Classic Fashions | The Classic Woman

Charlene, Princess of Monaco

Former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, Princess of Monaco, married Albert II, Prince of Monaco on July 1, 2011. The media coverage of their wedding, in direct contrast to the love story of Kate Middleton and Prince William, revolved around rumors of a bride trying to run away before her wedding and a marriage based on a business deal to produce a legitimate heir rather than on love. Perhaps the rumors are true, perhaps they are not. Chances are most of us will never know the truth, but the one thing that has emerged is that Charlene has an incredible sense of style. Although her fashion sense gets less coverage than the rumors surrounding her personal life, I would like to take a few minutes and focus not on Charlene, the wife of Albert II, but on Charlene, the woman who understands timeless fashion. Chances are she will long be remembered for her elegant dress sense rather than for tabloid rumors.

source: zimbio.com

Princess Charlene is truly a master of the monochromatic theme. She looks ultra chic as she attends the Monaco National Day Celebrations on November 19, 2011, in Monaco, Monaco, wearing an Akris camel double-face cashmere funnel-neck cape with an embroidered sheath dress. She completes the simple, yet elegant look, by adding a pair of leather gloves, nude pumps, and an Akris horsehair Anouk clutch.

source: zimbio.com

Gone are the long blonde tresses and in is a much more confident-looking Princess Charlene. She debuted her new short crop at the Les Devens Leisure Centre in Monaco wearing an olive green shawl layered over a matching shift dress. Again, note how the nude pumps elongate her legs.

source: dailymail.co.uk

More often than not Princess Charlene is spotted in nude footwear, however for Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee lunch at Windsor Castle in May, she opted for heels that matched her pastel seafoam skirt suit. The only neutral accessory this time was the tan perforated top-handle bag she carried.

source: zimbio.com

Attending the Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2012/13 Fashion Couture Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week, Princess Charlene wore a pale pink shift.

source: huffingtonpost.com

Princess Charlene with husband Prince Albert II attends the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix Championship in Monaco in May and shows her “fun, sophisticated” side as she sports a shift dress by Akris with a speeding race car motif.

source: huffingtonpost.com

A few days later, the the royal pair attends the Amber Lounge Fashion Show in Monaco. Princess Charlene once again shows that monochromatic is definitely not boring in her sheer and pleated frock from Albert Kriemler’s Spring 2012 Collection.

Princess Charlene’s Fashion Rules:

1. Monochromatic color themes are elegant, not boring.

2. Nude pumps are the perfect go-to shoes.

3. As a general rule (and do remember, rules are made to be broken), the purse, gloves, and shoes should either be neutral-colored or match the color of the outfit.

4. Classic dressing is not always predictable, there is always room for fun surprises.

Get Charlene’s Look at Saks Fifth Avenue