The Dutch royal family was out in force today for Prinsjesdag (where Queen Beatrix gives a budget speech and opens a new year of parliament). This event has a most curious dress code: the ladies wear long dresses along with their orders - but with hats. Every year I cross my fingers in the hopes that they'll just go ahead and upgrade to a full-on tiara event, but you know me - any royal event without bling is a missed opportunity indeed. (Priorities, people.) Well, we'll work with what we have...
Most True to Form
Perhaps Beatrix should adopt this mixed dress code for her every day (and night) wear - she always seems to look her best for Prinsjesdag. She's working a very flattering silhouette here. Sure, you've got your standard UMO (Unidentified Millinery Object) topping the whole thing off, but without that nobody would recognize her.
Best Museum Steal
Maxima must be pilfering from the nearest sartorial exhibition, because this is straight up My Fair Lady. In fact, change the color and make that hat a little larger and you'd have an extra fresh from the set of the Black and White Ascot. Or maybe I just have to envision her as a character because the sheer daintiness of this outfit is so unexpected. What's she done with the big, bold Maxima that we've come to expect? Maybe that's what the hat's all about.
Most Retina-Searing
Where are my complimentary sunglasses, Laurentien? That's a whole lotta pink. Throw in the orange sash and you've got a seizure of color so potent it should come with a medical warning.
Worst Absence
Mabel. Sadly, she does not attend Prinsjesdag (or at least she hasn't that I'm aware of - I'm sure one of you lovelies will correct me if I'm wrong here). Man, just think of the craziness she'd bring to an event like this...Best Way to Show 'Em How It's Done
Princess Margriet knows what's up, see. She doesn't need a costume or anything capable of giving the crowd an epileptic seizure to steal this show. Simple, flattering, appropriate, and a win without competition. Well done.
Who won this year's Prinsjesdag fashion stakes for you?
