Kate Middleton Embraces Autumn Elegance with Cream Co-ord in Nottingham

Kate Middleton debuted an elegant ensemble in Nottingham on Wednesday. 

The Princess of Wales spent the afternoon visiting Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus while advocating for mental health awareness within the educational community. During the visit, she wore a coordinating knit set from Sézane, paired with her super stylish handbag by Tusting.

The Princess spent the afternoon with staff and students from both Nottingham Trent University and the nearby University of Nottingham. She heard more about their proactive joint approach to mental health management among their student communities. They collaborate under the ‘Universities for Nottingham’ initiative.

Kate kicked off her visit by dropping in on a Freshers Fayre-style exhibition. The Princess connected with students and staff who go above and beyond to help students with their mental health.

Then, Kate spoke with three students about about how the youngsters support each other through peer-to-peer mentoring. She also took part in a a ‘step in circle’ activity that is being used as part of a broader induction for new students at Nottingham Trent University.

The ‘step in circle’ is part of the university’s ‘Welcome Workshop’ which encourages students to share experiences to help them build confidence, to proactively manage their wellbeing and raise awareness of the wide range of support networks on offer.

During the activities, Kate revealed that she’d “love to be a student again”.  Encouraging students to get out there and challenge themselves to try new things, she spoke about her own experience at university. She said she’d try new activities activities at university because there was “so much on offer.”  She also told the students that she enjoyed hockey and tennis and photography during her time at St Andrews.

The final part of Kate’s visit involving learning how Nottingham Trent use data to monitor student engagement and identify those who many not be thriving.

The university use a ‘dashboard’ to track student involvement. If engagement dips, the university intervenes and staff offer appropriate support. The information is also given directly to the students to help them manage their own learning and is used for personalised support and tutorial discussions with staff.

Upon leaving the university, Kate met with a group of excited students who had congregated outside, waiting to catch a glimpse. Several students managed to snag a selfie with the Princess, including Crystal Kay whose picture made it onto the BBC News! Crystal told the news broadcaster that “[Kate’s] so passionate and caring about everything she does. She’s absolutely lovely”.

The Princess is devoted to ensuring that young people have proper mental wellbeing resources. She champions the idea of young individuals building protective factors like robust relationships and community ties for better mental health that’ll help them now and in the future.

The visit was one of three this week conducted by Kate marking World Mental Health Day. Kate spent Tuesday at a young person’s mental health forum in Birmingham, and Thursday at a mental health and sports workshop in Malham.

The series of engagements follows William and Kate’s longstanding commitment to encourage people to speak openly about their mental heath, including through the milestone Heads Together campaign that the pair launched with Prince Harry in 2016.

Let’s move on to look at Kate’s skirt and top now. I have to admit, I really like this look.

About Kate’s cream knit coord:

After a month of trousers and blazers, it was lovely to see the Princess in something different! She chose a knit set from the French brand Sézane, in a soft cream hue. The merino wool jumper and matching midi length skirt veered towards elegant simplicity.

Some publications noted that the look is the epitome of the popular “quiet luxury” aesthetic. I agree!

Although Middleton is known for her classic style, this particular ensemble was very on par with the quiet luxury trend that has been a hot topic for the fashion industry over the past year. Quiet luxury is characterized by minimalist shapes, neutral colors, tailored suiting and invisible branding.

WWD

It’s apt to mention that the outfit is perfectly suited for the season, with knitwear being a favoured choice as autumn heralds cooler temperatures. Plus, coordinating sets continue to remain a significant trend this year.

Let’s begin by looking at the cream sweater. As I said, it’s by Sézane. Kate wears the Sami Jumper in Natural.

The sweater is a blend of merino wool and organic cotton, and has a ribbed knit design throughout. The silhouette is characterised by its round neckline and a distinctive button placket at the bottom of the sleeves.

I can picture Kate wearing the sweater with pair of jeans and a pair of ankle boots at the weekend for casual yet elegant look.

The demand for the Sami jumper skyrocketed following Kate’s visit to Nottingham, causing it to sell out. It was priced at £110 / $145 before it flew off the shelves.

The good news for fashion aficionados is that this style comes in multiple colourways, so you might be able to find the sweater in your size in your favourite hue. (Black, bottle green, emerald green and navy/cream stripe.)

Kate paired the sweater with the matching midi length skirt. It’s called the “Naelle“. It’s also crafted from a blend of merino wool and organic cotton and features the same ribbed knitted texture. The smooth silhouette features an elasticated waist to ensure a snug fit.

As of now, the Naelle skirt is priced at $175 or £135, depending on your region. It’s available for purchase directly through Sézane’s website, but it’s only listed in sizes XL and XXL.

The skirt pairs perfectly with the Sami Jumper, creating a coordinated ensemble for those seeking a polished, cohesive look. But if you can’t get your hands on the matching sweater, it’d also look fab worn by itself with a white blouse.

The skirt comes in the same range of colours as the sweater. So you can copy Kate’s full outfit, but in a different hue, if you wish. (And let’s face it, if we know anything about Kate, it’s that she loves to buy multiples of her outfits. It would not surprise me to see her wear this ensemble in navy, emerald green or black in a couple of months from now. I’d have said the bottle green for certain, but she already has a similar top and skirt coord in that shade.)

