Kate Middleton has impeccable style, whatever the season. In autumn, she sticks to her tried-and-tested formula of rich colours, cosy knits, long coats, dark tights and stylish boots. All perfect for the colder months.
Below, I’ve created a round-up of my favourite autumnal outfits from Kate’s past engagements—handy inspiration for your own wardrobe! I’ve delved deep into the archives to find a range of looks from the last 11 years in an assortment of styles to suit all occasions.
In no particular order:
1. Tonal Dressing
Let’s kick the post off with this fab tonal outfit. The Duchess wore this colourful coat and sweater combo to take part in a school science lesson in autumn 2021.
Kate’s has worn several iterations of this style before—a sweater underneath a coat in the same tone. It’s becoming her signature look.
I just LOVE the deep pink. Sumptuous jewel tones provide the perfect splash of colour on dreary autumn days.
This is an easy look to imitate. Especially as you can still purchase the Tilda coat and Lara sweater from Hobbs London (albeit in different colours). The trousers are from L.K. Bennett, and likewise, they’re still available to buy. As are her Daniella Draper earrings and Gianvito Rossi 85 pumps.
OUTFIT INSPIRATION – TONAL STYLING
Hobbs re-stock the Tilda coat and Lara sweater each season. Copy Kate’s tone-on-tone look by pairing the same items in camel (pictured below) navy or forest green over L.K. Bennett’s cigarette leg trousers in black or navy.
HOBBS LONDON TILDA COAT
In Camel
Click to buy
HOBBS LONDON LARA SWEATER
In Camel
Click to buy
LK BENNETT FRIEDA TROUSERS
In Black
Click to buy
2. Dark Printed Midi
In autumn 2016, Kate visited the Natural History Museum wearing a long silk dress from L.K. Bennett (the ‘Cersei Evergreen’ dress) in a colour palette perfect for the season.
Six years have passed since this engagement and the dress is still as stylish today. It’s a timeless look. I fully expect to see Kate wear this one again.
The Duchess paired the frock with a pair of grey pointed heels from Hugo Boss and her Kiki McDonough Lauren Leaf earrings.
Looking for a similar dress for your next event? Try L.K. Bennett’s Camelia midi dress in navy.
3. Casual & Polished
Let’s change tack and look at one of Kate’s casual outfits now. I wanted to include a couple in the round-up—they’re easy to copy for running errands, visiting family, taking kids to the park, etc.
Kate wore this informal look on day eight of the 2016 Canada Tour. The Duke and Duchess attended a sailing engagement with youngsters from two charities.
Kate paired skinny black jeans with a blue sweater and a pair of white Superga Cotu Classics. On top, she wore a chic-yet-practical wax parka by Troy London. She finished the outfit with her pearl earrings by Annoushka. The result? Simple, relaxed and yet perfectly polished.
I love this look—I imagine this is how the Duchess dresses on her days off, out of the spotlight.
Just a word of warning from personal experience. Only wear white Superga sneakers on dry autumn days!
COPY THIS LOOK
Kate’s parka jacket, shoes and earrings are still available. Pair with jeans and a sweater to copy Kate’s look!
TROY LONDON PARKA
Kate owns it in navy too
Click to buy
WHITE SUPERGA COTU CLASSICS
Kate owns them in green too
Click to buy
ANNOUSHKA PEARL DROPS
Pair of chic pearl earrings
Click to buy
4. Collegiate Autumn
I’ve always been a fan of this outfit. Town and Country Magazine described it as a “preppy look” that was “fit for collegiate autumn”. A deliberate choice by the Duchess, I’m sure. She wore the ensemble to visit a university in early October 2020.
I enjoy the relaxed-yet-chic cashmere sweater, the trendy gold disc necklace and the unbuttoned wool coat. The sweater and coat were both from the Spanish brand, Massimo Dutti. They’re part of the same group as Zara, Pull&Bear etc.
Her block heeled pointed shoes were by Gianvito Rossi. You’ll probably recognise the trousers from above, the L.K. Bennett Frieda style.
Massimo Dutti 100% Cashmere Sweater
Same Sweater Different Colours! Kate owns this cashmere sweater in both pink and blue. Massimo Dutti no longer stock it in those colours, but they do four other autumn-appropriate hues available: cream, salmon, apple and anthracite. Shop them by clicking the button below:
5. Wrapped Up Warm
Another look from the 2016 tour. Kate wore this gorgeous Sentaler wrap coat in Carcross, Canada. For me, it was love at first sight—this jacket is the perfect autumn topper.
