Kate Middleton Wows in Chiffon Amanda Wakeley Gown

What does a girl wear to her first solo public engagement after the biggest wedding of the decade? If you're Kate Middleton, a decidedly gorgeous chiffon frock that is the perfect mix of sweet and sexy. The Duchess of Cambridge was called upon to fill in when her father-in-law was called away to Saudi Arabia last minute. Kate took one for the team--or the, err, Firm--and hosted the black tie charity event at Clarence House in Charles' absence.

While some publications like The Daily Mail were concentrated on the scar that Kate's half-up do was showing off (apparently from a childhood surgery), we'd much rather look at those diamond earrings. The same ones Kate sported at the BAFTA event in L.A. (same bracelet too). As for that Amanda Wakeley gown, we're big fans of the rope-y, sequined bodice. A girl as buttoned-up as KMidd has been recently can always use a little sex kitten in her life, especially when finally stepping into the solo spotlight.

Lady in Red: The Duchess of Cambridge in Beulah London

Last night the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their way into London for the black tie gala held by 100 Women in Hedge Funds at St. James' Palace. Not only is Prince William a patron of the fundraising organization, but he is also involved with the charity that the night benefited (to the tune of more than £675,000), the Child Bereavement Charity.


Kate seemed determined not to fade into the background, choosing a rather bold floor-length, V-neck gown in silk jersey. The red Sarai dress from Beulah London also featured billowing long sleeves in chiffon. Beulah London is the brainchild of Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, close pal of Wills and daughter of the Marquess of Bristol, and Lavinia Brennan.

Lady Isaacs Wears the Sarai Dress with Lavinia Brennan

According to The Daily Mail, the line was started "almost two years ago to provide employment for human trafficking victims in India. [Isaacs] was drawn to their stories during a trip to the country where she spent time working in slums with recovering rape and abuse victims who had escaped the international sex trade." Of all the labels Kate could be bringing publicity to this one seems quite worthy, a fact that was likely quite plain to the Duchess too.

Is it just us or does Kate look particularly...old in the picture above, especially from the neck up? There seems to be something kind of stiff and matronly about the hair/make-up/face situation. We're not feeling that same fresh, dewy vibe we got from, say, that Packham at the ARK Gala. Still, the Beulah is an interesting choice. If you're wondering about Kate's glittery gold clutch, it's by Wilbur and Gussie.

The gold clutch is also the same one that Pippa wore with her red dress (the Temperley London Begonia Dress) at the recent Boodles Boxing Ball charity event. Pips was pretty much a hot mess in our estimation.

The Duchess of Cambridge is Chic in Amanda Wakeley at The Royal Marsden Hospital

Kate and William stepped out this morning to open a new cancer unit at Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. In our opinion, the Duchess' figure-hugging, knee-length dress (complete with three-quarter sleeves) was a great choice. This cut is made for a body like Kate's and we're even feeling the neutral tones. After that recent salon trip Kate's hair looks both shorter and lighter. People reports that poor Wills flew all night on RAF missions before meeting up with Kate at the hospital for the opening.

Kate's dress is the Sculpted Felt Long Sleeved Seamed Dress by Amanda Wakeley in Oatmeal (from the designer's AW 2011 collection). Currently the dress is available on the designer's site for £450.00, but only in the darker Gunmetal, which according to Amanda Wakeley's Twitter was also purchased by the Duchess along with the black version of the dress.

Kate accessorized with her trusty nude L.K. Bennett

Sledge2 Pumps and Natalie Clutch.

As is her wont Kate chose simple jewelry to accompany her streamlined outfit. Namely the White Topaz Grace Earrings from Kiki McDonough and that diamond cross necklace we've seen many times before.

 Our verdict? Kate for the win.

Photos: Getty, mirror.co.uk

Kate Middleton's TopShop Purchases

The TopShop Spot Pencil Skirt

There have been many rumors swirling as of late that Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue and Queen of All Fashionistas, has been courting the future Queen of England--more commonly known as the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, or, as we affectionately refer to her, KMidd--to feature on the cover of the iconic magazine. Word is that Wintour is using Mario Testino, favoured photographer of Will and Kate, as bait.

