Duchess Sophie's subtle autumn style trick keeps her cosy and looking elegant - and I can't believe I've never tried it before
The Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out in Cumbria in a layered look that included a discreet extra jacket
I love this time of year but coming up with autumn outfit ideas can be tricky as we have to dress for all weathers and all temperatures. It's not quite coat season and yet a cold breeze can mean we need more than a jacket. The Duchess of Edinburgh has found a practical solution to this problem without compromising her elegant style.
On 8th September she carried out several engagements in the Cumbria countryside and wore not one, but two jackets. It's easier to spot in some pictures, but between her white shirt and ME+EM woven jacket Sophie had a navy blue mid-layer on.
This isn't the only time she's doubled up on outerwear and a lightweight jacket is a useful item in an autumn capsule wardrobe for providing warmth whilst being discreet.
Shop Lightweight Layers
The Uniqlo Puffertech jackets come in several different colours including this deep navy blue tone. You can wear it with the collar out or make it more discreet by folding the collar down into a V-neck shape and fastening the snap buttons. The high-performance “PUFFTECH” padding is lightweight and resistant to humidity.
The Featherweight II Extreme Down Jacket is a practical layer for the colder months and it's made from water-resistant fabric. The down filling makes it very insulating and it's very lightweight too. It's packable which makes it extra convenient and comes with a three year warranty.
The H&M Hybrid jacket is made from stretchy jersey with padded, quilted sections in functional woven fabric made with ThermoMove™ technology. It's got a regular fit and a stand collar, as well as an anti-chafe chin guard. The side pockets are zipped and there are inner pockets too. The design is finished with an elasticated hem and cuffs.
You can wear the Barbour Betty Fleece Liner as a gilet or zip it into one of their compatible jackets. It's got roomy patch pockets and a streamlined design that makes it an excellent layering piece. The cosy fleece lining makes it especially warm and you can get it in several wearable colours.
Patagonia's Nano Puff® Jacket is such a useful mid-layer for outdoor pursuits an dis weather-resistant, lightweight and packable. The drawcord-adjustable drop-tail hem seals in warmth and the design also features two zipped handwarmer pockets and an internal zipped chest pocket. The quilting is a chic additional detail.
If you like the idea of having a sleek extra layer but don't want a full jacket then a gilet like this is a great alternative. It's water and stain repellent to protects wearers from damp and drizzly days and it has a flexible fit. Stretchy breathable panels allow you to move freely and it's got 100% recycled polyester Thermarator™ insulation for warmth.
If the Duchess had wanted an even more seamless finish she could've chosen a neutral jacket to blend in with the tweed The Heritage one over the top. Collarless padded or down jackets are even simpler to style underneath other pieces as you don't have to worry about the neckline showing.
Sophie didn't seem to overly mind as she visited Whin's Farm to open the Addington Fund's New Entrant Scheme and went to The Butchers Arms Pub, to celebrate the impact of the Supporting Rural Communities Programme.
I personally like the idea of having a more functional jacket mostly concealed, so you get the benefits of the added warmth but the outfit aesthetic remains pretty much the same. If you want something even more streamlined then I'd recommend going for a gilet instead of a full jacket.
You still get extra insulation without the bulkiness of several different long sleeves all lining up. The Duchess of Edinburgh's double jacket style trick is easy to adjust to your personal preferences and she tends to use it with trousers rather than skirts or dresses.
Back in May on one of the chilliest days of the Royal Windsor Horse Show we saw Sophie wearing the same ME+EM country jacket with her olive PAIGE corduroy trousers. She was carrying a dark grey padded jacket and a tan waterproof coat and later on in the day the Duchess put both of these on, giving her more warmth as well as rain protection.
As her sister-in-law Princess Anne famously says, there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing - and Sophie wasn't about to risk getting cold in Windsor or now in Cumbria.
The Princess Royal would probably have gone for a full-on puffer jacket for the recent visit but I like how the Duchess's outfit still looked polished whilst being functional.
She ensured that the length of her navy jacket was almost the same as her tweed one so that everything looked as minimal as possible. Slightly cropped styles might be the most versatile as they won't show as easily under different length pieces, from blazers to leather or denim jackets.
Packable designs are also incredibly handy as it means you can easily fold them up and store them in your bag if the sun decides to make an unexpected appearance!