Kate paired the wrap coat with navy skinny jeans, brown suede cowboy boots and a pair of gold earrings by a local designer. She finished the look with a chic updo.
6. Outdoorsy Outfit
I have a real soft spot for Kate’s outdoorsy style—I imagine her wearing outfits like this as she walks around Sandringham with her kids at the weekend.
The Duchess chose this relaxed ensemble to visit Robin Hood School in 2017.
Did you know these boots are nearly TWENTY YEARS old? It’s true. There are photos of Kate wearing them back in 2004! They’re the ‘Long Tassel Boots’ by Penelope Chilvers. In an interview, Chilvers told a journalist that, to her knowledge, Kate has never replaced the boots. She wears the same pair.
DISCOUNT ALERT: Get 12% off Kate’s boots with the code EXTRA12 – shop the exact pair
Kate’s coat is by Barbour, the company’s Wax Defence jacket. This is another item she’s owned for a long time. It dates back to at least 2012. She’s worn it in more recent times too (last spotted in 2020).
I love Kate’s super chunky roll-neck sweater; it looks VERY cosy. It’s by Temperley London, the Honeycomb tunic. We’ve seen her wear it on a couple of occasions—the first time nearly a decade ago, during a ski trip in 2013. She owns it in a creamy almond colour, too.
SHOP THE LOOK
Love Kate’s cosy outfit? You can still shop the look today!
Worth knowing: A few years ago, Barbour updated the jacket with a heavier weight cotton lining and named it the “Winter Defence Jacket”.
BARBOUR
Winter Defence Jacket
Click to buy
TEMPERLEY LONDON
Honeycomb Sweater
Click to buy
PENELOPE CHILVERS
Long Tassell Boots
12% off with code EXTRA12
Click to buy
7. Berry Nice
In autumn 2019, Kate attended Shout’s Crisis Volunteer celebration wearing a pair of berry-coloured slim-fit trousers by Joseph. She paired the trousers with a grey glen check blazer by Smythe.
Berry is autumn’s juiciest shade. It’s the perfect hue to brighten the colder months. Vibrant shades provide a welcome pop of colour on drizzly grey days.
The Duchess finished her autumnal outfit with her Gianvito Rossi Piper block heel pumps and the Mappin and Webb Empress diamond earrings.
8. Velvet Trim
Kate wore this stunning deep green coat with velvet trims for a service marking the centenary of the end of World War I in November 2018. I’ve always loved the coat—it’s another Catherine Walker piece—Kate’s owned it since at least 2017.
Kate paired the green coat with black velvet accessories: a hairband by Jane Taylor, the Celeste clutch from Jimmy Choo and the Jimmy Choo Romy 100 pumps.
The Duchess finished the look with her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore pearl stud earrings and a Large Poppy Brooch from the Royal British Legion.
GET THE LOOK (in grey)
As soon as I spotted this coat, I thought “Kate.”
The garment features a full skirt, tailored upper, collar and double-breasted front closure. And of course, it’s finished with velvet trims. It’s just a shame it doesn’t come in deep bottle green—but I think the slate grey is VERY wearable. The sort of coat that would stay in your closet for decades.
Throw on with black tights and heels to invite comparisons to your favourite Duchess from your friends and family!
Price: £275 GBP / $398 USD. Multiple other currencies are available.
9. Dopamine Dressing
If you’re a fan of dopamine dressing—a.k.a. finding joy in wearing bright and beautiful clothes—you’ll appreciate Kate’s rich plum purple skirt suit by Oscar de la Renta.
The happy shade is perfect for autumn, the bright plum contrasts perfectly against bright blue morning skies and fiery falling leaves.
Kate wore this mood-enhancing ensemble to launch The Nook Children’s Hospice in Nov 2019.
Kate paired the bright separates with black tights, a pair of Gianvito Rossi Piper block heel pumps, her Aspinal x Beulah Blue Hearts clutch bag and her Catherine Zoraida Fern hoop earrings.
10. Seasonal Staples
Another fab look that I imagine most of us could copy and wear as we go about our daily business. Kate wore this autumnal ensemble in September 2021, during a visit to Cumbria.