The Palace has shot down claims that Catherine will grace the cover of American Vogue and instead asserts that the royal newlywed will be solely focused on her charity work. (As for whether Kate is also concentrating on babymaking, well, those reports remain unconfirmed). This is quite believable to us, above all because the Firm seems cognizant of what a commodity they have on their hands when it comes to Kate--fresh meat, so to speak--and are going full steam ahead on shaping her public persona into one of a responsible, empathetic royal. Plus, we have a hard time believing that the Duchess' first big time magazine cover would be for an American publication, even if Wintour is British--and super scary.

Kate Stepped Out in London Recently to Get Her Hair Did
(and Dyed!) - Carrying the Mulberry Tote from the Canada Tour

Perhaps to remind us that she's not all about the couture, Kate was recently seen snapping up some pieces at TopShop. According to People, the Duchess of Cambridge "patiently waited in line" to purchase a skirt, jacket and gold earrings in a feather motif. Kate's reported purchases can be seen here, ones we'll have to remember for ID purposes the next time the Duchess steps out in a new outfit.

Velvet Trim Boucle Jacket

Kate reportedly bought the Spot Pencil Skirt in Teal (£38.00) and a Boucle Jacket ($130.00) in one of her favoured colours (cobalt). The blazer features black velvet trim and a Peter Pan collar.

According to Social Beautify, Kate also snapped up this Unlimited Celeste Flared Coat from Hobbs (at time of publication the coat is still available online for £369.00). What do you think of Kate's buys?

Kate Wears Red Lace to Wedding in Wiltshire

Kate arrived at the wedding ceremony of Thomas Sutton and Harriet Colthurst with pal Louise Aubrey-Fletcher, looking chic in a knee-length red lace dress. The dress was originally reported as Erdem, but has now been confirmed as a french lace number from Collette Dinnigan. It may not be our favourite Kate look (the slanted hat kind of has a stewardess feel), but we understand that it must be difficult for the Duchess to strike the right note when trying not to upstage the bride.

Kate's accessories included a pair of patent platform Prada pumps.

While they look black in the first picture, this one definitely shows

them as more burgundy. The Duchess also carried her Aspinal

London Eaton Clutch and wore a diamond bracelet that looks

like the one she wore to the BAFTA event in L.A.

 

A similar red dress from Collette Dinnigan, fashioned from French lace.

This one has cap sleeves and an attractive V-neckline (we pretty much

like it better than Kate's), but is made of the same lace and has the same hemline.

Pippa, who has been on quite the marathon wedding schedule as of late, showed up with boyfriend Alex Loudon this time. Pips wore a monochromatic Alexander McQueen dress. This isn't terrible, but we never seem to be wowed by the Pipster's wedding looks.

The bride wore an oldish-feeling column dress with a pleated bodice.

We do like that tiara. Very much.

Oh, and were you wondering just what Wills was up to?

He was at the wedding too, but as he was an usher he showed

up at the church beforehand so that Kate had to arrive solo.

Photos via The Daily Mail

Kate Shops for Home Goods at Peter Jones & Happy Birthday Pippa!

Kate Middleton was spotted shopping at home goods store Peter Jones, wearing her standard casual outfit of skinny jeans (we're thinking Hudsons) and flats. This time Kate accessorized with a floaty peasant-style blouse with some pretty feminine detailing from Warehouse. Many have remarked how, once again, Kate was carrying her own bags. Seriously peeps? She's a Duchess not an invalid.

There is some real Kate News to report, namely that the royal couple have donated a Land Rover wedding gift they received to a Mountain Rescue Group. How very selfless, Wills and Kate! Also, there are reports that Catherine is determined to learn Welsh so she can fit in better on Anglesey. Hats off to KMidd for having the cojones to tackle the difficult language (that's right, we speak Spanish!)

Pippa Middleton, meanwhile, was seen out and about in London, all smiles on her 28th birthday. Okay, so we haven't always had the smoothest of relationships with the Pipster--and we're not really feeling the H&M lace minidress and knee-high black boots combo--but we'd like to wish her a very happy birthday nonetheless.

Photo 1. Us Weekly

Photo 2. People

Pippa Middleton Sports The Kate Blouse in London

Pippa Middleton was seen out and about in London today wearing what looks like a perhaps more sheer version the now-iconic Kate Blouse from Whistles, the very same one that big sis Catherine sported in her Mario Testino-snapped engagement pics.

We're pretty sure the one that Pip was sporting is the original, because the reissued version (snapped up by the Duchess of Cambridge prior to the royal wedding) comes sans collar and it seems sure that the engagement photo blouse had one.