Blue Jenny Packham Post-Maternity

This week the Duchess gave birth to a healthy baby boy.  For the official hospital departure "photo call" Kate stepped out in a powder blue Jenny Packham dress with little white polka dots.  Apparently she was on a bit of a polka dot trend for her pregnancy.

She looks great but of course since the occasion certainly merited it, she did with a bit of help from a hair stylist!

The dress was a high-waisted cut with short sleeves.  Its very simple and there's not much to say about this look in retrospect since if we take away the circumstances its a rather boring and safe look.  If she's going to go with a custom designer piece, I'd at least like the dress to scream quality and I don't think this does.  I'm not saying she has to go couture glamazon but his dress just looks so plain and home-made.  I really think that with all the lovely looks that come out of Jenny Packham, the design house could have done a bit more.

However I like her in this shade of blue, I love the casual-ness of the outfit.  Above all I love the comfort of it, I really love that this look does away with the vanity (fantasy!) of having to be pin-thin immediately after giving birth.  Like all mortal women she has a bit of post-pregnancy related belly that the high waist helps accommodate. 

Image via StyleBistro.

There were rumors among the media and bloggers that Kate paid a "Diana" tribute of sorts by emerging in a similar blue polka-dotted dress just as her predecessor had done.  In that sense I must admit I am a bit of a dissenter since if it is true, I really wish she had chosen to do her own thing.  She already has the ring, she can afford to be her own royal.

There were also rumors that it was a tribute to "blue for boy" since the Cambridge couple had opted to not know the sex of the baby beforehand and there was another of the same dress in pink on stand-by.  If that rumor is true then it was a cute play on a public "gender reveal".

For you non-post-maternity style mavens out there, here are a couple of similarly suited blue-with-white-polka-dot frocks.

First up is this one by Fred Flare.  Since we are talking non-maternity, this one is decidedly in that category with a belted natural waist and "skater" (mini) length.

The color is less the powder blue shade of Kate's but the overall neckline, sleeves, and skirt - with the exception of the non-maternity waist - is a pretty good dupe!

This dress is available for pre-order from Fred Flare for approximately $44 U.S.

Fred Flare - "Blue Me Away" polka dot dress.

As long as we are on the subject of non-maternity looks, I really love this next dress from Modcloth by Emily & Fin.

Okay so it is a bit further removed from Kate's very simple dress.  However it is so cute with the collar, key hole neckline, and banded waist that I couldn't resist adding it.  It is still Kate-inspired with its round neckline, sleeves, and gathered waist, it just much cuter!

This one is available from Modcloth and retails for approximately $99 U.S.  It is so cute I might just have to get it for me!

Emily & Fin via Modcloth - "Set Me Free" dress in dots.

Links of London "Hope Egg" earrings

First, congrats to the Cambridges on the arrival of little Prince George!

I'll admit that I had to take a bit of a breather there.  Honestly the media frenzy surrounding the bun in that oven was just a tad much for me, but I'm glad the Cambridge family and more importantly the baby is doing well, and above all that the whole hoopla is finally over.

I decided to come back with a jewelry post update I've been working on, which happens to be appropriately timed.

We come to the subject of Kate's engagement photo earrings, a pair of white topaz pavé drops.  Though she has apparently worn them for a number of  years (as early as 2008) they had a bit of an "official" debut in the engagement photos in 2010 as she wore them for both the formal and casual versions.  I find it interesting how many "neutral" stones she has managed to mix and match with the iconic sapphire and diamond ring.  Not even the Duchess wears diamonds all the time!
Kate has continued to wear these earrings regularly since then, mostly for less formal but still professional occasions such as the 2011 Canadan tour.

The sterling teardrop earrings with pavé white topaz setting are by Links of London.  Named the "Hope Egg" earrings, the shape which is said to symbolize "hope and new life" is actually Russian in origin.  

So as you see, very appropriate given the birth of the little prince.
The Links of London website currently has the "Hope Egg" earrings in plain sterling silver only, retailing for approximately $195 U.S., and the "Hope" white topaz pendant necklace, currently retailing at approximately $375 U.S.
Since I can't find a listing of the exact product my personal price estimate for the earrings lies closer to the pendant's price, slightly higher no doubt.

