We can all be guilty of falling into style patterns – thinking we’ve found a formula that works for us and running with it. Coco Chanel may have said that “fashion is fleeting, but style is eternal,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not healthy to constantly re-evaluate your wardrobe and evolve the way you dress.
The Princess of Wales used the early forties for this purpose. After developing a globally recognized personal style at the age of 30, she’s made some fine adjustments over the past two years, meaning that as she celebrates her 42nd birthday, she looks arguably more sophisticated than ever.
These are the fashion habits she adopted to make this possible.
Keep introducing new brands
There were certain labels that Kate became synonymous with in her early royal life – you might remember those nude LK Bennett heels or all the Catherine Walker and Co coats. And while these old favorites still have a place, the princess and her longtime stylist Natasha Archer understand that injecting some new names will keep things fresh.
For example, at her Together at Christmas carol service, the Princess wore a sleek white tailored coat which, it was revealed, was a custom design by Chris Kerr, a Savile Row-trained tailor who counts Nick Cave and Keanu Reeves among his clients. . He is an unexpected but inspired choice to add some mature elegance to the royal repertoire.
Even more relatable, Kate has finally jumped on the clothing bandwagon that thousands of British women have been on for years and is now wearing two dresses from vintage-inspired label Rixo.
Risking
The princess now knows exactly what suits her. But she has made an attempt (within reason) to try out some new ideas that will keep royal watchers glued for wardrobe plot twists. These are also often some of her most talked about outfits.
Take Alessandra Rich’s yellow floral dress with puffed sleeves, which she debuted in the Bahamas in 2022—a charming nod to vintage glamor for some, gaudy and old-fashioned for others. For everyone who thought the polka dot tea dress at Royal Ascot that same year was a sweet tribute to Princess Diana, there was someone who thought it was too “cosplay.” Then there’s the red cape worn to greet the president of South Korea in November, which, depending on who you speak to, was dramatic and glamorous, or eerily reminiscent of a The Handmaid’s Tale costume.
You can never please everyone, but for those of us who are less concerned about trying something new, it can be an empowering exercise.
Build a collection of the pieces you rely on most
Previously you’d never have seen the Princess don a tailored jacket, but now she’s taking a more business-like approach to her job as a senior royal and that’s reflected in the way she dresses – in fact, a lot of her outfits now revolve around a blazer, whether the atmosphere is glamorous or relaxed.
Consequently, her collection of these items is vast, from the likes of Zara (she even has some designs from the Spanish store in multiple colours) and Reiss to the fashion-conscious Blazé and French cool-girl brand Maje. We’re all guilty of overbuying or making an impulse purchase, but the princess’s strategy of creating a huge collection of styles she knows she’ll come back to again and again feels sensible.
Knowing what suits you is not boring
The princess has a reliable way of knowing that she will always be confident in what she wears; leaning on formulas with a great track record.
She has really doubled down on this in her fifth decade, creating a number of recognizable outfit silhouettes such as the knitted midi dress and fitted coat, the suit and blouse or the jacket with the cut waist and pleated skirt. The same, yes, but also a powerful way to achieve style consistency and send a message of continuity.
Radiate stealth wealth in white
Even the Princess of Wales is not influenced by the spirit of the times. A good example: the way she was recorded Succession-chic pale tones in her wardrobe in recent years. These looks exude the ‘I travel alone with a driver or private jet’ mentality. Kate has always loved using clothes to make her look more relatable, but these occasions have become the quietly luxurious answer to princess dressing in the 2020s.
Make a forever fashion purchase
The princess could presumably have as many luxury heirlooms as she wanted, especially now that Prince William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall and the significant income it generates. Maybe it’s because she has priceless historical jewels at her fingertips or because it’s generally accepted that she’s happier in gym clothes than designer gear, but Kate has never seemed all that interested in the classic fashion status signifiers.
Until last year or so, that is. We’ve seen her introduce a classic quilted handbag and a tweed blazer, both highly sought-after Chanel collectibles, into her wardrobe – perhaps a signal that her forties have brought a new certainty about the investments that will have real longevity.
Know that you still have it
It’s now an outdated idea that women in their 40s and beyond might fade into the background, but the princess has given us some comforting reminders that 40 really could be the new 25. And she’s done it in all style contexts, from donning shorts on a visit to Plymouth to making headlines around the world in the beautiful Jenny Packham and tiaras. There is no excuse not to adopt her modern and refreshing approach.
