Kate Middleton’s misty-blue jumper is a soothing alternative to neutral knits and works perfectly with dark denim
Pastel shades can add brightness and softness to autumn/winter outfits and the Princess of Wales proved it with this outfit
Now it's finally getting colder, we can enjoy getting cosy, whether that means styling great UGG boot alternatives or chunky coats. I've personally been longing to wear my jumpers and even though many of them are neutral, I've been tempted to try something else.
The Princess of Wales has some gorgeous colourful jumpers and I was recently reminded of one she wore in January 2020. Kate often chooses to wear blue in Scotland as a nod to the national flag and this roll-neck knit was a misty pastel colour.
It kept her warm as she visited the Social Bites Café to meet members of the local community for her Early Childhood survey. The ribbed trims were a neat touch and it fell to just below her waist. The best jumpers are those that have a simple, timeless design as it means they can work with so many different skirts and trousers.
Recreate Kate's Look
Crafted from a wool-blend fabric, this affordable jumper has ribbed trims and a straight silhouette. It's high-necked for extra cosiness and the pastel tone would look beautiful with blue denim as well as with neutrals. For a Kate-inspired look, style with black jeans and ankle boots.
Currently on sale, this Phase Eight jumper has a chunky cowl neckline and neat ribbed trims. The longline silhouette makes this perfect for pairing with more fitted trousers and jeans, though you could also loosely tuck it in for a casual look.
H&M's loose-fit jumper has a rounded neckline and dropped shoulders to accentuate the relaxed shape. The neck, cuffs and hem are all ribbed and the dusty blue colour is very similar to the Princess of Wales's knitwear. It also comes in burgundy and light green.
These M&S suede ankle boots have a flattering pointed toe and slender stiletto heel, creating a sleek silhouette. They've got a zip fastening and they come in a soft beige colour as well as black. The heel is elegant but not overly high, so these are a great option for autumn/winter evenings out.
The M&S Lily Magic Shaping jeans come in three different lengths and have the brand's magic shaping technology which is designed to smooth and lift. They are high-rise, with a skinny leg and a secure button and zip fastening. Added stretch in the fabric gives them all-day comfort.
Super affordable and delicate, these textured leaf drop earrings are a simple way to add a touch of sparkle to an outfit. They're gold-toned and aren't too much for the daytime. Throw on with an everyday outfit or a blue jumper like the Princess's.
A more classic style also helps to balance out a bolder colour, though the Princess's sweater was already quite subtle. Pastels aren't as popular at this time of year compared to rich, deep shades like chocolate and berry - both particularly big autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026.
However, the future Queen showcased in Scotland that we should never overlook them. Her soothing pale blue jumper might be more striking than a plain black or brown design but it also brought softness and brightness.
Kate paired her knitwear with black skinny jeans and black heeled ankle boots. Skinny jeans aren't for everyone though their fitted shape is perfect for tucking into boots and creating a streamlined, leg-elongating effect. Matching the colour of the jeans and footwear made this even stronger and the blue jumper lifted the colour palette.
When she arrived at the Social Bites Café the senior royal was wearing the Reiss Delaney coat in an even paler shade of blue than her sweater. Having two pastel items layered over each other immediately draws the eye because of the big colour contrast and then this actually emphasised the sleekness of the jeans and boots even more.
The Princess of Wales has used this trick multiple times, like in Northern Ireland in October 2022. On this occasion she wore a longline baby blue coat with a matching blouse and then kept the rest of her outfit navy.
She also went for navy trousers and flats when she wore a pastel blue houndstooth blazer in Windsor in June 2023. Even if blue isn't something you typically reach for, you can still take inspiration from the Princess's ensemble and go for another pastel like sage green or blush pink.
They would also work well against dark blue or black denim. In Scotland back in 2020, Kate finished off her style with gold fern-shaped earrings from Catherine Zoraida. These added some subtle sparkle but meant she still looked relatively relaxed.
This was perfect for a poignant engagement where she met with Social Bites Café employees, volunteers and customers who have experienced homelessness. The Princess was there to hear about how experiences in the early years of life can have a significant impact on later life.
