Originally published by Harper’s Bazaar
There’s nothing like a garden party to celebrate the incoming summer season, and the royals know how to throw a particularly lavish one. With men in top hats and finger sandwiches as passed hors d’oeuvres, the King’s Garden Party would have brightened up even the rainiest of London days.
Luckily, though, the skies were blue yesterday, when thePrince and Princess of Walesstopped by to great their guests at the annual event. And for the occasion,Kateseemed to have taken a page out ofPrincess Diana’s handbook, opting for a method-dressing look that was perfectly on theme—without beingtooon the nose.
Self-Portrait 3D Flower Polka Dot Midi Dress
Wearing all white, the princess stepped out in a fitted, double-breasted Self-Portrait ensemble that was, despite its appearance as a two piece, actually a dress. The cream wool top gave the look some tailored structure, with its wide shoulder pads, an angular square neckline, and a matching belt that cinched the waist. In contrast, the long polka-dot skirt floated down her legs, blowing in the wind with an easy, breezy air.
The highlight of the piece—and what really made it appropriate for a garden party—was the 3D flower corsage stitched into the blazer. Crafted with a surrealist touch, layers and layers of petals and leaves seemed to grow from the outer-edge seam, which slowly morphed into a stem.
William pinned a red boutonniere to his lapel to match his wife.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a royal function without a festive fascinator to pair, and here, Kate added a vintage straw hat by London milliner Mitzi Lorenz. It was embellished with sheer black netting and floral appliqués.
For jewelry, she paid further homage to her late mother-in-law with pearl drop earrings and a triple-strand pearl bracelet that originally belonged to Diana.
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