Want to look chic in the snow? Follow Princess Catherine's easy formula

Princess Catherine smiles as she visits Princess Alexandra Sculpture Park in Oslo in 2018 — (Image credit: Photo by Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

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Perhaps more than any other season, dressing for winter can be tricky and you often find yourself wearing the same thing over and over - jumpers, boots and coats. The start of 2026 has been exceptionally cold and if you’re not sure what to wear in the snow that will still have you feeling chic and confident, the Princess of Wales has the answer.

She’s someone who always looks elegant even when she’s in practical items like her best wellies or walking boots. When it’s incredibly chilly she has a failsafe formula and we saw this in action back in 2018 during her and Prince William’s visit to Norway.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Queen Sonja of Norway visit the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park on February 1, 2018 in Oslo

Shop Chocolate-Brown Accessories

Barbour Faux Fur Trimmed Leather Gloves

These Barbour gloves are currently in the sale and they come in black as well as this dark brown colourway. They're crafted from premium leather with cosy faux fur trims and the insides are lined for comfort too.

Dune Tayla Stretch Knee-High Boots

The Tayla boots are a best-selling design for Dune and it's not hard to see why! They're so timeless, with the rounded toes and chunky low block heel. Made from soft suede, they also feature a stretchy back for a great fit.

& Other Stories Wool Blend Beanie

The Princess of Wales's faux fur-trimmed hat is a statement option, but if you love the colour then this beanie makes a lovely, subtle alternative. It's affordable and made from a warm blend of mohair and wool.

Shop High-Neck Coats

Next Navy Blue Formal Funnel-Neck Coat

Available in brown and burgundy too, this navy coat has a waist belt for extra shaping, as well as a high funnel-neckline. You can button it right up to the top to keep you warm on cold days or else fold it down to create lapels.

Mango Wool-Blend Funnel-Neck Coat

Crafted from a wool-mix fabric, this funnel-neck coat is full-length and lined. There are two handy side pockets and it's got a straight silhouette. Throw on with knee-high boots and an array of matching accessories for a Catherine-esque outfit.

Boden Black Funnel-Neck Coat

You can currently get an extra 10% off this sale coat with the codes TSAL in the UK and RHDT in the US. The design also comes in a soft rose-pink if you love wearing a colourful coat. It's made from a wool-blend material and is fully lined, with a relaxed tailored shape.

Her Catherine Walker outwear had an ultra high neckline for extra cosiness compared to the V-neck lapel-collar pieces she’s often spotted wearing. The sea-blue tone was gorgeous and instead of going for black accessories as you might with such a colourful coat, the Princess of Wales went for brown.

Chocolate brown was one of the most on-trend colours last year and it’s showing no sign of fading in popularity now 2026 is here. Caroline Parr, Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor at woman&home believes brown is "much softer and more contemporary than black or navy" and this tone worked with the equally soft texture of Catherine’s Lacorine alpaca hat.

It also complemented her gloves, which were by a classic British clothing brand, Cornelia James. They had a faux fur trim on them which was a design flourish that brought some fun as well as warmth, yet they were otherwise very timeless.

Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles as she visits the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park on February 1, 2018 in Oslo

Although the Princess was definitely wrapped up warm, her choice of colours and silhouettes helped to make her snowy weather ensemble look very put-together and elegant rather than simply functional. Her tall Russell & Bromley boots, hat and gloves were all the same shade of dark brown and whilst it might sound like a simple tip, matching your accessories can make a real difference to an outfit.

It naturally gives your look a sense of cohesion and in Catherine’s case, it also meant that her long coat was the only pop of colour. This contributed to making her entire outfit seem considered and understated which always feels sophisticated.

If you don’t usually wear brown, then I’d advise sticking with a colour palette you feel comfortable in when you’re selecting gloves and hats, though matching your favourite boots will help to give a similar thought-out finish.

Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park on day 3 of her visit to Sweden and Norway on February 1, 2018 in Oslo, Norway

Camel, black, grey or even navy would also be lovely options to pair with any shade of coat and going for a high or funnel-neck coat will help to give you maximum coverage. On really cold days you can wear it over a roll-neck jumper or add a scarf too.

For her visit to Norway, the Princess of Wales went for something more formal underneath. She was pregnant with Prince Louis at the time and wore a blue midi dress with a lace bodice and sleeves from Seraphine Maternity. However, you could easily copy her snow-day fashion formula this winter and wear a jumper dress, or a knit and long skirt, or wide-leg trousers that would drape over knee-high boots.

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Emma is a Royal Editor with nine years of experience in publishing. She specialises in writing about the British Royal Family, covering everything from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her extensive royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!

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