There are many good things about Meghan’s Oscar de la Renta wrap dress.
Its long, flowing length is just right for the occasion – if the shirtdress style is perhaps a tiny bit casual – and it makes a demure nod to this season’s craze for floral print.
But it swamps the Duchess of Sussex’s tiny frame, which gets lost beneath all the ruffles.
She’d look great in anything – but a more nipped-in waist and a brighter colour would have lifted this look, not to mention a smaller size.
Not yet available to buy, the £3,922 dress is from Oscar de la Renta’s Resort 2019 collection – but dare I say it, that pale blue and white print is a little more Laura Ashley than de la Renta.
The £3,922 Oscar de la Renta dress swamps the Duchess of Sussex’s tiny frame, which gets lost beneath all the ruffles
Traditionalists will be glad to see Meghan making careful choices.
But those who admire the Duchess’s fashion savvy will feel she could have gone for a bolder statement.
She has always had such independent style – interesting and unpredictable, she stood out without being ostentatious. Perhaps now her advisors are encouraging her to blend in.
The dress is from Oscar de la Renta’s Resort 2019 collection – but dare I say it, that pale blue and white print is a little more Laura Ashley than de la Renta
Consider her matching white accessories. The mirrored box clutch is frankly boring.
And she needed a proper headpiece rather than that nondescript fascinator – peeking out from below an oversized, elegant hat might have worked.
Her one moment of excess was the shoes, spindly white high heels that almost caused her to take a tumble.
They worked well with the dress, but weren’t the most practical choice for walking on grass, however briefly.
For proof that accessories can make or break an outfit, guests needed look no further than Lady Kitty Spencer (pictured)
Prince Harry’s cousin Celia McCorquodale tied the knot with George Woodhouse at St Andrew and St Mary’s Church in Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire, on Saturday
For proof that accessories can make or break an outfit, guests needed look no further than Lady Kitty Spencer.
Her dashing berry-coloured hat by milliner Philip Treacy, with purple trim and a birdcage veil, was an inspired choice. With her hair pulled sleekly back, it drew attention beautifully to her face.
Lady Kitty opted for a peony-print chiffon dress with a pie-crust collar and voluminous sleeves. The £3,850 number is from Dolce & Gabana’s pre-fall range.
Although the combination of high neck and short, puffy sleeves is always tricky to pull off, the strong pattern contrasted with the soft folds of chiffon saved the look.
But where Meghan played it safe, Kitty went just a little too far – the diamante details on her dress, teamed with simply enormous jewels by Bulgari, for which she is a ‘brand ambassador’, were just a whisper over the top for a quiet country wedding.
No point in trying to out-sparkle the bride, who was wearing Diana’s favourite tiara.