The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, is known for her colorful hats and matching outfits. She is often photographed at public engagements and royal events dressed impeccably from head to toe. But with so many events to attend over the course of a year, does Her Majesty ever wear the same outfit twice? Or does she have a new custom-made outfit for every occasion?
The Queen’s Royal Wardrobe
As the reigning British monarch, the Queen has access to an extraordinary royal wardrobe. She does not go shopping at the mall for her outfits. The Queen has a team of dressers and advisors who help select her clothing for public engagements. Her senior dresser and personal advisor, Angela Kelly, oversees the creation of the Queen’s made-to-order garments. The fabulous hats that complete Her Majesty’s look are created by the renowned royal milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan.
The Queen does not own her extravagant wardrobe – all items are property of the Crown and will be passed down to future queens and displayed in museums. This helps explain why the royal wardrobe is so vast – it has been expanding for generations. When items are no longer worn, they are preserved for posterity.
Frequency of Public Engagements
Queen Elizabeth II attends a tremendous number of public events each year. Now in her 90s, she carries out roughly 300 engagements per year. Even in her 60s and 70s, she averaged over 400 engagements annually. Her Majesty’s appearances include:
– State banquets and receptions
– Royal Ascot races
– Trooping the Colour parade
– Palace garden parties
– Visits to schools, hospitals, and organizations
– Trips overseas
– Church services on Sundays and holidays
– Family weddings and christenings
– State openings of Parliament
Considering how active the Queen remains in her public duties, it would seem impossible for her to wear a new outfit each time without amassing a wardrobe of gargantuan proportions.
Does the Queen Re-Wear Outfits?
Yes, the Queen does re-wear some of her nicest outfits on different occasions. Certain landmark events, like State Openings of Parliament, Trooping the Colour, and royal tours abroad will always feature new bespoke designs. However, for less formal engagements, Her Majesty incorporates re-worn items from her archives.
Reasons for Re-wearing
There are several practical reasons why Queen Elizabeth II re-wears pieces:
– **Cost** – Buying hundreds of brand new outfits per year would be enormously expensive, even for the royal family. Re-wearing is cost-effective.
– **Careful conservation** – Maintaining the historic royal wardrobe is important. The Queen wishes to preserve and utilize items.
– **Environmental impact** – Re-wearing clothing reduces waste, aligning with the Queen’s green initiatives.
– **Sentimentality** – Certain outfits hold special memories that she wishes to revisit.
Frequency of Re-wearing
The Queen re-wears her favorite outfits approximately every 2-3 years. She spaces out repeat appearances, to avoid being photographed in the same outfit too frequently. Her coats are the most re-worn garments, as the Queen owns roughly 200 coats for different seasons and occasions. Simple A-line coats and dresses in bright colors are the most repeatable styles.
According to Hello! Magazine, below are some examples of the Queen re-wearing key looks over the decades:
| Outfit | Initial Wear | Re-Worn |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow coat and matching hat | 1977 | 1985 and 2006 |
| Blue coat with white embroidery | 1999 | 2004 and 2010 |
| Green coat and floral dress | 2005 | 2009 and 2015 |
| Purple coat and hat | 2009 | 2013 and 2017 |
As shown, the Queen spaced 8-10 years between repeat wears of the highlighted outfits above.
Alterations for Re-wearing
When re-wearing favorite pieces, the Queen’s dressers will make subtle alterations for a refreshed look. This includes:
– Changing buttons, trims, or embellishments
– Altering hemlines or necklines
– Re-designing hats to match
– Dying coats or dresses a new color
Minor updates help differentiate repeat appearances so the Queen is not photographed in exactly the same look. Her Majesty also favors coats in bright shades that draw attention away from the repeated garment.
The Queen’s Most Re-Worn Outfits
Certain pieces from the Queen’s wardrobe make repeat appearances every few years due to their versatility and vibrant colors.
Brightly Colored Coats
Coats are the most commonly re-worn garment in the Queen’s wardrobe. Simple, A-line wool or cashmere coats in bright solids or plaids can be dressed up or down with different accessories. Some of Her Majesty’s most repeat coats include:
– **Bubblegum pink coat** – First worn in 1977, reappeared in 1983 and 2003.
– **Sunflower yellow coat** – Debuted in 1984, repeated in 1992 and 2006.
– **Cornflower blue coat** – First seen in 1999, then re-worn annually into the 2010s.
– **Lime green coat** – One of the Queen’s favorites, worn first in 2004, repeated in 2011 and 2016.
– **Fuchsia pink coat** – Also a favorite, first worn in 2006, re-worn in 2012 and 2017.
Vibrant Hat and Coat Sets
The Queen favors pairing custom millinery creations with brightly hued coats for a distinctive look. Coordinating hat and coat sets she repeats include:
– **Yellow and white hat with yellow coat**: Matching look first worn in 1986, re-worn in 1994 and 2006.
– **Black hat with aqua blue coat and dress**: Debuted in 2005, repeated in 2011 and 2016.
– **Fuchsia hat with same colored coat**: Premiered in 2012, re-appeared in 2015 and 2018.
– **Red and orange turban with red coat**: First worn in 1977, re-worn in 1986 and 2003.
Floral Dresses and Coats
Pretty floral-printed coats and dresses are another go-to option for Her Majesty to re-wear. Examples include:
– **Pink rose coat**: First worn on a visit to Canada in 1959, re-appeared in Belgium in 2001.
– **Blue floral ceramic dress**: Debuted in 2005, re-worn to visit Canada again in 2010.
– **Yellow rose patterned coat**: First worn in 1954, re-appeared at various events well into the 1980s.
The Psychology Behind Re-Wearing Outfits
For most people, wearing the same outfit repeatedly can feel awkward or embarrassing. We worry about looking unhygienic or unfashionable. But the Queen’s reputation remains impeccable, even as she re-wears pieces.
Psychological and stylistic factors contribute to the Queen successfully repeating looks:
Association with Happiness
Donning an outfit again subconsciously reminds the Queen of positive memories attached to that garment. Happy nostalgia makes re-wearing feel comfortable.
Environmental Values
Re-using clothing aligns with the Queen’s green initiatives. Re-wearing pieces reflects responsible values, not thriftiness.
Distinct Accessorizing
Boldly colored coats and hats draw attention away from the repeated core garment, feeling fresh.
Impeccable Tailoring
Meticulous fit and tailoring prevent re-worn pieces from seeming worn-out or ill-fitting.
Regal Confidence
The Queen exudes total comfort and confidence wearing familiar favorites. This makes the look seem intentional and elegant.
The Verdict: Yes, But Strategically
Queen Elizabeth II does re-wear pieces from her vast royal wardrobe, but does so strategically. While her attire always looks impeccable, she spaces out repeat wears to avoid being photographed in the same outfit too frequently. Her Majesty selects versatile, brightly colored coats and floral dresses to re-appear looking refreshed. Clever altering by her dressers also updates silhouettes. So re-wearing enables the Queen to conserve historic garments, while still appearing fashionable. After all, if anyone can re-wear an outfit with elegance and style, it is Her Royal Majesty herself!