King Charles III, a long-time advocate of sustainable fashion, was recently photographed near his Sandringham estate wearing a double-breasted tweed coat that has been a staple in his wardrobe since the late 1980s. The coat, crafted by tailor Anderson & Sheppard, features a herringbone design, large pockets, and a wide peak lapel. This timeless piece was notably worn by the monarch during a church service in Norfolk, once again highlighting his commitment to sustainability.
The coat has seen numerous outings over the decades, including on Christmas Day in 2009 and as far back as 1988. Complementing this classic outerwear, King Charles opted for a recycled 'Cat and Owl' printed silk tie from Hermès, last seen during an audience at Buckingham Palace in February 2023. His choice to re-wear and restyle existing wardrobe pieces underscores his dedication to reducing fashion waste.
Since launching The Campaign For Wool in 2010, King Charles has been at the forefront of promoting eco-friendly fashion. His efforts extend to The King's Foundation, which collaborated with Net-A-Porter last year to introduce a sustainable clothing line. This 13-piece capsule collection featured bias-cut slip dresses, stylish loungewear, and knitwear, all crafted with responsible materials and techniques, including natural dyes. Produced by six fashion graduates during a residency at The King's Foundation's Dumfries House headquarters in Ayrshire, Scotland, the collection exemplifies the monarch's vision for sustainable practices.
"Inspired by the natural world, this year's artisans have worked tirelessly to develop and hand-craft a unique capsule collection that will stand the test of time." – Jacqueline Farrell
The King's Foundation's education director, Jacqueline Farrell, emphasized the importance of promoting responsible fashion practices through this initiative. Her sentiments reflect King Charles's broader mission to transition from linear to circular systems in fashion, ensuring textiles and clothing are produced sustainably and biodegrade naturally.
"A major part of the change has to be moving from a linear system to a circular one, where textiles and clothing are produced sustainably, enjoy long use, and are made using natural materials, specifically wool, which will biodegrade naturally and quickly at the end of their useful life." – King Charles III
King Charles's impressive collection of printed accessories further illustrates his refined taste and commitment to eco-conscious fashion choices. His efforts in this realm have inspired many within the industry to adopt greener values and practices.
"Everything we do here at the King's Foundation is inspired by His Majesty King Charles III's vision of harmony, promoting traditional skills and providing holistic, collaborative training for the fashion and textiles professionals of tomorrow." – Jacqueline Farrell
