Duchess Sophie's black cherry velvet blazer is an elevated pairing for your favourite jeans and cosy accessories
This is your sign to swap leather jackets and puffer coats for something a little more sophisticated this winter
It's finally time! Now the temperatures have dropped and we're embracing cosy styling, we can start to enjoy some of those designs and fabrics that are undeniably seasonal. Velvet screams winter to me like nothing else and although some people might think it's only for party season, it adds a touch of elegance to more low-key looks too.
The Duchess of Edinburgh showed this during her recent three-day visit to Finland when she wore her Frame blazer with a snuggly blanket scarf and wide-leg trousers. The black cherry colour highlighted the sumptuous texture and slight sheen of the velvet, though other jewel tones have an equally beautiful effect.
Shop Sophie's Look
Currently on sale, this gorgeous chocolate brown blazer is the perfect piece to see you through party season and the rest of winter. It's single-breasted and has a smart notched lapel collar and handy pockets. If you love a matching look, you can also get the co-ordinating trousers.
If you love the deep merlot colour of the Duchess's jacket then this is a fabulous option to bring that tone into your seasonal outfits. You can get 15% off right now with the code AX6V and it comes in petite and regular versions. It's semi-fitted and has a revere collar.
This velvet blazer is affordable and chic, with it's rich burgundy tone and classic silhouette. It's got practical patch pockets at the front and covered buttons on the cuffs that elevate the design. Throw on with everything from jeans to leather trousers or jumper dresses.
Duchess Sophie has a lot of luxurious footwear in her wardrobe, but these Office shoes are much more affordable and still in stock. You can get them in a few different colours and she wore the dark chocolate brown style in Finland. The heel is sturdy and the toe is softly rounded.
This blanket scarf is large enough to fully wrap around you and keep you cosy all winter long. It's dark brown and has traditional fringing running along the bottom for a touch more texture. Made from 100% wool, this piece is breathable and warm.
Crafted from faux leather, this mini clutch bag from M&S has a textured snake print finish that makes it stand out. The magnetic fastening keeps your belongings secure inside and the size is perfect for carrying your essentials without being too bulky.
Midnight navy and forest green are two of my other favourites, though the rise of the brown colour trend means there are also some beautiful neutral options out there right now. Black velvet is also hard to beat on versatility and is quite understated.
No matter the colour, a velvet jacket can be surprisingly easy to style. Duchess Sophie went for a silhouette that she already knows works for her which always helps and blazers are one of the most popular options. The fabric balances out the structure and stops them looking too business-like, but they've still got that elevated edge.
This makes a velvet blazer great for winter date night outfits and partywear, though you can also wear them with relaxed pieces to create a smart-casual look. This is what the Duchess of Edinburgh did in Finland and although her grey Victoria Beckham trousers were sharply tailored, the rest of her ensemble was all about cosiness.
As seen in pictures shared by President Alex Stubb of Finland, she wrapped her dark brown scarf around her shoulders and let it cascade down the front of her blazer for a chic, off-duty feel. Her matching £60 boots were by high-street shoe brand Office and had a sturdy block heel and rounded toe and she carried a burgundy tassel pouch by Noble Macmillan.
These rich colours all worked together wonderfully and if she'd wanted to make this outfit even more wearable for everyday, Duchess Sophie could swap the trousers for blue or black denim. This would be the winter equivalent of your spring/summer jeans and blazer outfits which, let's face it, are a staple for so many of us.
Knitted dresses are a super feminine alternative and tie in with the softness of the velvet if you want to take things up a notch, but not quite as much as wearing tailoring or a matching velvet co-ord set.
Jackets can also be worn underneath thicker coats which is handy and shirts and thin knits tend to be the royals' tops of choice when they're wearing velvet outerwear.
The King's sister-in-law previously wore this same black cherry jacket during a visit to New York City to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in March. On this occasion she styled it with a burgundy belted dress by British clothing brand, Reiss.
Sophie carried the same clutch bag and wore red heels to create a tonal ensemble. This is another clever trick to make a velvet jacket work for daytime, as sticking to all one colour creates a more blended, minimal outfit and stops this one piece stealing the show.
