The Chic List: The A-list trend I’ve got on repeat

Fashion’s new mantra? It’s chic to repeat. Of course, we all rewear our most-loved pieces over and over again – who can afford not to? But the idea of returning to favourites from our archives or reworking an old dress with a new accessory is now the most must-be-seen-to-be-doing way to dress in the celebrity world, particularly on the red carpet.

Years ago, actors would ‘rather die, darling’ than be photographed in the same dress twice.

It would have been considered a terrible faux pas. But fast forward to 2023 and, with a seismic shift towards sustainability, everyone who is anyone wants to be seen as a repeater. ‘Oh, this old thing? I’ve worn it loads of times before’ is now being shouted from the rooftops of Tinseltown.

In the forthcoming new season of And Just Like That… Carrie, whose outfits always create debate, wears a redesigned old flight suit and a 80s wedding dress remade into a jumpsuit by the Converted Closet designer Kate McGuire.

Here are some of my other favourite chic-to-repeaters, who’ve been doing this since long before it was seen as good PR…

Cate Blanchett, who in 2014 debuted a black lace Armani Privé gown at the Golden Globes, before rewearing it at Cannes four years later. In 2015 she wore a navy Esteban Cortázar gown at the London premiere of Carol and reworked it five years later for the opening gala of the Venice Film Festival.

Catherine, Princess of Wales has been a clever repeater ever since joining the royals. She reworks and rewears her wardrobe by adding new accessories or a tailor’s tweak. It’s terrific, too, how she mixes high and low brands and put a thrifty spin on regal chic at last month’s Baftas by pairing an upcycled Alexander McQueen gown with earrings from – shock! – Zara. She’d previously worn the dress to the 2019 awards, but transformed the look with a new shoulder design and opera gloves. Smart!

Amal Clooney is also a keen repeater and has been snapped in her Dolce & Gabbana floral minidress to premieres and date nights with husband George. In fact a large portion of her red carpet dresses aren’t new, they’re vintage – as they were long before the trend took off. Back in 2016 she chose an Yves Saint Laurent number from 1981 to wow the Berlin International Film Festival. Respect!

GET A GRIP

Hair clip, £22, cos.com

In the 90s, claw clips were the go-to accessory for casual hairstyles on weekends and beach days. And now they are back. This one by Cos has a pearl-effect finish with gold-tone teeth that’ll keep your strands elegantly in place. It’s an easy way to update your outfit, too.

HOT DROPS

Earrings, £15.99, zara.com

Make a statement like the Princess of Wales did at the Baftas by hitting Zara for head-turning danglers. Its new earring range is suddenly to die for.

ZING THE BLUES 

Cardigan £160, essentiel- antwerp.com/uk

Never known to shy away from colour or bold prints, Essentiel Antwerp’s new collection will leave you feeling rejuvenated. This cobalt blue cardigan ticks all the spring trend boxes. Add a diamanté brooch pin or wear with a maxi skirt for full effect.