Can you think of anything more intimidating than having Queen Camilla’s former daughter-in-law visit your home to inspect your wardrobe? I certainly can’t. But that’s exactly what happened to me when Sara Parker Bowles, who was married to Camilla’s son Tom for 16 years (though they separated five years ago and officially divorced last year), came into my bedroom to assess my small, disorganized closet filled with worn-out clothes from Zara and Uniqlo, along with old anoraks and fraying robes.
To make matters worse, Sara, who worked as a fashion editor at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, styling celebrities like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, is a style expert. And here she is, looking at my jeans from Marks & Spencer instead of some trendy brand like Frame. The embarrassment!
But to my surprise, she says, “They’re really nice!” She even picks out a cardigan from Primark in my pile of secondhand clothes from Oxfam and says, “You could wear this with it, and it would look really cute.”
Sara is a wardrobe wizard. She recently launched her styling service called Wardrobe Revivals, where she helps clients sort through their existing clothes and advises them on how to wear what they keep to their best advantage. The process starts with a Zoom chat to understand your style preferences, followed by a three-hour, in-person consultation where she goes through your clothes, telling you what to get rid of and how to style the pieces you keep.
Initially, I felt intimidated by Sara’s glamorous presence. However, she quickly put me at ease. Despite her fashion background and connections, she remains down-to-earth and unjudgmental (with a touch of profanity). She makes it clear that she and Tom have always supported themselves and are not trying to be part of the royal circle. “If you have any objections to that, you can keep them to yourself,” she chuckles.
What Sara loves most about her job is boosting her clients’ confidence. As a divorced woman in her fifties, she understands the feeling of being “unseen.” She rejects the idea that women have to conform to certain expectations once they reach 50, or else be labeled “mutton dressed as lamb.” With her love for her legs, she often wears short skirts and cut-off denim, despite disapproving looks from others. “That’s very liberating. I want other women to feel the same way.”
Sara’s personal style reflects her boldness. She wears a lacy black skirt made from an old La Perla slip paired with a white crochet top from Portobello market, high strappy sandals borrowed from her daughter, and a mix of chains and hoops in her ears. She enjoys making statements with her outfits.
For example, she recalls wearing a navy and white polka-dot skirt suit, borrowed from Yves Saint Laurent, to Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, just five months before her own wedding to Tom. The next day, the papers were filled with pictures of her outfit, focusing on her revealing skirt. Looking back, she now appreciates those pictures and sees them as a reminder of her personal style. “A little defiance against societal expectations can feel empowering.”
At Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018, Sara wore a blue velvet dress by The Vampire’s Wife, which received mixed reactions. While those who mattered to her appreciated her outfit, strangers criticized her appearance. However, Sara remains unfazed by the opinions of people who don’t care about her.
Despite her fashion choices, Sara opted for a more conservative cream Chanel jacket borrowed from a friend for the recent Coronation. The media attention shifted to her daughter Lola, who wore an emerald Roland Mouret dress, and Freddy, one of Camilla’s pages of honor. Sara expresses pride in Freddy’s behavior during the event, noting his shyness and reluctance to steal the limelight.
Reflecting on the impact of Camilla becoming queen, Sara admits it feels surreal. She believes it will be challenging for her family to navigate the changes that come with the position. Fortunately, her children, Lola and Freddy, seem unaffected by it all. They simply don’t care about the royal status, which Sara finds refreshing.
Sara’s journey to this point began in North London, where she grew up with a father in finance and a mother who taught art. After attending a private day school, she studied English at Leeds University before working her way up from a personal assistant to a high-powered fashion editor. She met Tom through mutual friends when Camilla was still trying to keep a low profile in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.
Sara speaks fondly of her former mother-in-law, calling her a “really good granny” who has always been kind to her. Despite any disagreements between herself and Tom, they prioritize the long-term relationship between Camilla and their children.
As Charles’s face now appears on postage stamps, Sara experiences moments she never thought possible. For example, receiving an email stating that “the King” wants to know what Lola wants for her birthday. It feels like something out of a fairy tale, and Sara admits she will never truly get used to it.
In summary, Sara Parker Bowles is a style expert who brings her fashion expertise and down-to-earth personality to her styling service, Wardrobe Revivals. Despite her connection to the royal family, she remains unapologetically herself and encourages women to embrace their personal style and confidence.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
