7 Outfits Kate Middleton Has Repeated Like A Sustainable Fashion Queen
As a working royal, Kate Middleton is tasked with meeting impeccable standards to align with the royal dress code. Fortunately for the Princess of Wales, the historically strict rules and regulations surrounding appropriate royal attire have loosened up over the years. This very necessary shift in priorities has placed more emphasis on sustainability, which has allowed her to remain loyal to her environmentally friendly values. In actuality, this means that the beloved princess has undergone a stunning style transformation and is often seen recycling accessories, outerwear, and even entire outfits. Yes, Kate Middleton is a certified outfit repeater — and proud of it.
"Kate is one of the most prolific outfit repeaters in the royal family, frequently rewearing favourite outfits time and time again," royal fashion expert Miranda Holder told Hello! As such, recycling her outfits serves two purposes. Most importantly, repeating outfits signals to the public that Kate is a responsible advocate for fashion sustainability. However, it also reassures British citizens that she's mindful of chipping away at her royal allowance. "There has been lots written about the duchess and Prince William's spending," fashion writer Simon Glazin told the Daily Mail. "It's likely to be the reason why she is thrifty with her wardrobe and often recycles dresses and coats. Even a princess has to dress on a budget." That said, the following outfit repeats prove that Kate's thrifty spending habits haven't affected her fashionista status in the least.
Kate Middleton styled this Catherine Walker coatdress two years in a row
At an Easter Service in 2023, Kate Middleton wore an eye-catching cobalt-blue coatdress from Catherine Walker. However, she first debuted the all-blue ensemble a year prior at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. To freshen up the look, Kate traded her black clutch for a matching blue suede clutch and a structured pillow box hat. She also omitted her accessories. Pops of cobalt blue are one of 2024's hottest colors, so we're taking notes on how to style this vivid shade for spring and summer.
Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen ballroom gown is a BAFTA regular
At the 2019 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), Kate Middleton wore a snow-white dress with an asymmetrical neckline designed by Alexander McQueen. This regal gown made another appearance four years later when she attended the 2023 BAFTAs in the very same dress. However, she upgraded the look with black opera gloves, statement earrings, and pin-straight hair. Additionally, the princess altered the dress by substituting the gauzy shoulder detail for more elegant draping.
It's no wonder why Kate Middleton rewore this Elie Saab dress
Lebanese designer Elie Saab is known for his haute couture designs and this dreamy powder-blue dress is certainly fit for royalty. Everything from the pussy-bow blouse to the elegant tulle skirt makes this one of Kate Middleton's top royal ensembles. She has worn this Elie Saab outfit at two different events, including the 2019 Royal Ascot and a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2023. Kate accessorized the outfit with the same clutch for both events but wore different earrings.
Kate Middleton loves this black Holland Cooper blazer
Kate Middleton was spotted wearing a black twill blazer by Holland Cooper on several separate occasions. Notably, she donned the double breasted blazer in 2021 during a trip to Scotland with William, Prince of Wales, where the pair visited their alma mater, the University of St. Andrews. Kate also wore the gold-buttoned blazer in 2023 while visiting the Royal Navy Air Station in Somerset. For both events, the princess rocked a bouncy blowout and minimal accessories, but she mixed it up by trading the striped jumper for a lighter blouse.
She waited a decade to rewear this Alexander McQueen gown
At the 2011 BAFTAs in Los Angeles, Kate Middleton dressed up in a lilac Grecian-inspired gown by Alexander McQueen. Kate donned this pleated dress 10 years later at the Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony in 2021. The Earthshot ceremony event is an environmentalist initiative founded by William, Prince of Wales, so Kate's decision to recycle her BAFTA gown was very much on brand. The only major difference between the two occasions was her choice of belt. She swapped her silver beaded belt for a gold version in 2021.
Kate Middleton re-styled this Alexander McQueen pantsuit
Alexander McQueen is clearly one of Kate Middleton's most worn designers, so it comes as no surprise that the princess has been spotted wearing this sophisticated all-white pantsuit several times. For instance, during a Caribbean tour in 2022, Kate wore this stunning pantsuit while visiting the Prime Minister of Jamaica. She also recycled the structured blazer for another outfit, worn at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. In Jamaica, she opted for an orange blouse and matching handbag instead of a head-to-toe monotone look.