The Duchess in Vogue in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery - UPDATED WITH REPLIKATES

The British Vogue and the National Gallery have collaborated on a series of portraits of the Duchess of Cambridge, see the full article at the Daily Mail.

The Duchess has been patron of the National Portrait Gallery, and visited the gallery in 2014 in a Jenny Packham gown.

Picture from RDuJour

As an Art History major and a photographer, I am sure that the Vogue collaboration project was one the Duchess could really put her heart into.

In the pictures, the Duchess is wearing a longsleeve with red and, what appears to be, navy stripes with a pocket detail. Furthermore, in the second picture she is wearing a country-style outfit. She is wearing a white blouse, a trench in suede material, and a felt hat. Below are some Repliklates: 

Red and Navy Striped top, John Lewis, GBP 25

J.Crew Striped Waffle Shirt, on sale for EUR 35,05

Orvis Heathered Felt Hat, USD 89

Farlows Failsworth Adventurer hat in khaki and brown, GBP 39,95

About the place where I found the perfect Copykate - Gold Disc Charm Brora Earrings

Today I have found the PERFECT copykate for the Gold disc earrings from Scottish brand Brora she wore in Bhutan. 

We have seen this pair of earrings twice: first when the Duchess arrived to Bhutan, and second when she and William had a private dinner with the King and Queen of Bhutan. 

And I happened to spot a pair of earrings that is an exact copy, I kid you not, of the top half of the Brora earrings. I found them at Hema, a Dutch warehouse that has stores in Belgium and France. Below is a picture of the earrings:

The best part is that they were only 3 Euros. Unfortunately, Hema does not sell any jewelry in their online shop. However. if you are interested in Dutch design, I recommend taking a look at their shop. Hema excels in creating afforable and durable utensils, clothing, and is a avid supporter of young up and coming designers. For more information, see the Dutch Design web page (in Dutch only)

The reason why I have moved from discussing earrings to Dutch design is that I feel Kate does a similar thing with her style - she chooses to dress in a certain way to promote initiatives in society that have a vision to create a more beautiful, better world.

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and I will be keeping an eye on the perfect Copykate item :) 

Kate in a J.Crew Sweater - Items of the same Stripe

For the new mental health campaign 'Heads Together', Kate, Harry, and William showed their support this Sunday morning. For more information about the charity and the involvement of the Duchess, see HRHDuchessKate. 

Kate wore a gorgeous striped sweater from J.Crew. Stripes are associated with nautical themes, and are classic, and easy to combine. These days, stripes are offered in a variety of colours too. Get inspired by checking out the items below: 

LK Bennett Harpa Striped Midi Dress, GBP 225

GAP striped sweater, USD 34,99, also available in green, camel, and red

GAP Blue Striped Rib sweater, On Sale for USD 29,99. Also available in grey, black/white, white/black, yellow, and red

Accessories 

I personally love the striped umbrella, would def. brighten up some drizzly days. 

Striped Umbrella in Blue or Camel, USD 16,06 at Ebay

H&M Striped Shopper bag, EUR 29,99

Kate in Pointillist LK Bennett to meet the Obamas

Yester, William, Kate, and Harry hosted the Obamas for dinner at Kensington Palace.

Picture from glamour.com

A close up from the fabric reveals bright specs of red, which reminds me of the French painting technique known as Pointillism, a technique where little spots of different colours are used as 'building blocks' to create an image: 

Georges Seurat, the Channel of Gravelines

No Replikates today, because I think the print is no unique that no copy would do it any justice. The Duchess looked stunning, and I am looking forward to see her wearing this beautiful dress again. 

How to Wear it - Romantic and Intricate Prints like Duchess Kate

The Duchess knows how to rock a variety of prints, as we have seen this week. I decided to dedicate a post on how to wear prints. I love prints, and these five rules will help you make the most of them. 

