The Princess of Wales is known for her savvy spending and often upcycles gowns or rewears dresses from the past. Not one to break the bank with her clothing budget, she’s often found in low cost earrings, college era blouses and vintage blazers as well as riding boots from decades ago.
As the princess has mastered the art of reinventing and repurposing her clothing — royal watchers remain intrigued by her dedication to not maxing out the Crown credit cards or sending King Charles to the tower for unpaid debts.
In fact, the future Queen is a super saver and often keeps pricey purchases in regular rotation (not to mention going head to head with Princess Anne in an endless frugal fashion face-off).
So, how does the Princess of Wales give her past season styles a refresh?
Here are 15 Ways Kate Middleton Refreshed Old Outfits:
1. Layering Swap
The princess debuted her Paule Ka burgundy skirt suit for a meeting with law students in 2012– she paired the short double-breasted peplum jacket with a lacy black crochet undershirt. Five years later, she went for an autumnal approach and opted for a black turtleneck instead.
2. Headgear Variation
Kate’s emerald green Catherine Walker coat has been a favorite of hers in the past; the velvet collar coat with matching cuffs has been worn by Her Royal Highness for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and Remembrance Services. Kate has given the coat a fresh feel by changing her headwear from thick velvet headbands to beret fascinators to completely hatless.
3. Collar Add-On
By adding a faux fur collar to her dark green Catherine Walker coat, the princess breathed new life into her tailored topper.
4. Change of Shoes
Nothing gives a past season outfit a bit of a mini makeover better than a newly purchased pair of shoes. Kate’s Luisa Spagnoli skirt suit is no exception; the princess made the outfit look fresh from the rack by swapping tall suede boots from Aquatalia for round court shoes and then again changing it up with pointed pumps.
5. Handbag Trade-In
Kate gave this Hobbs London Dalmatian print coat new life simply by exchanging an Alexander McQueen Wicca leather mini satchel with her Mulberry Bayswater suede clutch in black.
6. More Flourish
The princess was able to upgrade her swan-like ivory McQueen BAFTA gown with a bit of fresh flair. The British beauty wore the elegant design on the red carpet in 2019 and opted to create a new look with the addition of flirty shoulder drape and glamorous black opera velvet ‘Melissa’ gloves for the 2023 awards ceremony.
7. Hairdo Redo
The princess gave her dazzling green sequin Jenny Packham Georgia evening gown a new vibe with sideswept mermaid curls.
8. Subtract the Shawl
Kate dazzled in cobalt blue Jenny Packham at a Bollywood Charity Gala in 2016. She later recreated the same sartorial story but sans shawl at a gala dinner for Place2Be in 2020.
9. Latest Accessories
A gilded gold McQueen dress with a hibiscus motif was a wardrobe hero in 2012 for the princess in Malaysia. Later, Kate flexed her frugal fashion prowess by following the sustainable dress code at the BAFTAs in 2020 where she added a new clover jewelry set from Van Clef & Arpels.
10. Alterations for the Win
A shrewd and savvy eco-minded dresser, Kate is inclined to give her old looks new life with help from a talented seamstress (or eager courier looking for a promotion). The princess upgraded her black floral McQueen dress with the addition of more modesty courtesy of cap sleeves at the bodice.
11. Change the BSA (Bag, Shoes, Accessories)
There’s no better way to rework and upstyle your existing clothes than with a fresh bag, shoes and jewelry. Kate took this mantra to heart when she had her Roland Mouret cream couture revived with the help of a new Zara bib necklace as well as a black evening clutch and pumps.
12. Stockings Swap
Kate brought Princess Diana energy to rugby match in 2023 in a red and white houndstooth coat by Catherine Walker. She gave the attire fresh feels by trading brown opaque tights for black stockings. (Plus, a switch from heels to booties not to mention a swap from a Chanel flap bag to a Mulberry top handle).
13. Fresh Outerwear
Princess Kate’s spicy orange Gabriela Hearst knit set got entirely new flavor with an outerwear change up. The ravishing royal went from a heavy brown wool McQueen maxi coat to a Massimo Dutti cashmere camel topper.
14. Insert Scarf
The princess can count on wintertime accessories to give her cold weather ensembles more panache. Case in point: adding a green scarf to a tartan dresscoat. Kate fulfilled her Crown commitments in Scotland wearing this green and blue plaid look but throwing on a fringed emerald pashmina from Pickett London earned her extra style credit.
15. Belt Exchange
When the princess wants a new look she frequently adds or subtracts belts. Oftentimes, she will remove the waist cinching accessories for a more streamlined style. Plus, the princess will occasionally pull a quick change like with this teal LK Bennett skirt suit and add an entirely new belt.
