What Kate Wore

News Updates & Last Minute Gift Ideas – What Kate Wore

I am back with a couple of quick news updates and then a look at some last-minute holiday gift ideas. We begin with a brief promo voiced by the Princess of Wales for the Together at Christmas Carol Service taped last Friday at Westminster Abbey.  The program airs Christmas Eve on ITV and ITVX. Several readers have emailed to say that viewers outside of the UK can watch the program on Britbox.  Our other updates have been added to the post covering the carol concert last Friday, but for those who may not have seen them, I'll share them here.  It turns out the bow worn by the Princess to the concert is from Jigsaw, per a Rebecca English story in the Daily Mail. It is called the Velvet Bow Hair Clip ($25). It comes in the black velvet worn by the Princess as well as a festive burgundy color. Thank you to Sabira for posting about the article. Several readers wondered about the identity of the gentleman we saw behind Prince Louis in photos from the service. That is George Gilman, the husband of Lady Rose Gilman, the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Thank you to Caroline for her comment sharing this information! Now for some late possibilities for holiday gifts. As always, there's lots to love at Fortnum and Mason, and those in the UK can still order the iconic retailer's famous hampers and gift boxes. This includes things like the Highgrove Hamper ($178) shown below left, or the Christmas Afternoon Tea Hamper ($178) shown on the right.    But if you're in the US and in need of a gift in time for Christmas or Hanukkah, you may want to peruse the selection of Fortnum and Mason's goodies stocked at Williams Sonoma. Below you see (from left to right) the Piccadilly Biscuits Selections (prices vary), Lemon Curd Biscuits ($26.95), and Earl Grey Tea ($39.95 - $79.95). Amazon also carries some Fortnum and Mason products.  Scottish retailer Brora, a brand the Princes of Wales favors, now has a dedicated US website. (Thank you to Middleton Maven for this tip!) Christmas delivery is available via standard shipping for orders made by 1pm on December 20th on both the US and UK sites. There is a healthy selection of sale merchandise, like the brand's Cashmere Modern Classic Cardigan ($315). Regular price goods include the Gold Charm Earrings ($89) worn by the Princess of Wales, and Cashmere Socks ($79) in a mix of colors. Liberty London has a stellar selection of items. A quick sampling shows the Brighton Blossom Water Bottle ($52), a Ciara Tana Lawn™ Cotton Eye Mask ($60), and the Queen's Royal Splendour Cocktail Napkin Set ($82). US and Canadian customers can place orders until the 16th to receive Christmas delivery, with UK customers needing to order by the 18th. Other Liberty options include a Christmas Tree of Life Jigsaw Puzzle ($29), a set of 3 Double-Tipped Highlighters in Liberty's Mitsi print ($22), and Liberty's Scalloped Notecards Set ($29). Offerings from the Historic Royal Palaces shop include a Hampton Court Palace Crown Ornament (£18, about $23), a Kensington Palace Tote Bag (also £18), or a cute Corgi in a Cape (£13, about$16.50). And now for our sampling of tartan treasures, although every item shown in the post is not going to be an authentic tartan. What is the difference? We turn to Handwoven Magazine for more information.  ....all tartans are plaid. However, not all plaids are tartan! Both plaids and tartans are woven of stripes that meet at 90-degree angles. Tartans have an identical pattern of stripes running vertically and horizontally, resulting in overlapping square grids. Regular plaids are not necessarily the same in both directions, with variation in color, size, and/or pattern of stripe Additionally, tartans are usually associated with a specific clan and registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority. This is not the case with plaid patterns.  We start with items at J. Crew, like the Tartan Booties Socks 3-Pack ($19.50), the Flannel Long-Sleeve Pajama Set ($89.95), and the Oversized Tartan Hair Bow. Additional items from J. Crew include the Girls' Ruffle-Trim Corduroy Dress ($37.99 with promo code BIGSALE), a Cashmere Scarf ($36.50), and a Men's Brushed Twill Shirt ($36.50).  