As soon as Kate Middleton arrives in Canada six days ago, the media’s track her wardrobe with journalistic zeal (despite plenty of other international royal happenings). The Duchess of Cambridge is nothing if she is not prepared for analysis. It was observed that Kate Middleton is wowing the crowds in Canada but the fashion fraternity is divided on the success of her sartorial choices.
Number of column, magazines and photos were spread which were dedicated to the Duchess of Cambridge’s style. Even there is a website WhatKateWore.com which keeps the track of her every fashion move. But it seems that in her home country the fashion critics can't seem to agree on whether the new bride is set to be a style icon, or a safe bet who sticks to the middle road.
She came armed with outfits to honor England, Canada and her husband as well as her staple accessories—a patent nude clutch and heels—to pair with everything. She has even worn a mix of British and Canadian designers so far on the tour, plus a few pieces from her own wardrobe which include an already famous outfit—the white Reiss dress she wore for her engagement photos—but it is Canada so she added the Queen Mother’s diamond Maple Leaf brooch—a gift from the people of Canada in 1939— and a maple leaf hat by Sylvia Fletcher. But it was a great display of Canadian pride.
There have even been some nods to the royal women of note in her life. At an event celebrating Canada Day, she wore a maple leaf brooch borrowed from the Queen. And when she attended tree planting on Princess Diana's 50th birthday, she wore a grey dress designed by Catherine Walker, one of the favorite of the late princess. The grey Kensington dress featured a triangle collar and deep v-back. On Sunday, Kate turned heads in yet another Erdem dress, an exquisitely embroidered one.
Yesterday, the couple visited Prince Edward Island. Kate wore an ivory Alexander McQueen sweater dress with navy blue accents. The dress, designed by Alexander McQueen in 2006, may look familiar—Sarah Jessica Parker wore it in opposite colors years ago. Then today, while touring Yellowknife, Kate paired her trusty nude pumps and clutch with a structured crème shift by Malene Birger.
The duchess departed Heathrow Airport in a dress by French-born, London-based designer Roland Mouret, a blazer by Canadian label Smythe and carrying a bag by Mulberry. She emerged from the plane in a navy blue dress by Canadian designer Erdem.
Various magazines and fashion connoisseur describes Kate in different ways. The Guardian's fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley writes that the duchess is not dressing for the likes of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, but instead for the people.
"Kate is not particularly stylish," she writes.
"There is little flair, little creativity and little originality about how she dresses. She is pretty and always looks nice, but she is not a style icon. She is not "wowing the fashion critics" with her wardrobe. Being chic is not the point of her look."
But being a fashion diplomat is, according to the British edition of Grazia magazine, which commended her for her choices on day one of the tour.
As London's Daily Telegraph features writer Melissa Whitworth points out, the duchess has clearly learnt from the backlash directed at US first lady Michelle Obama for wearing so many British designers while on a recent tour of Britain.
"The Duchess of Cambridge is unlikely to receive any criticism from fashion circles; her outfits have been a faultless combination of British and Canadian labels so far," she writes.
Australian fashion designer Leona Edmiston says some of her favorite pieces from the duchess's Canadian tour so far have been the ones with the quirky touches - the cream Alexander McQueen knit dress and the fascinator inspired by the Canadian flag.
The duchess's color choices have been understated - a lot of cream, navy and grey - but this is in keeping with her own personal style, which is to be applauded, Edmiston says.
"I think she's absolutely looking perfect," she says.
"She's very elegant and understated in a youthful, not stuffy way. She's looking like the role demands."
As well as re-wearing some pieces, the duchess has mixed it up with items from high street stores as well as high-end designers. The eagle eyes at WhatKateWore.com claim that the navy blue trench coat she wore to watch husband Prince William conduct an emergency helicopter landing exercise is the same one she wore to the races in 2008.
Playing it safe and re-wearing old favorites may not impress fashion critics, but Edmiston believes it will make the duchess a hit with the people.
"The fashion crowd is a tricky crowd to please at any time," she says.
"She's probably not even thinking about them at all. It sounds clichéd, the people's princess, but that's definitely what she's becoming."
And on sheer volume alone, it seems the people of Canada agree.
Check out the pics:
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