Known for her magical ability to rewear decades old clothing, footwear and accessories, Princess Kate can make any long ago look feel fresh and new. The thrifty and eco-minded mom of three tries to incorporate past season blazers, out of stock shoes and dated accessories into her latest fashion outings. Waving the fashion flag for sustainable style and displaying her commitment to frugality, Kate is a master of the royal recycle.
Here are 14 of Kate Middleton’s Oldest Fashion Rewears and Recycles:
- Signature Scottish Style
Rewear Record: 7+ Years
The princess has long been a fan of green and blue blackwatch tartan coats — worn for trips to neighboring Scotland or for holiday outings — the royal can’t resist the heritage charm and preppy playfulness of colorful plaid. Kate has worn the Alexander McQueen coat on multiple occasions including for a school visit to St. Andrews in 2012, Christmas with the royal family in 2013 and for a trip to Dundee, Scotland in 2019.
2. Sheath Story
This Stella Sheath has earned major mileage in Kate’s Windsor wardrobe — the princess has worn the ‘Ridley’ design from Beatles star Paul McCartney’s fashion designer daughter in July 2012 for a National Portrait Gallery exhibition and years later for a Hold Still video message. The princess has recycled the heavy jersey dress on at least six occasions.
Rewear Record: 8 Years
3. Green Queen
Arguably one of Kate’s most expensive designer labels is the exclusive clothing courtesy of ready-to-wear British designer Erdem Moralıoğlu. Preparing to earn her Queen credentials, the royal always looks elegant in her Erdem ‘Allie’ wool crepe coat. The zipped waist jacket was spotted on the princess in New Zealand in 2014 and reworn twice more before it’s most recent appearance in October 2021.
Rewear Record: 7 Years
4. Golden Girl
Opting for one of her most stunning statement gowns, the princess recycled a gold and cream dress from Alexander McQueen for a red carpet moment at the BAFTA Awards in 2020. Looking angelic in her sheer gown adorned with floral motifs, gilded sequin and intricate embroidery, Kate was true shining starlet nearly a decade after her first appearance in the ballgown in Malaysia in 2012.
Rewear Record: 8 Years
5. Forever Coat
Perhaps Kate’s Reiss ‘Olivia’ coat is one of her longest lasting and most mighty wardrobe workhorses. Worn for shopping, errands and excursions during her pre-royal life, Kate donned the cream and black button topper for her 26th birthday and later for a parade in 2008. The jacket was also spotted on the princess during a wedding rehearsal in April 2011 and made its last appearance in March 2020.
Rewear Record: 10+ Years
6. Bridal Blouse
Wearing a creamy beige blouse from Whistles for engagement portraits with Prince William circa 2010, the future Queen was stunning in the frilly front blouse from the high-street contemporary fashion chain. Rumor has it the princess first purchased the 100% silk ruffled shirt in 2008 and its since been confirmed that sister Pippa Middleton owns the identical top.
Rewear Record: 11+ Years
7. Country Catherine
The nature loving princess has worn her beloved Penelope Chilvers tassel riding boots for nearly two decades. Perfect for farm visits and garden engagements, Kate has donned the conker brown boots since 2004. Since then, she’s worn them on at least nine official royal outings. The knee-high equestrian boots remain a staple in Kate’s closet of country classics and down-to-earth daywear.
Rewear Record: 14 Years
8. Royal Blue
Showing off her budget minded and cost saving sensibilities, Kate wore the blue Reiss ‘Trina’ dress for one of her earliest royal engagements at the Treehouse Children’s centre in 2012. Fast forward eight years and the mom of three proved she can still fit into all her former fashions; Kate repeated the belted tuxedo design for a home video message about her 5 Big Insights research project in 2020. And giving more credibility to Kate’s dedication to renewable fashion, the princess’ mother Carole Middleton also has stepped out in the sapphire style (believed to be a family trade) for Royal Ascot 2010.
Rewear Record: 8 Years
9. Lovely in Lilac
Demonstrating how it’s still possible to reengineer old closet favorites and breathe life into closet throwbacks, Kate wore a Grecian lavender Alexander McQueen gown in July 2011 for the BAFTA Awards in Los Angeles. Debuting the dreamy dress just months after her wedding to Prince William, the second time Kate wore the pleated chiffon dress on the Earthshot green carpet was after having given birth to three royal heirs.
Rewear Record: 10 Years
10. Seas the Day
The princess wore this Alexander McQueen military silk blouse for royal duty in Birmingham in August 2011. Showing off her prowess for fashion reinvention, the Shaping Us campaigner brought the blouse back in November 2021 for an Imperial War Museum visit. The georgette blouse stands the test of time as the elegant workwear shirt has navy trim, gold button fastening epaulets and a peplum style flared hem.
Rewear Record: 10 Years
11. Cozy Classic
The British beauty first wore this L.K. Bennett shearling coat in chocolate brown in December 2011 to watch her husband play polo alongside Prince Harry. She donned the 100% sheepskin jacket on a few more off-duty occasions including a trip to Switzerland in March 2013. More than 10 years later, Kate dusted off the ‘Darwin’ for a mental health video in early February 2023.
Rewear Record: 12 Years
12. Scarlet Scarf
Kate wore a fringed statement scarf believed to be from Hugo Boss (or Pickett London) in bright red on tour in Canada in July 2011. Many years later she donned the same cozy winter accessory for a trip to a Goat Farm in Wales.
Rewear Record: 11 Years
13. Barbie Best
Proving she was ahead of the Barbiecore trend, Princess Kate wore a coral pleated pencil dress from Stella McCartney for Prince Philip’s private 90th birthday party celebrations back in 2011. And in proof of her knack for restyling, she wore the bow embellished dress again but this time for Prince Archie’s christening in 2019.
Rewear Record: 8 Years
14. Unbreakable Blazer
Not one to purchase a new jacket every year, Kate has made her Smythe Classic Duchess one-button blazer a mainstay in her Crown clothing cabinet. Wearing the versatile navy jacket with notched lapels, the ravishing royal has donned the jacket on over 10 occasions for athletic events including Olympics outings, SportsAid workshops and Wimbledon.
Rewear Record: 10 Years
