Thrift chic pushes Prince Charles up GQ best dressed list

Prince Charles has jumped up GQ magazine's best dressed list in his 70th year after he was praised for thrifty style.

The Prince of Wales has moved from 20th last year to sixth this year, only beaten by the likes of US actor and rapper Donald Glover, Call Me By Your Name actor Timothee Chalamet and Bodyguard star Richard Madden. 

The heir to the throne's signature style is smart British suits, favouring tailors Savile Row, Ede & Ravenscroft and Anderson & Sheppard, who keeps scraps of material from every garment made for Prince Charles.

The offcuts are used to patch up and mend his custom-made suits so they can be wore many times.

It is believed to include material from the grey morning suit the prince wore to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding. 

It is the first time the Prince has featured so high on the list, having been eighth in 2013. He appears above the likes of David Beckham and The Crown actor Matt Smith, who dropped to 11 from number one spot last year.

In an essay in an issue of GQ magazine in 2013, the prince wrote: "The recognition of GQ was encouraging to say the least. I took it very much as a vote for what can perhaps best be described as the classic and timeless look for British style."

He disclosed his bespoke suits are made to withstand a "heavy battering" during the course of his royal duties. 

The hard-working ethos of the prince was revealed in a documentary to mark his 70th birthday, where his sons said their father has dinner "ridiculously late at night" and often wakes up with a piece of paper stuck to his face after falling asleep at his desk.

In his 70th year Prince Charles also picked up a lifetime achievement award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, but told the audience at the star-studded bash he did not feel deserving of his fashion accolades.

The prince said of his philanthropy award:  "I really wanted to apologise for being wrongly dressed. When they first announced I was winning the MOTY award, I felt sure it must have been some kind of ill-deserved fashion award. In fashion terms I’m like a stopped clock. I’m fashionable once every 25 years.”

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