For her: Bella Figura
The funny thing about real top events is that, in contrast to fashion shows or other marketing events, nobody is ever really well dressed. Except for King Charles, of course, the most elegant man in the world. The top event of the week was the state banquet with him and the Queen Consort. As is well known, queens always look a bit removed from time and they are allowed to do so, just like the German ladies from society, who once again made a name for themselves with their unconditional love for silk taffeta and stoles. This touching fashion ignorance is a great consolation in times when you have to watch influencers on Instagram in glamorous places celebrating their perverse lust for luxury, just like the typically German, completely uneccentric hat that Elke Büdenbender wears at the reception of the royal couple on the Brandenburger gate wore. But at the same time, you’re happy if at least one guest doesn’t look like a shovel of mushrooms. Franca Lehfeldt, the wife of our Minister of Finance Christian Lindner, appeared at the dinner at Bellevue Palace in a red evening gown, with a modern chignon hairstyle and with appropriate anticipation on her face. The white cardigan worn over the dress is far from perfect as it interferes with the train. And therefore just right: a total look by a designer, picked out by a stylist would have been an inelegant Instagram move. But as it is: ten out of ten stars for the beautiful minister’s wife.
For him: wanted format
A pretty meanness of protocol was the “white tie” dress code for gentlemen at the state banquet on the occasion of the royal visit. One would have loved to have been there when the male guests, faced with the invitation, realized that their existing tuxedo wasn’t enough this time, and that the number had to be googled by the costume rental company. Because probably only President Steinmeier should have his own tails hanging in his closet, and you don’t even buy that kind of thing quickly in the nearest men’s boutique. The big formal suit is generally considered to be the most elegant thing a man can wear. It’s not just a classier version of the suit like the tuxedo, but a completely unique tailoring construct for which Fred Astaire still holds the world record. With his strangely soft lapel waistcoat, stand-up collar shirt, wide-open jacket and double galloons on the trouser legs, he has a wealth of curious details ready, and even without a top hat it is certainly difficult at first not to feel completely disguised in it. If you interpret Christian Lindner’s facial expression correctly upon arrival, he was still in the phase of self-discovery here, at the point at which one behaves like a circus director or magician. In fact, with his well-trained figure, he is not exactly the ideal figure in tails, or rather: the magic power of tails unfolds even more clearly in puny or somewhat voluptuous men. That was a compliment.