We are back with a post looking at Kate’s fondness for Spanish retailers.
Many readers have shared their delight at learning about new children’s brands as a result of following George and Charlotte’s style. Several have emailed or messaged to talk about how much they have enjoyed familiarizing themselves with some of the Spanish retailers whose styles the young Prince and Princess wear. Inevitably, conversation turns to questions or discussion of why the Duchess is fond of Spanish brands.
First, a brief refresher on some of the designs: you’ll recall the Irulea pieces seen when leaving the Lindo Wing in May, 2015.
©Nils Jorgensen / i-Images / Polaris
More from a Mirror story about Charlotte’s hat:
[it came] from a shop in the northern Spanish city of San Sebastian – and was bought by the mother of the Duchess of Cambridge’s live-in Spanish nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrello.
Now called the “Charlotte Set,” the items are available for purchase directly from Irulea.
Irulea
It’s likely Kate has learned about some of the Spanish brands via nanny Maria, but I imagine she also discovered some of them herself. We have seen George in a mix of Spanish and British heritage brands like Rachel Riley, Trotters, Powell Craft and Fina Ejerique, along with styles from mass market retailers like The Gap, Mayoral and John Lewis. Below, George wears a Cath Kidston vest (British), a top from Polarn O. Pyret (Swedish) and corduroy bloomers from Amaia Kids (1 owner is from Spain, 1 is from France).
©TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/WPA Pool/PA Wire
One of the primary reasons Kate favors the Spanish brands is likely to be the styles themselves: Spanish children are often seen in dressier designs, pieces with more formal touches. More via a Hello! piece on Charlotte and George’s fashion:
With her classic, elegant taste the mother-of-two is naturally drawn to styles that look timeless, whether it’s for herself or her children.
That’s lucky because in hundreds of years time there will still be interest in early portraits of George and Charlotte so their outfits must stand the test of time – Kate has ensured there will be nothing faddy or dated to distract the eye.
A closeup of George and Charlotte from the formal photo commemorating the Queen’s 90th birthday (our original post is here), clearly an image with historic significance and one requiring appropriate clothing styles.
© Annie Leibovitz via PA Wire
Above, Charlotte wears a dress and sweater by another Spanish brand, M&H. George’s sweater is by Fina Ejerique (Spain); his shirt and shorts are from Neck & Neck (Spain), with shoes by Start-Rite (England). It’s believed his socks and Charlotte’s tights are by Condor (Spain).
And from a May 2016 Daily Telegraph article by fashion editor Emma Spedding:
“Culturally the Spanish have always dressed children up at the weekends in a very classical fashion; traditional Sunday best styles and beautiful fabrics without a hint of fad or trend,” editor-in-chief of Smallish Magazine Estelle Lee says of the newfound interest in Spanish childrenswear amongst the UK’s elite parents.
Another driver likely to be influencing Kate’s purchases: the desire to minimize the online frenzy that often occurs when George and Charlotte are seen in new outfits. Clothing from some of the smaller boutique brands might be more of a challenge for shoppers to track down: one needs to get in touch with the retailer via email or phone if they don’t offer online ordering, find out how much international shipping fees are, and in some cases, get info on any added taxes. Arguably that could help deter some of the mayhem. Additionally, some of the Spanish retailers do very small manufacturing runs, so there is a bit of exclusivity providing a modicum of protection against that online tumult. For example, M&H has said each of its 5 stores is generally stocked with just 10 pieces of any given style. We return to Ms. Spedding’s Telegraph column:
Kate is clearly at pains to minimise the frenzy that surrounds each picture of Princess Charlotte. She’s dressed her daughter in near-identical outfits – those M&H floral dresses with pink cardigans – in three of the seven times she’s been seen.
This is the floral dress and cardigan from M & H.
©Annie Leibovitz via PA Wire
In photos marking her first birthday Charlotte wore another M&H dress, this one accessorized with a cashmere cardigan by Olivier Baby (British), Condor tights (Spanish) sold at Amaia Kids (explained above), and Early Days shoes (British).
©HRH The Duchess of Cambridge
It has been easier to purchase many of the items George has worn online. Pre-ordering George’s Sunuva tee shirt is easy, as is pre-ordering the Linen/Cotton Pepa & Co. shorts, both items seen in this year’s batch of birthday pictures.
©Matt Porteous via Kensington Palace
As we have learned, royals save some items for a very long time; pieces worn for milestone events like birthdays and christenings may make a second appearance. That is another reason classic, timeless designs are important. Below you see Prince George wearing the same outfit at Trooping the Colour this year that his father wore for Prince Harry’s christening 32 years ago.
©i-Images/Polaris, EMPICS/PA Wire
For Charlotte’s christening George was in a Rachel Riley ensemble of red and white that echoed the outfit his father wore to meet Prince Harry at the Lindo Wing back in 1984. Seeing one of George’s children re-wearing this outfit at some point 20-30-40 years from now would not come as a complete surprise.
