Duchess Kate is stepping into a new realm of fashion design.
The Princess of Wales showed off her homemade coat during a recent trip to Scotland, and quietly debuted the outerwear on Tuesday.
According to the Telegraph, Ms Middleton worked with Johnstons of Elgin and seamstress Chris Carr to perfect the precise tartan pattern, which was incorporated into her long double-breasted coat.
Custom-designed plaid may be a credit to the Duchess herself, but Kerr’s website lets you create your own bespoke suit for a little bespoke appeal. The brand says the experience will cost between $2,300 and $4,700.
While visiting the National Curling Academy on Tuesday, the royal wore a navy Zara turtleneck and Johnstons of Elgin x Le Quilt skirt ($1,695). She added black suede boots by Gianvito Rossi and a blue plaid double-breasted coat over the top.
While learning how to do curls with her husband, Prince William, she took off her coat indoors to reveal a Bamford Fair Isle sweater vest layered underneath.
Middleton often uses clothing and jewelry to show her support for the places she visits, so she chose to wear a bespoke coat from Johnstons of Elgin Champion, which is made not only from British materials but also from British tailoring.
Additionally, her Tuesday trip included a stop at Radical Weavers, a Stirling-based charity promoting tartan weaving, further highlighting her newfound interest in fashion.
The switch to textiles comes almost a year after it was reported that the princess wanted the public to pay more attention to her work than what she was wearing.
However, Kensington Palace later clarified that the comment did not come from Mr Middleton, but from his representative.
More drama is brewing in the fashion department. Middleton recently stopped working with her long-time stylist Natasha Archer, but has not yet replaced her, which may not happen if the royal family continues to keep their wardrobes in their own hands.
In fact, the palace confirmed that she was the only one who decided to wear Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara (the largest she had ever worn, making history as first princess rather than queen or queen) at a state dinner in Germany last month.
Later this year, she will issue her first Royal Warrant. Textile manufacturers will be given top priority.
