’s not a coincidence. She gets slammed for buying new clothes, but if she wore something she’s owned for ages, it would be too casual, not fit for a duchess, etc. She can’t win. Currently they have a story on their main page about Meghan (regularly) visiting a soup kitchen to help Grenfell Tower fire survivors, and the pic, as always, shows her smiling and hugging a woman in a scarf. This is not a random choice either. The daily fail might be terribly written, but they know what they’re doing.
+
Could be the reason the other Royals SR, DR, Jordan Spain … seem to purchase quality designs becoming a Royal status, with proper length, sleaves, cover.
I curious about the logistics of where royal women store their clothes and how they keep track of them. Is there a storage warehouse? Do they have a database with photos and helpful metadata? Do they ever “clean out the closet”?
I’d watch a half hour documentary on this, is all I’m saying.
Lol such good questions
I’d watch an hour long documentary about this 🙂 and where do they store all their hats?! I recall reading the book by the Queen’s dresser and they do have databases indicating when a particular item was worn, with what and any special connection to a place, person or date.
I read that Jackie Onassis gave the clothes she was tired of to a fancy consignment store In NYC. Apparently, she made a pretty penny on the sale.
No, Jackie sold the clothes to the consignment store
That probably wouldn’t fly with Royals though. There was a bit of a scandal in Denmark when items Crown Princess Mary had been photographed in started showing up in a high-end consignment store with shady ties to her friend/stylist.
@Peg isn’t that what I said?
No Rhys, you said “gave”
I assume there must be a database simply because Kate sometime wears things she wore years earlier verbatim. They also seem to keep track of Wills’ outfits. Both he and Kate repeated their outfits from an engagement in 2017 recently. That would be really weird if it was just a coincidence.
First Ladies note which outfits they wear and when and tag the clothes. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Royal Family staffer did the same. It’s just meant to keep track and not repeat clothes too closely.
I’d watch that documentary too!
I’m sure they do. Would be silly not to.
And I would watch documentary too. PBS/BBC need to get on it!
My thoughts too, exactly why Harry and Meghan need that 21 roomed apartment at KP…😆
Just because you have great legs doesn’t require you to wear crap like this. She can’t seem to let go. She dabbles in longer, sleeker looks every once in a while, but always returns to this same look. You may enjoy your time machine, Kate, but the rest of us have moved on.
I think she looks great! I see plenty of cropped styles in stores or “shrunken” silhouettes. The fabric is thick as are her tights – I don’t think it’s flashy. Also man some of the negativity about Kate and the pop psychology on this site is on par – if obv not quite as bad – with the racism and sexism on the DM. Because she wears a six year old skirt and shows some tight-clad leg she is living in the past? Wow
+10000
Duchess Meghan seem to have coordinated this doubles day. Wearing like attire as done by the Wales Princes Duchesses, comes off insincere – as if laughing at the public/tax payers.
The same with the Duchesses wearing cheap dresses, wile at other times and sometimes in the same day as was at TheSussex Royal Tour., spending wearing Thousands on a dress at other Official Events. With all the millions of resources funding, The POW Dukes/ RF has at their disposal – it’s as if the marry in Duchesses gaming disrespecting the public us ….. when we all cant compete with The Wales Duchesses HRH status/Title. Expect better from the ‘professional, hard working’ DoS.
Credit to Duchess Sussex, Meghan surely trying to build the waity Cannot Lambridge work/events habit #
Not entirely sure what your cryptic comments are trying to say but it would be nice to think that the two Duchesses purposely coordinated their outfits, something they have done in the past. I would love them to get along.
Would you write that to any other member of the Royal Family? Anne and QE2 repeat outfits from decades ago. The Royal Family isn’t supposed to be a fashion plate.
She looks great; and very young and happy! I studied language acquisition in infants in college for my psych major, and it’s fascinating. Good on her for taking this on!
Parents need to stay off phones while around awake infants and TALK, SING, and READ to their kids! Makes the WORLD of difference!
