Your Favorite 2023 Trouser Suit and Skirt Suit/Separates Polls – What Kate Wore

Hello-Hello, I am back with a brief news update, and then polls looking at trouser suits and skirt suits/matching separates worn by the Princess of Wales last year.  

The following is from the post I was about to publish on March 22nd when I saw there was an announcement of some sort expected from Kensington Palace. It merits inclusion here, even if it is somewhat old, as it relates to the Princess’s Early Years work. From that post: “The Telegraph reports the Princess is working at home as she continues her recovery from surgery and preventative cancer treatment. We learn more from this story by Hannah Furness. 

Kensington Palace confirmed that she had been kept up to date with her campaign and the “overwhelmingly positive” results of a study she inspired.

The Princess’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has funded a trial of a baby observation tool, which is to be used by health visitors to improve how they spot signs of social and emotional development in young children, with the results being published on Thursday. Having personally suggested that the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, the Princess has been particularly invested in the four-month trial.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: “The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process.”

The trial’s results have been released, and the Centre for Early Childhood says they are ‘overwhelmingly positive.’” 

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Now for our look at trouser suits worn by the Princess last year. We begin in mid-January when the Princess hosted a reception at Hampton Court Palace for England’s World Champion Wheelchair Rugby Team.

She wore Roland Mouret’s maroon Stretch Cady Single-Breasted Blazer ($540) and Wide-Leg Stretch Cady Trouser ($640), both made of an acetate/polyester blend. The blazer features peak lapels, shoulder pads, slanted flap pockets, and a one-button closure. The trousers have a wide-leg silhouette, no waistband, and a concealed side zipper.

The Princess’s sweater beneath the jacket is considered a UFO style; it was first worn in December 2020. At the rugby reception, she accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi 105 Bordeaux suede heels, along with a Daniella Draper necklace and earrings. 

The Roland Mouret separates were first seen during the December 2022 visit to Boston and then worn again for a reception in November.  

Next on our list is the vibrant red Alexander McQueen look for the January launch of the Shaping Us campaign.

The Princess paired the Leaf Crepe Drop-Hem Jacket ($2290) with the Leaf Crepe Slim Bootcut Pants ($890), both in Welsh Red. The pants are made of a viscose/acetate blend. The jacket features a fitted silhouette with padded shoulders, peak lapels, angled pocket flaps, and an asymmetric front hem. The mid-rise style trousers have slanted pockets and a concealed front zipper. The Princess accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps ($795), Miu Miu clutch, and Florence earrings by Chalk (£75). 

We saw the separates again in May at the Coronation Concert.

When welcoming Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway to Windsor Castle in March, the Princess was in bespoke Burberry separates. 

When the Princess visited textile mills in September, we had a better look at the deep teal jacket and trousers.

The blazer is a version of the brand’s Wool Tailored Jacket ($2050), with a loose single-breasted silhouette, front flap pockets, defined shoulders, notch lapels, and four buttons prominently placed at the cuff. The Wool Wide-Leg Trousers ($1050) have a front zipper, angled front pockets, back button-through welt pockets, pleats, and belt loops. We do not know who made the top worn beneath the jacket.

We saw the ‘Josie’ Block Heel Pumps ($490) by go-to brand Emmy London. For jewelry, the Princess wore the Shyla’ Rosalia’ earrings (£68) and Laura Lombardi’s ‘Portrait’ 14kt Gold-Plated Chain Necklace ($188).

The Princess was in soft pink separates by Alexander McQueen for a May engagement at the Foundling Museum. 

The Tailored Peak Lapel Jacket ($2590) is constructed of a viscose/acetate blend and features padded shoulders, darts at the bustline, angled flap pockets, double back vents, and a single button closure. The Cropped Tailored Trousers ($755) have a zip front, belt loops, inset side seam pockets, and a back welt pocket. The top worn beneath the jacket remains UFO.

The Princess accessorized with Camilla Elphick’s Pearl White Belt ($120), white leather Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795), and her Maria Black’ Cha Cha’ earrings ($188 for single earrings, $376 for pair). Some readers may recall the separates were first worn for a June 2022 roundtable.  

When visiting a prison in September, the Princess opted for separates by Alexander McQueen.

More specifically, the label’s Leaf Crepe Jacket and High-Waisted Cigarette Trouser in the amethyst colorway, possibly called “nightshade.” Like several of the McQueen blazers worn by the Princess, this style has a fitted silhouette with padded shoulders, angled flap pockets, double back vent, and single button closure. The trousers are a straight-leg style with a fly-front closure. I do not know the designer of the cream knit top. There is not enough detail in the photos to identify it.

The Princess accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795), Kiki McDonough ‘Lauren’ Pavé Diamond Leaf Earrings (£2300), and Daniella Draper Trio Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace ($1700). 

The separates were first worn with a coordinating turtleneck in December of 2022 when the Prince and Princess arrived in Boston.

Also in September, Roland Mouret separates worn for an engagement in London with the Prince of Wales. 

The couple spent time at the Streets of Growth charity. 

