Kate, Princess of Wales is one of the most famous women in the world and could wear a brand new outfit for every single appearance, if she chose.
But, the royal re-wears signature outfits and key pieces, updating them with a new hat, different accessories or change of hairstyle.
Express.co.uk spoke exclusively to SJ Adams, a designer, celebrity stylist and personal style coach about the ways Kate modernises old outfits.
SJ said: “When it comes to modern-day style, gone are the days of wearing an outfit once.
“Kate, through her refreshing and unapologetic insistence on enjoying the clothes she loves an getting the most out of her outfits, has become known as ‘the Queen of the Re-wear’. Why? Because she does it so well and one of the reasons is because she fully understands the power of accessories and the role they play in adding versatility to an outfit.
“So what exactly are we talking about when we say ‘accessories’ and why it is important to incorporate them into any successfully curated wardrobe?
“A fashion accessory constitutes anything that is added to a garment such as belts, jewellery, footwear, sunglasses, scarves, bags and hats that serve the purpose of both complementing and enhancing a person’s overall appearance.
“Any good stylist would agree that no outfit is truly complete without accessories. Adding just one or two well-chosen accessories can completely transform and modernise the look and feel of an old outfit thus making them a very useful and powerful tool for any wardrobe.”
She continued: “Kate knows how to make an impact with her outfits and one of the key ingredients she often uses to do this is her clever use of accessories. She often uses hats, clutch bags, pointy toe heels, boots and even tights to completely transform dresses and two pieces into both daytime and formal looks.
“For example, she will completely change the look of a coat by simply swapping the colour of her accessories from ones that blend in to ones that contrast.
“Likewise she isn’t afraid to wear bold statement accessories such as a long necklace to add interest and modernise a plain shift dress which she also opts to wear in a more classic way for instance, underneath a formal jacket accessorised with a clutch bag and court shoes.”
Aside from changing accessories, she also changes key additions to transform an outfit she firs wore in the summer, to wear it in the winter.
SJ revealed: “Kate will wear a suit with pointy toe shoes for a formal summer event then just by adding contrasting accessories such as opaque tights, a clutch bag and long boots, she will completely transform the look into a more comfortable, relaxed winter outfit.
“She even goes one step further by incorporating layers using roll necks underneath suits which coordinate with her chosen accessories.
“When it comes to headwear, Kate really does have a good grasp on how to use hats to change the overall look of an outfit.
“She chooses to incorporate a range of style hats and headpieces into her wardrobe and often showcases how different they can make the same outfit look.
“She has worn structured hats to create a formal look, and wearing the same outfit has switched up her look by instead opting for a feathered fascinator to give off a much softer and more relaxed feel.”
The stylist continued: “For Kate through, it’s not just about accessories; she also knows how to play with the look and feel of an outfit by changing her hair too.
“I know, hair isn’t technically an accessory but how you wear it can definitely make a difference to the overall feel of an outfit.
“Kate gives numerous examples of how she wears the same outfit with her hair straight or gently pulled away from her face giving a professional feel to her overall look and then in contrast wearing it down to frame her face or perhaps with a hairband to create a soft playful feel.”
SJ’s style tips for updating an old outfit:
Use different colour accessories
She said: “Try adding a bag, shoes, and perhaps even a belt or hat in a neutral colour that blends in with a dress or suit. Then for another look add accessories in a bold complementary colour.”
Make a statement
SJ explained: “Invest in a few statement accessories that enhance your outfit and accentuate parts of your body that you love.
“For example, a statement necklace or scarf can be used to introduce interest or a pop of colour to an outfit as well as draw attention upwards towards beautiful facial features.”
Split it up
She said: “If you have a two-piece, consider wearing it as separates. Why not try wearing the suit jacket with jeans and teaming with casual accessories such as sunglasses, an oversized bag and loafers. And the trousers or skirt with a simple blouse, shirt or Tee with the same accessories – you’d be surprised at how different they will look.”