And to all CBers who celebrate: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I’m grateful to everyone connected with the site (readers and the wonderful writers) who make this site such a wonderful place for my first stop every morning! HUGS!
Love it. I miss winter clothes (and non smokey air). Global warming sucks.
Come to Canada! You can wear winter clothes 8 months a year!😊
Thanks for the invite! 😊
@ BettyRose : yes, come to Canada 🇨🇦, particularly the Far North (up near the Territories – Yukon, Northwest, Nunavut). Your chilly dreams will come true! Or move to Alaska, I guess. 🤪🤪
Yeah, someone is def trolling the press for positive PR for re-wearing clothes, she NEVER re-wears so close together. The outfit is fine but I have issues with the hair, its the same boring girly style she always has. It doesn’t really match the look she often aims for with the clothes and it often ruins what could have been a good look. The hair in the pony was fine but a ribbon – looks like she raided Char’s accessories drawer.
She loves her buttons but is she developing a love for ribbons??
This outfit makes me cringe. The silhouette is so outdated and the black turtleneck underneath makes her look so severe, especially when paired with the pulled-back hair. The whole effect combines to make her look ten years older than she is while trying to dress ten years younger. I know that everyone compares, but Meghan looks so much better in the pictures from her event today in every way possible.
Very outdated. And the bow in her hair? Yeesh.
I love this suit and the bow. The bow goes with the girlness (?) of the outfit.
As for her event, it seems her Early Years initiative is going forwards. I read on the Court Circular that she also held meetings yesterday, and it is not the first one.
Also, nobody is going to convince me that Meghan and Kate did not plan this. Similar colours, ponytails, outfits with shorter hemlines and black tights? Lol I love it. It makes it more difficult for their respective crazy fans to criticize the other
I wonder if they chit chat about what’s on their diaries.
Dear Annie, I’m with you. I’m just not that critical, I guess. Sometimes, at 64, I will wear a ribbon when I put my hair back, cause I don’t have a scrunchie in the right colour!! Yesterday I wore a short dress I really like (blue-grey background with small flowers in yellow and burgundy, with dark green leaves) with leggings and boots. I may have been dressing like a 5 year old, but I was comfy and covered when I bent to pooper-scoop!
If I could still fit into some of the clothes I had when I was in my 20’s darn right I would re-wear the heck out of them! I had more money in my 20’s and bought some really nice things for work and play. I believe in dressing the body you’re in though, so those clothes have long gone to ‘Dress for Success’ and the like. Also, I love how you think they did this to make it more difficult for pitting one against the other. That would be so fun!!
When I first read your comment on her Early Years initiative it made me laugh because Kate’s outfit is from 2012 and I thought you were referring to her wearing stuff from her early years. I do think Kate’s found something she is passionate about and she is going to be more than keen to work on it.
Their outfits do seem planned. They both even have a tiny bit of velvet. Kate with her bow and Meghan with her collar. It’s too much parallel. Meghan’s dress reminds me of a winter version of the dress Kate wore with Louis on the Lindo Wing steps. It’s really really cute on her.
So did Kate and Meghan talk last night “ok, so I’m going to totally wear a cranberry colored dress and have my hair in a ponytail” “OMG, I’m going to too!! we’ll be twinsies”. *insert valley girl accent*
hahaha, awesome!
Now I am picturing Nicholas Cage (who I thought was super cute then)….xo
It is very possible. I believe that have purposely coordinated colours before. This way they can dictate what the media say, and have the last laugh. I hope that they will be friends and get along.
Both Duchesses look good.
Is she not wearing Big Blue in those photos? That is what stuck out to me.
My guess is she has the stone rolled to the palm side of her hand.
I don’t think so. If you zoom in on her hand she has a different ring on and it looks fitted enough that it would not turn around on her finger. Maybe she felt the Sapphire didn’t match.
