by 
The idea of the couples’ coordinated style doesn’t bring to mind the best vision: Posh’n’Becks matching purple at their wedding in 1999, or Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake in denim at the American Music Awards in 2001.
In 2024, it’s much more subtle, as evidenced by the Prince and Princess of Wales this week, pictured visiting Southport.
The Princess wore a burgundy polka dot dress from Whistles, believed to be several years old, with a belt repositioned as a neck tie, over which she wore a chocolate brown Alexander McQueen coat. The Prince coordinated with her by wearing a burgundy jumper and a tie under his blazer.
It’s the color of the moment, but it was also the kind of deliberate coordination that conveyed a unified image, and made your photo great – and when you’re two of the most photographed people in the world you, these things are important.
It’s something we do unconsciously too – anyone who’s been in a long-term relationship will know the subtle influence that each other’s style has over time. It starts with something small, like a borrowed baseball cap, or a preference for the same shade of Converse trainers, evolving over time into a visible shared aesthetic.
“We use clothes to express many things, one of which is our connection to others,” says fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell. “So when you’re around a group of people with certain interests, like a band, or a sports team, we use clothes to express our similar tastes and as a way to connect and connect.”
The same thing applies to people in relationships, Forbes-Bell explains: “In romantic relationships, we often do this unconsciously, which is why people sometimes say that you start to look like your partner.. .We use our clothing and style as a way to express a shared identity, and it satisfies this inner desire to belong, which goes all the way back to our evolutionary basis of survival. being with a group, and how that can help advance our lives and our race. .”
The Brits aren’t the only high-profile couple to display this behavior – the wardrobes on red carpets and front rows are everywhere, intentionally and unintentionally.
Scroll on to see the celebrity couples drifting into compatible territory right now…
Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz
The Loewe couple wore a skull for the label’s Paris Fashion Week show last month. Together, they made a convincing case for a bright, fuzzy knit paired with wide trousers and a barrel leg. His dressing – just do it in a high way.
Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton
The low-key couple have been together since 2022 – plenty of time to combine their respective styles with what we’ll describe as goth-luxe. Very on-brand for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice promotional tour.
Alexa Chung and Tom Sturridge
Of course, Alexa Chung would be the best way to do it: she and rumored fiance Tom Sturridge both wore silk rose decorations for the Vogue World event in Paris this summer. Her dress was by Viktor & Rolf from the autumn/winter 2005 collection. Sturridge’s dove gray corsage aligned with Chung’s acting as a smart choice on a pocket square – 10/10.
Idris and Sabrina Elba
These two strike the perfect balance between coordination and a look that doesn’t overpower each other. Use a shared palette here, like the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The King and the Queen
The Brits aren’t the only royals to wear a coordinated look for engagements; the King and Queen have done it from time to time too – they both wear a rich mid-blue. Sometimes the whole family gets involved, like this Easter, when the Queen, the Princess Royal and even the Duchess of York wore green to put on a united front.
Justin and Hailey Bieber
You won’t find the Biebers in the same outfit twice unless they’re wearing the same one at the same time. Here, they are so carefully coordinated in their white vests and leather jackets, that they also appear to be wearing only one sleeve each. Now that’s commitment.
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz-Beckham
These two have turned celebrity parties into a career, so they’ve learned a thing or two about coordinating outfits without going as far as Brooklyn’s ’90s parents. Here, Nicola echoes her husband’s black tie wear in a tongue-in-cheek, yet chic way.
