Tartan for the holidays? Groundbreaking!
It’s no secret that Kate Middleton is a proud outfit repeater, repurposing everything from formal evening gowns to street style outerwear staples into a new sartorial moment. While the Princess of Wales’s public appearances have been few and far between this year amid her cancer treatment, she still slipped in a few very good up-cycled outfits and accessories here and there–including reminding royal watchers why they should give her favorite holiday style trend a try.
Princess Kate’s royal style typically skews traditional and conservative, with Palace-approved jewelry and priceless tiaras woven in, but she gravitates towards a more rustic print that falls into the cottagecore category during the colder months. And while making her highly-anticipated appearance at her December 6 “Together at Christmas” carol concert, she gave a plaid print skirt new life as she rewore a statement piece from a 2018 engagement.
As she attended the 1,600-plus person event at Westminster Abbey, Kate stunned in a crimson ankle-length peacoat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The festive piece was topped off with a black velvet holiday bow, which is reportedly a surprisingly affordable $25 coquette-inspired purchase from clothing brand Jigsaw, where the princess used to work in school.
While all eyes were on Kate’s wrapped present-coded outfit, she also showed off a glimpse of a long pleated tartan plaid skirt in a bright red, black, and white checkered design–which turned out to be yet another outfit repeat moment.
Almost on the same exact day six years ago, the royal memorably wore the same Emilia Wickstead skirt from the brand’s Autumn-Winter 2018 collection on December 4, 2018 as she hosted a Christmas party for military families at Kensington Palace. At the time, she paired the tartan A-line piece with a black Brora cashmere cardigan and black suede boots.
Middleton has also had many other memorable tartan style moments over the years, from donning a plaid mini skirt when she turned 26 to the classic navy-and-green checkered peacoat that’s become an outerwear essential. Unfortunately, the Princess of Wales didn’t reveal what she wore on top of the red ankle-length plaid skirt at her most recent holiday outing, but it looks like this timeless piece isn’t going anywhere in Kate’s closet.
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