This look is confusing and feels so tone-deaf. She is a stunning woman, and looks exquisite *but* this look is almost a carbon copy of a previous (very successful) look. Why not just rewear that previous gown in a nod to economy and sustainability? Or, go totally the other direction and debut a gorgeous new gown? This just reads out of touch on several dimensions. (And fwiw overly fussy with the gloves - definitely felt the 2022 full on glam Catherine walker was flawlessly executed in comparison). Again - she’s stunning and looks amazing. But the messages she’s sending are confusing and not particularly reassuring.
I agree that 2022 full-glam was fabulous, and am also surprised by the remix of it! Why redo something already so good? But I wonder if she was going for variations on a theme? Also agree re: the sustainability piece, it does drive me a bit mad. If you are going to get a new gown, why not get something markedly different.
I feel like that meme of Pam from The Office: "it's the same picture". The gowns are not different enough to have two similar dresses. If she was directed to wear white she should have chosen a different designer to ensure the look was different. Otherwise she should have worn the gown she had, imo.
Hi Elizabeth! Any idea how far in advance these pieces are considered/ordered/created? I marvel at, and do not envy, the enormity of Natasha Archer’s job! xx
How much latitude does she really have with state dinner attire? It has to be white, right? It must be hard to make white gown after white gown feel exciting. I don't think this would have been the occasion to rewear her coronation gown, which was white but had much more pizzazz. FWIW, I much prefer the softer look of this year's ensemble. Maybe an updo would have made it feel more special?
Hi Kelly! She does not have to wear white. In the past she has worn red, light blue, light pink, etc. I think perhaps at this one she was invited to wear white, given that Sophie and Anne also wore white, which put the emphasis on Camilla in red. Still, I'd argue that there are a lot of ways to design a white gown (or restyle an existing one!) that don't feel quite so similar to the one she wore at the last state dinner.
The white gown she wore for the US state dinner in 2019 I think would have been a fun rewear, with a totally different vibe, but still fit with the brief if she felt she needed to stick to white. I think it also would have looked great with the tiara she wore since they both have a soft, romantic feel!
Oh, well in that case, I totally agree with you! Definitely a missed opportunity to do something different besides the tiara. A bright blue might have been nice to complete the colors of the Korean flag then. Thanks, as always, for your insights, Elizabeth!
I love the idea of a uniform and how she rewears and reworks outfits and gowns from the past. It’s one of my favorite qualities of the Royal family. Also, not going to lie, it’s pretty cool to see a dress design with the same name as me. 😊
Hi Elspeth! Oh how I wish she'd re-work some of these gowns! Instead of just getting new ones. The way Diana reimagined some of her most worn pieces was thrilling.
When I read that the tiara was last seen on the Queen Mother my first thought was "Catherine could be the next Queen Mother". Nice tie ie there, and, Charles was very close to her so maybe a nod to him too?
In reading Elizabeth's thoughts the similar look to last year makes more sense to me. Still a wow moment with the unexpected tiara and about as low key as possible for such an occasion. On top of the red moment earlier in the day it might have played rather negatively on the whole to also have a new statement gown. It's so tricky when you can almost make a case for a new-but-very-similar look or a restyle-of-the-previous-one! Thinking about it more...I think the new-but-similar makes more sense when you consider looking back at photos. It's much clearer to see 2 different gowns to differentiate events, rather than maybe only a different tiara.
I found it interesting that Catherine, Sophie, and Anne all wore white with gloves (except Sophie). With long sleeves that might have been a bit much, but it stuck out to me since the Duchess of Gloucester had gloves (but with a powder blue dress!). It made the overall visual a little disjointed for me. Either be coordinated-but-not-matching (like the Waleses!)...or go for more separate looks!
This look is confusing and feels so tone-deaf. She is a stunning woman, and looks exquisite *but* this look is almost a carbon copy of a previous (very successful) look. Why not just rewear that previous gown in a nod to economy and sustainability? Or, go totally the other direction and debut a gorgeous new gown? This just reads out of touch on several dimensions. (And fwiw overly fussy with the gloves - definitely felt the 2022 full on glam Catherine walker was flawlessly executed in comparison). Again - she’s stunning and looks amazing. But the messages she’s sending are confusing and not particularly reassuring.
I agree that 2022 full-glam was fabulous, and am also surprised by the remix of it! Why redo something already so good? But I wonder if she was going for variations on a theme? Also agree re: the sustainability piece, it does drive me a bit mad. If you are going to get a new gown, why not get something markedly different.
I feel like that meme of Pam from The Office: "it's the same picture". The gowns are not different enough to have two similar dresses. If she was directed to wear white she should have chosen a different designer to ensure the look was different. Otherwise she should have worn the gown she had, imo.
Hi Elizabeth! Any idea how far in advance these pieces are considered/ordered/created? I marvel at, and do not envy, the enormity of Natasha Archer’s job! xx
Agreed!
How much latitude does she really have with state dinner attire? It has to be white, right? It must be hard to make white gown after white gown feel exciting. I don't think this would have been the occasion to rewear her coronation gown, which was white but had much more pizzazz. FWIW, I much prefer the softer look of this year's ensemble. Maybe an updo would have made it feel more special?
Hi Kelly! She does not have to wear white. In the past she has worn red, light blue, light pink, etc. I think perhaps at this one she was invited to wear white, given that Sophie and Anne also wore white, which put the emphasis on Camilla in red. Still, I'd argue that there are a lot of ways to design a white gown (or restyle an existing one!) that don't feel quite so similar to the one she wore at the last state dinner.
The white gown she wore for the US state dinner in 2019 I think would have been a fun rewear, with a totally different vibe, but still fit with the brief if she felt she needed to stick to white. I think it also would have looked great with the tiara she wore since they both have a soft, romantic feel!
Oh, well in that case, I totally agree with you! Definitely a missed opportunity to do something different besides the tiara. A bright blue might have been nice to complete the colors of the Korean flag then. Thanks, as always, for your insights, Elizabeth!
FWIW, I don't think state dinners require a certain colour of gown. Here's an example of a blue gown at a state dinner: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/10/kate-middleton-lovers-knot-tiara-alexander-mcqueen-state-dinner-netherlands
I love the idea of a uniform and how she rewears and reworks outfits and gowns from the past. It’s one of my favorite qualities of the Royal family. Also, not going to lie, it’s pretty cool to see a dress design with the same name as me. 😊
Hi Elspeth! Oh how I wish she'd re-work some of these gowns! Instead of just getting new ones. The way Diana reimagined some of her most worn pieces was thrilling.
Yes!!! I always love hearing your background and insights on the gowns and outfits!
When I read that the tiara was last seen on the Queen Mother my first thought was "Catherine could be the next Queen Mother". Nice tie ie there, and, Charles was very close to her so maybe a nod to him too?
In reading Elizabeth's thoughts the similar look to last year makes more sense to me. Still a wow moment with the unexpected tiara and about as low key as possible for such an occasion. On top of the red moment earlier in the day it might have played rather negatively on the whole to also have a new statement gown. It's so tricky when you can almost make a case for a new-but-very-similar look or a restyle-of-the-previous-one! Thinking about it more...I think the new-but-similar makes more sense when you consider looking back at photos. It's much clearer to see 2 different gowns to differentiate events, rather than maybe only a different tiara.
I found it interesting that Catherine, Sophie, and Anne all wore white with gloves (except Sophie). With long sleeves that might have been a bit much, but it stuck out to me since the Duchess of Gloucester had gloves (but with a powder blue dress!). It made the overall visual a little disjointed for me. Either be coordinated-but-not-matching (like the Waleses!)...or go for more separate looks!