Photo: royal.uk
What is true British style? It is much more than an impeccably tailored suit or a raincoat that has withstood more than one London rain. It is about the philosophy of time, about heritage, about the ability to be true to yourself, even when the world around you is changing.
This is exactly the style of Charles III, a monarch for whom clothes are not just a fabric or a style, but a continuation of character, a reflection of values and a dialogue with the past.
He does not follow trends. He is their antithesis. His fashion is silent, calm, like the wind among the Scottish hills. It’s all about quality, meaning and depth.
Costumes: the silence of craftsmanship
There is no room for chance in Charles III’s wardrobe. Here, every thing has a soul.
Tweed that smells like heather. Wool as soft as the fog over the lake. The legendary Gieves & Hawkes, Anderson & Sheppard, Johnston’s of Elgin and Turnbull & Asser create not just costumes for him, but stories that hide ancestral secrets and notes for Highgrove gardeners in secret pockets.
His favourite shade of shirt? Cream. Like the morning when it’s barely light over the Thames.
Trench coat: a silent defence
In the UK rain, it’s important to have an ally. For Karl, it’s a classic Burberry.
His trench coat doesn’t just protect him from the weather – he hides a bunch of lavender from the royal garden in his inner pocket. And sometimes he wears a silk scarf with bees on it, because Karl does not forget that even under the clouds there is life that needs to be taken care of.
Footwear: the journey that continues
They say that a person leaves a trace. A king leaves a route.
His Tricker’s, Crockett & Jones, Benson & Clegg are shoes that can withstand the dirt of country roads and the whispers of palace carpets. One pair has an engraving of an oak leaf, the other has the scent of wax with a hint of honey. Everything reminds us that the path of a monarch always leads through the land to which he is not indifferent.
Jacket: the king among the fields
His Barbour is like an old friend’s hug.
Green, waxed, with a corduroy collar, it smells of rain, wind and a little eucalyptus – Karl himself added oil to the wax to keep mosquitoes away during evening walks on the estate.
It’s not just a jacket. It is a part of his being – simple, practical, real.
Hats: the crown of everyday life
If in the palace the crown is a duty, in Karl’s life hats are a pleasure.
From tweed caps to straw panamas from the Lock & Co. workshop, each hat in his collection is like a memory. His favourite grey and green cap, which he has worn since his youth, accompanies him to his most intimate thoughts.
Knitwear: softness with a meaning
Charles III chose warmth not only for his body but also for his soul.
His John Smedley sweaters – made of pure wool and sea cotton – warm not only him, but also those who know that there is a story behind every item.
For example, a moss-coloured cardigan with an embroidered bee – a gift from beekeepers with whom he spent the day discussing how to preserve the little workers for future generations.
P.S.
It is said that Karl always has little things from the past in his pockets. A sheet of notes for gardeners. A pebble from a Scottish path. Notes from his children that he has been carrying for over thirty years.
His style is a confession. About respect for time. To crafts. To nature.
In a world where fashion shouts, Charles III reminds us that true elegance is silent. It does not need attention because it has meaning.
He rules not only the country, but also the art of being yourself. Even when everyone around him has forgotten what that means.
Author: Marianna Nyzhnia
3 March 2025
