Mad Hattery!

Mad Hattery Has Moved!

2009-05-08T10:52:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited to announced that Mad Hattery! has a new home on the web! The site has moved to:

http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/

Check out the new site for all of the hattery posts you've loved over the past year, plus brand-new content from the months of April and May 2009!

You didn't think I'd let Princess Anne's Easter hat go by without a comment, did you? ;) Hope to see you over at the new place for more millinery madness!

Australian Fire Memorial Service: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

2009-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

Good to see The Duchess out and about again after her bout of bronchitis -- I'm happy to see that she was well enough to attend this memorial service at Westminster Abbey!

And I think I almost love her hat. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'd be drooling over it if either the white bow were black or the trimming around the brim were black. Right now, there's just ... too much, especially with the distracting little curlique springing merrily out the side of the band.

State Visit from Mexico: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester

2009-03-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Tiara alert!

State visits are just an embarrassment of riches for the royal hattery-inclined. Here's The Duchess of Gloucester heading to a state banquet at the Guildhall for President Calderon and Señora Zavala during their state visit to the UK. Two tiaras from The Duchess in as many days! We really are spoiled this week...

This tiara is one that Queen Mary bought from the estate of Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia in 1929. I've seen it called the Russian Palmette Tiara, though it's often also just identified by the fact that the center stone can be switched out to either an emerald, a diamond, or a kunzite, the pinky-purple stone that Birgitte is wearing here.

State Visit from Mexico: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester

2009-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Tiara alert!

There's The Duchess of Gloucester on the left, wearing Princess Marie Louise's Cartier Indian Tiara. It's absolutely lousy with diamonds, sapphires, and pearls. Wowza! I think The Queen must have declared it "go all out" night where the royal bling was concerned! Even Princess Michael's wearing a tiara (though I can't find a front-view picture of it), and I believe Sophie Wessex donned one, too!

State Visit from Mexico: HM The Queen

2009-03-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Tiara Alert!

And, holy moly, what a tiara alert it is, huh? That's the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara, purchased by the Crown in 1957 and reworked with the giant center aquamarine after it was given to The Queen by the Brazilians as a part of a necklace. Only at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace can you bust out something with that much royal pizzazz. Even President Calderon looks a bit dazed!

State Visit from Mexico: HM The Queen

2009-03-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, first things first -- The Queen looks absolutely fresh and glowing in this shade of pink, doesn't she? Adorable!

But ... oh, how I hate to say it ... I wouldn't be surprised if The Queen busted out of Horseguards, grabbed a guitar case, and skipped down the Mall singing "I Have Confidence" in this little chapeau.

(Also, the Mexican first lady, Señora Zavala, is rocking that Casablanca style hat, isn't she? ¡Muy bien!)

Whitechapel Bell Foundry: HM The Queen

2009-03-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

I see you peeking around The Duke there, Your Maj! And although I will freely admit that your hat confuses me slightly, as the brim appears to be a symbol for some advanced mathematical function that I don't understand, I think it's sort of fun and whimsical. So, no need to hide!

Cheltenham Festival: Viscountess Linley

2009-03-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

Looks like Serena Linley heard that I've been giving major kudos for the beret lately on the blog, because she's shown up at Cheltenham in one almost exactly like Zara Phillips's. And you're right, Viscountess -- I love it! Do enter in the hattery stakes more often, would you?

Cheltenham Festival: HRH The Princess Royal and Zara Phillips

2009-03-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

Before we get to the hats, first things first: how much does Princess Anne look like her mother from this angle? If I didn't know any better, I'd think the picture of Anne was an older one of The Queen!

On to business, though: I have to say that I approve of both hats here. I think Anne's is edging on too wintry for this time of year, but it's passable (at least from this angle). And Zara's little beret is chic, especially with her white coat. We've seen it from her before -- at her grandparents' wedding anniversary service at Westminster Abbey a few years ago -- but it's just as cute now as it was then.

Cheltenham Festival: HM The Queen

2009-03-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

Her Maj certainly does look chipper at her very first visit to Cheltenham, doesn't she? I love this hat. We've seen it out before, most recently at the unveiling of one of those silly little plaques in November, but if you're going to repeat a hat, why not choose a really cute one?

Cheltenham Festival: Zara Phillips

2009-03-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's like clockwork: every year, March comes around, Cheltenham pops up on the calendar, and mad hatters can anticipate an appearance from our favorite non-princess princess, Zara Phillips. And while I think fedora hats on the whole are a little costume-y, I like this one on Zara.

...especially when you compare it with the only hat competition in this photo -- that frightening Yankees sock cap in the background. Yikes!

Commonwealth Day Service: HM The Queen

2009-03-09T16:26:00.001-07:00

In some ways, watching HM The Queen in February and March feels a little bit like waiting to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow -- will she wear a spring hat yet, or not? And today: the answer is yes! This one looks nice and springy. And I think it's a new one, too!

I adore this hat. I like the color, I love the little button embellishments, and I think the shape is too cute. Well done, Your Maj!

Hull Paragon Interchange: HM The Queen

2009-03-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

This one has not improved with time, Your Majesty...

Gibraltar Visit: HRH The Princess Royal

2009-03-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

Anne, I just don't even know how to react. Suddenly you're wearing lots of cute hats. I know, I know, if I did enough research I'd probably find out that you've worn this one a million times before, because you're a thrifty lady -- but I don't even hate that, as long as the hat doesn't look like a breakfast food.

So, fess up, your royal highness -- has Zara taken you out to Fenwick's?

And the Award Goes to ... Mad Hattery!

2009-02-28T14:23:00.001-08:00

Thanks a million to Marilyn Braun and, with greatest respect, HM The Queen, for giving the blog an award!

