The Duchess of Cambridge wishes she could go back in time and live at Downton Abbey. Or, failing that, she wishes she could go back to the 1980s so she too could copy the Sloane Ranger-meets-Dynasty look that Princess Diana popularized. Pussybows, bejeweled buttons, shoulder pads, ruffles, lace doilies, big fluffy hair, taffeta, chintz, polka dots, velvet, and more buttons. I go back and forth on whether I believe that Kate, in her own mind, thinks that she’s helping to re-popularize this kind of style or whether she’s just got such bad taste that she truly thinks this stuff looks good.
Alright, so Kate and William attended a reception last night in Dublin, hosted by Tánaiste Simon Coveney. They got to see a first-edition copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses, a book I have never even attempted to read (sorry, Irish peeps). For the reception, Kate did not choose some up-and-coming Irish designer, nor some British designer with Irish roots. She chose… Oscar de la Renta. Vintage de la Renta, to be more specific. Can you imagine going to one of those vintage shops and picking THIS? Fuschia and black polka dots with a Victorian ruffled collar? It’s just so bad. My goodness.
Meanwhile, William made a speech about the Troubles and all of that.
During his keynote speech, William said: ‘Growing up I remember seeing the troubles that took place, which affected so many people across the UK and Ireland. This explains why one of the truly profound moments for Catherine and I took place yesterday when we laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance. It was a reminder of the complexity of our shared history, and as my grandmother said during her visit in 2011, ”our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache and turbulence”. But it was also a reminder of how far we have come. It is right that we continue to remember those who suffered as a consequence of our troubled past. And whilst many wrongs have been done, it is important that we are not bound by these.’
Prince William added that the changing relationship between the UK and the EU will mean Britain and Ireland will have to work together to ensure a strong friendship between the two. He said that while legal treaties are ‘vital in underpinning the relationships between states’, relationships between people are ‘equally, if not more essential – especially between the people of our two countries, whose lives, histories and futures are so deeply intertwined’.
William also quotes his grandmother in the speech as he says Britain and Ireland are not simply neighbours, ‘we are firm friends and equal partners. The links between our people, businesses and our culture are inextricable, and we should all be proud to see how strong those bonds are. As we look ahead to some changes in our relationship, we must never forget how far we have come together in recent decades in transforming the relationships across our two islands.
Did… did William just get sent to Ireland to re-deliver the speech the Queen gave years ago? It sort of sounds like it. I mean, the Good Friday Accord was what? 1999? Let me look it up – it was 1998. More than twenty years ago, and the British royal family just drops in every nine years or so to reminisce about how everything’s cool now? And it’s so clear that this is about Brexit and Great Britain pissing off their EU trade partners. I don’t know. I’m not Irish so I’m sure I’m speaking out of turn. I find this kind of sh-t patronizing.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Getty.
Same gd dress, same silhouette as always just a different fabric and threw on ruffles, buttons, cuff nonsense and whatever. Her fashion is so freakin bad. Her hair is terrible.
I had some horrible Diana cos play here.
It then made me feel very queasy.
I would hate to be Cathy. Maybe inside there is a dress down girl forced into fashion she has zero interest in. Maybe her lack of interest means that she is dressed by someone who loves Princess dollies.
Either way I wish she would find a great British designer or 5 and simply get them to style her.
Even if she was full blown Daphne Guinness or Solange it would be so wonderful and additionally showcase British fashion.
I don’t buy the dress like a Queen guff. That was from tonks ago. I want her to look like she is fierce and forward if she is to remain she will need to
I’m with Ronaldinohio. I really think Kate is a dress-down girl. She looks her very best in jeans or leggings, her old brown knee boots, a sweater, and that old faithful army-green jacket she likes to wear. She almost looks cool dressed that way.
She really does seem to be imitating Diana, or at least 80’s fashion. I know people go on about Diana’s amazing style but I don’t see it myself and mostly hate everything 80’s.
The dress looks bad but I love the colour on her and her hair.
She might be a dress down girl at heart, but from the time that she got married she’s actively cultivated a fashion plate persona. She was very deliberate about wearing designers that were considered fashionable and of the moment, you don’t constantly dress in head to toe McQueen unless you want people to take notice of your fashion bonafides. Royal wives/women have long been preppy and kind of boring, dressing like the traditional rich lady set, but she decided that she was going to be known for her fashion instead of actual work. If you want to be known as a fashion plate then you should probably have some innate style or interest in fashion. She could have gotten away with being classically prim & proper, instead, she’s stuck letting her stylist put her in these garish costumes.
