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 :) 

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

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