The Princess of Wales is a style superstar — known for her classic and regal ensembles with plenty of Queen energy — she’s dedicated to looking effortlessly elegant at all times.
Fond of rewearing and recycling old garments, the princess has a sustainable sartorial approach. Thus, she’s often inclined to take existing items from her closet and repurpose them into new outfits — but what tricks and tactics does she use to make her past season fashions feel brand new?
Here are 14 Clever Ways Kate Middleton Refreshes Old Outfits:
1. She Changes the Hem
The princess took her Hobbs Celeste coat (similar to shop) first worn in February 2012 in chestnut brown and gave the tailored topper a new aesthetic by lengthening the hem. She wore the updated formerly knee-length coat in a revised midi design for a visit to Cornwall in February 2023.
2. She Removes or Adds Faux Fur Collars
Kate repurposed her Catherine Walker double-breasted green midi coat first seen in Ireland in March 2020 by adding a faux fur lapel collar from Troy London. The festive flourish updated the look with a seasonal spin for the Royal Train Tour in December 2020. (The princess also reworked her Hobbs Celeste coat by adding a burgundy faux fur stole from ASOS for Christmas mass in December 2016.)
3. She Removes the Belt
Kate took her timeless and unforgettable lace sheath in champagne from Alexander McQueen (seen at the Queen’s Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving in 2012) and gave the elegant frock a fresh facelift by removing the pink ribbon belt for a Buckingham Palace garden party in June 2014.
4. She Swaps the Belt
For the July 2011 BAFTA Awards, Kate looked like an ethereal fairytale princess gracing the red carpet in a swoon-worthy pale lilac gown (similar to shop) with a white sequin belt. Later, she upcycled the stunning evening gown by swapping the old belt for a new silver rhinestone waistband at the October 2021 Earthshot Prize Awards.
5. She Uses New Accessories
The princess has worn her Self-Portrait Tailored Boucle And Chiffon Midi Dress (similar to shop) on three occasions; each time, she adds new earrings, a different necklace and opts for a change of handbag. For a Hold Still reception in 2021 she wore fringe earrings and a simple necklace (unidentified). Later, she recycled the dress for the Platinum Jubilee Party at the palace in June 2022 and donned her Robinson Pelham Aspen earrings along with a silver cross necklace and metallic clutch. And for a third wear, she gave the blazer dress a fresh take at a VE Day concert in May 2025 with a black oversized statement hair bow by Miu Miu, vintage Susan Caplan pearl 5-strand necklace plus a Chanel mini flap bag.
6. She Reworks the Details
The princess gave her dreamy white Alexander McQueen gown an upgrade when she took the gown (first seen at the BAFTAs in 2019) and swapped the rosette shoulder detail for a dramatic flowy drape giving the gown the illusion of a cape. Kate wore the revised gown for the February 2023 BAFTA red carpet.
7. She Adds a Big Embellishment
Taking her bespoke Jenny Packham white fitted sheath with long sleeves and adding a bit of new regal energy — the princess took the black waistband dress (first seen in May 2023 at a public walkabout on the Mall for coronation celebrations) and gave it a new life in June 2024 by adding an oversized black and white striped statement bow at the neckline.
8. She Tweaks the Sleeves
The princess took her magnificent floral Alexander McQueen black evening gown and breathed new life into the look by updating the 2017 BAFTA floor-length dress with new sleeves. Taking the formalwear look from glamorous to modest, she added cap sleeves to dial down the sultry vibes at the National Portrait Gallery in 2019.
9. She Subtracts a Cape or Clutch
The princess was dazzling in a blue Jenny Packham silk dress with blue beading in India in 2016. And she added more wow factor with a matching sequin cape and clutch. Later, she rewore the striking cobalt gown for a Place2Be reception in 2020 sans cape and bag.
10. She Changes the Shoes or Hat (or Both)
Many times the princess will reach into her clothing cache for the same tried-and-true dresscoats and gowns but she manages to give them a revamp by changing her fascinator or footwear. Case in point: her Michael Kors indigo twill swing coat looked brand new when she swapped navy McQueen suede pumps and a dark blue Weitzman clutch on Anzac Day 2014 for LK Bennett Fern trench (nude) pumps and a box clutch from the brand called the ‘Nina’ for a May 2016 visit to the Magic Garden & Anna Freud Centre.
11. She Changes the Boots and Belt
The princess has worn her red LK Bennett Ami coat on numerous occasions–she changes the look each time by swapping out belts and heels. She has taken the coat (similar to shop) and given it a fresh spin by accenting it with a red croc belt. Later, she added back the tonal matching red one. She also gives the sophisticated coat new appeal by changing shoe styles; for instance, she swapped Zipkin cola brown knee-high suede boots by Stuart Weitzman for court pumps by Russell & Bromley.
12. She Experiments with Brooches
Nothing gives an old coat new life more than a new diamond brooch. The pricness took her cornflower blue Alexander McQueen dressocat first worn in New Zealand in 2014 and gave it more regal flair by adding the Dacre Brooch. The glittery pin features a diamond and ruby crown along with halo of gold leaves accented with green stones set in a circle of lustrous diamonds.
13. She Alters the Accessories
Kate gave her moody Jenny Packham ink tulle silk gown a refresh by adding a show- stopping Nizam of Hyderabad bib necklace at the National Portrait Gallery in February 2014. Previously, she had a more understated and bare neckline for a St. Andrews Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in December 2014 while awaiting the arrival of Princess Charlotte.
14. She Plays with Hairstyles
The princess can make any older outfit feel fresh simply by changing her hairstyle. In 2012 at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, the princess stepped out in this charming Orla Kiely dress featuring a black floral applique detail at the neckline. She wore her hair down in loose, glossy waves. A few years later, she rewore the darling day dress in October 2015 at Islington Town Hall but this time she pulled her hair up into a pretty ponytail with fringe falling nearing her face.
Images Credit: Getty/PA, Kensington Palace
