On her recent visit to Wales, Princess Kate stepped out in a bright red coat in a unique pattern that kept royal fashion bloggers and experts guessing. Textile historians were quick to identify the classic Welsh tapestry fabric as a traditional weaving style created in Wales, but the coat baffled royal fashion sleuths. Finally, the coat was identified as a vintage design from Dillad Dwyryd Cymru, a manufacturer of traditional Welsh tapestry clothing dating back to the 1960s.
Princess Kate’s coat featured large buttons and a swinging design that belongs in a 1960s fashion magazine, with some telltale details that pointed to its vintage origins. Vintage fashion is often hailed as the most sustainable way to shop, as older designs tend to be made from higher-quality fabrics and finishing—which means items last longer, and won’t need to be replaced.
