Even in royal circles, vintage style is having a moment.
This week, Prince William turned heads on the green carpet at the Earthshot Prize Awards in Cape Town, South Africa, with a distinctively sustainable look.
In keeping with the environmental theme of the event, he donned a vintage blazer featuring the iconic glen plaid or Prince of Wales check – a fitting nod to his royal heritage.
Sourced from a London vintage store, the jacket was a stylish reminder of how timeless pieces can make a modern statement.
Complementing his look, William wore sustainable sneakers by Purified Shoes, underscoring his commitment to eco-conscious choices.
William’s embrace of pre-loved fashion aligns with the style philosophy long championed by his wife, Princess Kate.
Fashion Editor Bay Garnett, dubbed the ‘Queen of Thrift’, believes members of the Royal Family are making a conscious effort to wear sustainable clothing.
She told MailOnline: ‘By wearing secondhand clothes, the royals are making a very clear signal that secondhand is not second best – it is both a style and a sustainable choice.
Prince William turned heads on the green carpet at the Earthshot Prize Awards in Cape Town, South Africa, with a distinctively sustainable look
‘They are putting out the message that they are choosing to wear clothes that do less to harm the planet. It’s brilliant as the royals have access to new and expensive clothes unlike almost anyone else in the world.’
Cécile Wickmann, Senior Director of Luxury at Vinted, agrees. She said: ‘As an advocate for pre-loved garments, it’s inspiring to see prominent figures embracing vintage and second-hand pieces. They set a strong example that fashion can be both stylish and responsible.’
Meanwhile, Amy Bannerman, eBay’s Pre-Loved Style Director, revealed that secondhand fashion is topping the trends.
She explained: ‘Pre-loved fashion is now the hottest trend – and even the royals can’t resist. It’s so interesting from a styling perspective because it fits seamlessly into his usual look, showing that pre-loved can blend effortlessly into your wardrobe.
‘If you’re new to shopping vintage, look for styles and brands similar to what you already wear – you’ll be amazed at the savings and style options.
‘This autumn and winter, classic British style is back, with timeless blazers like Prince William’s checked jacket topping the list for both men and women.
‘With a sharp blazer, you have a chic alternative to dresses for festive occasions, and there’s real momentum behind this look as searches for ‘tweed blazers’ are up by over 145%*’.
Vintage clothing has also seen a surge in popularity on the online marketplace Depop. A spokesperson told MailOnline:
‘It’s particularly interesting to see the male members of the Royal Family starting to explore secondhand fashion. It’s a trend we’re seeing at Depop – whilst interest in womenswear has always historically been strong, growth in the menswear category has accelerated at a higher rate than any other category this year.
‘Approximately half of all new listings on the platform are now menswear. Men’s vintage T-shirts have seen a 232% increase in searches year-on-year, with blazers seeing an 73% increase in searches since July.’
Over the years, Kate has become known for her penchant for incorporating vintage finds into her wardrobe, offering fresh ways to wear and celebrate the past.
From elegant dresses to statement bags, these pieces have helped elevate sustainable fashion within the Royal Family.
Below, we explore some of Kate’s most memorable vintage style moments.
William Hilson Vintage dress
When the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived in Jamaica during their Caribbean tour in 2022, celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, Kate’s wardrobe instantly captured attention with its vintage charm.
One standout piece was a 1950s dress, which featured a bold striped pattern in turquoise, coral and yellow, accented by a black filigree motif.
Sourced from William Hilson Vintage, this unique design was purchased for £369 and perfectly embodied her approach of blending contemporary style with a nod to classic fashion.
Sourced from William Hilson Vintage, this unique dress was purchased for £369 and perfectly embodied Kate’s approach of blending modern style with nods to classic fashion
Hermes clutch
On day four of Royal Ascot 2023, Kate made a striking entrance in a vibrant Alexander McQueen dress, paired with a wide-brimmed hat by Phillip Treacy.