The custom single-breasted jacket had angled flap pockets, peaked lapels, and a slight flare at the cuff. The wide-leg silhouette trousers featured a concealed side zipper and flat front. Both pieces appear identical to the maroon Roland Mouret separates shown above. Accessories included the ‘bisque’ suede Gianvito 105 Heels ($795), Kiki McDonough Cushion Citrine Detachable Drops (£900) suspended from unidentified plain hoops. 

The Princess wore a Holland Cooper pinstripe jacket and trousers for October engagements in Cardiff, Wales. 

Here, you see the Prince and Princess as they arrive at a local high school.

The Navy Chalk PinStripe Suit includes the Double-Breasted Blazer (£549, about $690 at today’s exchange rates) and the High-Waisted Straight Trouser (£299, roughly $376). The blazer showcases a longline silhouette with notched lapels, slightly padded shoulders, flap pockets at the hip, and lots of Holland Cooper’s signature gold buttons. The trousers have a wide waistband, belt loops, slanted pockets, and buttons. Beneath the jacket, it looked like the Princess was sporting her Holland Cooper Bodysuit (£149).

She accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 Pumps ($795) and Shyla’ Rosalia’ earrings (£68). 

Technically, the suit was a repeat. It was seen in a photo released a few days earlier by Apple CEO Tim Cook, taken during a meeting with the Prince and Princess.

Our next look for the poll is Emilia Wickstead’s separates, which the Princess wore when she delivered a speech at an early childhood symposium.

The Dida Wool Flannela Jacket ($434 in limited sizes) is 100% wool and described as being made of a midweight flannel. The double-breasted silhouette is a classic cut, with flap pockets, peak lapels, and self-covered buttons on the front and wrist. The trousers are a version of the Gus style ($1030), a slim cut with a high waist and tapered legs. Accessories included the Princess’s Gianvito 105 pumps in navy suede and the sapphire cabochon cluster earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

The styles were first noted in September 2021 when the Cambridges were in Northern Ireland. 

The Princess debuted another trouser suit look in December at an Evelina Children’s Hospital engagement. 

It was another iteration of Alexander McQueen separates: the brand’s Peak Shoulder Leaf Crepe Jacket and Cigarette Trousers in either ‘electric navy’ or ‘denim blue.’ (I actually call it dark teal.) Beneath the jacket, the Princess wore a top that looked like her sweater by Jigsaw first seen during the 2016 Canada tour. She accessorized with her navy suede Gianvito 105 pumps and her sapphire and diamond pendant and earrings.

Now it’s time to vote. 

 

I also put together a group of matching separates worn last year by the Princess. When visiting a nursery school in January, the Princess brought back Gabriela Hearst separates we first saw during the December 2022 Boston visit.

We did not have a good look at the styles in 2022, so it was a treat to see them more fully. The Princess was in the spice-colored Peppe Turtleneck ($790) and Epper Skirt ($1590), both done in a finely ribbed silk/cashmere blend. She accessorized with her Ralph Lauren Crocodile-Stamped Leather Belt, Gianvito Rossi boots, and Kiki McDonough Citrine Drop Earrings.

For a series of February engagements in Cornwall, the Princess paired a Kiltane Scotland turtleneck with a skirt by Edeline Lee.

The Kiltane Scotland sweater was first noted at a November 2022 rugby match; it looks like the band’s Cashmere Polo Neck Jumper($119). Edeline Lee’s Plait Skirt was a midi-length style featuring a deep asymmetrical pleat at the front waistline. The Princess also wore a ba&sh croc-effect belt, her Gianvito Rossi boots, and Emily Mortimer Hera White Gold and Diamond Earrings.

At the annual Commonwealth service in March, we saw a skirt suit by Erdem. 

I struggled to include this in the group of suits/separates, but it didn’t fit in the Favorite Dress poll, and I didn’t want it forgotten. The Ottoman Jacquard Peplum Jacket ($749 on sale) and Flared Ottoman Jacquard Midi Skirt ($1695, no longer available) were from the designer’s pre-fall 2023 collection.

Both pieces were made in the United Kingdom, crafted of viscose/polyester fabric in navy blue with a delicate white floral motif. The lined jacket has a slim fit, button front, pleated peplum, raised shoulders, and distinctive topstitching. The unlined skirt features a flared silhouette, waistband, zipper, and interesting seaming details. Accessories included a hat by milliner Sean Barrett, Emmy London’s Natasha Clutch ($425), Gianvito 105 pumps, Queen Alexandra’s Three Feather Brooch, and the sapphire cabochon cluster earrings.

The Princess chose Sézane separates for an October World Mental Health Day engagement in Nottingham. 

The ‘Sami’ Jumper in Natural ($145) and the ‘Naelle’ Skirt in Natural ($175) are ribbed knit pieces made in a merino wool and organic cotton blend. The Princess carried her Tusting Mini Holly Bag ($495) in taupe and wore her Gianvito 105 Bisque Suede Pumps ($795) and Simone Rocha Faux-Pearl Curb-Chain Earrings.

Here is the poll.