Maxima masters the art of frugal glamour
Statistically South Holland province, the final leg on the royal tour of the provinces, has the highest number of sunny days a year. Yesterday, alas, did not happen to be one of them. The sky was fifty shades of grey. And rain, turning at times into annoying drizzle, was incessant. But it had absolutely no effect on the enthusiasm of royal family fans who turned out in huge numbers to wave and cheer along the royal visit route.
The red ensemble assorted with a turban hat Queen Maxima chose to wear provided a boisterous injection of colour amid the sea of black of official suits, plastic rain overalls and orange paraphernalia.
According to the annual survey commissioned by the public broadcasting service NOS, the royal family in this country still enjoys widespread support. 78% of the Dutch population are in favour of the monarchy. But there are 44% who back a cut in the annual benefits they receive.
And yet, according to Prime Minister Mark Rutte the payment to the Dutch monarchy won’t be cut for the time being. Wonder how expensive the royal house to local taxpayers is ? Close to €40 million annually.
So it is perhaps not surprising that Queen Maxima, the most glamorous member of the Dutch royal family, takes heed of the public opinion and rather than blind and dazzle on each public engagement resorts to wardrobe recycling. And that, mind you, without compromise on required regal glamour. Why flaunt it? Moreover, such I-am-carefully-managing-my-fashion-budget attitude reinforces credibility of her efforts as financial literacy campaigner.
Red Ensemble by the House Nathan worn during state visit to Singapore, January 2013
Red Ensemble by the House Nathan worn during state visit to Singapore, January 2013
The same ensemble minus diamond brooches , a change of hat and jewellery June 2013
Whatever ensemble you choose to wear, it is the accessory that makes the look. And Queen Maxima has been quite daring and adventurous with hers. As for fashion recycling practices it is sure to raise her already very high popularity rankings. Long Live the frugal Queen!
Here’s more pictures of Maxima recycling her wardrobe:
Pink Dress during the official visit to the Dutch Antilles
Tour of the provinces 2013 Flevoland
Tour of the Provinces, Gelderland
Official visit to Brunei
What style of dress (i.e. silhouette) do you think is most flattering on Queen Maxima and which designers other than Natan has she worn frequently?
On this tour of the provinces she wore mostly Natan by Eduard Vermeulen. She does wear him a lot. The convenience of ready-to-wear and fitting in Antwerpen? She looked splendid on the inauguration day wearing the blue ensemble by Jan Taminiau, the Dutch couturier. She wore his creations on the tour as well.
As for flattering silhouette, and the like that’s a good idea for another post
I look forward to reading that future post.
Yes, she looked stunning on inauguration day in the blue gown, although I didn’t care for the over-sized bow on the blush colored dress she wore earlier that day when she appeared on the balcony of Dam Palace, just after Queen Beatrix abdicated. You?
Was not my favourite either! Again that was by Eduard Vermeulen, aka Natan. It was prim and proper, but so boring, predictable and bourgeois. And the XXL bow?!
Since she wears a lot of fashion by Natan, we can assume she likes it. For my taste, it is certainly royal status befitting, but safe and bland. I do not think it reflects her personality truly. Actually her choices run such a spectrum that one is wondering about her style. Like the Gucci pink 70-s ensemble, great colour choice but a style more for JLo than the Queen of the Netherlands. Though I do commend the colour choice