The King’s “fashion faux pas” is dominating headlines this week. The misstep in question was a hole in His Majesty’s sock, revealed when he removed his shoes during a mosque visit. Evidently the royal moths have been busy. But for a man so famously fussy about his wardrobe, it seems
Riches to rags: Five essentials of an upper-class wardrobe
This isn’t to suggest that the King doesn’t care about style. Quite the contrary. This is a man who ties a silk scarf around his neck when skiing, and who has worn safari suits better than any other high-profile figure in history.
But if the unbranded luxury of stealth wealth is a hallmark of the Davos set, there’s a very different set of dusty old rules for the British upper classes. There are details that form part of a set of visual humblebrags, which telegraph an attitude that these aren’t just clothes, they’re heirlooms designed to last a lifetime, or three – after all, many of them will be donning great-grandad’s winter coat, plucked from a pile in the attic.
Five indicators of an upper-class wardrobe
The threadbare socks
🧦 The King and Queen Consort met London’s Bangladeshi community - and at a mosque the frugal King revealed a hole in his sock https://t.co/VKaTuW8iQL
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 8, 2023
Purchased along with your suit from a Savile Row tailor, probably in a luxe silk-wool blend that costs upwards of £30 (NZ$48) a pair. They’ll require hand-washing, but that’s not a problem when you have a team of valets to do that for you.
The frayed collar
The King wears Turnbull & Asser, and has been known to sport a slightly frayed collar – why upgrade when it’s still perfectly serviceable? Others in his set might forgo ironing their shirts too, especially if they’re short on staff (at Eton, they never learned how).
The slouchy suit
When it comes to suits, the King is fond of Anderson & Sheppard, known for a relaxed fit; this is essential, because the upper classes never want to look like they’re trying too hard.
The patched jacket
Charles’ off-duty clothes go far beyond patched elbows – he owns jackets that are almost a patchwork of repairs. You get upper-class bonus points if the suede patch is so worn that it’s shiny.
The creased and darned leather shoes
His Majesty’s shoes, handmade by Crockett & Jones, may have creases in the leather, but said leather has been lovingly polished, repaired and fed with a conditioner to ensure a long lifespan – which you’d want to maximise for footwear costing upwards of £600 a pair.
It’s an approach shared by his father, the late Prince Philip, who continued to wear his wedding shoes for special occasions for over 70 years, until his death in 2021.