It is more eighties style. She looks like a school marm in it.
Girl, that is so not your dress.
I go to school dressed like that – I guess I am a school marm. Or headmistress. I like it. But she could do better.
I feel like everybody here should love this outfit? Yesterday everyone was convinced she would wear orange And she was already being laughed at for it, that she was “allergic to wearing her hair back” because supposedly William doesn’t like it, plus this is a vintage so it’s not fast fashion. PS I also really dislike this lol 😉
I saw the picture and immediately laughed. That collar! The shoulder fit! Just…lol.
i could maybe see this on Iris Apfel or Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the opera, but I also feel like they would style it in a funner way, with those huge glasses and red lipstick giving them fabulous older lady realness, whereas Kate looks like…an anachronism as others said. She has such bad fashion advisors. 🙁
Also, Kate so often looks worn by the clothes, it is so strange. It’s like she almost always want brand name labels but true luxury feeling and looking might come for her from things that fit like a glove- bespoke shirts, blazers, skirts and pants. If it works for the queen why not Kate…
I see she has copied Meghan’s messy bun. Kate seems to be ageing fast.
She knows what she likes and that’s what she wears. If she wants to look like a Golden Girl, why not? #SophiaPetrilloVibes
She’s certainly a buttony-frilly-ruffly-flouncy duchess, and doesn’t mind the aunt-of-the-groom look for her events. I wonder if she takes fashion advice from anyone?
The Queen is an actual “Golden Girl” and she looks more put together than Kate.
This is an insult to Sophia Petrillo, a true icon.
I watched 9-5 this weekend. This looks like a literal outfit Jane Fonda’s character wore in that movie. 1980s secretary realness. Utter fail. Kate’s fashion is just so, so bad. No wonder Willy always looks like he’s got a stick up his bum. He’s probably embarrassed to be seen with her in her cosplay getups!
royalwatcher.. Spot on. It so damn boring.The color hides the hideousness and that hairstyle. I really wish she follow Victoria, Letizia, Madeleine. Maxima or even Mathilde(she’s boring in a different way) for some fashion inspo that is never aging
“Spot on” No pun intended, Chica?
That’s right! Lol I haven’t kept up with Kate, only since Meghan graced us with her presence. Has Kate always been so wrong fashion wise?
Yes. But ironically, it actually got way worse when she married into the RF and tripled her clothing budget. All that money with no sense of style to guide it. One bespoke monstrosity begat the next.
yes, but it has definitely gotten worse. She always really leaned into the coatdresses and such, but in the beginning she was a little more interesting – she didn’t always nail it, and sometimes it was a little Queen cosplay, but then the Diana cosplay really increased and she lost her footing. Its like her sense of fashion got worse, not better. there were less sleek dresses (like her engagement dress, or the tan dress she wore to meet the Obamas the first time) and more heavy coat dresses or doily dresses etc.
I actually used to really enjoy her style back when she was just Will’s girlfriend. Her look was very sloaney and English preppy, but she pulled it off well–lot of jeans and boots, simple tops with blazers. When they first got married she still seemed to dress like herself for the most part, she just added the cork wedges to dresses. But after a few years in, she went full on granny, 1800’s school marm style. It’s been a pity to witness.
Around the Olympics, she had a couple of good day dresses. A gray Roksanda Ilincic worn to a Royal Academy event related to the Olympics. Remains one of her best looks when she wore it with her hair up.
you are soooo right! i couldn’t pin it down but yes, that’s the look. so sad.
I think vintage Oscar de la Renta is fabulous.
I like that dress!
Every outfit she’s worn has been so much worse than the last. I thought her deplaning outfit was hideous and I couldn’t imagine anything being worse than that and then we got the Christmas tree/ugly Beatrice dress and I was shocked at how much more ugly it was than the deplaning. And now this monstrosity. What the F is wrong with this woman?! She can’t seriously have this bad of taste, can she? I cannot imagine anyone designing these outfits in the first place, let alone actively searching for them 40 years later and being like “Yes! This is exactly what I want!” I’m starting to get all conspiracy theory over here: like is she dressing so fugly to distract from something else? Like a pregnancy? Or face work?
😂😂
Or to troll this site? It’s her own way of punishing us for all the mean spirited comments we keep leaving about her.
Seeing this aggressively ugly little dress is painful punishment indeed and I for one, feel chastened.
