The Princess of Wales is known for her consistent approach to style. She’s developed a signature daytime state occasion look that has moved on from A-line skirts and nude round-toe pumps to tailored, strong-shouldered coats worn with boots in winter, sky-high Aquazzura heels for the rest of the year. She rarely strays from this familiar style formula — until she tries something a little directional now and again.
Appearing in Windsor on March 18 to welcome Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to the UK, the Princess of Wales chose to wear a look by an ELLE favourite, the Nigerian designer Tolu Coker. So far, so usual for Catherine, who is experienced in diplomatic dressing, often wearing a country’s flag colours or, like here, a designer from the visiting country. It was also Coker’s show that King Charles attended during London Fashion Week, while the Central Saint Martins graduate received support from His Majesty’s The Prince’s Trust as she grew her brand.
It also felt familiar for Catherine: the grey and white dress coat from Coker’s AW24 collection was tailored, double-breasted and featured a strong lapel. But, its back offered up something new in the form of a lace-up corset. Yes, really.
The once underwear-only piece is trending, thanks to its appearance in pop-culture like Wuthering Heights and Bridgerton, but for the Princess of Wales it feels especially subversive. Rare is it that a member of the royal family would wear such a motif, even if it is stitched along the back of a familiar style of coat versus, say, an actual bustier.
It feels especially progressive for Catherine when you consider the things she wears are often custom made. It’s unlikely that this is the exact coat that was worn on the catwalk, like you might expect in the case of many celebrities taking to the red carpet. The fact that Catherine didn’t have the corset removed speaks to not only her willingness to introduce something new, but a respect for Coker and her original design, too.
When worn in the context of a familiar coat and other accessories – like a neat hat and signature heels in coordinating grey – the corset detail works as something surprising and fresh. It’s a lesson in trying something new: make a small change, not a big one, and every trend soon becomes infinitely more wearable and adaptable to the wardrobe.
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