The royal family may have spent much of the past year in quarantine and social distancing, just like us plebs, but luckily, 2021 has seen our favorite duchesses hang out in style once again.
From Meghan Markle’s symbolic Oprah interview outfit to Lady Kitty Spencer’s quintet of designer wedding dresses to Kate Middleton’s glittering take on Bond girl glamor at the ‘No Time to Die’ premiere, here are the moments real fashion that we couldn’t stop talking about this year.
Meghan Markle’s pregnancy announcement dress
In February, the Duchess of Sussex announced that she was expecting her second child wearing a white Carolina Herrera dress tailored by the brand’s creative director, Wes Gordon, a friend of hers for years.
Gordon said the style statement sent a “powerful message” about sustainability, telling The Telegraph, “I did [the dress] for her when she was pregnant with Archie, so almost two years ago.
Gordon added: “She was wearing a dress that is no less beautiful, because she is two years old … it doesn’t make her feel any less special or no less happy.”
Meghan Markle’s Oprah Interview Look
In March, Markle sat down with Oprah for the Tale of the Year and chose a symbolic outfit for the occasion: a black and white Armani dress adorned with a lotus flower, long considered a sign of rebirth and resilience.
She accessorized with Princess Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet, which a spokesperson for Markle told the “Today” show provided a way “to have [Harry’s] mother there with them during the interview “.
Lady Kitty Spencer’s fashionable wedding
A big day dress simply wasn’t enough for Lady Di’s niece, who married billionaire fashion businessman Michael Lewis in July; instead, she wore five different Dolce & Gabbana dresses, all made to measure.
Before getting married on Friday night, Spencer wore a blue tulle dress and cape with floral embroidery as her “something blue”. At her Saturday ceremony, she walked down the aisle in a Victorian-inspired lace gown with puffed sleeves, then transformed into a shoulder-less hand-painted floral look for dinner.
Next? A metallic cocktail dress dripping with gold and silver beads for dinner, followed by a silk gown embellished with tiny sequins, appliqué flowers and ribbons for ongoing Sunday celebrations.
Alizee Thevenet’s second-hand wedding dress
On the other end of the spectrum, French financial analyst Thevenet married James Middleton, the brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, wearing her mother-in-law’s off-the-shoulder lace dress in September.
“My borrowed something was actually my dress from my mother-in-law Carole who last wore it 41 years ago on her wedding day in June 1980,” Thevenet told Hello !, adding, “As I talked about you live with Carole and I shared ideas during lockdown for inspiration, I tried on her wedding dress and I fell in love with it. “
The bride continued: “It fit me perfectly and it was exactly what I wanted. It always disturbed me that wedding dresses are only worn once, so it was great to give a second life to such a beautiful dress. “
Meghan Markle’s Princess Diana Approved Dior Bag
During her Global Citizen Live appearance with Prince Harry in September, the Duchess of Cambridge accessorized her white Valentino dress embellished with Dior’s Lady D-Lite bag ($ 4,900) – a modern take on the Lady Dior, which takes the name from her deceased mother- legally.
Markle was even monogrammed with his title, “DSSOS”.
Kate Middleton’s golden dress at the Bond premiere
The Duchess of Cambridge struck sartorial gold at the ‘No Time to Die’ red carpet opening in September, dressed in a dazzling Jenny Packham creation with a cape dripping with sequins and beads.
The look was such a hit that the designer then made it available for purchase as part of her Bond-themed capsule collection; will earn you $ 5,488.
Kate Middleton in 10-year-old Alexander McQueen
In October, Middleton revived a family favorite in fashion: McQueen’s lavender gown she last wore at a July 2011 BAFTA event in Los Angeles, just three months after her wedding to Prince William. .
The Duchess chose the look, this time updated with a gold glitter belt, for the Earthshot Prize Awards, which honor conservation and sustainability work. Guests were asked not to purchase anything new to wear to the event, making the McQueen a suitable choice.
Meghan Markle’s hot gala dress
Markle ended the year on a bright, dazzling note at the Salute to Freedom Gala in November in a scarlet Carolina Herrera gown with a plunging neckline, slit skirt and dramatic train – a much bolder look than the ones she wore during her period as a royal senior.
Once again, she completed the look with Princess Diana’s diamond tennis bracelet.
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