According to both HM and Marilyn, this award, the "Excessively Diverting Blog Award," is awarded for the following reasons: "Started by the blogging team at Jane Austen Today the "aim of the Excessively Diverting Blog Award is to acknowledge writing excellence in the spirit of Jane Austen’s genius in amusing and delighting readers with her irony, humor, wit, and talent for keen observation. Recipients will uphold the highest standards in the art of the sparkling banter, witty repartee, and gentle reprove."

Thanks to both "Lillibet" and Marilyn for the lovely award! Now, I've got to be a good blogging citizen and pass it along to seven others...

1. The Royal Forums Blog, the newest part of The Royal Forums site. I'm a contributor there, but I'm only one among a whole slate of bloggers who provide great coverage of the world's royalty. For witty repartee, be sure to check out the fashion and entertainment posts!

2. The Kate Middleton Report, which always has the news on where the royal paramour has most recently popped up.

3. British Royal Wedding, which earns the "humor and wit" tag for the recent post about William's RAF initiation, with a photoshopped drinking straw, alone.

4. The Royal Twist, which provides great coverage of Scandanavian royals and other royal houses.

5. Merry Royals, Maricar's awesome royal blog.

6. The Raucous Royals, which has scandalous and delicious coverage of history's most interesting royal figures.

7. Danish Royal Watchers, which has fun and informative coverage of the royals from Denmark, especially those cuties Christian and Isabella.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled hattery coverage...

Hattery News: The Financial Times Talks Treacy

2009-02-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

The master milliner speaks! The Financial Times's Nicola Copping has an article about the Victoria & Albert Museum's new hattery exhibit, Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. Brownie points to any mad hatters who go visit and can give us a report back on how mad the hattering really is at the V&A! For the rest of us, here's a link to the exhibit at the museum website -- I would pay money to see Beatrice swan out in some of these at Royal Ascot this year.

Copping's article talks about the place of the hat in the modern world and how the economic downturn has affected the millinery business. Shocker: hat sales are holding steady! And, no surprise, it's all because of the royal family:

“Around the world, hats are perceived as an English thing, which comes from the royal family,” says Stephen Jones. Go figure: the Queen barely leaves the palace without a pastel confection gracing her grey waves; the Duchess of Cornwall pole-vaulted from fashion nobody to fashion somebody, courtesy of a splendid Philip Treacy feather hat worn to her wedding, and even the young royals – Beatrice, Zara, Eugenie – experiment with more accessible styles, including the cloche and the beret, on and off the regal circuit.

"Experiment." Indeed ... though funny that the butterfly masterpiece wasn't mentioned as one of the more accessible styles. ;)

British Legion Headquarters: HM The Queen

2009-02-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

Well. I suppose that the Windsors had to do something with all those birds Wills 'n Kate shot back in December...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HM The Queen Mother

2009-02-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd save the lady of the day for last...

The bronze version of The Queen Mum looks quite regal in her garter robes, but a big part of me wishes they'd had her in one of those pastel flippy-brimmed hats she liked so much, clutching a racing form in one hand and a gin and Dubonnet in the other. Though perhaps that wouldn't have been quite appropriate for a permanent memorial on the Mall...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: Lady Helen Taylor

2009-02-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Kents are out in force today! This is Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of The Duke and Duchess of Kent, and her husband, Timothy. Welcome to Mad Hattery, Lady Helen!

She and her cousin Sarah Chatto apparently had a conversation about what to wear to the memorial unveiling, and decided to play, as my third-grade best friend would have put it, "matchmates" for the day. But hey, if you're going to show up in the same hat as another member of the royal fam, at least Lady Helen chose an excellent one. Classy, chic, perfect for the rare public appearance. Well done!

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: Lady Nicholas Windsor

2009-02-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

Yay, another new royal face for the blog! I love when Windsors start popping out of the woodwork! This is Lady Nicholas Windsor (she's the one on the left), who is unsurprisingly married to Lord Nicholas Windsor, the younger son of The Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Paola comes from a delightfully eccentric Croatian-Italian-British family that does delightfully eccentric things like fight with other Croation nobles about which princely titles they're allowed to use. Love it! And so it's no surprise that Lady Nicholas also has a delightfully eccentric taste in hats, like this vintage-inspired number that seems to be a tribute to the style the Queen Mum liked so much. Excellent debut, ma'am!

Do come back often, Paola -- I have a feeling you could give even Princess Beatrice, the maddest of royal hatters, a run for her money if they really gave you the chance to shine...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: Lady Sarah Chatto

2009-02-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

Following along with the trend, it's a repeat hat for Lady Sarah Chatto today, too. It's one I like very much, just as much as I did the first time ... but still, I hope these royal ladies aren't conserving on hat-buying because they fear looking extravagant in our global economic fireworks explosion. Got to keep Treacy and the millinery brigade in business, after all...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH The Duchess of Gloucester

2009-02-24T16:00:00.000-08:00

While I applaud Birgitte for busting out some color and getting away from the beige (and it's a very nice, flattering color -- very lovely blue), I still feel like maybe using an upside-down flower planter as a spur-of-the-moment hat choice was maybe not the best decision...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH The Duchess of Kent

2009-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's The Duchess of Kent! Welcome to the blog, darling!

Aside from the fact that the photographer has apparently caught The Duchess mid-sneeze, there's only one major problem here -- the day the disappearing Duchess decides to come out and join the fun, Kate Kent apparently stole a fascinator out of Kate Middleton's stash to sport at the event. I know The Queen's doing it, but I'm still not convinced that fascinators work on anybody with grandchildren. Am I the only one here?

Regardless, don't let us scare you away, Katharine! It's always great to break up the Queen-Camilla-Queen-Anne-Beatrice-Queen-Queen-Queen monotony with a rarely seen royal countenance.

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH The Princess Royal

2009-02-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

I ... sort of like Princess Anne's hat. I mean, it's kind of a silly shape, and the netting is a little frou-frou for our go-getter princess, but really ... compared to what I expected her to wear ... it's not bad at all.