I like it. I’m glad she wore black tights, I think that makes the short skirt not such a big deal. She looks good.
The outfit doesnt work but at least she is working.
Straight skirts work much better on Kate.
Seems like Royal women work harder then their hubbys (or at least they get the press coverage)
William is out every day. Harry is currently in Africa, also working. They definitely do NOT get the press coverage their wives get.
Yeah the style is out of date even if the color isn’t. And she’s sooooo skinny. I liked it in her college days when she had just a little more weight on her. She looked healthy.
She does look helthy. Please, Could we stop with this skinny shaming? Is it ok to say about a woman that she looked healthier when she was skinnier? No? Than do not to it the other way.
It is out of concern. Many non celebs have eating disorders in their 30s. I have a dear friend who barerly eats, pushes food around on her plate. She is 30 lbs underweight and talks about her fat times when she weighed 120 lbs! Kate looked healthier pre-engagement. After that, she clearly started dieting/ watching her weight. There is not a lot of muscle tone in her arms/ legs. She is not working out,she is restricting like my friend is.
I have no business commenting on her weight,so I won’t.However, I really liked Kate’s street style from her girlfriend years.I liked when she wore more mix and match separates.Up thread I said I thought black trousers would make the turtle neck and blazer look better.Kate has very nice legs IMO,but I wish she would get the idea that trousers/wide slacks don’t hide a nice figure and are professional too!
I love the suit and I’m 38. She looks beautiful! But I’m of the Blanche Deveraux / Samantha Jones school of thought. Wear what you feel beautiful/sexy in even if people think it’s “too young”. Also, my American grandma wore animal print and high heeled boots regularly, painted her long nails fun colors, and dyed her hair black until her death at the age of 77. She was also known for getting speeding tickets all the time! Lol!
Your grandma sounds like a very smart and fun lady hahaha. Love!!
She was a character, and our family continues to remember her pizazz! She passed in ‘99.
That is a fantastic life philosophy and we should all stick to it. Also, your grandma was super-cool. 🙂
Thank you 😊
She looks lovely here and happy. The skirt is a little short but the solid black tights make it ok. The color suits her and so does the ribbon. Kate looks good with those girly, romantic touches.
There have been a lore more embargoed events and someone was commenting that there was a security increase at Charles birthday party. Maybe something is going down behind the scenes.
She looks lovely….bow and all!
I have always loved this suit on Kate! Very glad to see it again and she looks great in it! It is fantastic to see her moving forward with important projects she cares about.
I hate the hair ribbon with more passion than I ever thought possible. Possibly my angriest style moment ever
They’ve been microtrend since spring summer. I don’t wear bows, but i saw many women wearing them lately, it can be cute.
This suit should be burned. Bleurgh. The colour is nice but the fit is awful.
It’s good to see her working. Keep it up!
Kate really lacks imagination. Last time she wore this suit it was with a black turtleneck, tights and knee high boots. If this was my suit, I’d break it up and wear the jacket with some straight legged tailored wool pants, fun shoes, and a different top underneath. The skirt, while it isn’t very sophisticated, could be cute with a bulky sweater and over-the-knee boots for a casual look. Worn the way she did it today just looks outdated.
The hairstyle….I don’t really think it works with this ensemble, certainly not with that bow.
I wish she’d hire you as her stylist Vava, you have great style ideas!!
+1000
… and Waity lambridge pony tail is not a good look in close ups. Again, her skirt is way too short. Duchess Meghan at least wore a coat making her dress length a bit more acceptable.
I may be in the minority,but I dislike Kate’s new lighter hair,IMO her hair colored dark brown is the most flattering .This light color washes her out a little,and the ponytail looks a bit off,though I usually like her hair back or up.
I agree with the darker colour, too. I prefer Angelina’s hair when it’s darker also.