1. One print at the Time 
Let's start off with the safest rule - if you opt for a dress with a print, stick to that one print. It focuses the attention on you, rather than the collection of items you are wearing. Combining prints is perfectly fine, but requires time and effort to make it work. Also, a combination of prints exudes an air of edginess instead of classiness. I love both, but suck at pulling off multiple prints, so I rather opt for a safe bet and gravitate towards bright, multi-coloured prints. (The Duchess seems to follow the same rule, but whether that has to do with her personality or her position as a royal is another question) 

Vanilia Stitch Shift dress with Flower Pattern, EUR 109,95

2.  Earrings and Prints make a Statement 

This H&M dress has a busy print. However, you can easily complement this dress with a pair of big earrings like Kate does. This is because the print is quite small and delicate, so the dress and the earrings will not be competing for attention. A rule of thumb is: the bigger the print, the smaller the earrings and vice versa. 

H&M Blue and Black Shift Dress, on sale for EUR 14,99

3. Choose which colour stands out 
You can change the whole appearance of a dress by emphasizing a certain colour. This navy and coral Isabelt Marant dress can be styled with a pair of coral heels for a summery, boho feel. One the other hand, a pair of nay heels makes the dress feel more subdued and classic. 

Isabel Marant Cotton Paisley Print Dress. EUR 180,- 

4. Match the shoes with the bag 

This H&M dress has a strong graphic print, so adding matching shoes and a bag makes the print stand out. If the shoes and the bag each have different colours, the whole look would feel rather messy. HOWEVER - you do not have to stick to the colours in the dress, as long as it complements the whole look. 

H&M Graphic Print Shift Dress, on Sale for EUR 14,99 

5. To belt or not to belt? 

I have noticed that the Duchess leaves away a belt more often than adding one whenever she is wearing dresses. A belt is a great addition and is perfectly fine to match with your shoes and bag, but can also be in a colour of the dress. Make sure that the belt has some cohesiveness with either the dress or your acessories. This H&M dress would not necessarily need a belt because of the mix of materials, but a belt can be pulled off if the rest of the outfit is kept neutral.  

H&M Paisley Print and Lace Dress, EUR 39,99

Finally - Copy Kate's Cassandra Goad Earrings

I have found the time to look up the wonderful replacement earrings for the Cassandra Goad earrings, which we have seen Kate wearing a number of times this tour. You can find them here. 

Kate in an Anna Sui Maxi Dress at Assam Festival

Kate and William visited Karinga National Park this evening as part of the India tour, where they attended a festival. Kate wore a printed maxi dress from Anna Sui with a variety of prints. Its colour and prints are slightly reminiscent of Scandinavian patterns.

Anna Sui Printed Crinkle Dress

Kate wears Temperly London at Queen's Delhi birthday party - Get the look

India is treating the duchess well: yesterday the duchess wore a Temperly London two-piece to a grande birthday party in honour of Queen Elisabeth in New Delhi. The style was a nod to the Indian sari style, consisting of a crop top and a maxi skirt, and the Duchess was beaming in it.

Inspired by her look, I have gathered some monochromatic black and white dresses that are not necessarily copies of Kate's ensemble, but radiate the same feel. What I love about the Temperly outfit is the dynamic feel of the pattern - it is not a mere simple black and white print, but follows the lines of her body which accomplishes a true, regal look. My favorite monochromatic black and white dress at the moment: definitely the Karen Millen dress (It's the neckline, I cannot resist a piece of clothing that brings the attention to your face through the structure of the fabric).

H&M Modern Classics shift dress, EUR 39,99

Eshakti Monochromatic Maxi dress, USD 119, sleeves customizable

Betty Barclays Graphic print dress, GBP 125

Karen Millen Check Dress with ruffled collar, EUR 914

As seen on Kate in India - Amrapali earrings UPDATE: Copy Goad Earrings

Kate looked stunning at the gala in the Taj Mahal ball room yesterday night. Her stunning sapphire blue dress was complemented with a pair of earrings by Indian jeweler Amrapali. I love that Kate and her team do their research and put local brands in the spot light, and today I want to do the same. So what is the story behind Amrapali?