I think I may go take my temperature.

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH The Countess of Wessex

2009-02-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

Ah, old friend, here we are again -- the little black hat that looks as if it were made of packing material or corrugated cardboard of some sort. Even still, compared with the hat fashions that Sophie was sporting this summer (remember the ear explosion?), it's downright chic. The Countess really has been looking quite smart lately -- I just wish that The Earl would maybe gift her with a couple of cute new hats to put in the rotation.

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH Princess Eugenie of York

2009-02-24T15:44:00.000-08:00

And here's my favorite young royal -- the lovely Princess Eugenie. I think the dress is horrid (polka dots at a memorial statue unveiling?), but the hat is, as usual from Eug, quite nice. Small, simple, but with the little bow that keeps it from being totally boring. Snaps, your royal highness!

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH Princess Beatrice of York

2009-02-24T15:42:00.000-08:00

It's a little tough to see in this picture, but we've got our mad hat master here sporting something rather subdued -- ivory with some random grey feather embellishment, it seems. The hat itself is fine ... but good lord, Bea, is it supposed to go with the rest of it? I am stymied.

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

2009-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

Oh, boy, it's the strapped-in flower beret again! Imagine how much cuter this would be without the giant flower and the random curly thingy -- it would be loads lovelier (and, actually, a lot like what two of Camilla's royal in-laws wore to the statue unveiling today).

And I've got to say, the reappearance of this petit chapeau confuses me -- I always thought it was black, but now it seems to be bluish. Perhaps it's just the way the velvet is laying? Or maybe I'm just distracted by the navy/black faux pas that The Duchess seems to be making here. My mum would not approve...

Queen Mum Statue Unveiling: HM The Queen

2009-02-24T15:32:00.000-08:00

Her Maj looks quite pleased with herself, and I tend to think she's got every right to be -- this cuddly little fur number is adorable. It's regal and yet still jaunty, and perfect for a family gathering to unveil a memorial statue of their late matriarch, HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Bravo, Liz!

Carole Brown Health Centre: HM The Queen

2009-02-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

Another smiling, happy appearance from Her Maj this winter, wearing the lovely fuschia coat/black fuzzy hat combo she wore in Berkshire last December. She's been hitting all the right notes lately, hasn't she? Pearls, brooch, queenly chapeau, bright color, smile: all check.

I do hope, though, that we see her sidekick back in action soon -- apparently HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has hurt his back, and that's why he's been out of commission of late. Here's hope for a speedy recovery, Phil!

West Newton Church: HM The Queen

2009-02-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

It's a two-for-one treat today -- we not only get HM in a new (or rarely seen, perhaps) hat, we also get an appearance of one of my favorite odd royal accessories -- the clear plastic see-through umbrella! Perfect to make sure the masses of Norfolk can properly see you while still keeping your crown (or the crown, as it may) nice and dry.

I like this peachy-pink color on The Queen, and I especially like that the hat is both textured and embellished without being ridiculous -- quite the feat, that!

Flitcham Primary School: HM The Queen

2009-01-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

HM looks darling in this picture -- we've seen the hat before, of course, most recently on a visit to Leicester University. The pale pink does seem to suit her, as does romping about with a group of excited elementary school children in Norfolk.

St. Mary Magdalen: HM The Queen

2009-01-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

Another Sunday at Sandringham, another repeated hat (worn on past occasions to see how mobile phones work or for jaunting about in Bratislava). Apparently the global economic crisis has crunched the millinery budget for the Windsors. Perhaps they're saving up to fix all of those dodgy castle roofs?

Anyway, though this is another frequently seen hat, it's one of my favorites -- and the one that I wish she would have worn on Christmas. It's just so bright and festive.

St. Mary Magdalen: HM The Queen

2009-01-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

This really is a hat that only a queen can pull off, isn't it? It's a repeat, this time from the hockey-puck-drop extravaganza during last October's state visit to Slovakia, but it does seem suited for a winter ride in the Rolls over to church at Sandringham.

It's just so delightfully ice princess, and although we all know that I'm not a fan of this Queen-Mary-esque hat shape, I do quite like it.

Sandringham: HM The Queen

2009-01-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

...

Wow. Game, set, match.

Sandringham: HRH The Countess of Wessex

2009-01-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Oh, these royal ladies and their country-pursuit attire. In this picture, I can't quite tell if Sophie is wearing a modified newsboy cap or something totally different, but I know one thing: I'm not a fan.

I think someone needs to invent a more attractive ladies' hat to wear out while shooting/stalking/hiking/etc. Get on it, Treacy! The Windsor women need your help!

St. Mary Magdalen: HRH Princess Eugenie of York

2008-12-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Only one Yorkie on parade today - my personal favorite of the pair, plucky Princess Eugenie. I guess Bea must have jetted off on holiday with her ever-smiling beau, Dave Clark (not of the Five). But Eug stayed to provide us with our token Yorkie Hattery moment, and for that we must be grateful.

If you can tear your gaze away from her be-bearded cousin for a moment, let's focus on the beret. I LOVE IT. It may be my favorite beret of the many that have been worn out by the royal ladies this Christmas. I am almost certain it's the same one she wore on Christmas Day last year...

...but I like it much better the way she's worn it this year, with her hair all tucked up inside it and a patterned coat. It looks fresh, young, adorable, and perfectly chic enough for the granddaughter of a queen.

St. Mary Magdalen: HRH The Countess of Wessex

2008-12-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

Ah, Lady Wessex is back in her favorite millinery silhouette: the flying saucer stuck to the side of her head. But, although I have been quite critical of this look on her in past months, and although I cannot see the front of the hat, and it may be adorned with feathers and bows and trinkets galore, I have to give this one a begrudging thumbs up. I think it's quite fashionable.

You win this saucer round, Sophie. But the second you swan out in one of these again, we'll have to have words.