Links of London - "Hope Egg" white topaz earrings, via DianasJewels.net.

Fortunately a design this classic with plain earwires isn't terribly difficult to locate, with a slight variation in shape of course.

Fossil has a pair of pavé teardrop duplicates at approximately $48 U.S. currently on sale at $29.99 U.S. These are silver-tone with crystal.

Fossil - pavé teardrop earrings.

Next up in scale are these teardrops from J.C. Penny has a pair pf in silver plate and crystal.

These were approximately $26 U.S., currently on sale at approximately $19.50 U.S.

J.C. Penney - silver plated pavé crystal teardrop earrings.

Higher up on the quality totem pole are these diamond and sterling silver teardrops from Kohl's.
While they originally retailed for approximately $275 U.S. they too are currently on sale at approximately $109.99 U.S.

Kohl's - 1/4 ct diamond and sterling silver teardrop earrings.

Polka Dot Dress from Topshop

Back in April, the Cambridges and Harry popped into Warner Bros. studios in Leavesden.

Kate wore a polka dotted dress from Topshop, and according to various outlets opting for a maternity style of dress for a change.  She paired it with a black Ralph Lauren 3/4 length sleeve jacket that you may recall from various previous outings but most notably their honeymoon exit.  The Duchess also opted to repeat this outfit again fairly quickly at a recent wedding.

Image via StyleBistro.

I think she looks marvelous here, comfortable and visibly at ease but still put together.  Its an easy and safe combination but appropriate.  While I am still not liking her choice in hem length and I personally do not think this looks like a maternity style dress.  But I think this dress is looks better than than her other custom maternity dresses as of late, which I have to admit I am just not liking.

Image via StyleBistro.

The dress was identified as being the maternity "Florence" style from Topshop, seen below right.  While the polka dot placement clearly matches the non-maternity "skater" style dress on the left the waist on Kate's dress looks to be a bit higher.  Also note that both dresses below have the skirt about the same length as the bodice while Kate's skirt is clearly much longer than the bodice on her dress.  It s definitely Topshop since it matches other maternity styles on Topshop's website and I wager it is a maternity version of the dress below left (since it matches Kate's polka dot pattern) rather than the right as is the popular opinion, I just can't find the actual dress for comparison.

The dress features a round scoop neckline, sleeves, and slightly gathered skirt in a white and black polka dot print.

Both of these dresses retail for $76 USD.

Left: Topshop polka dot skater dress in cream, via Nordstrom;

Right: Topshop "Florence" dress, via Nordstrom.

You can find lots of polka dotted dresses in a wide variety of styles but for this repliKate I stuck with dark dots on light backgrounds and dresses with round necklines and sleeves.

This look-a-like from Dorothy Perkins is the non-maternity style closest to Kate's with a gathered round neckline and sleeves.  Its my favorite out of all the repliKate dresses.
This dress retails for $49 USD.

Billie and Blossom ivory black spot dress via Dorothy Perkins.

This ASOS dress, also non-maternity, in jersey fabric is a bit further removed and a bit more casual than Kate's.  Though it is grey with flock textured polka dots it still features cute little sleeves, a round neckline, and a gathered skirt.

This dress retails for $47.52 USD.

ASOS Collection mini skater dress in grey flocked spot.

This same dress is also available in a midi length from ASOS for $50.91 USD.

ASOS Collection midi dress in grey flocked spot.

I'll admit right away that this Anne Klein dress is a higher end version since it is even more expensive than Kate's, but it is probably the highest quality of the bunch.  It has a similar rounded neckline, cap sleeves, and a tiered swing skirt.

This dress, in light tan with black polka dots, retails for $129 USD.

Anne Klein honeycomb dotted dress.

……………

A commenter recently alerted me to this last look-a-like of Kate's post-wedding Zara dress, as seen in this original post.  It is a pleated sleeveless dress worn with the same black Ralph Lauren jacket seen above.

Image via StyleBistro.

This Calvin Klein dress is an almost exact dupe with a fully pleated bodice and skirt, and even matches the length and fabric of Kate's.

