That iconic wrap dress - New looks at DVF and Replikate it!

Today we cover another favorite style as seen on Kate, which is the classic wrap dress. One of her most popular choices proved to be a Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress in a blue ethnic print. The dress was worn at one of her engagements during the Australia - New Zealand tour. Nowadays, this version of the dress has sold out but the style remains a staple piece in the DVF collection.

Kate in the DVF wrap dress 

For the fall season are a number of wrap dresses available in various prints at the DVF website. The Irina Silk and Chiffon colour combo dress is reminiscent of the style and colour as seen on the Duchess.The dress is available in sizes 6 and up at the time of writing.

       Irina Batik Midnight silk and chiffon dress, EUR 497 

Replikate It 

There are plenty of choices if you are looking for a budget-friendly wrap dress. Check out the styles below.

Warehouse via ASOS, Ls Crepe Wrap dress in Merlot, EUR 52

This great maternity wrap dress from Asos is available in cobalt blue and red. The blue version is available in all sizes. 

Asos Maternity wrap skater dress, from EUR 29

Replikate - Jenny Packham gown as seen at the Olympics gala

For the 2012 Olympics Gala Kate chose this stunning Jenny Packham dress, which is one of my favorite outfits. That's why I have dedicated today's post to this dress and some fabulous sartorial finds that emulate the same romantic feel of this dreamy gown. 

The details on the back are simply stunning 

Replikate it: 

ASOS Kate maxi dress in soft pink, navy, and grey - EUR 94,01

Kate Middleton's Style - Mastering the art of Replikating

Good day everybody, today's post dives into the question how to master the art of copying Kate Middleton's style without the royal price tag.

What is a Replikate? 
A Replikate is a piece of clothing that closely resembles the style of the Duchess of Cambridge and that is considered to be an item that would seamlessly integrate in Kate's royal closet.

Kate with her Zara double-breasted blazer and her Gap Shirt 

So, that means that Replikates are usually expensive items? 
No, not at all! Kate is known for her love of high street stores and her visits to designer outlets. She manages to strike a balance by mixing up clothes from the high street with designer items. The same principle applies to the art of Replikating. An tiem that would be very 'Kate' would not necessarily have to be very expensive.

Okay, so where do I find a Replikate? 
Well, that is up to your preference and your creativity. There are a number of great blogs that search for Replikates, but you can do it yourself obviously. Each time you see a great piece worn by Kate and you wish to copy it, find out what properties that particular piece has:

Colour 

 Material 

 Fit, cut, and/or length

Brand
Style 

In other words, what colour is she wearing and what material? Then you can decide which properties are most important to Replikate. Do you like Kate's choice of colours or her choice of designers? It is fun to tweak and adjust Kate's style to your own preferences and lifestyle!

You can find some Replikates on this very blog here and I will be posting my own Replikate-purchases soon.

Enjoy!

Summer Stripes and Citrus Colours - Kate Outfit Inspiration

Kate Middleton has a range of great basics which can make any outfit look fabulous. Two of my personal favorites are the Mirabelle Lolita earrings and her Stuart Weitzman Minx wedges. I have paired these two pieces with a cute striped dress from Boden and a clutch from Allegra London in the colour 'Citrus'.

Kate has worn the Weitzman wedges several times during the NZ & Australia tour in 2014. You can find more information on what shoe brands Kate prefers at Shoerazzi. The Mirabelle earrings were debuted in January this year and Kate wore them again in March - spring, summer, or winter, these earrings truly are all-season pieces!

The clutch I chose in combination with the Boden dress is a hommage to the LK Bennett Cayla dress Kate wore to the Wimbledon match last month - the clutch has the same summery bright orange and is a great eyecatcher!

Royal wedding weekend - Charles and Diana & Beatrice and Pierre

It is summer, it is sunny, and it is a weekend to remember and to hold a wedding! On Friday July 31st, it marked 34 years since the wedding of Charles and Diana, and yesterday Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo got married in Northen Italy after their civil wedding in Monaco last week.

Beatrice was simply stunning in her Armani Prive reception gown. Grecian-inspired style done right.

Find more on Twitter @fuggirls

Kate Middleton Style - Replikate the LK Bennett Cayla Dress

Kate turned away from previously-worn neutrals at her latest Wimbledon attendance to shine in a cardinal red LK Bennett dress, the Cayla style. I adore the colour and the simple and clean cut of the dress. This post is dedicated to some fantastic Replikates of this frock. Enjoy! 

Kate in the Cayla Dress 

Replikates 

Tahari woven fit and flare dress via Nordstrom

Reiss Toluca fit and flare dress

                                                     H&M Butterfly-sleeved dress

                                         Lulus 'Endless Possibilities' Coral skater dress

Organizing a Summer Garden Party

Every summer, the Queen of England hosts a number of garden parties at Buckingham Palace. It is a recognition from the Royal Household to the services of the public which includes over 30,000 guests from all walks of life.

Garden parties generally have an informal and relaxed feel, and I strongly encourage to host one to your own liking if you have a garden of your own. I usually plan a garden party in mid-August to celebrate my birthday where my friends and family meet and share stories about their holidays.

Please have a look at the check list below to make your garden party - and any other party, really - a succes:
- What is the occasion? An anniversary, birthday, or something else?
- For how many people are you hosting the party?
- How many portions of drinks and beverages are needed and when/how will you serve these?
- Division of tasks: who is helping you out? Who will be doing what at what time?
- Be sure to ditch that laidback vibe when it comes to inviting guests. Let them know at least four weeks in advance about the engagement.
- Is it necessary to hand out practical info for your guests? Think: information on parking spaces etc.

Once taken care of practicalities, it is about time to move on to the fun stuff. What is the garden for the party going to look like? Here are a few guidelines that might help you to come up with your very own vision:

1. Choose a colour scheme
Colours look brighter in summer, so make the most of it. You do not have to overdo it by throwing in many types of colours and shades. One colour that is brought out in neat little details makes all the difference.

2. A dress code is a guideline, not a rule 
It is summer, so unless the occassion requires a strict dress code, keep it simple.

3. Stick to natural materials Non -reusable plastic cups and plates make me want to squash and break them. It is bad for the environment and for my mood, so I generally stay away from them and arrange whatever I have nicely in a buffet-style manner on a large table.

                                              Style at Home - Garden Party Essentials


4. Do NOT experiment with new recipes 
Keep it simple and do not be tempted to try new and time-consuming recipes if it is not neccessary. You can make any occassion as big or as small as you like, but make life easy for yourself and stick to reliable recipes if you expect many guests.

Have fun with your garden party! I myself will be serving some good old mini Dutch syrup waffles, sandwiches, and spritzers at my birthday

For more information on garden parties at Buckingham Palace, visit the official website of the British monarchy