Looks like a dress First Lady Nancy Reagan would of worn back in the 80’s
yes
It probably is Nancy’s dress that she bought since Nancy was so small too! Hence the outrageous cost!!
Agree to all your comments. Another new expensive ugly frock. It is Oscar de la Renta, so I know this cost a pretty pence. Where are the lamenting “taxpayers”.
I don’t like it but isn’t that 80s look in fashion? I wore it the first time around, but these younguns haven’t.
Crown Princess Victoria is re-wearing some of her mother’s day dresses from the 80s. For the most part, they fit with a more modern look than this pink polka dot frilled nightmare.
@minx. I had a dress like that in the eighties, without the frilly collar. It was ok then, but my first reaction when i saw this was NO!
This dress is horrid. She has the belt buckled to the back. I do like the vibrant color on her, but the style of the dress is exactly like one I had in 1982. Just because it’s Oscar de la Renta doesn’t mean it should be worn these days.
Hate the long bangs hanging (drooping) at the side of her face.
And yet online magazines are stating that Kate ‘nailed’ it. 🤯. My God the ass-kissing is strong on this look. I hated it on Diana and I hate it on Kate: fussy, frumpy, and childish. At least Diana can be excused with her extreme youth at the time. As Diana got older and started taking advice from fashion editors, she started knocking it out of the park. Kate is older and has access to the best advice so I just don’t get what she’s going for unless William gets off on ‘Diana – the early years’.
I actually like it from the hem up, until you hit the neckline. If it had an open v-neck with wide lapels it would be really cute. The Shakespearean ruffle look is awful though. I feel short of breath just looking at her.
Argh. Those bloody ruffles. I’d have a burgundy rash from scratching my neck after 30 minutes. Just thinking about it makes my neck itch.
I wear a lot of vintage dresses to work… some a bit like this but much more modern in fit/neckline. That is where this went wrong.
That’s a clown dress.
Lol! Came here to say the same thing! Looks like she has on a pink clown collar. Not a good look.
Sometimes I think she’s trolling us. Like, her mindset is “you all thought my green arrival dress was bad? HOLD MY GUINNESS.”
Objectively I like her hair – but I’m a big fan of cute swingy ponytails even at my age lol, but with this look it just serves to date the dress.
I do kind of wonder if she’s pregnant bc I feel like she often gets bangs cut when she is first pregnant.
Anyway its like she goes out of her way to find the worst thing possible. In the picture from more of a distance where her arm is blocking the belt, the dress looks a lot better bc the polka dots aren’t as obvious. But up close – the collar, the belt, the buttons, the polka dots……this one is a doozy.
At least its not green?
Honestly, I think it would be fine if they had re-tailored the dress and got rid of the ruffled collar and maybe loosened the shoulders to be less boxy. That’s what makes it read very 80s. I’m not a huge fan of that shade of pink, but this could’ve worked with a little more modernization.
The collar really takes it to the next level, where it goes from being “not my style” to “omg what IS that.”
I just want to burn the thing. I haaaaaaate it. The color is fine, but man. It’s a look.
Drop the ruffle neck, drop the polkadots, and I’d at least think ‘okay, that’s not too bad’.
The pink and black polkadots looks like the kind of background angsty emo teenaged Erinn would have slammed on a myspace or piczo site.
Another Diana cosplay
The dress would not be bad if one took a pair of scissors and cut off that awful neck ruffle.
Thank you.
Yes the neck ruffle is so awful.
I love the pull back shots where I can see the whole group. It really puts her dated fashion into context when surrounded by people dressed in current styles.
There was a lady in my parents’ church in the early 90’s who played the autoharp in a bluegrass group and she dressed just like Kate does. I know some people like her particular style and that is fine, but for me it only ever works in isolation (e.g. a photo of Kate only). Once I see her in context, she looks like a time traveler or 1980’s royalty cosplayer.
love your description of Kate’s fashion doppelganger haha
Another matronly dress. So wrong and so wrong is this visit during the coronavirus scare. What’s the word on George and CCharlotte’s school? Are those four kids still isolated? Will and Kate have been taking drinks and prepping food with no gloves at engagements. Not one q9rd from the British press of course but there would have been an outcry if Harry and/or Meghan have done the same.
I think we would have gotten an update if the kids had tested positive and the school had to close to disinfect or something. We don’t even know if the kids actually attended school after they were exposed. All that was said is that the kids had been exposed, at least one on a family vacation. So, it’s unclear if the school itself had been exposed at all. Unfair treatment of H&M aside, W&K probably haven’t been exposed to the virus by the school. There would have been follow ups they had been.
