Can you imagine still wearing today’s clothes in 2045—and still loving them? Kate Middleton shows us it’s entirely possible with the right investment pieces.
The Princess is known for championing sustainable style, regularly recycling and upcycling her wardrobe. So, it wasn’t surprising when she pulled items out of her closet that she’d owned for two decades.
Let’s take a lesson in investment dressing and look closely at these timeless pieces. Starting with a piece she re-wore recently:
Ralph Lauren ‘Purple Label’ wool tweed jacket – At Least 18 Years Old
The Princess wore an olive-brown jacket at Cheltenham in 2007.
The then 25-year-old Kate chose the equestrian-inspired blazer for the horse racing event. She paired it with a matching skirt and boots for a classic look.
The jacket is by Ralph Lauren. It features a tailored silhouette, a nipped-in waist and flap pockets. The suede panels across the shoulders are a nod to traditional countryside gear.
Remarkably, almost 18 years later, the Princess pulled the same jacket from her closet and wore it again. She chose it for a visit to Wales earlier this month:
This time, she updated the styling – swapping the matching skirt for a chic plaid midi—but the jacket remained just as polished as ever.
If that isn’t investment dressing, what is? Good quality classics clearly stand the test of time.
Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel Boots – At Least 21 years old
Kate’s Penelope Chilvers boots are another enduring item in her closet. The Princess has worn the knee-high conker-brown leather boots for about 21 years.
Kate was first photographed wearing them in 2004 at a country game fair (pictured above) before she became a household name.
In an interview, bootmaker Penelope Chilvers revealed that to her knowledge, Kate is still wearing the original pair she bought in 2004 – she’s never needed to replace them.
Kate recently wore the boots in a photograph shot by Prince Louis, released to mark World Cancer Day. Prior to that, she wore them during an engagement in County Durham in 2021 (below).
The handmade Spanish leather boots, recognisable by their scalloped trim and swinging tasseled zips, are clearly built for longevity and miles of wear.
Kate has worn her boots on everything from country walks to a rugged mountain trek in the Himalayas , proving their durability.
The cost-per-wear must be incredibly low by now, and the boots still look great to this day.
Red Yves Saint Laurent Belted Jacket—At Least 20 Years Old
Let’s finish with the vintage red Yves Saint Laurent jacket Kate wore during a visit to Belize in 2022:
The palace confirmed that the Princess purchased the garment while studying at St. Andrews in the early 2000s. This means she’s owned the jacket for roughly the same time she’s known Prince William!
This vibrant red safari-style jacket is from YSL’s Rive Gauche line and dates back to the 1990s. It features a fitted belted waist and a confident, structured shape.
It was a bold designer splurge for a student, but it clearly paid off.
Stepping off the plane, the Princess styled the jacket with chic white wide-leg trousers. The result? An outfit that felt both retro and refreshingly new.
The fact that she packed a two-decades-old jacket for a high-profile overseas tour speaks volumes for her commitment to investment dressing, slow fashion and sustainability.
Investment Pieces
Invest in these pieces to get Kate’s look
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