Why Kate Middleton rarely wears high street clothes in her 40s

Musing on Monday’s choice, award-winning stylist Susie Hasler tells HELLO!: “Kate frequently chooses designs by Catherine Walker for more formal engagements. Walker’s pieces are known for their structured, tailored style, making them particularly well-suited to occasions at Westminster Abbey. Catherine has also worn this designer at previous Commonwealth Day services.

“In colour psychology, blue is considered a conservative shade; softer than black and often associated with trust and reliability,” Susie notes. “Catherine Walker is a designer long admired by the royal family, and Princess Diana was especially fond of her creations. Her outfit choices often include thoughtful, nostalgic references to royal history.”

I’ve been writing about the royals’ outfit choices for over eight years as part of my role as HELLO!’s Fashion and Beauty News Editor, and I’ve noticed that the mother-of-three appears to have stopped buying high street items, or even current items from designer brands. Her fashion focus appears to be bespoke pieces, crafted exclusively for her by fashion houses.

“Kate tends to re-wear a lot of her outfits, hence her being dubbed ‘thrifty Kate’ in the past, but she styles them differently with accessories, which gives them a fresh look each time,” she quips.

“When she chooses something custom-made, it’s often in a neutral shade – usually something like blue or navy – which makes it much easier to re-wear in different ways over time. These types of pieces are always created with longevity in mind.”

Meticulously tailored custom pieces ensure a consistently flawless fit. “Royal outfits are seen by millions of people around the world, so custom pieces ensure the fit, length, and tailoring are absolutely perfect from every angle,” Susie notes. “Custom garments also tend to be more classic rather than trend-driven, which means she can repeat outfits for years without them feeling dated.”

Prince William’s wife has a calendar of events all over the world, and her outfits take careful planning. “Major events often require very specific dress codes or levels of formality,” Susie explains, “and custom design allows every detail – from sleeve length to hemline – to be tailored appropriately.”

Kate has long championed British brands, from Burberry to Alexander McQueen, and by investing in bespoke items from these fashion houses, she is showing them her utmost support. “Bespoke pieces also provide an opportunity to champion British designers and showcase the UK fashion industry on a global stage, something Kate loves to do,” Susie adds.