Week in Review: Charlene Wittstock, 23-29 January

Here's what Charlene Wittstock wore the week of 23-29 January:

1.  At the circus, 25 January. Dress from Akris.
2. Sainte-Devote celebrations, 26 January.
3. At the cathedral for Sainte-Devote, 27 January.

What kind of dress codes are we working with here, kids? Is all this black truly necessary? I buy it at the cathedral, I might buy it for the other Sainte-Devote festivity, but at the circus too? Oh, for the love of some color.


Photos: PurePeople/Abaca/Getty/Zimbio

Royal Fashion Awards: Monaco's Circus

The circus is in town! In Monte Carlo, to be exact. Quite an event, this International Circus Festival, and as usual it brought those crazy Monegasque royals out in droves. They're always good for discussion, so let's get down to business:

Best Couple

Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo

Snuggly and cute, these two. Demonstrating two correct scarf-sporting methods, I might add: for decoration without overwhelming your outfit as in the first picture (most astutely noted by reader Alpa who emailed me pics) and when you're required to wear them, as in the second picture.

Most Formal

Charlene Wittstock

Wearing the winter version of her summer engagement dress, Charlene here is a whole lot of done up for the circus, right? It was her birthday that day, I suppose we're all allowed to dress up to whatever version of the nines we please. Not that I would know what the appropriate dress code for a circus visit is anyways. Nothing's scarier than a clown, if you ask me.

Most Appropriate

Princess Alexandra

Now, see, this is what I expect at the circus. Complete with what looks to be a repeat of the mouse shoes from National Day.

Best Sport

Pauline Ducruet

How many teenage girls can you think of that would be willing to sport a ridiculous wig in public? In front of cameras, no less! Points to Ms. Ducruet for that alone. The rest is typical teen, right down to the skinny trousers, but she looks happy to support her mom. Hey, Albert gets points too:

Most At Home

Princess Stephanie

I'm just going to say it: she looks good. She looks comfortable and happy to be circus-ing it up (she's the president of the organization, I believe). Still clearly not in the couture realms of her sister, but for Stephanie, this'll do. Oh, except for the SHOOTIES on display in that last picture. That will never do.

Best Circus Outfit

Charlotte Casiraghi

Well, she didn't actually go to the circus, but you wear clown pants, this is what you get. She's at a Gucci party, she's wearing a Gucci outfit. The same thing was worn by Jennifer Lopez. Not a lot of crossover there, royalty and J.Lo., usually. (Preferably.) This is kind of steezy though; you know, she's working the whole "I just woke up and threw on this old designer rag, and I could care less what you think" look. Which is sort of her thing, I guess.

So, what do you think: is Charlotte working it? Is Charlene overdressed? Do clowns scare you too?

Photos: Zimbio

Month in Review: Charlene Wittstock, June

Here's what Charlene Wittstock wore in June:

1. Attending the 40th birthday party for Jimmy'z nightclub in Monaco, 4 June.  Well, it is at a nightclub, I guess?
2. Monte Carlo TV Festival, 9 June.  Glad to see Albert took my everyone's advice on resolving the awkwardness here.
3. World Cup opening ceremony and South Africa vs. Mexico match, 11 June.  I missed a royal in my trend watch, didn't I?  Despite the national scarf spirit for Charlene's home team, the game was a draw.
4. Inauguration of Ikhaya Lemidlalo humanitarian sports and recreation project, 12 June.  Looks like some kind of dress or long top over leggings and knee high boots, maybe?
5. Pre-wedding concert and dinner, 18 June.
6. Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, 19 June.
7. Engagement portraits, 23 June, a) on the runway and b) in portrait.  Have to say I'm shocked she didn't go for an Armani number; Giorgio's been her regular sartorial boyfriend for some time now.  Nice posing on the portrait there - this is a number that looks better from the back and side views.
8. Attending a synchronized swimming event in Monaco, 30 June.  Sleek and simple, though I can't help but think it would have been more at home at a proper cocktail hour rather than in a stadium.  The real question, though - Charlene doesn't seem to have worn her whopper of an engagement ring.  She looks like she's sporting a smaller diamond instead.  Did she get two rings?

Best and Worst of the Month

The beige Armani may have been a near duplicate of the dress she wore the night before, but it's gorgeous nonetheless.  It was a very appropriate choice for a not-yet-engaged girlfriend of a sovereign.  Not appropriate, on the other hand, was that tropical number.  The dress and the hair should have stayed at the beach.

Photos: PurePeople/Abaca/Michelly Rall/WireImage/Stella Pictures/Belga/Marcio Madeira/PPE/Palais Princier-Monaco/Getty Images