Outfits Fit for a Queen

 And TuesdayTwirl 

Dear friends. Today I'm taking you to a fascinating exhibition in London: "Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style."  I went with six colourful friends and we had a fun lunch in Sloane Square afterwards. 

The late Queen's early reign coincided with the start of UK couture. The quality of the craftsmanship involved in creating many of the Queen's outfits was outstanding. 

We recalled seeing her in some of the dresses, coats and hats. We marvelled at how narrow the Queen's waist was, in her 20s and 30s. Her designers then included Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies. 

Even her childhood outfits were exquisite: a little fur coat, embroidered dresses and bonnets, and for playing in, Liberty print frocks with pockets. 

At the age of 18 Princess Elizabeth joined the ATS, becoming the only female member of the Royal Family to serve in the Armed Forces during the war. 

The dresses I wanted to see up close were her wedding dress and Coronation gown.  

Look at the exquisite detail on the wedding dress by Hartnell. Wartime rationing was still in place, in 1947, so the material was bought "on the ration". It was intricately decorated with 10,000 seed pearls and crystals,  symbolizing post-WWII rebirth. The embroidery featured garlands of wheat, white roses of York, orange blossoms, star flowers, and jasmine.

For her Coronation in 1953 the Queen's gown, again designed by Hartnell, featured emblematic flora of British territories in brilliant coloured crystals. You might scoff at the idea of a dress made for one state occasion, but the Queen actually wore her Coronation dress six times, including for the state opening of parliament in Australia and New Zealand.  

During her reign the Queen became known for her use of colour, which she said was essential to be seen, as a petite woman, in a crowd. 

In 2012 at the London Olympics we were all amazed when Queen Elizabeth parachuted out of a helicopter into the Olympic Stadium,  following a meeting with James Bond (Daniel Craig). Her dress, in silk, lace, sequins, beads and feathers, was designed by Angela Kelly. There was an identical outfit for the stunt double. Both dresses were shown together for the first time. Various modifications were made to the stunt dress to ensure the parachute could be attached.  

I lingered over the amazing hats and other accessories.  The Queen was notable for wearing hats even when they were no longer commonly worn, from the 60s onwards.  Some of her hats show she was very adventurous.  I wrote a post about Our Rainbow Queen not long after her death in 2022.   

It's not always "fashionable" to admire the Monarchy in the UK. I would counter this with the fact that we are the envy of much of the world for our beautifully choreographed state occasions. And frankly King Charles was the only person who exhibited any statesmanship regarding the fraught relationship with the US, when he and the Queen paid a state visit recently. Combining charm with humour and a few meaningful remarks was a tall order. He is 77, an age when most people have long retired.  

The exhibition,  at the King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace,  has now been extended until April 2027. It's well worth a visit. Below: the posse in Sloane Square. 

I wore my sleeveless Isla dress from Kettlewell (now reduced) with gold flats (old, Boden). I matched my new Pom Pom London bag in aqua to one of my necklaces. It was very hot, more than 30 degrees. 

A glass of chilled Champagne is always a treat! And it makes a change for the glass to be a saucer. 

Is this an exhibition you would like to see? Do you have any personal memories of Queen Elizabeth? Do tell in the comments. 

TUESDAY TWIRL TIME 

It's time for the weekly link-up for bloggers. Scroll down below the thumbnails to see joining instructions. 

LAST WEEK'S FAVOURITES 

Tidying clothes is not easy - even when they have holes in them by Nicole at Huisvlijt

Renewing my love of hats by Jill at Grownup Glamour.

Is This Mutton's Choice 

What men notice beyond beauty in women by Nicole at High Latitude Style  (it's good news). 

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fashion over 50, Lifestyle, Queen Elizabeth Her Life in Style exhibition