J Crew also has a good mix of Breton stripe merchandise. From left to right, the Classic Mariner Boatneck Tee ($29.50), a Cotton Turtleneck Sweater ($46.50), and the Long-Sleeve Boatneck Tee ($34.50). We return to tartan items with a look at Boden's selection. Below left, you see the Vic Chisel-Toe Mary Janes ($190); on the right, the Bow Slippers ($55). There is a cute Blackwatch Check Holly Print at Boden (below left) used in the Girls' Betsy Tiered Twirly Dress ($65) and the Boys' Cosy Cotton Shirt ($49). A cheery red print is used in the Bess Cosy Smocked Dress ($65) and the Boys' Cosy Cotton Shirt ($49). Those prints are also available in the Women's Alba Check Maxi Dress ($198). Additional footwear includes the Tartan Slip-on Mules ($59.50) at J. Crew Factory, the Sylvie Bow Kitten Heel Pumps ($149) at Talbot's, and the Debra Ballet Slipper ($138) at Jack Rogers.  Talbot's (where they are offering 50% off your purchase through Sunday) sells the Blair Cap-Toe Flat ($109.99) in a vibrant red pattern and the Katelyn Bow Loafers in Snowfall Plaid ($69.50), while Dillard's offers the Morgan Plaid Loafer ($98).  Mark and Graham's Blanket Scarf ($49) is offered in quite a mix of patterns. Here are just three examples.   Stony Clover Lane has a mix of products featuring a tartan or tartan-ish print. From left to right, you see the Plaid Headband ($48), the Micro Top-Handle Crossbody Bag ($138), and the Hello Kitty Holiday Plaid Small Pouch ($131). Other items include the Bow Clip ($28), the Plaid Teddy Patch ($16), and the Mini Pouch ($68). One note: I am not super-familiar with this brand and noticed a number of items are final sale, just as an FYI. Ornaments in plaid and tartan are readily available. On the left, the Tartan Christmas Tree with Thistles ($24.95) from Scotland House.  In the center, it's the Pottery Barn Plaid Ornament Set ($47), and on the right, the Homespun Christmas Ornament Set ($5.95) as sold at Walmart. There is no shortage of home goods in the popular print. Juliska has a broad selection that includes Placemats in cotton and velvet ($28) and Napkins ($22). Juliska also offers a Holiday Tartan in Tablecloths (prices vary by size), a Table Runner ($115), and Placemats ($96 for 4).  There are even napkin rings to perk up a table. Pottery Barn sells Stewart Plaid Bow Napkin Rings ($17.50 for a set of four), while Mark & Graham offers Red Tartan Bow Napkin Rings ($25 each or $79 for a set of four).  Tartan and plaid gift items for your four-legged family members are also available. At Mark and Graham, there is a Plaid Sherpa Dog Jacket ($59), a Dog Pillow Bed ($129), and a Knit Dog Sweater ($49). Pottery Barn offers the St. Jude Stewart Plaid Bear-Shaped Pillow ($29.50, 25% of the sale price goes to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), the Plaid Sham ($45), and a solid selection of stoneware (prices vary). Williams Sonoma stocks Tartan Tea Towels ($24.95), Dinnerware (prices vary), and Tartan Napkins ($39.96). The Scotland Shop offers an amazing selection of items, from home goods to fashion and accessories, fabric, ribbon, and more.  The company has a December 16 shipping deadline for standard tracked packages in the US and Canada and the 18th for standard tracked shipping in the UK. From left to right, you see Brushed Wool Scarves ($33.84), giftables like a mini Christmas Stocking ($10.50), and handbags made to order in 515 different tartans, like this Kilt Bag ($115). Etsy has quite a selection of merchandise, with things like Touchscreen Gloves ($19.97) shown on the left and right, along with Standard Gloves ($19.97). There is also a Wooden Coaster Set ($27.98), cute Earrings ($9), and Memory Bears made in fabric worn by a loved one ($60+ and not available in time for Christmas or Hannukah). You will also find Tartan Friendship Bracelets ($11.33), Scottish Clan Tartan Tumblers ($19.99), and Welsh Tartan Key Fobs ($13.32) from the Welsh Heart Company.  Happy shopping!