Is Kate Middleton shedding some skin in addition to showing more of it? The Duchess of Cambridge made headlines as usual last week but did something quite unusual. Not only did she style her long locks up, but she showed her full black in a teal Jenny Packham gown at a fundraiser for the Olympic games.
Only a thin layer of lace covered the Olympic ambassador and this was not the demure kind of lace she wore with her Alexander McQueen wedding dress. Was this a statement that Kate is ready to finally loosen up and enjoy her new role as a fashion icon?
Signs might be pointing to yes. Earlier that week, the sartorially conscious Kate, put her best leg forward at a dinner with the Thirty Club at Claridge’s with husband, Prince William. The white Roland Mouret dress covered her from head to toe except for a daring center slit which allowed Kate’s well exercised legs to peek through. It was no Angelina Jolie at the Oscars moment but it was a good start for a woman who showed up a this past weekend’s Polo event at Ascot with a flowery summer dress buttoned up to her chin.
And we’d be remiss not to mention the shoes. We’ll already exhaustively covered Nickolas Kirkwood calling out the Duchess’s love for all things L.K. Bennett but it appears Kate is bored with her standard beige pumps and pantyhose as well. Kate wore the same pair of Jimmy Choo heels to the Olympics gala and black tie dinner and she let loose at the polo match in a pair of towering wedges and bare legs highlighting her red manicured toe nails. Kate even appeared more at ease snuggling beside William when the couple was talking with Prince Harry.
Is this a new Kate more confident and sure of her place in the Firm? I hope so. I’m a huge fan of her clothing aesthetic but even I’m ready for her to take advantage of more designers who are falling at their feet to dress her. I’m not asking for her to go all Sarah Jessica Parker or Chloe Sevigny but a little more center slits and bare skin are steps in the right direction.
I might have to wait for Carrie Bradshaw-type fashion though. Kate is attending her first garden party at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II very soon and I doubt she’ll want to show too much leg in front of a woman who deems hemlines above the knee obscene.
Am I alone in thinking Kate is turning a corner in her fashion choices or do you think she’s just as boring as before? Let me know!
Credit: Flynet UK/FameFlynet Pictures