Adding a touch of elegance, she carried a vintage Hermes ‘Rio’ clutch, a piece from the 1980s that has long been discontinued, making it a standout accessory for the occasion.
At Royal Ascot 2023, Kate carried a vintage Hermes ‘Rio’ clutch, a piece from the 1980s that has long been discontinued, making it a standout accessory for the occasion
Yves Saint Laurent jacket
When departing from Belize for Jamaica, the Princess made a stylish impression in a radiant Yves Saint Laurent jacket, teamed with flowing palazzo trousers and coordinating accessories.
She completed the look with a classic white Mulberry handbag, matching pumps and Anthropologie earrings, creating a polished ensemble.
Reportedly, the jacket holds sentimental value for Kate, as it was a vintage find she purchased during her university years at St Andrews.
Kate reportedly purchased her vintage Yves Saint Laurent jacket during her university years at St Andrews
Chanel bag
Kate carried her coveted Chanel Mini Flap Bag at this year’s Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall.
This outing marked the second time she has been seen with the accessory.
The quilted lambskin bag, adorned with the signature interlocking CC logo in gold-toned metal, beautifully complemented her Alexander McQueen coat dress and pearl jewellery.
The design also incorporates a metal and leather chain strap, though Kate chooses to tuck it into the main compartment, opting to carry it as a clutch.
The Princess was first spotted with this Chanel bag at the Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter Final in France.
Kate carried her coveted Chanel Mini Flap Bag at this year’s Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall
Josef clutch
At a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2022, Kate exuded elegance in a coral Emilia Wickstead coat dress and striking Jane Taylor headpiece.
She completed her look with Emmy London shoes and a beaded clutch bag, attributed to the iconic label, Bags by Josef.
This rare accessory, believed to date back to the 1930s, is instantly recognisable by its intricate hand-beaded design.
The clutch is decorated with Point de Beauvais embroidery, a delicate French style of beading applied with a Tambour hook – a hallmark of many Josef bags from that era.
With its intricate craftsmanship, Kate’s choice of handbag not only added a vintage flair but also showcased her appreciation for artisan pieces.
The Princess’ rare Josef clutch, believed to date back to the 1930s, is instantly recognisable by its intricate hand-beaded design
Chanel blazer
One of Kate’s standout vintage moments saw her wearing a timeless Chanel tweed blazer from the brand’s 1995 collection.
The double-breasted design brought a fresh yet nostalgic element to her outfit, echoing classic Parisian style while staying true to her preference for understated elegance.
This Chanel piece, with its refined silhouette and textured fabric, showcased the Princess’s affinity for high-quality, enduring fashion choices that honour both heritage and craftsmanship.
One of Princess Kate’s standout vintage moments saw her wearing a timeless Chanel tweed blazer from the brand’s 1995 collection
Oscar de la Renta dress
During a 2020 tour of Ireland with Prince William, Kate turned heads in one of her boldest vintage finds yet – a polka-dot dress from Oscar de la Renta’s autumn/winter 1979 collection.
The standout dress combined retro flair with timeless sophistication, featuring a high neck and voluminous sleeves that lent a dramatic touch to her ensemble.
During a 2020 tour of Ireland with Prince William, Kate turned heads in one of her boldest vintage pieces yet – a polka-dot dress from Oscar de la Renta’s autumn/winter 1979 collection
Wayne Taylor bag
During her tour of Jamaica, Kate showcased a 1960s woven raffia bag in a vivid tangerine hue.
The bag, designed by the now-defunct label Wayne Taylor, added a charming touch to her Alexander McQueen suit and was manufactured in Japan.
This accessory choice further showcased her knack for mixing timeless fashion with contemporary elegance, fitting seamlessly into her tour wardrobe.
Kate’s vibrant bag, designed by the now-defunct label Wayne Taylor, added a charming touch to her ensemble
*eBay internal search data based on 28th July 2024 – 13th October 2024
