Poll Results: See Your Winners! & A New Engagement for Kate

It's time for our poll results!

Best Coat

Thousands of you voted for Kate's best pieces from 2014 and it was incredibly interesting to see your favourites. We begin with my favourite poll - coats. The Duchess has a fabulous collection of coats in her wardrobe and made several fabulous new additions last year. It was tough to choose the best one, however, we have a very clear winner.

The bespoke Alexander McQueen coat dress Kate wore in Belgium proved a very popular choice with readers. There's several interesting aspects to the garment including a distinctive peter pan collar and drop waist.

It's interesting to look at the results to determine other possible contenders for the 'Best Coat' title. The Séraphine maternity coat and cerise Mulberry coat Kate wore in New York are our runner-ups. The Mulberry is particularly noteworthy as it sparked quite the debate as to whether or not it was an appropriate sartorial choice for a visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Kate's least popular coat of 2014 was the Erdem 'Allie' coat she debuted during the tour and wore again for the Tour de France launch. The bright grass green isn't the most striking shade, and perhaps one of the factors which contributed to low votes. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Best Gown

There were just three options in our 'Best Gown' poll and they were all stunning and judging by the votes it was a very close call for our readers.

Winning with just over a hundred votes more, the power blue Jenny Packham gown is our poll topper. There was so much to love about this dress: the wrap style, the split, and of course, it was something of a departure for Kate who tends to select very safe choices (a wise policy for someone in her position). It was great to see her having fun and experimenting a little with fashion.

In second place we have Kate's favourite off-the-shoulder Jenny Packham gown, and in third, her black lace DVF 'Zarita' gown. I do hope we see a few gown appearances this year too :)

Best Dress

Our 'Best Dress' poll had had the largest number of options to choose from with an array of new frocks making their debut this year. Yet it was a piece which the Duchess has had in her wardrobe for a few years now which was chosen as your favourite; The bespoke champagne lace Alexander McQueen  Kate wore for The Queen's Garden Party.

A look at the results.

The least popular dress was equally as evident as the most popular. Coming in with a meagre 13 votes was the Hobbs London animal print shirt dress. I must admit it isn't a piece I'm fond of either.

Best Separates

As with our gown poll, the separates poll had just three options.

Kate's bespoke icy-blue McQueen suit is our winner. It was a very appropriate choice for Trooping the Colour and the style and cut of the suit worked very well for the Duchess.

In second place we had the McQueen military-style blouse and skirt, and in last place the Hobbs London 'Emilia' top and Jenny Packham skirt. The latter wasn't popular when Kate wore it and it's an example of having great individual pieces not working well together.

Best Hat

There simply are not enough social occasions nowadays where one has the opportunity to spot a great hat. This is not a problem for the royals, though, and it's one of the best aspects of following their style. Kate's most popular hat of 2014 was the Jane Taylor fleur-ruffle beret she wore in Belgium (given the fact the coat dress won the 'Best Coat' poll it's safe to say it was Kate's most popular look).

The results show several of Kate's hats were popular choices.

The hat which received the lowest number of votes is the Lock & Co. 'Fairy Tale' hat.

With thanks to all of you who took the time to vote; the polls are always so much fun. What are your thoughts on the results? Did your favourites win?

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For those having Kate withdrawls, the Palace has announced a new engagement for Kate. On February 12 the Duchess will visit the home of Ben Ainslie Racing and the 1851 Trust in Portsmouth.

1851 Trust

More from the press release:

'The Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, will visit Portsmouth to see the progress on the new home of Ben Ainslie Racing and the 1851 Trust and view an art project by the local community.

 Kate will also attend a reception at the Spinnaker Tower to meet Portsmouth community members involved the Ben Ainslie Racing project and to view exhibits destined for the Visitor Centre for the Trust at the team’s Portsmouth headquarters, opening in July 2015.'

We expect it will the first of several engagement Kate will have in February.

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As you all know, William, Kate and George are currently on holiday in Mustique. It turns out the Middelton family didn't arrive until a few days after the Cambridges. No doubt they are all soaking up the sun and having a great time together. Interestingly, the photos which were reportedly taken at the airport still haven't surfaced, but the annual family trip made the cover of this week's Hello! Magazine.

Hello! Magazine

Speaking of the Middletons, James has given an interview to The Young Director (a new app and lifestyle digital magazine. When asked if it is frustrating that his work is often overshadowed by his sibling he said:

'Yes, it does get frustrating. I work incredibly hard - just like every other person in business and work. And aside from the fact of - yes, I am the brother of someone very important - I am, at the end of the day, just James.'

You can read more from the interview and see shots from the accompanying photoshoot here.

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Before we sign off for today, we leave you with a look at several gowns from Elie Saab's Spring 2015 Couture Collection. He's not a designer we've seen Kate choose but one I know many of you are fond of (I do LOVE to see designers' latest offerings) and one one which firmly falls in the category of 'We Wish Kate Would Wear'.

Elie Saab

We'll be back with a 'Kate Loves' post! :)