This is one of the worst things I’ve seen in my life omg maybe because I’m 25 but like I would only wear this if I was invited to a costume party or something wth
I’m 10 years older than you.
It’s not your age. You just know better.
“we are firm friends and equal partners” Equal partners, lol. Why are UK politicians making statements to the press then that the Rep of Ireland was blocking Brexit and should also be leaving the EU as a convenience for the UK? GTFO.
It’s ridiculous. I don’t pretend to be an expert on the ins-and-outs of everything going on in Ireland and the UK, but frankly, I don’t have to be to know that statement is a load of crap.
There are ways to freshen up a vintage look, but she doesn’t quite have the eye for it, so this just looks matronly on her. It also just isn’t well taliored – way too loose in the torso area. The bottom works fine, and then you can see how the top just isn’t proportionate to the sleek cut of the bottom.
Why Kate? WHY?! She’s both slim and tall so she could pull off some great looks. Instead we get ruffles and buttons. I get that maybe she’s trying to be modest as a future Queen, but man. There’s got to be a better way.
There is. See Queen Letitzia. One stylish woman. 😀
Love Letitzia and Maxima’s style.
The more William loses his looks, the more Kate dresses like a visually impaired person in the 1980’s.
Thanks for my laugh of the day!
This dress is…not good. And as Kaiser said, why not use the opportunity to highlight an Irish designer? Weird choice.
Also – why does she always carry a clutch?? There’s no way there’s actually anything in there right?? It’s not like she needs her credit card and phone on her in these situations! I used to think it was so she could have something to do with her hands but it just seems silly.
That dress is horrid.
And William’s speech was grating to me, especially in light of what I know about England’s history with Ireland and in light of the xenophobic stupidity that is Brexit. But maybe that’s just me being grumpy this morning.
If she is going to copy Diana’s style she should at least aim for the later years when Diana had professional advice and looked great. But instead she copies looks from the early years where Diana looked silly and dowdy more often than not.
Diana got a stylist from Vogue and I think Kate should do the same. She keeps using these arosto stylists who are clearly playing at the job…
This matronly dressing is a strong signal to counter the flashing events that defined her younger life. This is saying, see, that was the old Kate. Now Catherine the future future queen is conservative and ready to be queen.
And Cain delivering the message from his grandmother has me rolling my eyes. He really needs to find his purpose in life and find something that defines him. He and his wife are like milk and bread compared with Harry and Meghan who are like champagne and caviar.
I like the color on her and that she did something different with her hair. I dunno, it’s not THAT bad. I think it’s pretty cute. Maybe I’m crazy.
I must have really zero sense of fashion. I like the dress. The color looks good on her and I even like the style…
Yeah, I don’t see this fashion abomination that others here do. I think she looks pretty cute. Guess I’m tasteless too.
You’re not alone. I like the dress and colour too. Of course I liked the green dress she was wearing yesterday, so my taste is suspect.
I really like this,it’s definitely a look.
It’s almost like it’s so bad it’s good…
Nancy Reagan. That’s what I see. And did she cut those side bangs (or “wings” if we are really being 80s appropriate) so she could have the wisps on the side and SWF Our Duchess of Sussex’s messy bun signature style?
Oh, and by the way, the Fail last night had a whole headline and story about Willileaks (love that) making that bad coronavirus joke complete with a lot of shaming comments. Of course, today, the headline has been changed to something innocuous…. Wills complaining that he’s only had two sips of Guinness because it keeps getting taken away.
Spot On. It is Nancy Reagan. What can’t Kate “just say no?” https://www.woodtv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2016/03/nancy-reagan-portrait-030616_38563035_ver1.0.jpg
Aw s-t, now I can never unsee that. Lol
The ruffles are very signature De La Renta from the 80s, even put it on his perfume. Michelle Obama refused to wear De La Renta while she was First Lady. He said some nasty things about her style, complaining about her wearing a twin set to meet the Queen, or not wearing enough American designers, so she didn’t wear him. He was quite nasty to her, and mentioned how he dressed every First Lady since Kennedy . I think around the time he died she finally wore something during Obama’s second term.
Yeah, styled with wings and wearing vintage. My first thought was she’s paying ‘homage’ to her SIL who, BTW, looked fabulous at the Endeavor Awards.
Workin’ 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin’….
Lol!!! Like Kate’s ever worked a 9 to 5!
More like 9 to 10.