Angelina is Gorgeous with darker hair.It works for AJ and Kate and I noticed how much more beautiful Mads of Sweden looks with dark hair vs light.I’m light skin hair eyes,but want my teal green blue (weird color)eyes and skin to look better with some darker colors sometimes a nice change is just that!I am trying to get my daughter to get a bunch of low lights and a lob-for her buck the system of the uber long light highlights and see (especially when you’re young and gorgeous)-
Experiment!!!Told her her friends will ❤️❤️❤️❤️It!
I would watch a documentary on how they keep track of the wardrobe choices. Very fascinating info to see!
This outfit looks frumpy. Not a fan. Love the color. Skirt is too short but that’s Kate.
I do like that she is out and about.
The embargoes are happening frequently enough to make me a bit worried about elevated security concerns in the palace. Goodness knows the commentariat has been scary about the Duchess of Sussex.
Then again, many of the embargoed events seem to be happening in spaces where crowd control could be an issue. I do think the IWM visit that Kate did was a last-minute thing but in general, I don’t think we can know how far in advance the events are actually scheduled.
I think people dress according to how they perceive themselves (subconsciously).
Kate picks these dated, short, girly or twee outfits because that’s how she identifies. She’s still a young girl in her own mind. She has never made her own money, never made a career for herself, she stayed under her parents’ wing until William married her. I doubt she has ever paid a month’s rent or applied for a job on her own. She has always been the daughter or the girlfriend/wife/mother, and doesn’t seem to have had any identity beyond that. That will affect how you dress.
I know these Meghan comparisons are getting tiresome, but I really think the difference is stark. While I don’t love every outfit Meghan wears, I still appreciate what she’s trying to express with her style choices. Cleaner lines, sophisticated and sexy without being too fussy. When you’ve been a grown up individual and professional for the last 15-20 years, like Meghan has, wearing hair bows and short skater skirts like a teenager just doesn’t feel natural.
wow, I just read your line “She has always been the daughter or the girlfriend/wife/mother, and doesn’t seem to have had any identity beyond that.” and found it rather sad, true but sad.
Well, I’m Kate’s age, have been married and divorced, have been a homeowner for 14 years, and have worked since I was 16… and I still wear ribbons in my hair and short skirts when I feel like it. But go off, I guess.
Okay but Kate has not owned a home (from what I gather mom and dad bought that apartment she shared with her siblings) nor has she worked, especially after she graduated college so you are not in the same ball park as her. Which is the point Emma was making. You’ve been your own person, Kate has not.
Interesting theory which doesn’t hold up when you consider the many matronly coatdresses with heavy fabrics Kate has worn over the years. Stylewise Kate seems to go from both extremes and it’s true the hems on some of the coatdresses were too short but not so much lately. I think her style has matured quite a bit and her outfits over the past year have overall moved away from the style of earlier years.
While it is true that she has not lived very independently, being the mother of three children I believe has resulted in a more mature Kate. It is my hope that she puts in a decent number of engagements in the New Year and doesn’t fall back into dolittle patterns. For now I am happy to see her out there and putting in the effort.
I love how being chauffeured around to “learn” about things is considered work sign me up
LOL!!
I still hate the skirt on this suit but weirdly enough, velvet hair ribbons are actually very in right now (and headbands are also making a comeback). You can buy one just like this in three different colors at Madewell.
for toddlers? no. not grown women. sorry.
Maybe a hair ribbon with a cute sweater and jeans and flats would be cute even for an adult,sort of a fun thing to wear,but for street style instead of professional?
No. never @ spicecake38
Okay never will I ever wear one! 😂
Deal! Spicecake. You will thank me later. 🙂
Generally, I like Kate’s outfits (in recent years) as I think they are appropriate for her role but I don’t like this. Maybe it’s the flared skirt? It’s not working for me. Colour is good but overall it’s underwhelming.
Generally, I like Kate’s outfits (in recent years) as I think they are appropriate for her role but I don’t like this. Maybe it’s the flared skirt? It’s not working for me. Colour is good but overall it’s underwhelming.
