How thrifty Kate Middleton makes FULL use of her Zara habit – and wears their adaptable blazers on repeat, says ELIZA SCARBOROUGH
- Kate’s affordable high-street blazer is the perfect choice for transitional dressing
- The cost per wear can be as low as £15
- For all the latest Royal news, pictures and videos click here
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, is the Princess of Wales’ motto for her casual-cool outings.
And nothing is more important in her work-wear wardrobe than the Zara blazer.
Thanks to its boxy shape, lapel collar and structured shoulders, it is the perfect choice for ‘transitional dressing’ – taking the wearer through from one season to the next.
Where in the past the coat-dress reigned supreme, recently it has been Zara tailoring that she has worn on repeat with styles recycled season after season.
Kate Middleton may prefer custom-made gowns on the red carpet, but high street fashion usually does the trick while she’s out performing royal duties, .
Kate, the Princess of Wales, is often spotted re-wearing pieces from high-street favourite Zara
Making great efforts to be seen as relatable in her wardrobe and re-wearing affordable brands, she often combines pieces from high-street favourite Zara with designer separates and accessories.
It’s this winning mix of high and low that has made the princess a style star.
Last Sunday, she pulled it off once again when watching the rugby in a white Zara blazer with wide-legged Roland Mouret trousers and a classic Chanel bag.
It’s a tried and tested fashion formula.
Not only was this the third time we have seen the tailored boucle piece, but she has worn the style in many other colour iterations too, all the way back to early royal appearances making it a wardrobe must have.
White Boucle, £65.99 (Cost per Wear, £21.99)
The Princess of Wales, 41, graced the Rugby World Cup in one of her favourite Zara blazers – a white boucle style with gold buttons
The piece was first seen in February this year when Kate visited Landau Forte College Derby
A couple of months later, it was worn in March to speak with Iceland Food’s Richard Walker for the Shaping Us campaign
The Princess of Wales graced the Rugby World Cup in one of her favourite Zara blazers, a white boucle style.
Cheering on England to victory in their Rugby World Cup quarter final, she opted for a tailored piece with golden buttons (which she also owns in other colours) teaming it with flared Roland Mouret black trousers. A black Chanel bag added a touch of refined glamour
The textured piece was first seen in February this year when Kate visited Landau Forte College Derby to celebrate Captain Preet Chandi’s achievements, styled with an ivory cashmere knit by Kiltane, navy LK Bennett trousers and her Veja sneakers.
A couple of months later it was worn in March to speak with Iceland Food’s Richard Walker for the Shaping Us campaign, paired with Accessorize earrings.
Red Boucle Blazer, £65.99 (Cost per Wear, £16.50)
Wearing a textured red double breasted blazer from Zara, she kept the look casual and chic in September 2023 Kate visited the Orchards Centre in Kent
The jacket features pronounced shoulders and has been a well-worn favourite for the princess, including a video message in October 2022 to cheer on the England Women’s Rugby Team
The blazer was also previously seen on a trip to the University of Copenhagen in February 2022 where it was dressed up with a ME+EM top
In September 2023 Kate visited the Orchards Centre in Kent as part of her Shaping Us campaign to help promote the importance of early childhood.
Wearing a textured red double breasted blazer from Zara, she kept the look casual and chic with black LK Bennett tailored trousers and Boden pumps.
The jacket features pronounced shoulders and has been a favourite for the princess. She wore it in October 2022 for a video message recorded to cheer on the England Women’s Rugby Team. Then, it was embellished with a rose brooch.
The blazer was also previously seen on a trip to the University of Copenhagen in February 2022 where it was dressed up with a ME+EM top, Roland Mouret trousers and an Aspinal of London bag and again during a football match in June 2021.
White One Button, £59.99 (Cost per Wear, £14.99)
Stepping out in a white single breasted blazer for her last day of tour in Canada in October 2016, Kate kept it fresh and casual
The following year in June, the mother-of-three donned the same blazer, but this time accentuated the single gold button with golden-buttoned J Crew trousers
In November 2020 the blazer came back out the wardrobe for an Early Years video message, teamed with sleek black trousers and a matching top
It made yet another appearance in July 2021 at Wembley Stadium to attend the EURO 2020 final between England and Italy
Stepping out in a white single breasted blazer for her last day of tour in Canada in October 2016, Catherine kept it fresh and casual with a white top, cropped trousers and J Crew tweed pumps.
The following year in June the princess picked the same blazer but this time accentuated the single gold button and gave it a nautical edge with buttoned J Crew trousers and the same J Crew shoes as before.
In November 2020 the blazer came back out the wardrobe for an Early Years video message and again in July 2021 at Wembley Stadium to attend the EURO 2020 final between England and Italy.
On this occasion the sharply tailored blazer was accessorised with some Blaiz red statement earrings as a bold, go Team England accent.