@Maria, LOLOLOLOL!!!!
LOL!
Ok you guys let me put my coffee down first before I spill it. Very funny —- especially the ‘more like 9-10’ comment. Thanks for the laugh.
+1!!
I really think that Kate just likes this style. She likes a strange vintage. And it’s not that it even looks bad on her, she actually looks ok in it, its that it’s bad in general. Honestly without the ruffled collar it’s not so bad.
I think the dress would look awesome on the right person. Lucy Boynton maybe? Anyway, it’s not a good look, coupled with the matchy-matchy secretary hair style. If you’re gonna wear something fussy, you gotta accessorize like you understand the look you’re serving. It needs a dash of modern styling or else it looks like you’ve wandered off a stage play of 9 to 5.
As rude as William is I am surprised he doesn’t tell her she looks too outdated. Or maybe he doesn’t want her to be desired?
Maybe her ridiculous outfits work to distract from his idiocy and general bad attitude.
This has to be the ugliest, frumpiest thing she’s worn in a minute.
Good gravy
I knew that the pie frill collar would come out at some point.
Even the Daily Wail have an ‘article’ on ‘how Diana wore the look first’. Thing is, when Diana wore it, it was decade-appropriate and she was Diana. Kate is just… beige. Magnolia paint. She’s never going to be exciting, she’s never going to work, and when the Wail finish making up pieces about Meghan and Harry, they’re going to turn on her.
I went through the fashion archives for Diana recently just to see how much truth was in the “cosplay” comments, and it’s….pretty spot on. A lot of Diana’s looks work well in photos but they are very clearly of the era, and there is a very noticeable shift in her styling going in the 90s to match the times. Retro is fine, but Kate doesn’t quite understand how the look has to be either modernized slightly or it has to be full on dedication to work.
Even Diana made fun of some of her awful 80s outfits. But she was young then and not really sure of herself and what to wear, etc. Kate is almost 40, she needs to stop with this Diana-lite stuff.
In the 1980’s, everybody wore those clothes because they were fashionable then. I look back at them now and think, OMG, the excess – but over-the-top details like huge sleeves, wide shoulders and voluminous silhouettes were all the rage. The 90’s brought a much more minimalist esthetic – no more ruffles or other do-dads – and Diana adopted that look, which was much more sophisticated and flattering.
I took my dog to a circus class a couple of years ago and she wore a ruffle that looked almost exactly like this 🙁
haha that sounds like so much fun! what a great activity 🙂
It was a blast and we still do some of the tricks!
The tragedy of all this fashionery. Whew. Time for Meghan to show us what true fashion is bc Katie child. This ain’t it. Looking like she stole Diana’s dress from beyond the grave.
Kate’s entire look this trip is reading really old! She looks like she’s aged a lot and she’s dressing like my 80 year old granny.
Kate looks hideous. I like the concept of her wearing vintage because it’s sustainable fashion but Lord I H A T E the 80s. I definitely feel like this trip is a “soft diplomacy” post-Brexit tour. That said, the Troubles may have ended in 1998, but it is still a big deal for a lot of people. My parents spent most of the 90’s bringing children from Ireland to America for the summer to escape violent conflict. The program they worked with placed Catholic children with Protestant families and Protestant children with Catholic families in an effort to build tolerance. I’ve seen first hand the impact that The Troubles have had on people who are now today’s adults. William the Wanderer might have been quoting Granny, but the subject of his speech does have merit.
This is the worst Diana cosplay yet although maybe she has a thing for Nancy Reagan too. So terrible. I like her hair though.
grammar police — “for Catherine and me” — ugh. And the dress, hideous…
Ok, so I don’t usually buy into the theory that there are PR people pulling the strings on website comment sections, but the comments about these 2 on the daily fail article were truly ?????????????? Like “Kate looks fantastic and amazing with her great fashion sense and she and William will be the saving grace of the monarchy with their three angelic perfect children.” just hundreds and hundreds of those. What in the damn hell??????
Thousands and thousands of them. I’ve seen articles with 11K to 30K comments on them, 98% of which are praising the Cambridges The remaining 2% are either supporting the Sussex’s or slamming the Cambridge’s.
Everything about her is dated. I don’t want to sound patronizing but she needs to grow up. The early 2000’s hair & makeup mixed with 80’s designer is trash. I want her in sleek tailored neutrals. I want her hair chopped, textured & toned to a beige brunette. I want her skin to glow with brows that pop, a minimal eye & a berry matte lip. Imagine her in a cream sheath dress with no ornamentation. You would actually be able to see her.
