Carole Middleton's elegant all-black outfit relied on one easy trick to transform it from simple to sensational
We rarely see the Princess of Wales's mother wearing black but this 2013 outfit was a masterclass in adding dimension and detail
So many of this year's autumn/winter fashion colour trends are gorgeous, but can you ever really beat the elegance of an all-black outfit? It's a failsafe for so many people and although it sometimes feels like the dull option there's a clever way to elevate it into something a little more special and visually interesting.
Carole Middleton used this to full effect when she attended a charity Christmas carol concert in 2013 and as someone who doesn't often wear head-to-toe neutrals, she nailed this layered look. The Princess of Wales's mum stepped out in a knee-length black coat with a faux fur collar, black patterned tights and matching accessories.
All these different textures brought so much contrast and dimension and it's the key to making an all-black outfit stand out.
Recreate Carole's Outfit
Also available in berry red and chocolate brown, these floral lace tights are a striking way to switch things up for autumn/winter. The pattern is elegant and relatively tightly spaced so you've still got a lovely amount of coverage.
Faux fur collars and scarves are proving popular right now and the luxurious texture of the fabric brings some glamour to a simple design like this one. The coat is single-breasted and fastens with buttons, with a belt to cinch in the waist. There are side pockets and it's longline.
I own two pairs of M&S leather gloves and they're so comfortable to wear and stylish to look at. These ones have split cuffs which make them easy to pull on and off and they're otherwise very minimal. You can also get them in oxblood and in brown.
Patterned tights are a fun way to add some extra texture and detail to an outfit and these feature floral motifs on the mesh. They come in a few different colours though if you want to recreate a Carole-esque look, go for the classic black version.
The faux fur is a more subtle part of this coat's design and appears just on the top part of the notched lapels. It's a shorter pea-length style and has a double-breasted cut with buttons running up the front. There's a lining and slanted side pockets too.
Carole might not have been wearing knee-high boots on that occasion but she and the Princess of Wales both love them. They're great for keeping you warm whilst being leg-elongating. These ones from Next have a low block heel, chisel toe and Forever Comfort padding.
Faux fur collars and scarves are everywhere right now and they bring a luxurious feel and even more cosiness to your autumn outfits. The one on Carole's coat was relatively minimal though you can go bold with a statement faux fur lapel if you really want a sense of vintage glamour.
Underneath she looked like she was wearing just a simple black dress around the same length as her coat and this is ideal for balancing proportions. If you're a fan of midi dresses and skirts I'd recommend investing in a longer coat as shorter ones tend to cut off at an awkward point and don't flow as well with midis.
Roughly matching lengths gives you an elongating effect and looks polished. Carole Middleton often does this and in 2013 she wanted everything else to be seamless as she drew the eye with her tights.
From florals to polka dots and checks, fun tights are such an affordable way to add texture and detail. Hers were floral fishnets and they were so intricate against the plain black coat and dress. The future Queen's mother styled them with low black heels though I suspect that nowadays she'd be more likely to reach for tall boots.
She, Kate and Pippa all love knee-highs and black suede or smooth leather boots would both bring yet more contrast. Her leather gloves and black shoulder bag finished off the ensemble in style and even though Carole wore a specific selection of pieces to the carol concert you can adapt her approach to suit you.
Knitwear and denim, corduroy trousers and a cotton shirt, a leather skirt and satin cami - there are so many possible combinations to introduce textural contrast into an all-black outfit and stop everything blending into each other. Because Carole Middleton was attending a special concert in aid of the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund she went for an elegant, evening look.
Her signature style is quite smart anyway and something like this would be perfect for an autumn or winter date night outfit. The same fashion principles also apply if you're wearing other colours head-to-toe, though an all-black look is so versatile and chic.
