You don’t have to be a royal to roller skate like one.
As of Thursday, April 3, Kate Middleton’s iconic sequin club top, a vibrant emerald-green artifact from her pre-royal life, has resurfaced for sale — and it can be yours for $108 and change.
A nostalgic wave has swept through the fashion world as the statement piece, a stark departure from her current regal wardrobe, filled with Catherine Walker coat dresses and Phillip Treacy fascinators, offers a glimpse into the Princess of Wales’ noughties-era fashion choices.
It was 2008, and Middleton, then 26, was best known for being Prince William’s girlfriend. This made her a constant fixture in the British tabloids, which followed (and photographed) her every move, effectively chronicling the early days of her style evolution.
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One of her most memorable looks is from the night she attended the Day-Glo Midnight Roller Disco at the Renaissance Rooms in London, which was held to raise money for various charities. However, the paparazzi photos of a club-hopping Middleton (in costume, no less) are priceless.
Outfitted in said ’70s-inspired halter top and yellow hot pants, she fully committed to the theme, which included taking a spin around the rink in pink-and-white roller skates and matching knee socks.
However, the sequined party top is perhaps the most instantly recognizable element today. The shimmering aqua confection hails from Bay Trading, a popular British high-street brand that, like Middleton, defined early 2000s fashion. Bay Trading, known for playful and affordable designs, catered to a generation that embraced the vibrant aesthetic and bold partywear of the 2000s.
Despite the brand’s eventual demise, its legacy lives on, particularly among vintage fashion enthusiasts and royal style admirers, who will no doubt find themselves in an eBay bidding war, where Middleton’s legendary top is currently listed in a US size 4. According to the seller, the garment is in “excellent condition” and comes with the original Y2K-inspired satin tie belt.
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The rare fashion discovery underscores that even within the constraints of royal protocol, Milddeton’s innate style was like the proverbial jewel in the crown from day one. Before her days as a princess, she enjoyed late nights out, embraced London’s party scene and even graced the university runway in a risqué sheer dress, which caught the eye of a boyish Prince William.
This sequined top serves as a tangible link to her past, bridging her youthful trend-conscious days with her more traditional tastes as the Princess of Wales. Now’s your chance to own a piece of royal fashion history!
