Can customers separate the item from the wearer?

Pitting women against each other is, alas, something of a national / global sport. We will never truly know what went on between the Duchess of Sussex and the Princess of Wales, and I refuse to be on ‘team’ one or the other, even if most of the outlets I work for are. You don’t have to be blessed with elite powers of perception to note that most UK media outlets favour Kate, but this week in particular, I was struck by how much slack she’s cut when it comes to her fashion choices in comparison to Meghan. 

On Wednesday, Kate rocked up to a public engagement in a knitted jumper and matching skirt – very fashionable, very timely, very something Meghan would have been roasted for, had she had the temerity to wear knitwear to a similar event. “Granny chic” might have been the mildest criticism. “Wholly inappropriate and wilfully casual” might have been the worst. Meanwhile, the ivory blazer and matching trousers Meghan wore for a public appearance in New York hours earlier was criticised in some quarters for… well, just about everything.

I’m interested in what PRs make of this. I realise that whenever Kate or Meghan wears a brand, it’s a solid win: both shift huge amounts of stock, period. Or is it that simple? Does a scathing critique of the outfit lower sales, or can customers separate the item from the wearer? Over to you.