ETA: Spoke too soon! Loyal (and eagle-eyed!) reader Alison pointed out that this hat is the same one HRH wore on Remembrance Sunday. Thanks, Alison!

...and the close-up front view from pics of that day shows it to be made of the sort of material that my last computer was shipped in. (I guessed straw on the Remembrance Day post, and I don't know if that would have been better or worse.) Meh. I have to admit, my glowing praise from earlier is entirely less glowing. But still, better than the UFO hat, so I suppose there's progress being made...

St. Mary Magdalen: HRH The Princess Royal

2008-12-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

I just -- let's take a moment just to let this sink in, shall we?

...okay. Now that we've got our giggles out, let's talk hat. I like that there's a policewoman stationed right behind Princess Anne here, because I'm pretty sure that Anne could blend in with a bevy of bobbies in this hat. Though the trailing ribbon might tip people off that something's up.

And ... the sunglasses. How much do you want to bet that Zara Phillips is behind this particular pair of shades?

St. Mary Magdalen: HM The Queen

2008-12-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

Looks like HM is continuing her Christmas-season hat trend of bold colors paired with muted, heathery accents. Instead of red and gray, this time we've got bright yellow and what looks like a greeny-browny-mossy color. And, once again, it's a case of hattery where I love the shape, and I even like the little embellishment, but I just hate the color combo. It's a preference thing, I guess.

And don't think I don't see you peeking around the corner there, Sophie. We'll get to you later.

Christmas at Sandringham: Zara Phillips

2008-12-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

And now ... the piece de Christmas resistance....

There's the Zara Phillips we all know and love!

First off, before addressing the big purple elephant in that photo, I must say that the royal granddaughter is looking lovely and well after suffering a broken collarbone earlier this fall. Good to see her out and about again.

On to millinery matters, I am conflicted. This hat is, on the one hand, obviously a bit ridiculous. It is purple, it is large, and it looks like this little chapeau of Eugenie's in complete reverse, with an emphasis on the flying nun wings. It's also not the most flattering thing I've ever seen her wear.

On the other hand, it is modern, sculptural, and certainly interesting, though it did seem a little unstable on her head:

My ultimate conclusion? I'm not a huge fan, but I am so very glad she decided to wear it. Crazy hats are the bread and butter of this blog, obviously.

Christmas at Sandringham: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

2008-12-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Looks like we've got a recycled-but-refashioned hat on display from Camilla this Christmas: it seems she's taken the hat she wore here and here and replaced the veil with a rather befuddling curlique bit. I like it overall, but the flower looks a little silly all strapped and seat-belted in, no?

Christmas at Sandringham: HRH Princess Beatrice of York

2008-12-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

The York princesses really hit a home run this Christmas. Part of me was a little afraid that Bea would pop up wearing that woolly monstrosity that she sported out in London earlier this fall, but she came through with a trendy and jaunty little Christmas beret instead. Well done, Bea!

Christmas at Sandringham: HRH The Countess of Wessex

2008-12-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

I have a sneaking suspicion that The Countess of Wessex is as big a fan of Mad Men as I am. This is so Betty Draper, it kills me! I think I like the pill-box style hat on Sophie, but hats like these always teeter on the edge between looking either totally chic or like you're going as Jackie Kennedy to a Halloween party. I'll give this one a "chic."

Christmas at Sandringham: HRH Princess Eugenie of York

2008-12-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

Yorkie alert!

No shenanigans today, though. I think this is adorable. I love the robin's egg blue color on Eugenie, and the simple dark beret is lovely with the outfit. Very nice, Your Royal Highness!

Christmas at Sandringham: HRH The Princess Royal

2008-12-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, peer past the new Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and take a look at the lady in blue behind them: Princess Anne. The poor woman apparently didn't have any photographer friends at Sandringham today, as none of the pictures I found included close-ups of her.

Or, perhaps, they didn't bother with new close-ups because they knew I could just swap in this picture from Christmas Day 2006?

The Queen (or at least Princess Royal) of recycling strikes again! At least I like this hat better than her usual recycled fare, though I think it would look better if it rested higher up on her head.

Regardless, the re-use of this wintry ensemble gives me an excuse to post my favorite royal Christmas picture of all time: my two favorite Windsor grandsons indulging the whims of their adorable little Lindley cousin, Margarita Armstrong-Jones:

I'm sure that was Anne's goal all along, aren't you? She's there in the background if you squint, but why look past all the ovary-aching adorableness in the foreground?

Christmas at Sandringham: Autumn Phillips

2008-12-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

My favorite newlyweds are back from Hong Kong!

I'm serious ... someone should corral them and give them a baronetcy or something tout de suite. They are adorable. I want to see them out on the royal stump. Even workhorse Princess Anne deserves someone to pick up the slack occasionally.

And Autumn, at her first family Christmas at Sandringham, is fitting in with the royal hat trend of the day: the beret. I like this one in principle, and I think she looks really cute, but I fear that our little Canadian Maple Leaf suffers from the same quandary that I do when sporting a similar hat style: what in the world are you supposed to do with your ears? Mine can look quite prominent when wearing certain hats, and this, I hate to say, is sort of doing the same for Autumn.

I think I would adore it if it were more structural and didn't fit down over her head the way this one does, if that makes any sense at all.

Christmas at Sandringham: HM The Queen

2008-12-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

I know Her Maj has gotten lots of praise for this hat, but I just ... don't love it. I almost always like red on The Queen, but the gray/red combo is really not one of my favorites. The feather explosion might also be a little much. It does fit her nicely, though.

If I were her, I would have chosen this little number to wear for the annual Christmas walk to St. Mary Magdalen at Sandringham. So festive! And very in keeping with her recent trend of frequent recycling of outfits and chapeaux.

Sandringham Shoot: Kate Middleton

2008-12-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, has officially emerged back into the spotlight wearing ... the same furry thing she wore last year on the Sandringham pre-Christmas pheasant shoot. Sigh.

