Duchess Sophie's denim midi skirt is an elevated alternative to jeans that will become a staple in your summer-to-autumn wardrobe
A denim skirt is a breezy choice for hot weather and looks fabulous with knee-high boots too - as the Duchess has already proved
Each season there are certain pieces we reach for more than others but there are some that work just as well for autumn as they do in a summer capsule wardrobe. Jeans are what many people think of first and yet a denim skirt like Duchess Sophie's midi design is just as versatile.
She debuted it at the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival in early July, paired with knee-high boots and just re-styled it with a floaty blouse and wedges for the Commonwealth Games a month later. As a big fan of British clothing brands, it's no surprise that this is by one of her favourites - Penelope Chilvers.
The Lancaster skirt is a deep indigo and has pleats and a slightly dropped waist which gives it extra volume. If you prefer streamlined silhouettes, then A-line options are also popular and no matter the shape, denim skirts are an elegant alternative to jeans.
Shop Duchess Sophie's Outfit
The Duchess of Edinburgh's skirt is a deep indigo tone and it's made from 100% cotton, with a high-rise waist. The pleats give it extra volume and you could style this like Sophie did, with a floaty shirt and wedges. It would also work well with knee high boots and a polo neck jumper in autumn/winter.
If you love the pleated look of Duchess Sophie's skirt then this is a gorgeous alternative that's a slightly lighter wash. The box pleat panel gives it extra structure and it falls to an elegant midi-length. Currently on sale, this is the kind of piece that can be styled in so many different ways.
Not everyone loves voluminous skirts and this denim midi has a more streamlined A-line shape which looks great with fitted or loose tops. It's affordable, cotton-rich and a wearable mid-blue wash. The split at the front gives you ease of movement and there's a button and zip fastening.
Earlier on in the day, the Duchess of Edinburgh was wearing her TOMS flatform espadrilles and they're a great comfy alternative to wedges. They give you added elevation with the jute platform but still feel casual enough for the daytime. The white colourway is particularly simple to style.
The abstract design makes this summer blouse stand out - and yet the muted sunset colours aren't overpowering. It comes in regular and petite versions and features long, cuffed sleeves and a keyhole detail at the front. You can wear it done-up or leave it unfastened to create a V-neckline.
Crafted from tan suede, the Duchess of Edinburgh's wedges are a chic summer shoe option. They have a hand-stitched jute sole and a buckled ankle strap that helps to keep them securely on your feet all day long. They're almost sold out, but come in several other colours too.
They also often have a uniform colour wash which can make them feel smarter. Duchess Sophie went for an elevated casual outfit for the games in Glasgow and tucked in a patterned Soler blouse. The white base shade made the vibrant print pop and this added a summery edge to her look.
Tucking in a top is a simple way to accentuate the waist and the beauty of denim is that it goes with any other colour so you don't have to worry about clashing. The Duchess of Edinburgh's blouse was crafted from breathable silk and featured pops of mustard yellow, blue, green and pale pink.
Keeping the rest of your outfit pared back will help to balance a top as statement as this and Sophie's tan suede wedges were as minimal as her skirt - and also by Penelope Chilvers.
We've seen her wear these a lot this summer, though they weren't the only pair of shoes she brought with her to Scotland. Earlier in the day she and Prince Edward visited Team England and she wore her flatform TOMS espadrilles instead.
These would have worked with her other ensemble too, though comfortable sandals are another failsafe option. If you want to pair trainers with a midi skirt or dress, it's best to go for streamlined shapes as these tie in with their elegance and don't look like too much of a contrast.
In June we saw the Duchess of Edinburgh wearing the same skirt with tan suede knee-high boots and these looked fabulous as well.
Right now it's a bit too hot to try this, but draping a longer skirt over the top of taller boots is a leg-elongating combination. I expect to see Sophie going for this more when the weather cools down and perhaps swapping her blouse for a sleek jumper instead.
Like the Princess of Wales, she regularly re-wears her staples and a denim skirt offers so much styling potential without being too casual. She and Prince Edward were at the Commonwealth Games partly as sports fans and partly as senior royals, with Duchess Sophie presenting the medals for Women's Tandem B 1000m Time Trial.
