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Duchess of Cambridge joins Madonna in mother-daughter clothes swap trend

Duchess makes first public speech in dress identical to one her mother wore, while Madonna says Lourdes borrows her outfits
Kate and Carole Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives in Ipswich to make her maiden speech. Her mother Carole Middleton, at Royal Ascot in 2010. Photograph: PA
Madonna has said she suspects her daughter Lourdes of borrowing her clothes and actor Sadie Frost has confessed to wearing her son's hoodies.
Now the Duchess of Cambridge and her mother Carole, it appears, are joining in the new trend of celebrity mother-daughter clothes swapping.
The Duchess of Cambridge chose to make her first public speech in a deep blue £139 Reiss dress from its autumn 2008 collection, giving another boost to the high-street label that she has worn on other occasions.
The dress was instantly seized upon by fashion commentators as identical to one worn by her 57-year-old mother Carole to Royal Ascot in 2010.
A St James's Palace spokesman said the dress belonged to the duchess, fuelling speculation that she has lent her mother the garment in the past.
The revelation comes after Madonna told the BBC1 Graham Norton Show earlier this year that she suspected her daughter Lourdes, 15, of taking her outfits.
"I think she sneaks into my room and borrows my clothes. I'm pretty sure she lends them to her friends at school, too," she said.
Sadie Frost, formerly married to the actor Jude Law, has also said she has often worn her 21-year-old son's hoodies and her 15-year-old's tracksuit bottoms.
Graeme Moran, fashion writer at Drapers, the industry magazine, praised what he called the Duchess of Cambridge's tendency to "recycle" clothes.
"She is known for recycling coats, shoes and dresses. I think it is a good message, personally.
"She sends the message that fashion should not be throw-away and wear once and never wear again."

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