She and her mother have both been photographed in this interesting little fur number in the past. I mean, I guess it's slightly more PC to keep recycling the same fur instead of buying new ones over and over, but really, she's already out killing animals. Couldn't we have seen a snappy new hunting hat for the occasion? Even Prince William showed up with a new accessory -- a ginger beard.

Kate may be waiting for a ring, but I'm waiting for a shiny new chapeau for the longtime royal girlfriend!

Visit to Berkshire: The Queen

2008-12-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

How adorable is this??? Bright colors, fluffy fur (not so PC, but I'll just imagine it's not real), smiling Queen -- excellent!

Gap Year Antics: Princess Eugenie of York

2008-12-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Oh, dear ... the Yorkies are at it again!

At least Princess Eugenie is on her gap year right now, sunning herself and frolicking around in India with friends. But still -- I know it's not exactly a tiara kind of environment, Eug, but a straw fedora? Really? The jaunty orange head scarf wouldn't do on its own?

Straw hats aside, I've got to admit that I can't wait for the day we finally see the York princesses in tiaras. It's time for a little more young glam in the royal family!

Leicester University: The Queen

2008-12-04T15:28:00.000-08:00

This is a lady who is taking the economic crunch seriously -- it's yet another recycled hat and outfit! We most recently saw this little pink number on the recent state visit to Slovenia and Slovakia.

State Opening of Parliament: The Queen

2008-12-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

Yes, there it is -- Crown Alert #2! This one's the big show: it's the Imperial State Crown, worn on special occasions and kept for the rest of the time at the Tower of London with the rest of the crown jewels. Want to know more? Check out this excellent YouTube clip of HM wearing the George IV State Diadem while giving lots of trivia and info about the gems used in the Imperial State Crown:

State Opening of Parliament: The Queen

2008-12-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

The official State Opening of Parliament is one of the blingiest days on the royal calendar. I love this picture of the George IV State Diadem (it's officially a Crown Alert!). The rows of pearls are hard to see from some angles, but this one displays them perfectly. And check out those earrings -- yowza!

Of course, that's not the only crown worn on this special occasion ... stay tuned!

State Opening of Parliament: The Princess Royal

2008-12-03T15:10:00.000-08:00

I know it's ceremonial and all, but it just makes me want to sing Gilbert and Sullivan songs.

Even so, how awesome is it that Princess Anne bucks traditional gender roles and takes her military status as seriously as her brothers do? Girl power!

Colchester Parachute Regiment: The Duchess of Cornwall

2008-12-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

Your highness, I know I fell all over myself about that beret you've been sporting around lately, but I've got to say, I'm majorly tempted to reach right through my computer screen and pluck the extremely silly feather right off this one.

Dog Walking in Suffolk: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

This little head-scarf reminds me of the plastic hood-scarf that my grandmother used to wear to protect her permanents from the rain when the weather got bad. Obviously not as glam as a crown, but certainly more functional.

Hennessy Gold Cup: Lady Gabriella Windsor

2008-11-29T17:12:00.000-08:00

I can't decide if Ella looks awesome or like she's stolen a hat worn by the Phantom of the Opera during the "Don Juan Triumphant" scene.

Banbury Town Centre: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-27T17:14:00.000-08:00

True fact: I think that those curtains around the plaque are both the silliest and the most awesome thing about most official royal engagements. Watching royals keep a straight face while they pull the little cord to draw the curtains is priceless.

And I love how the Queen's cute little red hat is reflected in the shiny plaque behind those curtains. She looks fab. Reds really do suit her.

New Zealand Tourism Exhibition: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-25T07:18:00.000-08:00

Somebody get this monarch a coat!

HM looks like she's freezing, but she also looks fab. Love the color combination and the small yet interesting decorations on the hat. Very appropriate to wear out on a royal engagement to see ... a giant inflatable rugby ball promoting New Zealand tourism? I guess so...

Millinery Memories: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-23T17:16:00.000-08:00

The Daily Mail this week features an article about a collection of royal photos set to hit the auction block in Colchester tomorrow. Among them is the following snap of the Queen, reportedly from a 1970s-era family vacation in Scotland:

How very groovy, Your Maj! Now I'm imagining how delicious and delightful this blog would have been back in the '70s and '80s. Between holiday fashions like these and the hey-day of the Waleses and Yorks, I'd never be able to keep up!

Wiltshire Air Ambulance Service: Duchess of Cornwall

2008-11-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Yikes. Looks like the Paddington Bear Syndrome is catching.

Visit to Vodafone: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

The hat's a recent repeat, from the Eastern European state visits - still love it. Even better, HM's managing to look interested while the mobile phone salesman goes on and on, so bully for her.

Trivia: every time I hear the name "Vodafone," I start singing Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" in my head. Dare you not to have the same experience from here on out...

Imperial Knights Bachelor Centenary: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

I LOVE THIS HAT. I an unabashed in my joyful reaction - HM is so cute in it! And she looks like she got a good 8-10 hours between yesterday's engagement and today's service at St. Paul's!

(Or maybe it's the fact that the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor likely includes lots and lots of old dudes, and she's feeling young and sprightly in comparison?)

The Prince's Trust: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

I've got to admit that I was pretty ambivalent about this hat in the long-range pictures - the pale yellow's nice and all, but it just says "Easter" to me in such a major way. But up close, when you can see that it's all textured like the jacket, I kind of like it.

What I'm really concerned about - HM looks like she needs a long weekend off again. Maybe she and the Duke could hop up to Balmoral for a little mini-break? A good long nap would do her good, I think. Where in the world are all of her miscellaneous adult grandchildren to start picking up the slack?

Douaumont Ossuary: Duchess of Cornwall

2008-11-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

This hat was lovely when the Duchess of Cornwall wore it to Gerald Ward's memorial service, and it's still lovely for a trip to France to mark the 90th anniversary of the WWI armistice.