©Splash News/REX/Splash News
It will be fun to see what Prince George and Princess Charlotte wear on the Canada Tour, presuming they accompany their parents. There are some great Canadian brands offering children’s sizes that would be outstanding for more casual, outdoorsy activities.
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Our other topic today, welcoming a new sponsor to the site, Burattinokidswear.
Some readers may remember that Burattinokidswear carried both of the Fina Ejerique sweaters worn by Prince George, including the cardigan seen in the 90th birthday portrait by Annie Leibovitz. Below, the Fina Ejerique cardigan George wore in that photograph. The sweater remains available in limited sizes at Burattinokidswear, and it is on sale for $33.21 (£25).
Burattinokidswear
George also sported a Fina Ejerique sweater in the family photo used for Christmas cards last year.
Fina Ejerique
Here are a few more Fina Ejerique styles offered by Burattinokidswear: a baby girl’s 2-Piece Blouse Set and Liberty Print Dress.
Burattinokidswear
Other options by the label: basics like a ruffled collar blouse in pink and also in white for bigger girls sizes 4-8.
Burattinokidswear
The boy’s Duffle Coat from Fina Ejerique looks ideal for fall and winter, as does the baby girl’s Pram Jacket in Grey with a detachable faux fur collar.
Burattinokidswear
Fine Ejerique’s Wool Blend Sweater in red would be ideal on George during the upcoming Canada tour. I also like the Baby Girls Wool Blend Cardigan in the soft aqua and in grey with green trim.
Burattinokidswear
Burattinokidswear is headquartered in London; it was started by two women with a love of children and fashion who decided to change careers so they could create a one-stop shopping site showcasing stylish clothing for children. The online retailer offers a mix of upscale brands, with some darling pieces for newborns and infants. Below, a Stripey Jumpsuit and Polka Dot Babygrow, both by Mirtillo.
Burattinokidswear
Mirtillo’s Blue Heart Babygro is cute, along with the blue Knitted Dress with Hearts in baby girl sizing.
Burattinokidswear
The boys Knitted Cardigan with Hood looks perfect for cooler temps, as does the baby boy Blue Cardigan with Hood.
Burattinokidswear
Readers who follow our What Kate Wore site might remember the Duchess wearing a checked scarf by Aquascutum during the 2011 North American Tour.
Aquascutum
Burattinokidswear carries the British heritage brand’s Aquascutum Junior line and stocks some of the scarves for pint-sized people; we show the orange cashmere style, as well as in yellow.
Burattinokidswear
Below, Aquascutum’s Fulham Navy Trench for boys and the Tamira Quilted Jacket for girls.
Burattinokidswear
Minibanda is the younger arm of Italy’s Sarabanda line: its styles are for newborns sizes up to 18 months, while Sarabanda covers those from 18 months to 16 years. We show two Minibanda shoes below, the Baby Boy Prewalker in cotton and the Lace-up Prewalker.
Burattinokidswear
It’s tough to contemplate temps being cool enough to merit one of these, but in the “planning ahead” category we offer a baby girls Hooded Snowsuit in pink with detachable booties and mittens, along with a very snuggly-looking Sweatshirt Set.
Burattinokidswear
Three designs for boys from Sarabanda: an updated Argyle Sweater, a pair of red Chinos and navy Hooded Sweatshirt.
Burattinokidswear
Keeping the change of season in mind we share a perfect piece for fall from Amberley London, the girls Liberty London Blouse & Corduroy Pinafore set.
Burattinokidswear
There are plenty of giftables at Burattinokidswear, like these teddy bear baby booties in blue, as well as a soft cream, along with a nice navy. They are by Grigio Perla, La Perla’s line for boys.
Burattinokidswear
Here are a few more items that make for nifty gifting, both by Oscar et Valentine. On the left you see the soft Cotton Babygro and on the right, a snuggly Cashmere ‘Wanted’ jumpsuit. Both pieces may be machine washed.
Burattinokidswear
Les Lutins, a French designer specializing in cotton and cashmere designs, has some darling designs. Below, the Knitted Cashmere Poncho, Noemie Cashmere Cardigan, and Gaelle Cashmere Mittens.
Burattinokidswear
Burattinokidswear also offers a solid selection of sale merchandise. Several pieces shown in the post are marked down, as are other treasures, like the girls Yellow Print Dress with Bow and the Blue and White Floral Dress in baby girl sizes. Both are by Miss Blumarine, the young ladies label created by Anna Molinari as an offshoot of her Blumarine womenswear line.
Burattinokidswear
We’re excited Burattinokidswear is on board!
So pleased to hear about the new sponsor — this site goes from strength to strength! I like their styling too, many of these would make a refreshing change from the uniform Kate seems to impose on her children, for photographs at least.
Interesting to read the speculation about why Kate sticks to those children’s styles. Sometimes I can look at the outfits and not see them as timeless so much as anchored in the past and decidedly dated. But both these children and their parents are such lively bright souls their characters shine out pretty much whatever they wear!
Thank you, WKKW! Lovely post!
Nice post! So many options! 😀