Maybe she doesn’t want any of that.
It’s very clear that she does not lol
Oh that would be gorgeous! She’s actually pretty but the way she styles herself is so bad
She would look incredible and so stunning! She was thisclose at last year’s BAFTAs. She’s really a striking woman and she hides behind costume looks. For all her problematic behavior I think she lacks self confidence. Part of the job being married to an egomaniac I guess.
I just came here to see if Kaiser used my favorite of her phrases: bangs trauma.
This sums up the Cambridges nicely: Arthur Edwards – weasel royal photographer – captioned his twitter photos of last night’s speech thusly.
“…The Prince made a speech and toasted the Irish President and the Irish people and Mr. Coveney made a speech and toasted the Queen. The Duchess clapped”
Job well done Katie.
That is really funny caption and I’m sure Edwards meant it to be officious. Old Edwards really bangs on when given any opportunity about how much Harry has changed for the worse and how evil Meghan changed him.
Ugh. His and that rookie’s constant whinging about why Harry isn’t friendly to them any more is hysterical…ummm, maybe it’s because you’ve taken every opportunity to abuse the love of his life and mother of his son? But, hey, let’s sit down and have a beer and chat like the old days. Morons.
Which British Duchess was it who started wearing vintage right away on the job and during her pregnancy? Oh that’s right, this is both Diana and Meghan cosplay.
Maybe she likes the vintage look? But she can’t pull it off. It just makes her look outdated. For the longest time, I thought maybe fashion in the UK was behind the US because of the way she dresses.
They shouldn’t set foot in in Ireland except to apologize and atone for William’s ancestors’ crimes against humanity. The Mountbatten they named their third child after was blown up for a few reasons. (I’m not condoning his murder).
There are still no photos of crowds/audiences following these two twits around.
I love the cream dress shown in the last photo.
Lol, I love it. She looks so pretty!
The Good Friday Accords have brought a fragile peace to Northern Ireland, but the economy is still weak and Brexit will undoubtedly weaken it further. Many of my friends in Ireland and NI are fearful about reigniting the tinderbox, particularly when an entire generation has grown up during peacetime. But if poverty and political chaos reign in NI thanks to Brexit, the Troubles may return. No amount of 80s cosplay and soft Cambridge diplomacy will fix that.
Particularly as they so often shove their feet in the mouths, like Philip, while trying soft diplomacy. ‘Can you test the smell by smelling it?’ ‘Oh how interesting’ comment to the deliberately maimed child in India. William and coronavirus, failures around ivory discussions on the China/Japan trip, talking baby genitalia publicly with Barack Obama, ‘joking’ with a foreign diplomat about what the diplomat could see looking in W&K’s bedroom window.
She is definitely channeling my fourth grade teacher from 1984. Good gravy, someone help this woman. 🤦🏼♀️
The first day outfits were ghastly but like this and love her hair.
This is hideous. She loves her Diana cosplay but even Diana wouldn’t have worn this monstrosity.
Kate doesn’t have the personality to pull off these looks. A Lupita would rock this. Kate should stick to coatdresses.
Ha! I love this dress and I usually hate her clothes. I can’t help. I love hot pink, I love polka dots, I love a neck ruffle, and I love vintage. I also loved the 80s, as most people with happy childhoods tend to like the looks of their childhood. If she weren’t so damn literal and into Diana cosplay all the time, this would be a great look.
Her hair. What is her hair?
Nancy Reagan realness! This whole look is horrid. And yes, some styles from the 80s and 90s are in style right now, but it’s a more of a modern twist on those eras…this ain’t it.
Maybe the green dresses weren’t that bad.
Not a good look for her. What is going on with her hair. She seems off with all of this.
Wow that’s a bad dress and her posture does not help. Not sure about the hair but at least she did something different.
Is she cosplaying Diana to lay claim to Diana’s legacy in photographs and PR? Because she keeps wearing a whole lot of awful fugly elements Diana did from her young royal years, and apart from distancing herself from her younger bum-flashing, she seems eager to be seen as the next Diana. (Except she is Diana Zero- no calories, no work ethic, no charisma.)
This is Diana cosplay and she’s been doing it for years – even the Fail website has an article about it. LOL.
Sartorial fail. And it’s a lovely color completely ruined by that dated dress.
So I guess the hot pink/black combo is back in fashion? I’m seeing it everywhere now. I hated it in the 80’s and I hate it now.
