Far from constantly splashing out Crown cash on new handbags and accessories, the Princess of Wales is mindful to adhere to a sustainable style mantra and often plucks past season bags and bling from her Windsor wardrobe.
In fact, the princess has recently altered gowns from her couture closet to rewear in a bid to reduce royal spending and even rented a gown for a red carpet appearance in late December 2022. As the UK faces a challenging economic outlook with a cost of living crisis and soaring energy prices, the British beauty is certain to rein in her heavy style spending.
Proving she’s committed to the environment and a staunch supporter of royal recycling, Princess Kate has stealthily worn six closet throwbacks recently — with a few of the items having been a part of her royal clothing collection for over 10 years!
Here are 6 of Kate Middleton’s Most Surprising and Impressive Recent Rewears:
Three months after announcing their engagement — Kate made her first royal appearance in Anglesey, North Wales in February 2011. The bride-to-be was beaming with pride as she and Prince William greeted over 1000 well-wishers on a walkabout, christened a lifeboat with champagne and met with volunteers and rescue crews. She also recited the Welsh national anthem flawlessly. For the seaside outing, Kate wore a tailored cream coat from Katherine Hooker along with a feathered fascinator from Vivien Sheriff Millinery. The already cost conscious princess recycled her contrast coat with velvet detailing from a day at the horse races at Cheltenham Festival circa March 2006. (She shortened the length of the coat). So, it comes as no big surprise that Kate would be a frugal fashionista and rewear the same cashmere leather lined gloves from her early royal days. Whether a tribute to her romance with the prince and their blossoming betrothal or simply a perfect add-on to her Christmas attire — Kate donned the delicate hand sewn three-point stitched gloves with decorative buttons for the second time in December 2022.
2. Jaegar Kate Navy Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag
Ahead of the quilted bag trend, Princess Kate first wore this classic navy textured bag in June 2012 for a visit to Nottingham. A month later she donned the bag for a day at Wimbledon alongside Prince William to watch the men’s tennis finals. Proving she loves a good investment handbag, Kate recently un-retired the chain bag priced at $190 for an outing to a Ukrainian Community Centre in November 2022.
3. Stuart Weitzman Muse Clutch in Chocolate Brown Suede
Sold at UK retailer Russell and Bromley, this chic suede clutch was in Kate’s royal rotation starting in 2011 when she visited Denmark in a red wool coat by LK Bennett which she paired with her Weitzman designer handbag. An astonishing 12 years later — the Crown changemaker met with childhood educators in a Massimo Dutti coat and Gabriela Hearst separates including a Peppe turtleneck and Epper skirt. The future Queen resurrected her $349 flap closure bag for the January 2023 outing.
4. LK Bennett Darwin Shearling Coat in Chocolate Brown
The princess first wore this 100% sheepskin jacket with exposed shearling at the cuffs and collar in December 2011 to watch Prince William play football. The Berkshire beauty wore the heavy winter coat throughout 2012; the winter staple made its final appearance in the Swiss Alps in March 2013 when Kate donned the Darwin with MukLuk boots for a ski vacation. Fast forward 10 years later and the chocolate brown coat made a comeback in February 2023 for a countryside outing; Kate met radio host Roman Kemp in the throwback topper.
5. Heavenly London Imitation Pearl and Diamond Earrings
In July 2011, the Queen and future Princess of Wales (at the time Duchess of Cambridge) met to view a dress exhibition in her honor featuring her Alexander McQueen wedding gown at Buckingham Palace. For the viewing, Kate wore a pale pink Joseph knee-length dress called the ‘Scala Stretch Crepe Dress.’ She also debuted a new pair of earrings from Heavenly Necklaces. The budget friendly faux pearl and diamond earrings cost just $115. Kate was last spotted in the sparklers at a wedding in June 2012. Yet, cash conscientious Catherine wasn’t about to bin these beauties –she rewore the imitation pearl and diamond earrings three times this year so far including in February 2023 for a visit to South Wales. The company now known as Heavenly London still sells the classic drop earrings.
6. Adidas Performance Pureboost X Sneakers
These black foam boosted sneakers with teal laces were spotted on Princess Kate in May 2016 in Portsmouth at an event for young sailors. Kate changed clothes and wore heavy technical gear for a high speed sailing adventure. Six years later, the princess selected the athletic shoes for a competitive sailing outing in Plymouth.
