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Photo of Britain’s Prince Charles smiling as he arrives to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Cathedral during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, Britain, June 3, 2022. ― Reuters pic
LONDON, Sept 10 — Whether it’s a bespoke three-piece suit or the waxed jacket of the rural upper class group, Charles’ signature style has rarely deviated from the predictable during his decades in the public eye.
But his sartorial flair earned him the title of best-dressed man in the world — an honor he laughed off as impossible.
The clothes and shoes of the young king are made of the best in the country.
Charles, whose spending has long been criticized, is said to own hundreds of classically tailored suits, many from Anderson & Sheppard on London’s Savile Row.
An army of servants oversees his wardrobe changes, often several times a day, and according to a recent biography, one of them is even tasked with keeping his shoelaces tight.
Search magazine in 2009 named Charles as the best dressed man in the world, although the man himself joked that it was just a way to sell more copies.
At a London Fashion Week reception in 2012, he described his style as, in some ways, timeless.
“I’ve gone from being the best-dressed man to being the worst-dressed man,” he said.
“Meanwhile, I have gone on – like a stopped clock – and my time comes every 25 years.”
Shorts, ties and traditional clothing
Childhood photos of Charles show him in shorts, but also in a tie, sometimes in a blazer and, while in Scotland, in a dress with knee-length stockings.
As a young man, he opted for a sportier look, including long-sleeved shirts, and has been keen on accessories, with sunglasses, cufflinks and even a neck tie over a ski suit.
Charles wears a signet ring on his little finger and has always sported the same flawless side parting.
He has also readily embraced local traditions while traveling overseas, particularly the various headgear.
In Saudi Arabia in 2014, he wore traditional dress while attempting sword dancing.
And in Ghana in 1977, he wore a striped tribal outfit. In 2010, during a visit to Afghanistan, he wore camouflage clothing while visiting troops.
But Charles draws the line at lycra: in June 2021, he wore a blazer, chinos, tie and suede shoes to a charity fundraiser.
“It’s a nightmare to get into,” he said of the tight, elastic sportswear when presented with a cycling jersey.
Uniforms and durability
Now in his 70s, Charles often wears double-breasted suits with a silk pocket square over a tie.
At his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, western England, he cultivates the appearance of a gentleman farmer, hands deep in the large pockets of a waxed Barbour jacket.
On special occasions, such as appearances on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or when meeting the regiments he commands, military uniform is mandatory.
For his 60th birthday portrait, he wore the ceremonial red uniform of the Welsh Guards, with a medal on his chest and a golden sword at his belt.
In recent years, Charles has been keen to polish his environmental credentials, explaining that he doesn’t like to throw away his old clothes.
For his youngest son Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle, he wore a gray pearl coat from 1984.
“As long as I can still get into it, I only wear it a few times a year, in the summer, so obviously you want to keep those kinds of things,” he said. Vogue.
“But if I can’t adapt to them, then I have to do something new. But I’m not sure how radically different they might be at my age.”
He has also been seen wearing the same two coats – one double-breasted tweed and the other camel hair – for years.
“His tailors carry large pieces of fabric, to eventually mend them,” explained Michel Faure, who has written a biography of Charles.
In 2020, Charles launched a new sustainable clothing range for men and women supported by his charitable foundation, with clothes made from natural fibers including cashmere, wool and organic silk.
They are designed to last a lifetime, with profits going to support the foundation’s training program and help preserve traditional skills.
“It seems completely insane to have this take, do and throw away approach,” he said. – AFP
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