When it comes to discussing fashion, Queen Elizabeth II rarely tops the list of the most stylish or best dressed royal, but as Bethan Holt points out in her new fabulous book, The Queen, 70 Years of Majestic Style. Elizabeth's style was"crystallized within hours of her accession to the throne."
The queen dresses to be seen and her style represents her role and who she is: "stoical and cautious, yet dazzling and majestic."
Holt, who is the fashion and features editor at the Telegraph, is the perfect person to write this book. She knows fashion and she understands the hows and whys of the Queen's clothes. It is a stunning and fantastic book that gives readers more than a glimpse into the queen's evolving style after more than 70 years on the throne.
The book is divided into 12 chapters as Holt focuses on the different aspects of the queen's sartorial choices. The first chapter "From Princess to Queen" is devoted to the queen's early years from childhood through her engagement and marriage, culminating with Elizabeth succeeding to the throne while she was on an official visit to Kenya.
Holt describes Elizabeth's sartorial transformation in the late 1950s as creating her "forever look. Unlike her only daughter, Princess Anne, who embraced the mini-skirt, the queen later quipped that she was "right to not shorten my skirts," as hemlines once again edged below the knee.
Color and comfort, especially when going on tour, rather than succumbing to the latest fashion trends have always been more important to the Queen's style. Holt quotes Angela Kelly who wrote: "A ten-day tour might involve 30 outfit options, allowing for changeable weather and unexpected circumstances along the way."
Another chapter spotlights the Queen's year as many events are largely set in stone from the Trooping of the Colour, Ascot, Summer at Balmoral, Christmas at Sandringham as well weddings, baptisms, funerals, and anniversaries.
Holt also offers insight into the queen's designers, her jewels, what she wears "off-duty," and her accessories. The final chapter is titled The Queen as Muse. Elizabeth has never been a fashion maven, unlike her aunt, Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent nor her former granddaughter-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales. Designers fell over themselves to dress Marina and Diana as both exuded elegance in their clothing choices.
Queen Elizabeth II has never been a fashion icon, However, Holt concludes her super book with The Queen as muse. She is correct when she writes that the queen has never been a clothes horse. Elizabeth knows her style, knows what she likes and what she needs to wear, but this soft style has appealed to numerous modern designers who have found a "treasure trove of inspiration.
Bethan Holt's book is an all-encompassing observation of Queen Elizabeth's "majestic style" that is to be applauded and appreciated. It is a delightful and fascinating read, and, I might add, well-researched, as well.
There are far more books on the Duchess of Cambridge's clothes, including Holt's The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style, so it is nice to see a well-written book on the Queen's style.
The book includes an amazing torrent of photographs, black and white, and color.
Just one quibble: a bibliography of the sources Holt consulted would have made the book perfect, rather than practically perfect.
The Queen 70 Years of Majestic Style was published by Ryland, Peters & Small ($24.99/£18.99).
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