Amrapali earrings that closely resemble Kate's

Amrapali Jewels was founded in 1978 Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera in Jaipur. The brand specializes in gem stone jewelry in local, and tribal designs. The brand became known to the public with the opening of a sales point at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai: 
'This was a critical point in the history of the Amrapali Jewels, as The Oberoi presented Amrapali Jewels with a platform that was almost global in context, as it was right in the middle of India's financial hub – Mumbai. The Oberoi not only housed the crème dela crème of Indian society, but also international delegates and foreign visitors that really took a liking to this handcrafted technique of jewelry making, and its unique tribal jewelry that was presented in a contemporary manner. This gave Amrapali Jewels a global identity that propelled the company into the limelight of international recognition.'

From that point onwards, the brand has been expanding with stores all over the world. They ship to 22 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the brand  is present in  the UK, US, Spain, Sri Lanka, China & Nigeria. Amrapali has its own store in London at Beauchamp place, and the jewelry is available at Harrods. 


As I am writing this, I am not able to access the main site. The branch site, Tribe by Amrapali, is up though.

UPDATE: I have found a wonderful Copykate for the Goad Cassandra earrings, which we have seen numerous times during the tour. 

Left: Amrapali Gold Plated Flame Earrings, USD 11,
Right: Cassandra Temple of Heaven Earrings, GBP 1495,-

Copy Kate's McQueen Paisley dress as seen in Mumbai

What Kate Wore's live blog brought us the pictures of Kate and William arriving in Mumbai. Kate looked stunning in a McQueen dress in red paisley print. Paisley prints come in many colours, so can easily be incorporated into your personal style. Below are some budget-proof alternatives that work underneath a blazer at the office, or with a pair of great heels at a summer party.

Oasis Embroidered dress in Paisley Print at John Lewis, on sale for GBP 30,00

Nikita Paisley Shift dress at John Lewis, GBP 46,00

Asos Iska Paisley Printed Shift Dress, on sale for EUR 25,35

Asos Midi dress, EUR 39,44

Asos Tall and Petite Red Paisley Print dress, EUR 36,22

Trench Coat Styles for Different Work Places

Trench coats come in many styles and trends. While you cannot to wrong with the classic beige trench, you may want something more unique or specific. These five coats each have their own personality, and work in different work-related setting. We start of with the classic: 


The Corporate Office

 

Zara water proof trench coat in beige, EUR 69,95
Because I am digging a simple coat that allows the attention to be focused on you.
Your Job: Lawyer, Government employe(e)r

For the Outdoors Job

Marks and Spencer navy trench coat (also available in dark beige), EUR 99,95

Your job requires you to travel to various locations, and being on the move is an integral part of your profession. As a part of your job requires you to meet with clients, you are expected to look presentable. Practicality is key, however, and luckily this does not require you to sacrifice style.
Your job: landscape architect, gardener, photographer.

The Creative Industry 

River Island denim draped trench, EUR 100,- 

You like to dress unique and trendy, and it is part of your work to dress the part. This coat stands out because of its denim fabric. It is easy to style it edgy with a pair of sneakers, or you can opt for a classier style with a pair of nude heels.
Your job: (fashion) editor, model, graphic artist, designer

Retail, Hospitality, and Sales  

LK Bennett Collette coat, EUR 242,- 

You have a hands-on job and deal with clients on a day-to-day basis. Hospitality, service-minded, and approachable are your key words. Whether you are the manager or the junior assistent, you dress to know that you know what needs to be done. This black trench is trendy, and gives you the confidence to take the inititative where needed. 

