Kate Middleton Looks Dowdy, Samantha Cameron Goes Glam

As we’re focusing on the close of London Fashion Week, we can’t help but take a look at what the royals and pols are wearing, specifically yesterday.

There’s no doubt that Kate Middleton can make almost anything work with her gorgeous smile and slim figure.

But even pretty clothes-horses can look dowdy.

Case in point: The brown princess-cut coat dress with the fuddy-duddy print that even a Princess like the Duchess of Cambridge can’t pull off.

Yes, Catherine looks like an old lady. There, I’ve said it, the pretty youthful Princess looks decades older than her years and rather stodgy to boot.

While Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister, hosted a reception to celebrate London Fashion Week at 10 Downing Street for members of the fashion industry yesterday. She looked positively chic. Take note that Mrs. Cameron is not known as a fashion plate.

You can't miss Samantha Cameron from and center in bright pink, along with Caroline Rush, Mary Katrantzou,Roksanda Ilincic, Sir Paul Smith, Samantha Cameron , Natalie Massenet, Harold Tillman CBE, Anya Hindmarch

What happened?  It’s pretty easy. When considering how to dress in an age-appropriate manner, dressing old is as bad as dressing too young.

The cut, color, and print of The Duchess’s dress is bland and boring; it drains the life out of her brunette coloring. Her ankle boots are about as frumpy with this outfit as Pippa’s were  last month. It’s a hard sell to even think of ways to style this dress in a more youthful and vibrant way, but adding the texture of a leather belt and maybe knee-high stacked heel boots would perk up the styling. Maybe.

The pink, sleek Rosanda Ilincic column dress is quite a departure from Samantha Cameron’s usual style yet its eye popping shade and figure-flattering, modern cut make it an absolute winner.

When choosing clothes to look ageless and chic, always veer on the side of selecting silhouettes that have a contemporary yet timeless edge and play up both your coloring and figure. Avoid fussy styling and bland colors that drown you out.

More Roksanda Ilincic:

Photos:prphoto and British Fashion Council

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