How To Dress like a Duke
Style tips on dressing like a Duke from Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philip, King Charles, Prince William and Edward VIII
When it comes to classic British style, our royal gentlemen are renowned and respected all over the world for their sartorial savviness. From diplomatic dinners to country sporting events, the princes of the royal family can be relied upon to dress immaculately, appropriately and with discreet panache. Yet these are not identical royals; each duke has his own subtle style preferences, ensuring that his manner of dressing is distinctive and individual.
Top of the royal best-dressed men list are, in order of seniority (and, some might argue, also in order of style accomplishment): Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021 ; Charles, Prince of Wales, age 70 and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, age 37. Across three generations, these princes of the realm have quietly showcased the best of traditional British men’s fashion, championing UK menswear and affirming its status as the finest in the world.
Here is a guide to their Duke style and suggestions as to how to get their look.
THE LATE PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
Prince Philip was a stalwart supporter of established British brands for his entire wardrobe, from his natty hats to his polished shoes. Regarding the tailoring of his coats, his favoured cut was roomy but sharp in classic cloths. He believed in holding on to perfectly decent suits that have stood the test of time, and had some altered for a more contemporary look. The great grandfather of British royal style, age-defying, elegant and impeccably dressed, the Duke was quite simply the finest consort a Queen could wish for. His enduring legacy is such that in 2016 GQ Magazine named him the 12th best-dressed man in Britain, just behind actor Benedict Cumberbatch and pop star Harry Styles.
The Austrian Loden Coat
The Duke weathered challenging British winters in style, thanks to his armoury of long weather-ready coats. He wore them immaculately cut but capacious enough to wear over a suit or jacket. This traditional Loden Coat, with its deep invert back pleat, ticks all the boxes.
The British Made Tweed Cap
Ideal for driving and roaming about Balmoral, this Scottish tweed cap is one of a collection of Cordings caps designed and made in the UK in styles that have remained practical and good looking down the generations. Rather like the Duke of Edinburgh himself.
KING CHARLES III, FORMERLY THE DUKE OF CORNWALL
King Charles III is a man who wears clothes very well indeed, bringing to classic British menswear a cool suaveness that has won many admiring glances on his globe-trotting royal tours. From an athletic youth in swim shorts and polo wear, he has matured into a distinguished dapper dresser. He favours polished, beautifully-made, Savile Row suiting and classic outerwear with a slightly less structured silhouette than the slim cuts worn by his sons.
The Double Breasted Charles Covert Coat
The King strives admirably to combine style with sustainability. For him recycling is no passing fad; some coats have been in his wardrobe 30 years and more. At home in the country and in his garden, King Charles is rarely seen without his famous overcoat. In a beige wool covert twill this coat is an investment piece the King would appreciate – especially the peaked lapel and gauntlet cuff.
The British Made Tweed Field Coat
Made with Teflon-coated Scottish tweed, fully waterproof with a breathable membrane, plus a few thoughtful and practical design touches, King Charles would be right at home in this field jacket at Highgrove or on the moor.
The British Tweed Jacket
King Charles shared with his mother a love of tweed for off-duty leisure pursuits, and would not be without his country tweed jackets. This timeless style, sporty and dapper, beautifully cut in the finest tweed, would suit him well. And, just like the Duke, it only gets better with age.
The Neat British Made Woven Silk Tie
The King adores a smart tie to finish off both formal and countrywear looks with a distinguished touch. Made in Britain using pure silk cloth woven in Suffolk, this duck design tie would fit the bill perfectly.
WILLIAM, PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
Now a father of three, William has developed a royal style that suits his sporty, family-orientated lifestyle and his unpretentious, thoughtful nature. Like his father, he leans to Savile Row tailored suits for formal outings, but chooses a slimmer and more modern cut. Off-duty or for more relaxed royal appearances, he likes to wear easy chinos and casual trousers, lightweight jackets, open-neck shirts and fitted jumpers (as often does his wife, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge).
The Scottish lambswool jumper and British made jeans
William adores his knits, the trusted mainstays of any gentleman’s wardrobe. Spun in Hawick using the finest British lambswool, luxuriously soft and light, this Scottish made blue lambswool jumper would suit him well. Jeans of all shades feature in Prince William’s casual wardrobe and the action man would appreciate this style, smart, understated, comfortable and effortless at all times.
The Smart Tweed Jacket
William is consistently spotted in a navy blue suit but upon less formal royal visits the prince has been spotted in a classic tweed jacket. Iconic Harris Tweed Jackets cannot be beaten and belong in every gentleman’s wardrobe. A timeless piece offering a practical and comfortable solution to the duke’s wardrobe.
EDWARD VIII, DUKE OF WINDSOR
The Formal City Suit
Edward VIII, later known as the Duke of Windsor was king for less than a year. The duke did it his own way and it certainly showed through his fashion sense. On modest occasions the Duke would wear a flannel suit in the finest quality. Cordings suits are evidence of quality workmanship that goes into British tailoring.
The Polo Shirt
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor spent their final years living in France where they bought and renovated the weekend country retreat Le Moulin de la Tuilerie, accompanied by their two dogs, this was of course a lifestyle that allowed for a much more relaxed look. The polo shirt became popular through the 1920s when fashion was being revolutionised in aristocracy, although such garments were not commonly worn by royalty, Edward the Duke of Windsor was an early trendsetter.
