The Duchess of Cambridge has transformed her wardrobe into an ‘eco-closet’ this year, by opting for sustainable brands and re-wearing older items for her royal appearances.
And now stylists have revealed how Kate Middleton’s, 38, wardrobe is not only impeccably stylish and practical, but also guiding the public to be more conscious of their fashion choices.
Over the weekend, the Duchess stepped out in a £525 blue gown from environmentally-friendly brand Beulah London as she paid a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn to mark the 72nd anniversary.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, has crafted an ‘eco-closet’ by rewearing outfits, opting for vintage pieces and selecting pieces from brands who put sustainability at the forefront of their ethos (pictured, wearing Beulah London last weekend)
Meanwhile the royal has also opted for vintage pieces, such as an Oscar de la Renta gown (left) for royal engagements, as well as rewearing older items (pictured, rewearing an Alexander McQueen gown for the Commonwealth Service in March)
Speaking to FEMAIL, stylist Susie Hasler, who runs Styled By Susie said the move was particularly poignant because of the ‘Kate effect’, revealing: ‘As we know, when Kate wears a style or a brand, it’s instantly in demand – she can use her ‘buying power’ to influence potentially millions of women around the world.’
Susie continued: ‘To see her wearing brands that have strong ethical values is very powerful – and is something we are seeing more of in the industry.’
‘So by supporting and endorsing these brands, Kate is also guiding the rest of us in terms of the types of clothes we should be buying.’
Meanwhile the stylist added: ‘Considering the royal family have come under fire in the past for wearing clothing with real fur etc, it seems Kate is making more careful choices about her clothing and where they’re ethically sourced.’
Sustainable brands
Throughout her royal appearances during the coronavirus pandemic, the royal has often opted for Beulah London, which donates a portion of profits to victims of India’s sex trafficking trade
Meanwhile the Duchess also stepped out in a new brand, an Australian brand Faithfull, which has a ‘thoughtful’ manufacturing process behind each garment
The royal has showcased new dresses during the coronavirus pandemic, but has often worn items from brands who boast low-impact sourcing and manufacturing processes (left, wearing Ghost, and right, in Raey)
The mother-of-three, who is currently staying with her husband Prince William, 38, and their children, George, six, Charlotte, five, and Louis, two, in Anmer Hall in Norfolk, donned a deep blue Beulah London gown as she spoke to staff and families about the coronavirus pandemic during the visit last weekend.
Beulah London, co-founded by Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan in 2010, has become a go-to label for Kate, who has stepped out in the designs on a number of occasions.
In May, the royal opted for a £550 pretty red floral gown by the brand for a virtual appearance for , with the dress featuring a bold white collar.
The London label donates a portion of profits to victims of India’s sex trafficking trade.
And it’s not the only brand with a focus on sustainability that the royal has focused on during the pandemic.
Kate donned the floral printed ‘Marie-Louise’ from Bali headquartered Faithfull The Brand for a visit to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in June.
The womenswear label was founded by Australian Sarah-Jane Abrahams and Norwegian Helle Them-Enger in 2012 after they met while travelling Indonesia and bonded over their love of clothing and coffee.
Although it’s unclear where Kate first spotted Faithfull, her interest in the brand is likely to have been piqued by its ‘thoughtful’ manufacturing process in which every garment is made by hand.
Meanwhile earlier this year, the royal also donned a blue gown from Ghost, and a yellow dress from Raey, both of which boast low-impact sourcing and manufacturing processes.
Royal re-wears
The Duchess of Cambridge wowed in bright yellow as she joined Prince William, 37, to thank Australia’s first responders in a video message
The Duchess recycled a sunny £900 dress from London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic which she first wore during the couple’s trip to Australia in 2014
The Duchess has a reputation for her thrifty royal rewears, and is often able to recycle older clothing for new, stylish outfits.
The habit hasn’t been stopped by the coronavirus pandemic, with the royal rewearing several pieces from years ago for virtual appearances.
In June, the Duchess recycled a £900 bright yellow Roksanda Ilincic dress which she first wore in Sydney in 2014, as she joined Prince William, 37, to thank Australia’s frontline workers in a video message released to mark the country’s Inaugural Thank a First Responder Day.
Kate also recycled her beloved blue Stella McCartney dress for the fifth time as she appeared in a Zoom call promoting her community photography contest.
The thrifty Duchess was seen wearing the vibrant £685 frock, which an expert has said signifies ‘peace and freedom’, as she shared some of the entries to the project.
The mother-of-three was first seen in the dress in 2012, wearing it for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery at the beginning of July, and then in August at the London 2012 Games when watching Men’s Singles Tennis.
Meanwhile Kate recycled her beloved blue Stella McCartney dress for the fifth time as she appeared in a Zoom call promoting her community photography contest in June
The mother-of-three was first seen in the dress in 2012, wearing it for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery at the beginning of July
And it’s not just during the coronavirus pandemic that the Duchess has adopted the styling trick.
At the Commonwealth Service in March, Kate recycled a scarlet 1940s custom made Catherine Walker coat dress, last worn on Christmas Day at Sandringham in 2018.
The royal repeated her trick on a multitude of occasions during her tour of Ireland, recycling a coat she first wore more than a decade ago as she joined Prince William in Dublin.
Kate wrapped up against the cold in an elegant Reiss coat, which she debuted when she joined then boyfriend William for cousin Peter Phillips’ 30th birthday party in November 2007.
Thrifty Kate strikes again! Duchess of recycled a coat she first wore more than a decade ago as she joined Prince William at a mental health organisation Dublin in March (pictured left, and right in January 2008 when she first wore the coat)
The thrifty royal re-wore the piece a number of times in the following years, including to her 26th birthday dinner in January 2008 and to Prince William’s RAF graduation in the April of that year.
It has remained in the wardrobe in the decade since but has been brought back out for the second day of their Irish royal tour today.
Meanwhile on her final red carpet appearance ahead of the coronavirus lockdown at the BAFTAs , the royal recycled a white and gold gown by Alexander McQueen she first wore in 2012.
Ahead of this year’s ceremony, Bafta bosses had urged attendees to ‘dress sustainable’ and encouraged to re-wear outfits, hire gowns or don vintage ensembles for the occasion.
Vintage
Meanwhile in March, the royal stepped out of her comfort zone by donning a vintage Oscar de la Renta gown during her visit to Ireland
The Duchess isn’t known for her love of vintage pieces, but she wowed royal fashion fans in March by stepping out in an Oscar de la Renta gown.
The royal cut a fashionable figure as she donned a bold fuchsia polka dot dress for a glamorous reception alongside Prince William for the reception in Dublin.
The royal paired the trendy pink dress, which featured a ruffle neck and bold black polka dots, with a black clutch bag and a pair of dangling gold earrings.