We’ve previously spotted Kate wearing Sézane’s whimsical earrings, showcasing a penchant for the brand’s playful yet sophisticated aesthetic. With at least seven pairs of earrings and several clothing items from Sézane gracing royal engagements, it’s evident that the brand is up there on Kate’s radar. I predict we’ll see her in more of the brand’s chic pieces over the next few years.

Born from a love for vintage and initiated as an online vintage shop by Morgane Sézalory, Sézane quickly morphed into a brand known for its vintage-inspired aesthetics. Launched in 2013, the Paris-born brand has been synonymous with a French cool-girl feel, offering ready-to-wear pieces that blend modernity with a nostalgic touch.

Over the decade, Sézane has evolved into a respected international label, with over 400 employees, embodying a sustainable ethos and a commitment to quality, while maintaining its vintage-inspired charm and Parisian elegance.

Let’s look at Kate’s earrings now. The Princess wore a pair of faux pearl earrings by Simone Rocha. The “Curb Chain” style in gold.

The earrings are adorned with round faux pearls, a signature element of Simone Rocha’s designs, and chunky curb-chain links crafted from gold-tone metal.

Kate debuted the distinctive earrings during a video shoot for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards in October 2020. Since then, she has chosen them for more than ten public engagements, showcasing them during a royal rail tour of the UK in December 2020, and most recently at Wimbledon in July 2021. They have become somewhat of a staple in her accessory rotation.

The earrings, which are from a past season, retailed at Matchesfashion.com for $310. As you’d expect, they’re sold out. Looking for a pair of pearl earrings with a contemporary twist? Here are three more pairs from Simone Rocha that I think you’ll like:

1. Simone Rocha Porcelain Drop Earrings at FARFETCH
2. Simone Rocha Pearl Heart Hoops at FARFETCH
3. Simone Rocha Pearl Hoop Earrings at FARFETCH

Kate owns one other pair of Simone Rocha’s earrings, a red crystal drop design, which she debuted during the royal tour of Germany in 2017.

Simone Rocha, born in Dublin in 1986, has carved a niche in the fashion world with her historically inspired designs, accentuating a strong sense of femininity​. Since her brand’s inception in 2010, Rocha has transitioned from an indie designer to a global fashion maven, with a brand aesthetic that harmoniously melds art, nature, and heritage.

Let’s look at Kate’s super chic handbag next. It’s by Tusting. The Mini Holly Bag in Taupe.

The bag is a charming accessory reminiscent of the 1950s glamour, crafted with a graceful blend of modern aesthetics and vintage appeal. The bag showcases a sleek top handle, a fold-over flap closure fastened by a turn-lock mechanism, and is adorned with gold hardware, lending it a touch of elegance.

The interior comprises an internal slip pocket, and it also features a detachable shoulder strap for versatile styling. The Mini Holly Bag is fabricated from smooth, glossy Atlantic leather and is lined with Alcantara microsuede, embodying a luxurious yet practical accessory choice.

Kate has worn the taupe bag three times in public to date. She first showcased the bag during a visit to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in September 2021. She was then seen carrying the bag at the England v Wales Rugby match at Twickenham in February 2022.

Looking for a timeless accessory that embodies vintage charm and modern sophistication?  The Tusting Mini Holly fits the bill—and good news, it’s still available to buy.  The luxuriously crafted bag has both aesthetic appeal and practical utility, making it your new go-to.  Find it for £365 at Tusting.co.uk. 

We’ve yet to see the Princess sport any other handbag from Tusting.  The Mini Holly is the one in her collection (that we’ve seen so far, anyway).  There’s definitely a couple I could see her carrying in future though. Perhaps the Mini Holly in Pecan, or the Kimbolton in Taupe?

Tusting is a British luxury leather goods brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1875. The company has evolved over generations to cater to a discerning clientele appreciative of quality craftsmanship.

Originating as a leather tannery in Northampton, it transitioned over the years, embracing a modern yet timeless aesthetic in its offerings. Today the British company now operates from Lavendon, Buckinghamshire.

Let’s finish off by looking at Kate’s neutral pumps. They’re by Gianvito Rossi – the 105 pumps in the colour ‘bisque’.

The shoes feature a sleek stiletto heel measuring 105mm, accented with a pointed toe. Each pair is meticulously hand-crafted in Italy.

Kate started wearing the graceful pumps in March 2022, during an official overseas visit to the Caribbean. This is the sixth time we’ve seen her wear the shoes to date.

Need a pair to complete your ensemble? They’re available for purchase at FarFetch.com for £650 / $795.

The Princess has notably embraced Gianvito Rossi’s designs, owning an impressive collection of 20 pairs of his creations in her wardrobe. She owns this style—the 105 pumps—in an impressive 9 different colours. It’s clear that these shoes are a cherished staple in her wardrobe.

Gianvito Rossi, hailing from a lineage of shoemaking excellence as the son of renowned designer Sergio Rossi, launched his brand in 2006. His designs reflect a “less-is-more” aesthetic, intertwining contemporary vision with age-old Italian craftsmanship.

His brand quickly established its presence on the global footwear scene with its refined, elegant, and sleek designs that echo the luxurious ethos of Italian shoemaking​.