Glad she saved this one for the trip and sported the wilted plant on Remembrance Sunday - she did have Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to compete with in the fashion stakes on this trip, after all...

Remembrance Sunday: Duchess of Cornwall and Countess of Wessex

2008-11-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

It's difficult to see in this photograph, but we've got a black version of the wilted plant hat on the left with the Duchess of Cornwall and what appears to be a black straw mini-saucer attached to the forehead of the Countess of Wessex on the right. That's two daughters-in-law who could take some hattery lessons from the head lady in charge today...

Remembrance Sunday: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

The shape of this hat is beautiful, and it's perfect for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. Excellent choice! The Queen looks elegant and appropriate - and we'd expect nothing less from HM!

London School of Economics: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hee.

I'm not going to lie: if someone made me sit through a lecture at the London School of Economics, I'd probably zone out just like the Queen, too. (Or maybe just give up the ghost and snooze away, Duke-of-Edinburgh-style.)

And double bore: the hat's a recent repeat, too, worn in September to Craithie Kirk. Though maybe HM was trying to appear economical by recycling in these difficult times?

Canada House's "Vigil 1914-1918": Queen Elizabeth II

2008-11-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

A warm, understated hat for a chilly, solemn November official engagement. HM wore this to honor the service of Canadian veterans of World War I, 90 years after the armistice was signed. Lovely.

La Polvorilla Viaduct: Lady Gabriella Windsor

2008-10-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

So, Lady Gabriella Windsor (daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent) is working as a journalist these days, and this picture was apparently snapped while she was working on a story in Argentina. She is, according to the photo caption, "[watching] a handicraft during her trip," though it sort of looks like she's shopping at an open-air market to me.

But, whatever. Down to business: that hat. I must confess that I am staunchly against hair being tucked up inside of berets, and this is the reason why. Ella looks like she's trying to support the locals - perhaps she bought that hat at the market - but imagine how much better that support would look if her pretty long hair was falling down over her shoulders. So, downgrade to the hat in this instance, but with an asterisk for possibility with a different hairstyle...

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sigh ... another hat of this shape. Commenter annie posted that she thought this shape was reminiscent of HM Queen Mary, and I agree.

But, um, I actually kind of started to like this one after looking at about a billion pictures from the event. At least this one sparkles. And it's rather nordic, which makes sense in the context, because she's at a hockey rink:

Note to Sarah Palin: that's how it's done, my dear! ;)

And that's it: farewell to Slovenia and Slovakia. It's been a mad hattering time!

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Tiara Alert!

Two tiaras in one state visit - gotta love HM! And it's my absolute favorite, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, last pulled out of the vaults for the Order of St. George and St. Michael Service back in July.

I've said it once, and I know I'll say it again: this thing rocks (stone/gem pun absolutely intended).

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

Aw, how cute is the Queen? Here she's visiting the Devlin Castle Hotel in Bratislava (and, apparently, smiling because there are little kids playing near her).

I think I would like this hat sans bow. It's just so Duchess of York, isn't it? Even Fergie gave these things up long ago (because God knows, had she not, she'd be all over this blog!).

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

Aaaaand we roll along on the state visit, this time showing off the hat that HM chose for her arrival in Bratislava, Slovakia.

I LOVE this hat. I don't know if it's the bright, bold color (LOVE those on the Queen), the classic shape, or the whimsical-yet-controlled decoration on the brim. Whatever it is, it's gorgeous. And rather festive, too - maybe she should keep this one in mind for the Sandringham walkabout with the fam this Christmas?

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

A Slovenian Farewell from HM The Queen:

"Well, Slovenia, it's been real ... time to head for the hills of Slovakia.

And thank you so much for the compliments on the hat. I thought the baby pink was especially flattering, and that the shape was jaunty and elegantly simple. I'm so glad you agree!

By the way, Phil, did you make sure they loaded the new horse onto the plane? We wouldn't want to head out without the Lippy..."

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, it must be good to be Queen. You head over to kick it for a few days with the Slovenians, and they give you your own Lipizzaner stallion!

And this is the ensemble she chose for the reception of said horse. Do you think she wore such a gigantic hat so that she could covertly slip a riding helmet underneath and take the Lipizzaner out for a spin after the photo op?

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-21T18:01:00.001-07:00

Tiara Alert!

State banquets are just the best, aren't they? I love that the royal ladies have a chance to really show off the bling. This particular bit of shiny is the Burmese Ruby Tiara, commissioned by HM in 1973 and made by Garrard's, the royal jeweler. It gets its name because the rubies were a wedding present to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh from the Burmese people.

It's not one of my favorites, as far as tiaras go -- I'm more a fan of the diamonds-only variety than the colored stone tiaras. But few things say "I'm the Queen of England, damn it!" more effectively than a tiara made of precious stones that are probably worth more than I am...

State Visit to Slovenia and Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to come up with something clever to say about this little chapeau, but I'm failing. Long story short: I don't like it. This shape's not flattering on HM. But, hey, love the color!

Hattery News: The Mail Highlights the Fascinator

2008-10-16T22:31:00.001-07:00

The Daily Mail's Sophie Borland has an article today all about the fascinator, that most confusing and intriguing of all the many forms of mad hattery. Borland claims that a craze for the hats-slash-headbands-slash-explosions has been set off by HM The Queen, who wore the above number to her favorite grandson's wedding in May.

One slight quibble with the article, however; Borland claims that The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white fascinator to her wedding, when we'll all remember it was made of spectacular gold feathers. Exhibit A:

All those fascinated by the aptly-named fascinator will get a kick out of the article. But, woe, the source quoted from Debenham's maintains that the not-quite-a-hat has become acceptable for women of a certain age because of the Queen's example. I don't know - while they are pretty fun on Bea and Eugenie, if I see another Camilla-Trooping-the-Colour extravaganza, I'll be alternately disgusted (because, awful) and pleased (because, blog material!). Fascinators make me so torn.