This suit was awful back then and it’s still awful now…I’d say even worse. The addition of the bow just makes this a very odd trying-too-hard-to-be-youthful look.
She’s definitely recycling with a purpose. She never recycled so often in a short span of time in the past.
She’s aware of the positive pr comparison. Someone once posted about how often she rewore clothes and it wasn’t much, can’t recall the numbers. But it’s not wise to do because of the expectations it brings and also if you compete with others they may begin competing with you.
Brings the end of year numbers down for cost of wardrobe.
She looks terrible.
Everything.
I actually really like Paule Ka. Lovely pieces at non exorbitant price tags. I have a few pieces and they hold up exceptionally.
“But I know it’s good to talk to your infants and children.” hahahahahaha
who wears a ribbon in your hair? Sorry, but no. And imo the skirt is too short. Bad decisions and I don’t care.
Great legs, but I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that to work.
I hope she doesn’t plan on losing any more weight. This is too short. Good for her for getting out and about but with the world’s fashion at your fingertips, what would possess a person to wear this? Awful.
Are Meghan and Kate trolling us (Media) with their outfits of today ??? This can’t be a coincidence. Love it. Kate looks good but i don’t like the skirt. Meghan won today, her shoes i want!!!
I like the outfit. I love a good black turtleneck. And the cranberry c olor is nice for the season. I don’t mind the short length. I dislike the bow though.
I would own a million good black turtlenecks if I could 😀
1st time she wore this outfit was with boots and it was awful. The heels help but this is one of those looks that was a trend and should die. It is not timeless. Cheap, stretchy fabric,A- line short hem, and 1 button clasp is so Early Mill it looks like a Britney Spears piece. No no no.
Agree I think it’s too much of an (old)trend to repeat successfully.
I’ve always thought this skirt was a tad bit too short, but I have always loved this outfit. It’s nice to see her bring it out again.
I like this outfit – it’s fun and youthful.
If she’s going to wear a ribbon in her hair she should own it and wear one in a brighter colour or the burgundy. Wearing a black ribbon seems like a cop out. I like the colour of the outfit, but it does seem dated to me and feels like a 90s outfit. At least she’s attending an engagement of substance and not another movie premiere or something linked to William. She needs to do more of this and more consistently from now on. She’s going to have to put in the work in to gain credibility and maybe with Meghan doing her own thing and getting praise for it she sees it could work for her too. It’s still early days to make any assessment on whether or not this is a year end blip or a future trend.
There was a documentary on the BBC recently about the damage the manufacture of clothes has on the environment. It was absolutely shocking if you weren’t already aware. Maybe Kate is having a rethink, or maybe her budget has been cut back a bit. With Meghan on the scene having to build a wardrobe from scratch maybe Charles had tightened the purse strings. This is one skirt that could do with going to the charity shop.
I think Charles probably have cut the budget a bit for some reason.
I feel sorry for Kate, I can see in her face that she is under pressure to step up. But I just don’t think that she enjoys what she is having to do. William is always trying to make out that Kate shows a lot of initiative over things, but we need to hear it from Kate.
They both are under pressure to step up, he is stepping up but so far she’s doing what she normally does this time of year to up her numbers. We’ll see if it carries into the new year.
I am never bothered about numbers, it is the quality of the work that really counts. Meghan’s success with the Cookbook is worth half a dozen engagements.
Like the color but I have never liked this skirt. A little too…..flippy….for my tastes. I don’t mind the pony in itself but I do find the overall look severe.
Skirt is too short.
I agree this skirt is too short.
It’s good to see her wearing outfits more than once but this one should have been recycled into the nearest jumble sale. It is out of date and looks as if it was made for a shorter person.
Agree with those who think skirt is too short but the colour is flattering & suits her
I have to laugh at how appearances like this are deemed to be “work”
Seriously who wouldn’t want a job where designer clothes are part of the deal and your official duties include going to places to “learn” , be informed &/or entertained