Kate Middleton is increasingly savvy when it comes to reinventing its signature style.

If the royal is known for wearing pieces again (she beloved brown tassel boots by Penelope Chilvers have been in her rotation for over 20 years!), her style team gets creative when it comes to upcycling her more formal – and often expensive – outfits.

“We’ve seen Kate recycle more recently and I think that’s a great message to send, especially so soon after William’s Earthshot tour,” Bethan Holt, fashion director at Daily Telegraph, told PEOPLE after Kate perfected the chic setting when she stepped out on Nov. 10 to Remembrance Sunday.

At first glance, the sharp black military-inspired coat dress, featuring a velvet bow at the collar and velvet-covered buttons, looked like a new addition to her wardrobe. But it was actually a Catherine Walker & Co. piece she had worn for the same occasion four years earlier, proving that timeless elegance is still in fashion.

“I think she recognizes that she already has a lot of beautiful pieces in her wardrobe, which, with a few small tweaks, can look entirely new,” says Holt, who has written extensively about Kate’s love of recycling in his book, The Duchess of Cambridge: A decade of modern royal style.

In fact, this is the third time Kate has reinvented this outfit. Initially worn with pom-pom epaulettes on her shoulders in 2020 for her Cenotaph balcony appearance, she had the pom-poms removed for a second outing in September 2022, when she wore the same piece for salute Commonwealth troops at Pirbright Army Training Center in the days leading up to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

This isn’t the first time Kate has expertly reworked her look. Earlier this year, she impressed by Trooping the Color in a monochrome ensemble – recycled from an outfit she previously wore to meet the crowds ahead of the 2023 coronation.

In 2019, Kate gave a black and floral Alexander McQueen dress a new twist by adding short sleeves to the off-the-shoulder style she wore. worn for the first time at the 2017 BAFTAss. She then debuted the revamped look at the Portrait Gala.

“I hope they incorporate that into all their styling decisions,” Holt says.

November 9 at Remembrance Daye, Kate made her first public appearance to the royal family since announcing the end of her chemotherapy treatment. She wore a black dress that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Alexander McQueen dress she wore to the late Queen’s funeral in 2022. However, it is unclear whether the original dress had been altered – although given the historical nature occasion, it seems unlikely – or if it was simply a similar piece from her wardrobe.

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Regardless, the sentiment was unmistakable in her outfit and jewelry choices during this poignant weekend. On Saturday, Kate wore earrings that belonged to Princess Dianaand on Remembrance Sunday, she honored the late queen with her choice of jewelry, making it clear that her tribute extended beyond her reimagined wardrobe.

“I think Kate was showing remembrance on a broader level with her appearance – not just those who lost their lives (in service), but there were nods to Queen Elizabeth and Diana, which gave her gave a very personal feel,” adds Holt.