By Liz Jones
May 25, 2021
Source: Daily Mail - UK
Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. Copyright. All Rights Reserved. The Heirloom & HOME Collections
The garment Prince Charles chose for the Country Life magazine photoshoot is now a faded tartan tweed
This is not the first time the Prince of Wales has made do and mended
From waxed jackets to coats, suits and shoes, his wardrobe is full of items that have been given a new lease of life
In a world full of talk about environment-friendly fashion, he at least practises what he preaches
Back in its heyday nearly 20 years ago, it had a relaxed but discernible shape. The colours were muted but you could still pick out shades of lavender, green and brown.
Today, the tartan tweed is barely recognisable as the smart jacket it once was.
The garment Prince Charles — pictured in the latest issue of Country Life magazine — chose for the photoshoot is now a faded, shapeless garment sprouting loose threads that looks as if it belongs on a tramp, not on the heir to the throne.
In an accompanying article, Charles tells how he has turned the Sandringham estate in Norfolk organic by banishing chemicals and seeing insects thrive — which might explain why giant moths appear to have attacked his ancient tweed favourite.
He explains that he is patron of the National Hedgelaying Society and it's clear he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty or, indeed, looking as if he has just emerged from a hedge backwards.
But perhaps the most notable thing about his gardening jacket is not its threadbare state — the upper classes often look as if they shop at jumble sales — but that it has undergone many repairs.
The collar, originally dark brown velvet or cord, is now fawn. And while the pockets still have their stud fastenings, they have clearly been patched up (and even the patches now have holes).
There is a strip of contrast fabric on the inside of Charles's left arm.
But this is not the first time the Prince of Wales has made do and mended: from waxed jackets to coats, suits and shoes, his wardrobe is full of items that have been given a new lease of life. In a world full of talk about environment-friendly fashion, he at least practises what he preaches.
As he told Vogue last December in its sustainable fashion issue, he is a fan of good wardrobe maintenance: 'I'm one of those people who hate throwing anything away. Hence I'd rather have them maintained, even patched if necessary.'
He explained he had a team — presumably a valet, maid and seamstresses — to help with repairs. 'I'm lucky, because there are kind people who help with these things. But yes, I happen to be one of those people who'd get shoes or any item of clothing repaired if I can, rather than throw it away.'
He has also spoken of how, as a child, he loved seeing a cobbler repair shoes: 'We would watch with fascination as he ripped the soles off and put new soles on.'
While the Prince has always been a bit of a dandy — he chooses ties to match the colour of the sweet peas at Highgrove, and admits he minds about 'detail and colour' — he was also an early advocate of sustainability. A pair of brogues he still wears were made in the 1980s using Russian leather salvaged from a 200-year-old shipwreck, tanned with willow bark and birch oil.
His linen jackets have binding added to the lapels to make them last, and new cuffs as soon as they fray.
The Savile Row morning suit he wore to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding was from 1984. He considered something new to meet Meghan at the aisle, but said: 'I only wear it a few times a year, so obviously you want to keep these sorts of thing going.' His mantra is 'lived in'.
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