This is probably me projecting, but every time I see her lately, I think of how deeply unhappy she must be. She’s so thin, I feel like she’s literally disappearing. She buries herself in clothes that cover her from her chin to her knees, but with garment cuts that still accentuate her thinness- as if thinness is some sort of moral prize. she’s stuck with that little girl hairstyle . she has to smile and wear heels everywhere. After a decade of that, I would want the hell out of there. Harry and Meghan leaving and the outrage that created emphasized this weird and toxic sense of ownership the British public has with is family. I actually feel bad for anyone born into it.
This is probably me projecting, but every time I see her lately, I think of how deeply unhappy she must be. She’s so thin, I feel like she’s literally disappearing. She buries herself in clothes that cover her from her chin to her knees, but with garment cuts that still accentuate her thinness- as if thinness is some sort of moral prize. she’s stuck with that little girl hairstyle . she has to smile and wear heels everywhere. After a decade of that, I would want the hell out of there. Harry and Meghan leaving and the outrage that created emphasized this weird and toxic sense of ownership the British public has with is family. I actually feel bad for anyone born into it.
Pretty sure I wore a duplicate of this monstrosity in 4th grade, in 1984. Prairie girl fashion lol
“Troubles” ? Wow, that’s an incredibly insulting understatement. What a turd. And yes, that dress is a nightmare sent from 1983.
Sorry but “The Troubles” is how they have always been referred to by all sides so on this occasion he is using the accepted terminology and not being insulting.
It’s utterly bilious. What was she THINKING?
Omg I love pink and even like polka dots in moderation. But this dress is so bad. I loathe the neckline. The belt looks like it came from another decade. All of it. Do you think she is trying to steal attention from her SIL with her horrid outfits?
More Diana cosplay. Good lord, she needs a proper stylist.
May you guys are on fire with the comments here this morning! I keep picturing Jane Hathaway from the Beverly Hillbillies in this dress…..
Gosh, I really hate judging women on their appearance but she gives us little else to measure her by so here goes:
Why in the world — with all her money and resources and access to stylist — is she such a bad dresser? She might ‘never put a foot out of place’ (COUGH) but that foot is almost always clad in a terrible, hideous shoe.
Unpopular take:
Both Kate and Meghan have terrible fashion sense. Kate had some gorgeous styles in 2012. The grey Orla Keily and Matthew Williamson dresses for example. But generally her looks are blah or terrible. Other than Meghan’s Safiyaa cape dress, which was divine, I have never liked anything she’s worn. Both women have beautiful faces, especially Kate in 2011-2013 and Meghan in 2018 but they have never been good stylish.
Oh I agree with you. Meghan has some nice pieces but the fit or cut is never the most flattering. If I had their resources, I would have the best stylist for clothes hair everything
So you didn’t like Meghan’s Dior dress, the Prada, the Roland Mouret dresses, the Jason Wu, the red Valentino, the Carolina Herrera, the Brandon Maxwell, the Stella McCartney? I can’t think of one dress that Kate has ever worn in which I didn’t question her taste level. This dress is a tragedy. Perhaps it’s a cry for help. Someone mentioned the movie 9 to 5 and I really get Jane Fonda in 9 to 5 from this look. I don’t think she has a stylist. I think this is all on her and her lack of good taste.
This is the great thing about fashion, everyone has a different opinion and it’s all good. I think it would be horrible if we all had the same taste, the same style and likes, hearing all the different opinions here is what makes it interesting.
@ellie I think you’ll be surprised with how many agree with you! I’m not a big fan of either one’s style. Kate is dated and Meghan looks like she’s trying to get away with wearing bathrobes out in public.
Gross.
She does not look great in hoop earrings, either, she looks like Cathy from the estate with three kids and a smoking habit.
Oh wait.
The dress is too short- this style of dress is meant to be longer-Isn’t this what people call a midi-dress?I think its meant to hit mid calf- and worn un belted. Which may be why it is too short. Also should be worn with boots not pumps. She keeps choosing these neo-vintage gowns but she has no idea how to style them and just ends up looking so twee 80’s secretary.
Looks so awful. 🙁 All that money and even with the restrictions on what’s “appropriate”, this is so terrible.