Cobalt Blue Double Breasted, £59.99 (Cost per Wear, £19.99)
First seen in March 2021, Kate accessorised the blue blazer with Orelia London earrings for a business chic ensemble
The Princess of Wales showed the versatility of this cobalt blue double breasted blazer when it was seen again during a Scotland tour, layered over a Hope pleated midi skirt
Most recently, the princess recycled the bold blazer in October of this year when attending a mental health fitness workshop run by SportsAid
The Princess of Wales showed the versatility of this cobalt blue double breasted blazer when she wore it across three different events, each time giving it a new lease of life.
First seen in March 2021 for an interview to mark International Day of the Midwife, she accessorised it with Orelia London earrings for a business chic ensemble.
A couple of months later in May it was seen again during a Scotland tour and this time it was buttoned up and layered over a Hope pleated midi skirt and paired with brown suede Gianvito Rossi pumps, a Métier bag and an Amaia face mask.
Most recently, the princess recycled the bold blazer in October 2023 when attending a mental health fitness workshop run by SportsAid. Here, it was dressed down with Mother Denim jeans, a Ralph Lauren top and Veja sneakers for a relaxed and casual sporting look.
Green Boucle, £59.99 (Cost per Wear, £59.99)
Kate dressed for the occasion on St Patrick’s Day in 2021 as she wore an emerald green double breasted blazer and paired it with a Daniella Draper’s gold shamrock necklace
To celebrate St Patrick’s Day in 2021 Kate and William joined other world leaders in sharing a special video message and they dressed for the occasion with the princess choosing an emerald green double breasted blazer which became an instant sell-out.
Keeping with the patriotic theme and giving a nod to Irish tradition, she accessorised the look with Daniella Draper’s gold shamrock necklace and matching mini hoop earrings which were first debuted during their royal trip to Ireland the previous year.
Cream Buttonless, £49.99 (Cost per Wear, £24.99)
Visiting a baby bank in June, the stylish royal looked business chic in a cream-hued buttonless blazer worn over a co-ordinating top
A mirror image of the outfit was recycled in October 2022 during a special news segment for World Mental Health Day recorded for the BBC
It was tonal dressing for the Princess of Wales when she was back to work in June 2022, days after a whirlwind weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Visiting a baby bank, the stylish royal wore a cream-hued buttonless blazer worn over a co-ordinating top and navy Roland Mouret trousers. She wore her hair down and completed her elegant look with matching Gianvito Rossi pumps and a Massimo Dutti clutch.
A mirror image of the outfit was recycled in October 2022 during a special news segment for World Mental Health Day recorded for the BBC, although this time a Laura Lombardi chunky necklace was added.
Gingham Double Breasted, £69.99 (Cost per Wear, £69.99)
The Princess of Wales paid a visit to the Windsor Family Hub in Windsor in June while wearing a bright gingham blue blazer with a white Ralph Lauren top and LK Bennett trousers
Suiting up in a blue gingham blazer, the Princess of Wales paid a visit to the Windsor Family Hub in Windsor earlier this year in June, showcasing her love of Zara’s tailored basics.
Underneath she added a classic white Ralph Lauren top, LK Bennett trousers and flats from Emmy London. One of her only printed versions of Zara’s versatile double breasted style, the eye-catching gingham pattern added just the right amount of detail to this classic ensemble.
Navy Double Breasted, £79.99 (Cost per Wear, £19.99)
This navy military style blazer has become a favourite of the Princess of Wales and she donned it a number of times in 2014, including her visit to the Emirates Team New Zealand base
It made another appearance as she walked alongside William around the vineyard during a visit to the Amisfield Winery in Queenstown in April 2014
Kate repeated her casual uniform for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, layering a Gap gingham shirt underneath
Kate donned the nautical outfit yet again in July 2015 for America’s Cup in Portsmouth
This navy military style blazer has become a firm favourite of the Princess of Wales and she donned it a number of times in 2014 and 2015, always paired with her cropped leg Zara jeans and Russell and Bromley wedges. First seen in April 2014 at the Whenuapai air base during a tour of New Zealand, the princess gave the blazer a nautical spin with a ME+EM breton top.
Later in the tour, she wore it again at Amisfield Winery, this time layering a Gap gingham shirt underneath.
A few months later in July, Kate repeated her casual uniform for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and again in July 2015 for America’s Cup in Portsmouth, keeping with the original nautical theme and breton top.
Red with Gathered Shoulders, £49.99 (Cost per Wear, £24.99)
Kate Middleton donned a red blazer with gathered details at the shoulder layered over a polka dot top for day seven of the Olympics in 2012
Kate delivered a special video to mark the end of the Hold Still exhibition while wearing the blazer again in November 2020
It was a sartorial delight for day seven of the Olympics in 2012 as Kate Middleton donned a red blazer with gathered details at the shoulder layered over a polka dot top when cheering on the swimmers at the Aquatics Centre.
Wearing the blazer again in November 2020, Kate delivered a special video to mark the end of the Hold Still exhibition. Allowing the jacket to make a statement she simply paired it with an oatmeal sweater and Alex Monroe gold chain necklace.
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