Kate & William's Official Engagement Portraits

Let's say it all together now: Awwwww. That's the exact reaction we had when we spotted Prince William and Kate Middleton's official engagement photos. The casual one, anyway. They look all happy and smiley like. Not surprisingly, both portraits were taken by Mario Testino, who famously photographed Princess Diana and who would totally be our pick if we ever needed to get photographed for the cover of Vanity Fair or something. We're just saying. It could happen. A girl needs to be prepared.

Kate's Whistles Blouse

Trying to figure out where Kate's embroidered blouse is from but don't recall seeing it on the runway? That's because it was never there. Oh, you think, so it must be custom made in some kind of priceless silk, right? Wrong. C'mon lovelies, we're in the middle of a recession and conspicuous consumption is so passé. Kate Middleton knows where it's at. We love us a fab fashionista, but what we love even more is a bargainista who can look like a million bucks wearing something that cost $24.99. Not that Kate's blouse was that cheap, but still. Close enough. And it's two years old. From Whistles.  

William is wearing a Turnbull and Asser shirt and a Brunello Cucinelli sweater. We were all ready to give props to Wills' dreamy sweater when we heard that it really belongs to Testino. See? We knew the man had taste! Now if only he'd call us...

Okay, so this formal pic is nice and all but doesn't really do much for us. Taken in the Council Chamber linked to Clarence house the photo is a little too Madame Tussauds for our taste. Anyhoo, William stayed faithful to Turnbull and Asser while Kate went with Reiss' Nannette dress with Links of London earrings.

We're not sure where the hype ends and the truth begins, but apparently both garments worn by the future princess were already hanging in her closet. If you'd like to snag a blouse for yourself Whistles is re-releasing the style in early 2011 and rechristening it the Kate (cha-ching!) Reiss is also looking to re-release the Nannette, likely in January of 2011.

There is one thing that has us stumped. It's been reported that Kate did her own make-up for the engagement shoot. WTH? Why? Sorry Kate, but that's a little too Bargainista, even for us.