My grandfather is Irish, I went to college at UCD, but I am American. It’s very tricky, and I think Prince William did a good job and it was smart to incorporate The Queen’s words into his speech. Emphasizing the longevity of her relationship with the country. She is beloved, especially for her equine interests! Prince Charles can’t do it, the IRA killed his uncle. It just doesn’t work coming from PC for a lot of complicated reasons. There are so many difficulties there, honestly. I’m just so glad the UK didn’t go with the “build a wall” insanity. Theresa May made a bad deal there, but she is so much better overall than BJ. But THANK GOD they aren’t building that stupid wall, would have really kicked things up an extra notch. Ireland is the best place on earth, IMO 🇮🇪 And for the brits, they have to tread lightly because the history is HORRIFIC.
How much does a vintage Oscar De La Renta dress cost?? I googled and their new dresses cost at least $6,000. THAT’S A LOT for a fug dress. Where are the headlines now?!
Sweet! She looks gorg! Pink is such a nice colour on her. I think I’ll go out and buy a version. Serving such lewks on this tour
Maybe you can find it in green too.
I hope so!! Green is my favourite colour!
I don’t know why, but I like this look. It’s not particularly modern, but this is kate, so I don’t expect it, but I think it’s kinda cute. I like the ponytail too.
Her style is all over the map on this trip. Definitely channeling an 80s Sloan Ranger, Diana thing. So far copied Meghan, Beatrice and Diana looks.
It looks like something an 80-year-old would wear, but on the bright side, at least it isn’t green. I can understand wearing the color of the country you’re visiting as an homage, but – a green dress with a green coat, green handbag and green shoes? Then a green evening gown, then another green dress? I like green, but this is overkill. The fuchsia is a welcome relief.
She really is bland, isn’t she? It’s one thing to pay homage to Diana, but cosplay is another issue. It started with that symbol of 80’s gaudiness “big blue”; it could have been reworked into a more modern design that suits her better. This dress could have been reworked into a more flattering outfit (although why she would choose a vintage Oscar de la Renta for this trip in the first place I have no idea). Given how much she cosplays early-80s Diana now, I shudder to think what she’ll come up with once William becomes POW.
Off topic: Meghan just arrived at the endeavour awards. She looks DAMN good. Must be driving the paps nuts. 🤣🤣🤣
It appears to me that Kate’s handlers are TRYING to make her look not good. She is an attractive woman and a mother of 3 who adores her children. It’s as though William wants her to appear dowdy to not outshine him (hint: it wouldn’t take much). She has an adulterous husband that dismisses her. Kate, HELLO! Go outside the ROTA or whatever the ROTA fashion police is and get a stylist that will make you look as beautiful as you are. Meghan will show you how it’s done!!! If it were me, I’d be like, “Um no, I’m not wearing this. Find me something else.” Why she doesn’t do that is beyond me. Signed, Team Sussex. Because some of us feel sorry for Kate.
We have a long and violent and murderous history in our small island thanks to our neighbours. Visits like this weren’t something that we could ever envision a few short years ago. Still there are threats and tensions to all these visits. I take offence at the using of the Good Friday agreement mention to batter William. Not that I care about him, but that agreement is not to be so lightly dismissed or underestimated. it is of utmost importance still here. We live in peaceful times for now. Change is coming and with it I sincerely hope we can hang onto our very fragile peace
I read in one of the Twitter comments that Kate is now channeling Meghan’s messy hair bun look. I agree that’s Diana’s fashion- ruffled collar. But most of all I think Kate lacks that killer self-confidence. No matter what the BM say that she’s come into her own, she just doesn’t project and radiate that confidence.
I agree and maybe it’s because she’s hoping that her husband’s “incandescent rage” isn’t directed at her. She always seems like she’s walking on eggshells when he’s with her. She seems more confident when she’s doing solo events. Also, I wonder if Carole is on her case, making her doubt herself or stifling any independence thought. It’s all so odd for someone approaching 40.
Kate looks like a Mary Kay nightmare.
I am Irish and everything about this visit is patronising in the extreme. At least when the queen visited she knew what she was talking about – the fact that Wills is reduced to parroting her to this extent speaks volumes. As for Kate, the only good thing I can say about this pink polka dot disaster is that at least it’s not ANOTHER green dress
God, I’m speechless! I thought her taste was bad before but this takes it above and beyond!!! Why wear this?!! And what was the experience stylists team doing allowing her to go through with it??🤦♀️
I like the dress and hair even though it is very 80s.
Holy swfing Diana, didn’t Diana have this exact same dress, lolol.
Get past ruffles, polka-dots, buttons. Get past personal preferences. The cut and length of this dress is very flattering on her figure.
Someone like Letizia has a figure that looks good in many different styles/cuts. Kate does not have that.
[*Objective observation.*]