The Princess of Wales has at all times been a royal title synonymous with elegance, glamour and style—a proviso Kate Middleton has definitely adhered to since assuming the function upon King Charles III’s ascent to the throne.
Following within the footsteps of her late mother-in-law Princess Diana is in no way a straightforward problem, particularly given how the cultural impression the royal’s meringue bubble skirts, black sheep sweaters and penchant for bike shorts has had on the style trade.
However ever since her nascent days as Prince William’s classmate at St. Andrew’s College, the previous Duchess of Cambridge has made this particular technique of gown synonymous along with her personal: recycled vogue.
Middleton’s prowess for re-wearing clothes—be it upcycling them to offer the ensemble a wholly completely different impact or accessorising them barely otherwise to breathe new life into the outfit—is nicely demonstrated. Certainly, British tabloids as soon as dubbed her “Thrifty Kate” for her favourability of purchasing her wardrobe.
And whereas sustainability is a crucial consideration and cornerstone of the style trade at this time, the act of destigmatising outfit repeating is integral to moral fashion—particularly when it’s carried out by one of the vital photographed girls on this planet!
Actually, a few of Middleton’s most memorable appears to be like are rewears of her beloved items. Be it the Grecian-inspired Alexander McQueen robe she wore to an environmentalist gala a decade after she first donned the gown, or her much-adorned Catherine Walker coat gown that’s grow to be a staple in her winter arsenal, Middleton is proof upcycling is a mode the monarchy absolutely helps.
As we collectively produce 92 million tonnes of textile waste yearly, Middleton’s half in decreasing consumption is an act we will all glean one thing from. Whether or not you want sustainable styling inspiration or are simply nosy to see what items from her wardrobe have really withstood the check of time (and altering tastes), we convey you a complete information to each occasion Kate Middleton has re-worn an outfit, forward.
Each Time Kate Middleton Has Re-Worn An Outfit
2024 & 2023: Jenny Packham Costume
Kate Middleton returned to royal duties after disappearing from the general public’s eye on account of struggles with her health on June 15 at Trooping The Colour. Middleton made a shock look on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside Prince William and their children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9 and Prince Louis, 6. For the event, Middleton reprised a white Jenny Packham gown she beforehand wore at a coronation occasion for King Charles III. Middleton accented the smooth gown with a black-and-white ribbon and a wide-brim hat by Philip Treacy.
2023 & 2022: Alexander McQueen Blazer
Middleton’s fondness for a basic pantsuit is well-documented. For the 2023 Rugby World Cup ultimate within the South of France, the royal embraced the Slim Aarons aesthetic of the locale with a sharply-cut blazer from Alexander McQueen. Middleton first wore this piece at one other sporting event: the 2022 Commonwealth Video games.
2023 & 2022: Catherine Walker Coat
Middleton’s royal blue Catherine Walker coat is an indispensable a part of her wardrobe, with the Princess reprising the silhouette thrice throughout the span of two years—and for vital events, too! The coat’s most up-to-date outing got here in July 2023 when she attended the Nationwide Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh. Previous to that, she wore the sculpted piece on the annual Easter Service in 2022—the place she matched with the youngest Wales, Prince Louis—and for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
2023 & 2021: Beulah Costume
Pink is a hue hardly ever seen on Middleton, however one sartorialists agree compliments her essentially the most. (Want we draw your consideration to the shimmering scorching pink The Vampire’s Spouse robe she wore for a 2022 royal tour to The Caribbean?) But, when it got here to a kids’s charity occasion in January 2023, child pink seemed to be the right shade for the event. The belted Beulah midi gown first debuted on the concluding day of the 2021 Wimbledon event.
2023 & 2019: Alexander McQueen Costume
Kate Middleton’s most memorable look of 2023 got here within the type of a shocking one-shoulder robe designed by Alexander McQueen. The piece, pulled from her private archive, premiered on the 2019 iteration of the BAFTAS, although featured embroidered floral motifs on the shoulder in lieu of the draped bow noticed on the latest model. Middleton’s styling selections when upcycling the robe had been particularly highly effective because it virtually seemed to be a wholly new piece altogether. Who would’ve thought a distinct coiffure and the addition of black opera gloves would make such a distinction?
2023 & 2019: Elie Saab Costume
Middleton’s recycled vogue streak continued for King Charles III’s backyard social gathering at Buckingham Palace in celebration of his coronation. The semi-sheer gown was crafted by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, a glance she had beforehand worn to day one of many 2019 Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. Trackside and teatime accepted, certainly.
2022: Chanel Blazer
In 2022, Middleton stepped out on both facet of the Atlantic in the identical Chanel blazer lower than a month aside. The tweed double-breasted jacket dates again to 1995, making it one in every of Middleton’s most archival items in her assortment. (Save for the royal crowns inside her possession, after all.) Surprisingly, Middleton donned the jacket to observe an NBA recreation in Boston, Massachusetts. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the historic metropolis of to attend the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, an occasion they based which celebrates these whose work helps to restore the planet. Speak about a becoming tribute.
2022 & 2021: Alexander McQueen Blazer Costume
In celebration of the 2022 Trooping The Color, which was hosted in the course of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, Middleton re-wore an Alexander McQueen coat gown. The piece was suitably recycled given the primary time it made it’s public look was throughout a chat with the late-monarch on the G7 Summit in Cornwall.
2021 & 2011: Alexander McQueen Costume
It’s the gown that calls to thoughts everytime you consider Kate Middleton’s crimson carpet forays. Sure, the Grecian Alexander McQueen tiered robe is one in every of Middleton’s most iconic appears to be like, but in addition an exemplar of recycled vogue. Middleton launched this gown in 2011, mere months after her marriage ceremony to Prince William and turning into the Duchess of Cambridge. A decade later and along with her husband by her facet, Middleton re-wore the robe for the environmentalist 2011 Earthshot Prize.
2023 & 2025: Zara gown
It’s not simply her luxurious piecest that the princess reaches for continuously. This houndtooth Zara dress has been a go-to of the royal’s since 2020.
