The 10 Essentials You Need to Create a Royal Family Capsule Wardrobe

Gen Z has thoughts on skinny jeans and whether or not they’re in vogue, but that’s where it’s fun to defer to Kate. The Princess of Wales continues to reach for them, which is basically like placing a royal style stake in the ground and proclaiming: Skinny jeans forever. (We’re not mad about it.) Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, reaches for them, too. The best way to style them, based on how both Kate and Meghan tend to wear them, is with boots (the less denim fabric to tuck in, the better, of course). But they also look chic with a pair of heels (Meghan) or a simple white sneaker (a la Kate).

Let’s go on the record and admit that Meghan Markle—and her first-ever official royal appearance on the arm of Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in 2017—basically put the white button-up on the map within the royal sphere. She stepped out wearing the ‘Husband’ shirt from Misha Noonoo, paired effortlessly with—wait for it—skinny jeans, and it still ranks as one of her most iconic looks of all time. It’s also a reminder of the power of a crisp white button-up as a wardrobe workhorse, especially given the many ways you can style it. (Wear it tucked in or out, get creative with the sleeve roll, add a belt—so much.) 

We all love a Kate and Meghan ensemble, but Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is a veritable style queen. Case in point: her recent 60th birthday pics, where she looked like she walked off the front page of a Jenni Kayne catalog in an elegant pleated midi, paired with a classic black sweater. Brava! In fact, Sophie reaches for skirts that hit mid-calf quite frequently, pairing them with a sweater, a blazer, even a belted coat—a reminder that the silhouette pairs nicely with quite a few pieces you already have in your closet, especially if you invest in a style that comes in a neutral tone.

This might be the ultimate royal piece, especially for the modern royals—an oversize blazer works with way more than just a suit. Kate, Meghan and Sophie have all mixed and matched this piece creatively, wearing it with jeans, a dress, even a pair of trousers. To ensure a proper fit, ideally, you want it to nip in (even subtly) at your natural waist, but you can base the sizing on the sleeves and shoulders. (For the shoulders especially, the seams should sit at the natural edge point.)

ICYMI, these boots are trending for spring and summer—and there are a multitude of ways to wear them. But this particular boot style has been a style staple for the royal family for decades (Kate, Meghan and Sophie all reach for them). Part of it is the Sloane Ranger aesthetic—a vibe brought to the royal stage by Princess Diana in the 1980s—but the equestrian style is growing in popularity, mainly due to its practicality (who doesn’t love a low heel?) and durability (these are boots that are made to stretch and meld to you). How to wear them? See the skinny jeans entry above, but Kate and Meghan especially tend to wear them with denim.

This two-for-one style is one the Princess of Wales (and Meghan, when she was still a senior working royal) reaches for on repeat. The best way to think of it is a coat—often full-length and in a vibrant color—that is tailored to perfection. In the case of Kate, she of course has another stunning piece on underneath, but if she never takes her coat off (say, she’s attending a royal engagement outdoors), the coat is still a total stand-out.

Think of it as a twist on the traditional suit—Kate and Meghan have both reached for monochromatic “sets” that are as unexpected as they are elegant. The looks are still tailored, but they often feature unique textures, colors or cuts that showcase creativity and style.

Kate has never met a Superga she didn’t like, but when she (or Meghan) step out wearing a white sneaker (say, like the Vejas Meghan styled on a trip down under with Prince Harry), it makes headlines around the world. Mainly, it’s about the simplicity. You wouldn’t expect a princess or a duchess to don sneaks. But a white sneaker works with nearly everything (jeans, leggings, a dress) and the royals wear it that way. Still, what makes their sneaker of choice continually pop is the cleanliness. (You want to treat a white sneaker with care.)

If it’s too warm for a coat dress, a long-sleeve dress is the royals’ go-to fit. Sophie especially reaches for this type of style—and from a multitude of British-based brands to boot. Here’s why it is worthy of adding to your own capsule wardrobe: First and foremost, it’s a look that’s one and done. The longer sleeve also makes it feel a touch romantic while staying universally flattering. Wear it in a delicate floral or make a statement in a poppy hue.

Whether they’re attending Wimbledon or a royal event near Windsor, I love the royals’ love of chic sunnies. (Even Charlotte is a trendsetter here.) But what makes the sunglasses worn by the royals such a style staple is this: They hardly ever stray from a classic design—in other words, the frames they tend to choose are pretty timeless (think Wayfarers, cat-eyes, even aviators). This makes them easy to mix and match with a variety of outfits and look elegant and regal at the same time.