The Royal Treatment.

I’m a wee bit late to the game, but I am srsly enjoying the Netflix show The Crown.  Mr. Magpie always rolls his eyes at what he perceives to be America’s odd fixation with royalty, but I can’t help it–I’m sucked in. I mean…my girlfriends and I woke up at the break of dawn to enjoy scones and mimosas while watching the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton a few years ago.  And I’d do it again.  The pomp!  The circumstance!  The chaste kiss!  Her epic dress!  Pippa’s even MORE epic dress!  (Holy hell, what a smoke show!)  Too good.  If you, like me, get swept up with this, you should probably treat yourself to the trashy beach read The Royal We, which I swallowed in one giant gulp within the span of a few days.  Delicious.)

At any rate, somewhere between The Crown and the recent inauguration, I’ve gotten swept up in a fantasy envisioning what I would wear if I were a head of state, and how I’d fashion myself after Grace Kelly…which led me to ask myself: “Why do I need to be a head of state to dress a certain way?”  Which led me to add a lot of very ladylike, elegant pieces–but with a modern twist–to my digital shopping cart.  Which is now leading to a lot of discomfort in that I should probably wait to order anything until after this babe arrives so I can return items that don’t fit.  But the heart wants what it wants.  And my heart wants to look like this on the reg:

Below, the pieces I’m currently majorly lusting after:

+I’m sorry for over-featuring Vivetta, but GUYS.  This print–so whimsical, and this shape–so feminine ($452).  I need need need need.  Just the thing for some sort of outdoor summer affair–a horse race or a polo match or something.  My sister actually JUST got the dress below in the blue jungle print I featured a few weeks ago here, and I’m epically jealous.

+In case you were wondering: this ($435) is the perfect sandal.  Funky but elegant, and it goes with virtually anything.

+Mini Kayu tote magic ($59).

+I’m still smitten with RedValentino everything–including this prim little dress (on sale for $326).

+Dolce + Gabbana silk scarf ($485).  Loft has a bunch of fab printed square silk scarves available right now, too, for a fantastic price! — check out this adorable bird print ($34) and this one, too ($19).  I’ve been tying one around the handle of my bag, as shown here, lately.

+For meetings, a classic boucle jacket with a twist — love the frayed edges on this Iro jacket ($356).  This bow-waist boucle jacket from Ann Taylor ($169) is a stunning way to get the look for less, though.  Die over that ladylike bow!  Or, this glossy-buttoned J. Crew cropped boucle jacket.  Tres Jackie O.

+A ribbed turtleneck dress from ALC ($139 PLUS AN EXTRA 40% OFF?!?!) is ladylike but sexy.

+I love the big ol bows on these M. Gemis ($228).

+This croc-effect crossbody from Elizabeth + James (on sale for $176) is the chicest thing EVER.  It looks so high end, especially that clasp.

+In a similar vein: this $100 TopShop fit + flare dress.

+A vintage Dior LadyBag ($3,295) would be the epic accent piece here.  I mentioned my obsession with these bags recently here.  DIE.

+These bow-wrist gloves ($66) would probably be involved.

+Or, for an outdoor garden party, how about this striped jumpsuit ($138)?  Very young Queen Elizabeth if you ask me.

+But also, very au courant, when paired with this bucket bag from Frances Valentine ($195).  (Or, get the look for less with one of these wicker basket bags I raved about last week here from Etsy storefront Space Rocket Store for a cool $65.  I connected with the owner of the shop–based in Portugal!–and she told me that all of these bags are handmade by artisans, inspired by Jane Birkin, who popularized the basket style in the 60s.  Supah fly.)

+Perfection with these Schutz lace-up-and-cork sandals ($200).

+Finally, for every day ladylike glam: I’m loving the high-end elegance of this MDS Stripes top ($395).  Or, get the look for less with this from Ulla Johnson ($184) OR (drumroll please) this $66 steal (LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE). Or, if you’re like me and enjoy winter until mid-June (ugh, Chicago), this tie-waist long-sleeved lovely top would be a stunning alternative.  (And it’s $59!)

+This top would look especially stunning with a sweet midi-length blush skirt ($59!)

+Perfect (I mean, perfect) suede flats ($198).

+I daydream about splurging on a Mayra Fedane trunk bag ($985).  OMG.  I die–D.I.E.–over them.

+Maybe throw a little scarf situation in there (love this blush style — $29), over your hair or as a headband or just tied around the handle of your bag.

BTW.  If Grace Kelly did yoga, I’m pretty sure she would have worn this top (on sale for $68).  Swoon.  Also available in black here.

And P.S. – one of you lovely readers recently commented on how much you love these more ladylike looks.  I LOVEEE to hear from you magpies — keep the commentary coming!