Visit to Google HQ: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-10-16T09:40:00.001-07:00

There are few things in the British royal world that amuse me more than the Queen and her burgeoning relationship with technology. I mean, getting an iPod? Hijacking William's Wii? Hilarious!

And now the Queen, who has her own YouTube channel (and, some say, even her own blog), has gone to visit the internet bigwigs at Google. And doesn't she just look smashing?

I love, love this turquoise color on HM, and the hat is excellent. I like the way that the dark-colored brim breaks up the monochrome look; it frames the Queen's face nicely, and it coordinates well with the dark buttons on her jacket and with her ubiquitous handbag (think the iPod's in there???).

Big thumbs up from me to the Lady in Charge today. She looks perfectly adjusted as the Monarch of the Internet Age.

(More on the visit from the BBC: Queen has a fit of Google Giggles)

Memorial Service for Gerald Ward: Duchess of Cornwall

2008-10-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Camilla gets a gold star today: this little modified beret was a lovely choice for the memorial service of Gerald Ward, a good friend of Prince Charles and a godfather to Prince Harry. It's chic and yet appropriate, and the embellishments aren't overwhelming. The fabric looks seasonal, too -- I think it's velvet or something similar.

Also, note to Kate Middleton: this is the sort of occasion for which a hat with a net or veil is appropriate. Weddings, not so much.

Primrose Hill: Princess Beatrice

2008-09-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

I really feel like hats like this should be reserved only for a few select events. Reggae concerts, mostly. And Bea knows it, too, apparently, because later the same day...

She apparently told paparazzi photographers not to take her picture with the hat on. See the poor wooly mess, all crumpled up in her hand with her mobile? Think she knew she'd make it on Mad Hattery?

I didn't even notice the puff ball on the top until now. Good lord.

Battle of Britain Commemorative Fly-Past: Duchess of Cornwall

2008-09-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

There's really not much to say about this hat, is there? It's not of an overly ridiculous size. It has a couple of feathers, but they're not dangling off the brim or sprouting from the top like an out-of-control plant. It apparently fits nicely over her trademark modified-Farrah hairstyle.

It's just kind of ... meh. No color. No excitement. No panache. Totally non-offensive, but also totally boring. It almost makes me long for earlier this summer, when she wore that country-crafts-potpourri explosion to Trooping the Colour...

...but only almost. I'm not suggesting that you should pull an Anne and recycle that one, your highness, unless you're refashioning it as some sort of wacky wreath for the door of your fancy new house in Wales.

Blenheim Horse Trials: Zara Phillips

2008-09-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Normally, Zara, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

It's a baseball cap -- fine. You're outside. You're walking your dogs through a humongous puddle of water for indeterminate reasons. You're all in athletic gear, and I can't stress it enough: you're outside. But then...

Then, for some reason, when you went inside, and not just to pop to the loo or something and then head back out, but to sign books for Land Rover, and you kept the cap on! I mean, I understand the basic problem with baseball caps: hat hair. But for goodness' sakes, didn't you have a hair tie around so that you could sweep those blond locks back into a ponytail?

I mean, the only acceptable time to wear a baseball cap indoors, in my opinion, is if you're a professional poker player, and even then, it's questionable. For a book signing? This seems like it would have been a good time to ask the ultimate behavior decision question: what would Granny do? (I'll give you a hint: it would involve not wearing a baseball cap at all, let alone inside!)

Craithie Kirk: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-09-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

Just a poll: erm, am I the only one afraid that she's accidentally gone through a magical wardrobe and ended up in Narnia?

This is just so ... snowy. And white. And while I'd never want to link the beloved and stalwart Queen of England with certain White Witches who shall not be named, if she offered me any divinity right now, I'm afraid I'd have to run in the other direction...

Braemar Highland Gathering: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-09-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

So, as far as I can tell, this whole Braemar Highland Games extravaganza is possibly one of the most fun things the royal family gets to watch all year long. I mean, I like Trooping the Colour as much as the best of them (how do they get the horses to stand so still so long?), and of course, Garter Day is always an explosion of feathery fun, but when else do these people get to sit around watching this:

or this:

Hmm? Let's face it, potato-sack races totally outrank slow marches on the fun scale. And it definitely shows on HM's face, too!

The lady in charge looks exceptionally pleased, and why not? She got to watch a day of Scottish fun, and she's wearing a cute little hat. I mean, on any other member of the royal family, I'd probably cry foul about this one, because the black/primary color combo is a little '80s. But for the Queen, I'll give it a pass. For a lady of mature age and style, it's whimsical, it has cute buttons, and it doesn't have any unnecessary junk hanging off of it. Well done, Your Majesty!

Sotogrande Polo Club: Duchess of York

2008-08-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world of Mad Hattery, Your Fergiliciousness! If this blog were to be written in equation form, it would probably go something like this: Yorkies + Mad Hattery = sheer excitement! You just never know what could happen!

This pic was taken while the Duchess of York was out watching some polo in Spain with her two lovely princess daughters. The hat itself is sort of meh, but I get it, Fergie. You're not an HRH anymore, and you don't have access to the vaults and the tiaras, so hats are just going to be a little less exciting in your world these days.

So, as far as this actually hat goes, pass. She's at polo. She's on vacation. It's not a baseball cap. (Though, as an aside, it doesn't look like it's doing much to help protect poor Sarah's skin from the searing Spanish sol. Redheads like you have to be careful, my dears. My college roommate was a redhead, and she practically wore caftans to the beach.)

You've gotten off lightly here on your first go around, Duchess. Now, do us all a huge giant favor and dig out one of those bows you used to swan about in back in the '80s, please!

Beijing Olympics: Princess Anne

2008-08-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

My gran wears the same hat when she goes fishing.

