Not ready for jumpers yet? Kate Middleton's dove-grey knitted vest is the perfect alternative for this in-between autumn weather
The Princess of Wales's vest was such a versatile piece that can be re-styled with everything from smart shirts to cotton Tees
Coming up with autumn outfit ideas for this unseasonably warm weather is a challenge but you can still enjoy knitwear without overheating if you ditch jumpers for something lighter. The Princess of Wales loves knitted vests for mild days and in October 2023 she wore a dove-grey design over a crisp white shirt for a visit to Vsi Razom Community Hub.
Sleeveless and crew-neck, this Cerfinn vest is such a versatile layering piece and Kate has been favouring soft greys and chocolate browns so much more in recent years. Neutral knitted vests are easy to mix and match with different outfits without worrying about colour-clashing so there's a lot of styling potential.
Although the future Queen wore hers with a shirt, you could wear a vest as a top in its own right depending on the weather. I also love pairing my sleeveless knits with either a short-sleeve or long-sleeved T-shirt which are a bit more relaxed and not too thick.
Recreate Kate's Autumnal Look
The exaggerated cuffs on this The Boyfriend shirt sets it apart from the original Boyfriend shirts and you can fold them back for everyday or leave them long over the wrists. The silhouette is longline and the shirt is made from cotton for a breathable feel. Add a knitted vest over the top for a Kate-esque look.
Soft grey is such a wearable tone and this knitted vest from M&S is an affordable way to recreate the aesthetic of the Princess of Wales's 2023 outfit. It's made from merino wool-rich fabric with a touch of cashmere to ensure it's seriously soft. Ribbed trims are a neat touch and it's designed to be easy to layer, with a slightly shorter length.
Made from jersey twill with added stretch, these trousers are straight-leg and ankle-grazer length. The pintuck detailing gives them a smart edge and the elasticated waist makes them extra comfortable. Pair with trainers and a chunky jumper for an everyday ensemble or dress up with a shirt and boots.
Shop Knitted Vests
Perfect for layering on colder days or wearing as a top in its own right, this affordable knitted vest is a useful staple to have in your wardrobe. It's got a classic crew neckline, a deep ribbed hem and is made with M&S's Air-Yarn™ technology. This helps it to feel warm whilst still being lightweight.
This knitted vest also comes in a rich, wintery burgundy shade as well as this soft oatmeal colour. It features a round neckline, ribbed trims and a relaxed silhouette that works perfectly with shirts or blouses underneath. For a slightly more casual and light look, go for a long-sleeved Tee with this instead.
This knitted staple is crafted from a lightweight cashmere blend with added stretch to make it extra comfortable. There's slightly more fabric at the shoulder to give a gorgeous amount of arm coverage whilst still being sleeveless. The deep cocoa brown hue ties into the chocolate tone trend for 2026.
Kate layered hers over a crisp white shirt and she arranged the collar over the vest's crew-neckline for a seamless look. The long sleeves were slightly puffed and they ended in exaggerated cuffs that switched up the otherwise very timeless aesthetic.
I particularly love this detail as it made the whole outfit feel a little more contemporary and chic. Vests and shirts are a classic combination and can look quite preppy, so if you want to tone this down I'd go more casual with the rest of your ensemble and pick a great pair of blue jeans and some white trainers.
Alternatively, you can lean into it even more like the Princess did with tailored trousers. Hers were a soft grey that complemented her knitted vest and tied everything together. Sleek suits are a go-to for Kate and she owns several in autumn/winter fashion colour trends like berry and chocolate, but this is a lovely alternative.
Going for trousers and knitwear in a similar colour looks stunning and creates an illusion of a co-ord whilst still having a lot of texture and softness. If your chosen combination is a muted tone like dove-grey you can have so much fun incorporating a pop of colour with your shirt or accessories for some contrast too.
The Princess of Wales, a long-time fan of tonal dressing, stuck to the grey theme instead and finished off her outfit with suede heeled pumps and a blue and yellow ribbon pin in honour of the Ukrainian flag. She was at the Vsi Razom Community Hub to hear about the work the organisation was doing to support people who had arrived in the local area from Ukraine.
Kate's ribbon was a subtle way to show her support for the country and community, without being overtly political as the royals are traditionally supposed to stay entirely neutral. Keeping the rest of her outfit so understated with the grey and white could also be seen as a respectful move, as well as an elegant fashion choice.
