The trend of celebrity daughters raiding their famous mothers' closets is gaining momentum, with several high-profile examples emerging. This practice, often seen as a sign of a close relationship, highlights a blend of personal style and familial connection.
Carys Douglas, daughter of Catherine Zeta-Jones, recently made headlines by selecting a black Gucci lace top from her mother's wardrobe for a New York fashion event. Douglas, 23, put her own interpretation on the piece, famously worn by Zeta-Jones to a premiere in 1996, by foregoing a underlayer and pairing it with a lace mini skirt. This is not the first instance of Douglas borrowing from her mother's collection; she previously wore one of Zeta-Jones's iconic outfits for her 21st birthday.
Psychotherapist Marygrace Anderson suggests that such sartorial choices can signify "public admiration and pride" and act as a "humble brag," quietly communicating status, wealth, beauty, and family unity. "When a daughter wants to wear her mum’s clothing, it can indicate she wants to signal closeness, public admiration, and pride for her mother," Anderson told the Daily Mail. "This ultimately reflects emotional alignment and identification at its core."
Harper Beckham, daughter of Victoria Beckham, also frequently emulates her mother's style. The 14-year-old has been seen recreating off-duty looks, including a brown floral maxi dress worn by her mother during a family vacation. Celebrity stylist Lisa Talbot commented that such shared dressing reflects a shift towards "ageless, effortless and personality-led" style, where pieces are adapted to individual tastes rather than being exact replicas.
Apple Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow, has also delved into her mother's extensive fashion archives. She recently wore the same Calvin Klein dress Paltrow donned for a 1996 film premiere, completing the look by mimicking her mother's hairstyle. Paltrow has previously shared that she has intentionally saved many of her iconic outfits with the hope that her daughter would one day wear them.
Angelina Jolie's daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, borrowed a sparkling Elie Saab gown previously worn by her mother to the Oscars in 2014 for a 2021 premiere. Similarly, Salma Hayek's daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, wore one of her mother's Isaac Mizrahi gowns to her own Oscars appearance.
The tradition extends to European royalty as well. Lady Louise Windsor repurposed her mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh's, Roland Mouret coat for a Christmas service. Princess Alexandra of Hanover wore a vintage Chanel dress from her mother Caroline's collection. Even the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has been known to borrow from her mother Carole Middleton's wardrobe, notably wearing a Reiss coat dress previously seen on Carole.