Pippa Middleton’s tailored coat with cut-out illusion proves why your outerwear should be the focus of your autumn style

Pippa Middleton’s tailored blue coat with a cut-out illusion proves why your outerwear should be the focus of your autumn style.

With the weather starting to take a more autumnal turn in the UK it’s no surprise that we’re starting to put together our autumn capsule wardrobe and that means plenty of layering items and boots will be brought back into our style rotation. So many pieces are tried and tested staples for this time of year, however if you’re looking for more inspiration you need look no further than Pippa Middleton. The Princess of Wales’s sister knows how to nail seasonal style and we’re still entranced by her illusion coat, shift dress and boot combination from November 2011. 

Dressing up cosily for a trip out in London, Pippa was seen looking typically chic and opted for a blazer-esque tailored coat by Sara Berman. Blazers are a must-have in her and Kate’s wardrobes all year round and Pippa’s coat had a similarly tailored and smart feel to it.

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It was a gorgeous royal blue tone which is the perfect alternative to a black or camel coat if you still want your outerwear to be incredibly neutral. The lapels were black which brought a beautiful level of contrast into the look and also gave the coat the illusion of it having cut-out details. This was a contemporary detail that worked well with the otherwise very classic silhouette of Pippa Middleton’s outfit. The pockets were also black, tying in with the lapels, and the coat fell to just above the hem of her dress.

The Princess of Wales’s sister is seen in midi dresses far more often nowadays but back in the early 2000s she was the Queen of the Sophisticated Mini Dress. This particular piece was so timeless, with its high, square neckline and had no pattern or adornments to it. If you’re a little unsure about wearing shorter dresses then choosing something as simple as this is a lovely way to do it in a subtle way, especially layered under a longer coat in the colder months.

Pippa chose to keep to just two colours with her autumnal outfit in 2011 and finished off her look with a pair of black opaque tights and black, suede ankle boots. Whilst our best white trainers have been our most-worn shoes of summer on cooler days, black boots are going to become most-worn as the weather gets colder and Pippa showed how easy they are to style. 

A pair of black ankle boots can be worn to dress up your favourite blue jeans, or to accentuate the elevated feel of a flowy dress, skirt or tailored look. If heeled boots like Pippa’s aren’t for you, then flat designs are just as stunning and versatile. Pippa matched her black Modalu bag to her shoes and dress which is one of her favourite style tips and gave her outfit a sense of cohesion.

She left her brunette tresses loose and wore a pair of dark sunglasses as she walked through the picturesque streets of South Kensington. This outfit was so pared-back and effective, with the coat really taking centre stage with its pop of blue. So often in autumn and winter our coat is what most people see of our outfit so it’s well worth investing in timeless pieces that will stand the test of time and add a real impact to your cold weather staples.