Gatcombe Horse Trials: Autumn Phillips

2008-08-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Behold: a true triumph of hattery has taken place in Gloucestershire. How often does a member of the royal family wear not one but two casual hats in a single day?

Exhibit A:

This one's pure classic Autumn. She's been photographed in this very hat before - she seems quite fond of the cowboy look for casual events. The sunglasses on top of the hat move is also a signature one. I'm sure some would disagree, but I think this is a lovely casual wear kind of look, with the hat, some simple jewelry, and an event polo shirt. (And it makes me thirsty.)

But! Exhibit B:

Hat number two! And a happy baby! I'm serious -- these two need to be given titles, stat. They're just too appealing. She can be the Commonwealth's new favorite lady/countess/duchess/whatever, and her mother-in-law can teach her how to rock her charity duties (but not how to dress/style her hair/wear a hat).

(Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm pretty sure the photo agency has the date wrong on these. Both are labeled August 2, but she's wearing a gold bracelet on her right arm in the first photo and not in the second. But just in case she changed and true hat greatness has taken place, I felt it was important to let our favorite Canadian have her day in the sun...)

Garden Party: Queen Elizabeth II

2008-07-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

I cannot for the life of me figure out what I think about this hat. Do I like it? Do I hate it? I have no idea. At first, I think it's the color that's off, but then it starts to grow on me. Then, I hate on the flowers, but then I realize it's a garden party, and, well, if you're going to wear a bunch of bright red flowers on your head, you might as well do it then.

I'm so torn, Your Majesty. Apologies for the vague verdict.

Garden Party: Duchess of Cornwall

2008-07-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

With the Duchess of Cornwall, it's always something. Either the hat looks like a silly explosion of the floral department at your local craft store, or her outfit looks like something that Blanche would have worn on The Golden Girls. At the last garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace, it was the latter.

I like the hat quite a bit, but the combo seems a little strange. The hat is clean, architectural, simple; the dress is fluffy, mumsy, floaty. A woman Camilla's age needs structure in a garment, and this is doing her no favors. Wouldn't the hat look smart with a tailored jacket and skirt, like the one she's worn two years in a row on her birthday? I think it definitely would.

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Lady Rose Gilman

2008-07-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

It's just good manners to save the bride and the star of the show for last, isn't it?

Also, Tiara Alert!

Lady Rose looks beautiful, her new husband is a hottie, and she's got some major royal bling on top of her head. The tiara is the Gloucester Leafage Tiara, given to Princess Alice by her husband, the Duke of Gloucester (the current Duke's father). Fabulous!

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Countess of Ulster

2008-07-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Listen, Claire, I know that you're a doctor and a new mom, so you probably have a lot on your plate. But seriously, at this point, why even bother? That's not a hat. It's not even a fascinator. It's just a bunch of feathers that you threw at your head, and luckily, some of them stayed.

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Autumn Phillips

2008-07-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Oh, no! Not our favorite Canadian!

It's like perhaps Princess Anne and her new daughter-in-law made a pact to look terrible together at today's royal nuptials. Maybe they wanted to make sure that Lady Rose looked extra gorgeous?

The neck scarf makes her look like a flight attendant. The dress looks a size too small -- not flattering on a petite little maple leaf like Autumn. And the hat ... well, I think a similar effect could have been achieved had she sent Peter out to gather up bird feathers from the park and superglued them to the back of her head. I'm just so disappointed. From the glowy, blushy pink hat to this?

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Lady Sarah Chatto

2008-07-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

If there was a Mad Hattery best-dressed list, Lady Sarah Chatto would be skyrocketing to the top today. How chic and fabulous does Princess Margaret's daughter look? The black and white is crisp and smart, and the hat is just so retro cool. Top marks!

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Kate Middleton

2008-07-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

K. Midds has gotten so much coverage this weekend, half the world's population probably thought that she was the bride at this wedding. I'm sure she didn't mean to steal the spotlight, but when the girlfriend of the second-in-line to the throne shows up at a royal wedding, tongues will inevitably set to wagging.

I wasn't a huge fan of the dress itself today -- the whole thing was sort of meh, way better than what she wore to Peter and Autumn's knot-tying, but overall, she's looked better. And the fascinator's pretty run-of-the-mill for Kate. But how fab is her hair with this hat? Richard Ward deserves a knighthood. Volume and curls with a fascinator in July? Amazing!

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Lady Gabriella Windsor

2008-07-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yay! I love it when little-seen royals make a mad hattering appearance. This is Lady Gabriella Windsor, for the more casual royal watchers in the audience. She's the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and she's absolutely gorge. (Also, she apparently goes by "Ella," so we're obviously twins separated at birth.)

And today, I'm in love with the hat. Granted, it's a familiar style -- the Countess of Wessex is sporting a very similar one right up in our banner image -- but it's beautiful on her. The pale pink is nice with the light grey dress and jacket. Wonderful!

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Countess of Wessex

2008-07-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

See, normally, I'd be a little miffed that the Countess of Wessex decided to recycle a hat, especially since we see so very little of her lately. I would be even more irritated that she's re-wearing one from Trooping of the Colour, only a little more than a month ago.

But in light of her sister-in-law's millinery flashback today, I can't even begin to mind. I mean, at least she's wearing a different suit, and the hat isn't older than I am.

Lady Rose Windsor's Wedding: Duchess of Gloucester

2008-07-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

And today, from the mother of the bride: a hair explosion!

If you can draw your attention away from the gigantic collar of this dress for a moment, I ask you, dear readers: doesn't this look like a big '80s barrette gone wrong? It's like it's not quite a fascinator and not quite a hair ornament. It sort of looks like something that my mother would have put in a floral arrangement circa 20 years ago.

Plus, everything -- literally everything about this ensemble is the same color. Skin, hair, dress, shoes, semi-hat. Birgitte is a lovely woman ... why doesn't she step up the panache-factor and add a little color?