We've seen a lot of the royal family lately, but it has to be said that they don't always have the sharpest style. This isn’t necessarily to their detriment (as you’ll seldom see them on a ‘worst dressed’ list) but because for so many events and occasions, they’re quite literally draped in tradition. They have strict guidelines in place, which can certainly limit your livery.
However, it does mean that when a member of the family steps out of their comfort zone and dons something more dramatic, the impact is immediate.
With that in mind, let's have a bit of a breather from the jubilee and dive into something different. Here are my picks of the best threads from the royal family.
Black velvet? If you please
Prince William always strikes a clear-cut figure in a suit - but this is a particularly playful outing for him. At the recent premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, the future king can be seen wearing a black velvet Alexander McQueen tuxe. It’s a look we’ve seen before but one he wears especially well.
A classic, crisp tuxe is certainly a thing of beauty - and this perfectly tailored suit with strong, structured shoulders is a prime example of how to exude understated sophistication.
While the suit certainly steals the show, I’d also like to give a nod to the matching velvet slip-ons he dons in this picture, ingeniously embroidered with the F-18 Super Hornets on the upper - in a fitting nod to Tom Cruise’s aerial acrobatics. While the shoes aren’t available to the public, they’re a great insight into the more impish side of the heir to the throne that we rarely get to see and one that complements the soft, subtle sheen of his statement suit.
Regal and recycled
Let’s dispense with the inane idea that we can only wear something once. Clearly, with care and the right styling, there is no reason that a quality suit can’t endure for decades - as Prince Charles shows us at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.
He’s recycling a suit that he’s had safely tucked away in his closet since 1984 - and one he looks particularly refined in. The grey morning suit, by Anderson & Sheppard, is a staple piece of his core collection, and it’s clear to see why. While you might think he would opt for a brand new suit for such a televised occasion, Prince Charles disagrees.
He said to British Vogue: "I've considered it. But in the case of that particular morning coat… you want to keep those sorts of things going, for as long as I can go on getting into it! I only wear it a few times a year, in the summer.
“I'm one of those people who hate throwing anything away. Hence, I’d rather have them maintained, even patched if necessary, than to abandon them,” he added.
Clean and classic
Here we see HRH yet again, this time decked out in a lightweight airy number fit for the rising temperatures of spring and summer. While he was known for wearing single-breasted suits for many of his earlier public appearances, Charles does now seem to prefer the structure and subtle sophistication of the double-lapel. The understated splash of colour, with blue offset against the soft beige/brown of his suit is a crisp and clear contrast, which really brings the look together.
For Queen and countryside
We can get so used to seeing the royals in their regalia that sometimes, a change in tone is just the ticket to remind us that, like us, they’re just people trying to do their best whilst looking their best. And what is a more abrupt change in tone than from regal to rural?
Here we can see the late Prince Philip wearing a form-fitting country-style tweed jacket with rounded statement buttons against a subdued cheque pattern; it really is a quintessentially British look and it’s one of my personal favourites. I especially enjoy the deep, rich green of his tie and hat, which really highlights the warm undertones of the tweed.
Get the royal treatment
Whatever your personal style, whether you have a drive to be daring, a penchant for the peculiar or perhaps you’re simply looking to switch up your silhouette, you can find it at Adam James Bespoke.
Get in touch today to arrange a fitting of your very own.