Your job: Sales manager, Hotel manager, Restaurant owner 

The Best Business Wear Blogs

Beause inspiration is the fuel for sartorial creativity <3 

The Corporate Catwalk

Olivia's style is classic, sassy, and immaculate. Her talent is mixing designer pieces (her bags!) with budget brands such as Zara. Her most recent posts cover purchases she has made at the budget-proof-yet-corporate-cool line at Target.

Business Chic

Slighty rougher around the edges, this blog focuses on street wear gone professional. This is for the gents and ladies who work in the creative field.

This Time Tomorrow

Krystal is just very, very cool. From her love for cobalt blue maxi dresses, to her talent of mixing textures and statement pieces...she sure is a vision. 

Tatiana's Delights 

It does not matter that Tatiana's Delights is on a break, as each post has been written with a lot of love and care and is worth checking out. Tatiana is a Dutch blogger who is an Anglophile, and brings that classic English country-style to the Low Lands through her take on Kate Middleton's outfits. I am a fan. 

Memorandum

Memorandum is a little gem. Her goal is 'to reach more than just those women
who find themselves in an office environment identical to my own by offering a depth and breadth of office style options and inspiration that span a multitude of professional settings.' And she sure offers a broad line of inspiration - the outfits as seen on the blogs are divided in styles, such as 'Creative' and 'Corporate'. Bonus: she also has dedicated a section to outfits for job interviews. From Tory Burch to Zara and Reiss, Memorandum knows where to find it and style it. 

Copy Duchess Kate's Monica Vinader Necklace

Remember when Kate looked stunning in a blue Jenny Packham for the Photography Awards Gala in October 2014? You can find the article at What Kate Wore. Today I found a great Copykate for the Monica Vinader necklace she wore at the gala: 

H&M, EUR 24,99

The necklace consists of the same rounded triangular shapes and shares the same open structure as the Monica Vinader necklace. 

 It is a wonderful necklace that can work for both casual and formal occassions. It is not only a statement piece, but also a staple piece due to its elegant and clean design. See below for a closer look at the details of the piece: 

Spotted: Duchess Kate in a Saloni Polka Dot Dress

Today Duchess Kate and Prince William attended a reception at Buckingham Palace preceding their tour of India and Bhutan. Duchess Kate looked stunning wearing a floor-length Saloni dress. Find the full article at HRH Duchess Kate.

Kate gave a nod to the upcoming tour by wearing a dress from Indian designer Saloni. It is wonderful how the designer combines classic prints, such as polka dots, with prints that have a strong graphic element.

I love polka dots, so here is a budget-proof selection of dresses to embody your inner Duchess.

French Connection on Asos, on sale for EUR 63

Great for the office, easy to style for some Friday night drinks. While they are both LBD, the next dress is a glamorous sister of the previous one because of its slinky satin fabric and deep neckline.

Maison Scotch at Asos, on sale for EUR 140

Bring a touch of Spring into the office with these accessoires

April has kicked off, and the spring is here! It is getting sunnier, the days are lighter, and as a fresh-off-the-market intern I feel inspired to experiment more with colours and statement accessories now that the days are brighter. 

I recently purchased this necklace at H&M. It is a statement necklace, yet its dusty rose colour makes it extremely versatile and easy to combine with a range of outfits and colours.

I also purchased a dainty bracelet at the Costes sale. It is no longer available on the website, so I unfortunately cannot show any other pictures. It is a small cuff that has two diamonds paired on top of each other. I love jewelry that has a clean and strong design, but is also delicate.

Costes is a store that I recently discovered. The style is more bohemian-oriented with rich colours and strong graphic and ethnic prints, but the design of their clothes is simple and classic. Below is a selection of little gems from the current sale:

Statement Ring, now EUR 4,95 

Raffia Wallet, now EUR 9,95 (Also available in blue, and black-white)

Geometrical necklace with pearl, now EUR 4,95

Are you changing up your office wear as soon as the season changes? Let me know in the comments!

Love, Lotte