This dress is currently on sale for $169 AUD (the retailer is Australian in origin), or approximately $169 USD.

Calvin Klein blue chiffon dress via Royal Tag.

Many thanks to the anon contribution, as always feel free to leave comments or email me your repliKates!

Kate-Inspired by... Lace Gowns

Full credit for this post goes to the eagle eyed commenter who alerted me to this look-a-like, thanks again!  Remember you can always leave a comment to submit your repliKates!

For reference here is the teal lace Jenny Packham gown from the last post.

This lace and chiffon gown from Tadashi Shoji is a dead ringer for Kate's original, save for the pale french blue shade of course.  I'll admit that the color was enough of a distraction that I can't say I would have picked up on the similar design myself, so thanks again to you commenter!  

Same pleated bodice and gathered skirt, strikingly similar lace raised neckline and sleeves, and an exact imitation of the jeweled waist and gathered skirt.

Credit: Tadashi Shoji, crinkle chiffon and lace gown in blue stone.

It also comes with a sheer back panel to boot.

This gown retails for approximately $488 USD.

Tadashi Shoji's website is filled with amazingly lovely gowns so of course I had a look around and one gown in particular struck a familiar chord.

This chantilly lace gown features a lovely contrasting lace illusion neckline, long sleeves, and a godet skirt and comes in a stunning "blue lagoon" color.

It retails for approximately $548 USD.

Credit: Tadashi Shoji, chantilly lace long sleeve gown in blue lagoon.

It is definitely "in the style of" Kate's navy lace Erdem shift dress but in a gown version.  It has similar sheer lace sleeves, a similar bateau neckline, and even a similar shift silhouette, with the addition of godets to add fullness and shape to the floor length skirt.
She most famously wore her lace dress on the Cambridge's 2011 (?) tour of Canada and at least one other time since.

Teal Jenny Packham Evening Gown

Here's one I thought I'd never have a repliKate for - Kate's teal Jenny Packham evening gown.  She debuted this gown exactly one year ago at the Olympic concert at Royal Albert Hall in May of 2012.

Credit - StyleBistro.

There are so many notable features to this gown but what seems to stand out is the neckline.  The Queen Anne style, which is how this neckline is called, features an open front with a high, raised collar at the back of the neck.  This was also the style of neckline on Kate's Alexander McQueen wedding gown.  In this case it is a low plunging neckline accented with sheer lace and a pleated bodice.  The skirt is also pleated and is finished in a jeweled belt detail.

The back of this gown is sheer lace with delicate crystal accents, as are the short sleeves, and it is finished in a button line closure and a bow detail at the waist.

Credits: StyleBistro.

Now the color of this gown just bowls me over.  I like Kate in a strong jewel tone and I think the gown is lovely - for a Hollywood starlet.  This plunge is little low-cut and daring (not in a good way) and paired with that sheer back it is just too filmy and bare up top for her position.  I would have preferred to have seen the neckline raised just a bit more so the emphasis would be more on her face, not the daringly low cut chest.

Credits: StyleBistro.

A version of this 2012 gown was featured in both the Jenny Packham Bridal collection in white with the style name "Aspen" and the Ready-to-Wear Spring collection in color as look number 8.  Customization to Kate's gown was most notable in the color of course, a pleated bodice and skirt as opposed to gathered in the original versions, and a slight raising of the neckline up from the waist a few inches.
Jenny Packham gowns range in price from the hundreds to the thousands.

Credits: left, Jenny Packham Bridal 2012 collection, style name "Aspen";

right, Jenny Packham Ready-to-Wear Spring 2012 collection, look 8.

The duplicate I have found is by none other that Allen Schwartz, the replica king famous for his accessible copies of the unforgettable red carpet gown.  Just check out his dupe of a famous Stella McCartney gown.

This is a very spot on look-a-like with few noticeable adjustments.  However the bold impact of the gown remains true to the original inspiration.

This gown retails for approximately $562 USD, on sale for approximately $268.

Credits: A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz via BlueFly, teal silk chiffon and lace embellished gown.

An identical short version of the gown is also available in black.

This gown retails for approximately $395 USD, on sale for approximately $239.

Credits: A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz via BlueFly, black silk chiffon and lace dress.