We're back with our final 'Best of 2017' polls! With just over a week until the Cambridges' tour of Sweden and Norway, and three interesting engagements scheduled for Kate, I want to wrap up with three final polls: Kate's Best Skirt Suit, Best Designer and Best Hat. At some point next weekend, we'll have the results prepared for our annual 'Kate Fashion Awards' post. It's been insightful to see your choices thus far; I'm looking forward to seeing how you all vote for these...
Best Skirt Suit of 2017
Throughout 2017, Kate debuted a selection of stylish skirt suits and brought back popular looks from her wardrobe. In fact, I think several of her most successful looks from the year fall into the separates category. For a visit to her patronage East Anglia's Children's Hospices in Quidenham last January, Kate looked sophisticated in the rich green Hobbs London Sinead Skirt Suit.
At the Place2Be Big Assembly, the Duchess wore her much-loved red Luisa Spagnoli suit.
It was Oscar de la Renta for the Guild of Heath Writers Conference. The violet skirt suit features a three-quarter sleeve, tailored jacket and is rendered in a wool blend, featuring a pointed collar, dual breast pockets and a pleated, flared hem.
In Wales, the Duchess wore her short and chic Paule Ka suit.
I did a double take when photos started to come in from Kate's visit to Ronald McDonald House in February. She wore a new Rebecca Taylor Sparkle Tweed Suit, which is incredibly similar to another sparkle tweed in the same colour she's worn multiple times by the designer.
Kate gave her gorgeous Eponine London skirt suit a second outing in March for an engagement with Best Beginnings. The top features a boat neck and three-quarter sleeves, while the skirt is A-line. It originally retailed for £1,200. The womenswear brand is "inspired by the elegant lines of the fifties and sixties". Every garment is designed and made in London for women who seek out individuality and who desire to be both chic and contemporary.
For a visit to the Global Academy, Kate selected a smart red skirt suit by Armani Collezioni. Made in Italy, the $848 single-breasted suit features a dart-seam front zip jacket, round collar and pencil skirt. It's a classic Armani suit which could take Kate to a number of engagements.
We mentioned Kate's original Rebecca Taylor Sparkle Tweed Suit earlier in the post. She wore it in June when she visited King's College Hospital to visit those affected by the London Bridge and Borough Market attacks.
During William and Kate's tour of Poland, Kate wore a floral top and midi skirt in Hurst Rose Print by Erdem.
And for the Cambridges' Christmas Card, Duchess Kate wore her bespoke blue Catherine Walker suit.
Best Hat of 2017
The Duchess has quite the collection of hats; from elegant chapeaus to wide brimmed, we saw an array of stylish millinery modelled by the Duchess in 2017. First, it's the lovely £325 navy Tiffany drop-brim hat by Lock & Co, inspired by the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's. This one is hard to beat and frames Kate's face beautifully.
On St Patrick's Day, the Duchess sported her rich green Lock & Co hat.
Kate wore her black Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. Salsa Fascinator for a service following the Westminster attacks.
For Easter with the Queen at Windsor, the Duchess chose a cream pillbox hat with a signature bow at the back.
It was the Lock & Co 'Sweet Delight' hat for the Queen's Garden Party. The style is 100% woven straw and retailed for £875.
The Duchess wore a bespoke pink hat by milliner Jane Taylor for Pippa's wedding.
I loved Kate's Jane Taylor with exquisite swirling design for Trooping the Colour.
Kate was all white in a new bespoke hat with flower detail for Royal Ascot.
In Belgium for Commemorations, the Duchess chose her Lock & Marisabel hat. It was described as a "piece that has been handcrafted by Sylvia Fletcher, Lock & Co.'s leading milliner. The hat has been sculpted using sinamay and then finished with a curled feather in a matching tone".
And for day two in Belgium, it the Jane Taylor Fleur hat.
It was Kate's wide-brimmed Philip Treacy hat for Remembrance Sunday.
At the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service, the Duchess sported a new navy hat.
And for Christmas Day, Kate completed her festive look with the Peruvian Connection Vallnord Alpaca Fur Hat.
Best Designer of 2017
When I looked back over Kate's wardrobe from 2017, I decided to narrow the 'Best Designer' poll down to three options. It will come as no surprise to see Alexander McQueen front and centre with nine looks by the brand worn by the Duchess last year. Since Kate collaborated with Sarah Burton to create her wedding gown in 2011 the two have enjoyed a splendid fashion relationship which continues to produce regal results in the style department. From the off-the-shoulder gown for the BAFTAs to the elegant white Ascot dress and the vivid pink paperbag dress for Trooping, it's been another year where McQueen reigned supreme. How will the brand fare in the poll?
Jenny Packham remains Queen of the Night when it comes to Kate's evening wear choices. Once again, we saw shimmering bespoke gowns with ornate embellishment ensuring the Duchess sparkled throughout the evening. For the Diplomatic Reception, Packham created an ivory gown for Kate; here's hoping we see it on another occasion! We also saw the designer create a marigold day dress for the Germany leg of the tour.
Last but certainly not least, in 2017 Catherine Walker was cemented as a prominent, signature label in Kate's wardrobe. Owing to a selection of beautifully-tailored, bespoke coats and the gorgeous white floral dress at Wimbledon, the Duchess has become increasingly fond of the brand's timeless, fuss-free looks. The late, Diana, Princess of Wales relied on the brand to create her most iconic looks; as the Duchess transitions into the Princess of Wales, I think we might see the same!
Happy voting! :)
We'll see you on Tuesday when the Duchess is to launch a new mental health project for young children - the latest initiative from Heads Together - during a visit to Roe Green Junior School in Brent.