Kate paired a smart-casual in a belted tweed jacket by Really Wild with a Boden cashmere knit and dark skinny jeans tucked into See by Chloé ankle boots. She finished the look with a pair of gold hoop earrings by Liv Thurlwell.
11. Puddle Pants
In 2018, Kate debuted a pair of long, wide-leg trousers for a visit to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. She’s worn them on repeat ever since. Fashionistas have termed the trousers “puddle pants”. Even Vogue approve, “why puddle pants are the perfect antidote to skinny jeans” read one recent headline in the publication.
Smart and polished, relaxed tailored trousers continue their dominance into autumn
Who What Wear
The trousers were by Jigsaw. Sadly, they’re long sold out (you can shop a similar pair from the brand here).
On top, Kate wore her Duchess blazer by Smythe over a plain white tee. She wore her Asprey London Oak Leaf earrings and finished the look with the Dora clutch from L.K. Bennett and Gianvito 85 pumps by Gianvito Rossi, both in matching shades of olive.
Smythe Duchess Blazer in Army Green
EXACT MATCH – This blazer is a hardworking closet staple that will take you from work meeting to weekend brunch with ease. The army green colour is perfect for autumn. Fun fact, Kate owns the same blazer in navy too!
12. Scarlet Seperates
If you read my recent roundup of Kate’s best outfits, you’ll know I quite like this look! Scarlet red and tan brown are the perfect colour combo for a busy autumn afternoon.
The Duchess tucked a cashmere turtleneck jumper by Ralph Lauren into a long pleated skirt from Christopher Kane. Her shoes are also by Ralph Lauren. Her gold hoop earrings were a bargain £12/$18 from ASOS (still available). Handbag DeMellier.
DeMellier Nano Montreal Bag
Exact match! Want to emulate Kate’s sophisticated style? This DeMellier handbag is the perfect pick. It’s elegant and refined — just like the Duchess herself.
13. Immaculate Style
Kate, The Queen of Diplomatic Dressing, wore Canadian red on a handful of occasions during her visit to the country in 2016. On day five of the tour, she wore this coat by Carolina Herrera. She looked immaculate.
I loved her conker-coloured accessories too (Tod’s pumps and Mulberry clutch) and Maple Leaf Tartan scarf. She finished the look with her Annoushka Baroque Pearl earrings.
14. Elegant Styling
You can’t beat a full-length coat. Kate wore hers open over a silk blouse and trousers–perfect for the trans-seasonal weather. Such an elegant look.
Kate chose a military inspired blouse by Alexander McQueen for a visit to the Imperial War Museum in the autumn of 2021. The maxi coat is by Catherine Walker.
Kate debuted both the L.K. Bennett Frieda cigarette trousers and navy Gianvito Rossi 85 pumps on this occasion. She finished the look with a croc print belt and a pair of sparkling diamond and sapphire earrings.
15. Burgundy & Khaki
Kate wore a burgundy-coloured scalloped knit from Warehouse with khaki green wide-legged culottes by Jigsaw when she visited the Angela Marmont Centre (AMC) for UK Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum in London in October 2019.
She finished the autumn-appropriate look with a pair of Tod’s fringed block heel pumps and her gorgeous Chanel handbag. I love this combination of colours—perfect for autumn.
16. Relaxed Styling
I’ll end the article with another casual, easy-to-wear look. Kate chose this informal ensemble for a farm visit in 2017.
She paired a J.Crew cashmere t-shirt with a checked shirt from GAP, her Troy London wax parka, Zara biker jeans and her Penelope Chilvers boots. The Duchess finished the look with her sparkling gold Lauren Leaf earrings by Kiki McDonough.
Princess Catherine ALWAYS looks impeccable! I love her exquisite style no matter the occasion!…she is most BEAUTIFUL, inside & out, & it’s that inner, gracious & humble beauty that reflects a refreshing, captivating, warm, approachable Royal that is most appealing!!
She stands alone & deserves great honor & respect for the woman, the wife, the Mother, the Duchess, and the Princess that she is…and her modest, stylish, and tasteful wardrobe is ALWAYS a delight to see! which is ALWAYS perfect & very cool, and represents the Royal Family well, and the Royal Titles that she holds!! Princess Catherine is an icon all her own!