For most people, wedding dresses are destined to be worn once—then carefully tucked away in a box, preserved more for memory than function. Shifting fashion trends and changing body shapes often conspire to keep bridal wear in retirement. But Queen Camilla is proving that wedding gowns can live far beyond the ceremony.
During a recent visit to the Italian Parliament, Queen Camilla was seen wearing the same gown she donned for her 2005 civil ceremony to King Charles at the Guildhall in Windsor. The elegant ensemble consisted of a cream silk chiffon gown with a scalloped neckline and a cascade of woven discs, paired with a structured silk basket-weave coat. Completing the look was a Philip Treacy hat, trimmed with ivory lace and soft feathers.
The occasion, which also marked the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, saw the Queen embrace the first of two original wedding day ensembles, both designed by the London-based duo Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine (then known as Robinson Valentine). The second look from her 2005 nuptials—a blue and gold embroidered coat over a chiffon gown—was equally regal.
This latest outing is not the first time Queen Camilla has recycled her wedding attire. In 2007, she made headlines by rewearing the same Guildhall dress to the opening of the National Assembly for Wales—defying tradition and royal expectations. For this year’s rewear, designer Anna Valentine subtly updated the dress with help from Beth Somerville of The King’s Foundation. The woven disc details were replaced with clean, vertical seams, creating a sleek silhouette that flatters and modernizes the look.
Royals Leading the Rewear Revolution
Queen Camilla’s rewearing ethos is in good company. The British Royal Family has long embraced sartorial sustainability. The Princess of Wales is particularly renowned for reimagining outfits—from high-street Zara dresses to Alexander McQueen coats—demonstrating that rewearing doesn’t diminish elegance. Even King Charles is a proponent of wardrobe longevity, having publicly worn a visibly mended double-breasted grey suit dating back decades.
Yet, rewearing a wedding dress—not once, but twice—is a bold statement. It speaks not only to the timelessness of the design but also to the sentimental value embedded in such garments. Camilla’s decision to bring her wedding gown back into rotation 20 years later is both practical and poignant.
A Trend Gaining Momentum
Queen Camilla isn’t the only notable figure rethinking bridal wear. Actor Keira Knightley famously wore her bespoke Chanel wedding dress to a pre-BAFTA event in 2008, five years before she walked down the aisle in it in 2013. Emma Stone also revived her Louis Vuitton mini dress from her wedding after-party, wearing it to the Met Gala in 2022.
Meanwhile, everyday brides are increasingly exploring ways to repurpose their wedding dresses. Daisy Harvey, founder of the upcycling app Loom, says that rewearing and revamping bridal gowns is becoming more mainstream.
“Your wedding outfit doesn’t have to live in a box forever,” Harvey says. “We’ve helped brides transform their gowns through dyeing, embroidery, shortening, or even turning them into completely new garments.”
Loom is now collaborating with The Fall Bride to offer even more upcycling options for modern brides.
Bridal styling consultant Rosie Boydell-Wiles, who turned her Vivienne Westwood gown into a wearable corset and skirt, offers practical advice for those looking to reimagine their own bridal looks.
“First, think about what you’ll get the most use out of,” Boydell-Wiles advises. “If you’re unlikely to wear the whole dress again, consider turning it into a top or skirt. If size is an issue, adding a lace-up corset panel can help with fit. And because the hem or train is usually the most worn part of the dress, consider altering it to a midi length for easier wear.”
Giving Dresses a Second Story
Camilla’s decision to step out in her wedding dress years after the fact isn’t just a style move—it’s a powerful gesture about honoring meaningful clothing and celebrating sustainability.
Whether or not you have a royal engagement on the horizon, the message is clear: your wedding dress doesn’t have to be a one-day wonder. With thoughtful tailoring and a touch of imagination, it can be reworn, restyled, and reloved—for anniversaries, special events, or simply because it still makes you feel beautiful.
