Kate Middleton's chocolate-brown trench coat, Chelsea boots and olive knit is my favourite autumn look she's worn in years
The Princess of Wales wore this look for her first visit to the Isle of Bute and it's chic, practical and easy to recreate
The Princess of Wales has styled some stunning autumn looks over the years but I can't remember one grabbing my attention instantly quite like what she just wore in Scotland. She and Prince William travelled to the Isle of Bute on 17th September and Kate ditched tailoring for a chocolate brown trench coat, roll-neck jumper, jeans and Chelsea boots.
Usually she either goes for full-on outdoorsy outfits or smart-casual. This combination is still polished and I can imagine so many of us wearing it for coffee dates with friends and autumn walks. It's easily one of my favourite seasonal looks I've seen her wear and Kate's brown trench is the first piece of this timeless outfit puzzle.
Shop Kate's Outfit
If you've been inspired to add a brown trench to your wardrobe then this timeless design by H&M is well worth considering. It falls to knee-length and has a notched lapel collar and inner lining for comfort. The silhouette is double-breasted and it's made from a cotton-blend twill, with a belted waist.
With a gorgeous ribbed texture that reminds me of the Princess of Wales's jumper, this knit is also roll-neck and a rich olive green colour. It's currently on sale and is stretchy but form-fitting. Tuck it into jeans, trousers or skirts and grab a comfy pair of boots and you're ready to go.
These suede Chelsea boots are a classic that will go with everything from jeans and jumpers to smarter dresses or leather trousers. You can get 15% off with the code 4F3C and they have the elasticated panels on the side, a pull tab at the back and a chunky cleated sole. If you like a pop of pattern, they also come in leopard print.
You can get this trench in regular and petite lengths and it has a contrasting tartan lining for a touch of extra detail. The collared neckline and double-breasted cut give it a smart edge and the waist belt adds definition. There are side pockets and it's lightly lined too.
Made from Air-Yarn, this M&S jumper is designed to be both warm and lightweight, making it a great layering piece. The crew-neckline and ribbed detailing on the cuffs and hem are timeless. The dark khaki tone feels particularly autumnal and is very similar to Kate's knit.
Crafted with soft suede uppers, these affordable boots are timeless and easy to style throughout the colder months. The heel is low enough for everyday wear and the elastic sections and tab make them a breeze to pull on and off. Tuck in skinny jeans like the Princess or wear with wide-leg styles draped over.
The checked lining gave it away as a Burberry trench coat at once and we saw it as she waved to people after arriving at Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay. This British clothing brand makes incredibly luxurious trenches, though there are so many other great options available at a more affordable price too and brown is back in a big way.
It was hugely popular last year and it's an autumn/winter fashion colour trend again. This is great news if you love neutrals and a dark brown trench is a softer alternative to black and still works beautifully with darker colours. It also doesn't tend to show stains or marks as much as tan.
The Princess of Wales wore her coat open to give a glimpse of her clothing underneath which consisted of a green roll-neck jumper and brown Jodhpur jeans from Holland Cooper. The knit was ribbed and fitted, creating a streamlined silhouette and making it so easy to tuck into her trousers.
The finishing touch was her boots and it's rare to see Kate in flats. She opted for suede Chelsea boots and since the Waleses are on the Isle of Bute to celebrate connection, community and volunteering, their outfits had to tick boxes for functionality.
She wore the boots to play some shinty and whilst she and Prince William helped with beach clean-up activities at Ettrick Bay. They were clearly very comfortable to wear and the cleated sole likely helped with grip in the drizzly weather too.
Later on in the day the future Queen also put on a baker boy hat for some extra coverage and the moss-green hue tied in with her jumper. Sticking to a colour palette of brown and earthy green for her entire outfit gave it a sense of minimalist sophistication.
These shades are also very seasonal and the longline trench with the streamlined jeans and fitted jumper all created a frame-elongating effect. If you aren't a fan of skinny jeans like the Princess of Wales, just go for whatever your favourite denim or trousers style is and drape them over the top of your Chelsea boots.
The combination will still look stunning and there's scope to add extra warmth with gloves and a scarf. Kate's hat would've helped her and she also buttoned up her coat when she and William were on the beach facing the sea breeze.
This is the couple's first official trip to the island and to the coastal town of Rothesay, which has a sweet link to them, as they're known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland.
