Even in a town where celebrity-studded awards shows are commonplace, it was the most anticipated event of the season. It wasn't Prince William's match at the charity polo game Saturday. It wasn't the visit to Los Angeles' Skid Row on Sunday. It was the unveiling of the Duchess of Cambridge's travel wardrobe. Much expectation followed the young royal couple as they took their first state trip to Canada and the United States, with royal-watchers wondering how they would handle themselves, celebrity-hounds delighting over the mix of real and Hollywood royalty, and fashion observers waiting for new looks from a duchess whose picks can clear stockrooms within hours of an appearance. To many, the former Kate Middleton's sartorial choices hit just the right notes — even though she didn't pack any surprises. She brought all feminine looks, among them: a pleated lilac floor-length gown designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, a vibrant green Diane von Furstenberg shift with a waist-tie, and a silver silk dress with hand-painted flowers by British designer Jenny Packham. “It's like our first ladies,” said Kate Betts, a contributor editor for Time magazine and the author of “Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style.”
