Duchess Sophie’s Christmas jumper proved that festive knits can be elegant and understated.
Right now we’re getting plenty of inspiration from celebrities and royals alike when it comes to Christmas party outfits, but for those days where you don’t want to go all-out with the sparkles and velvet, a Christmas jumper is a brilliant option. It still brings a festive feel to your outfits and although we don’t see as many Royal Family members wearing them, Duchess Sophie has a gorgeous one in her collection. Many people aren’t fans of really out-there Christmas jumpers with light-up detailing and giant Christmas patterns and the Duchess of Edinburgh’s reindeer jumper in 2020 was the perfect understated alternative.
This would be a piece you’d keep in your winter capsule wardrobe year after year as it was primarily neutral. Duchess Sophie wore her jumper when she visited the Shooting Star Children's Hospices charity shop on 9th December and it was black, with long fitted sleeves and a snuggly, ribbed roll neck.
Shop Understated Christmas Jumpers
This relaxed-fit jumper is perfect for pairing with sequins or jeans depending on the occasion and is so pretty with its star pattern. Ribbed trims give it a tidy finish and the crew neckline is very classic. This is a Christmas jumper that can be worn all winter long.
Fair Isle jumpers can often have a festive feel and yet they work for any cold weather day too. This one is neutral in tone, with a fabulous pattern running along the top and the sleeves to make it stand-out.
This slim fitting jumper has a snuggly roll neck and a ski jacquard design that is lovely for wearing both on and off the slopes. The monochrome colours make this so easy to style and it's made from fabric featuring soft yarn.
Featuring long raglan sleeves, ribbing around the neckline, cuffs and hem, and a jacquard pattern this jumper is such a versatile piece. It's got a comfy loose fit and can be tucked into skirts and trousers or left loose for a relaxed feel.
This wool-rich jumper is made with a touch of cashmere for extra softness. It has a polka dot pattern that makes up two bows across the front and this is Christmassy without being overly so. The red shade is gorgeous for this time of year too.
Crafted from soft cotton-blend yarns, this sweater has a metallic star pattern that is so stunning yet low-key. It's got a crew-neckline and would be wonderful worn with everything from a black satin skirt to light-wash jeans.
Running along the top of it was a white reindeer design that made it such a chic take on a Christmas jumper. The reindeer print ran in a single line across the front of the Duchess’ knitwear, with tiny diamond-shaped dots surrounding them. These had the appearance of falling snowflakes and the main section was framed by delicate geometric patterns.
The subtlety of Duchess Sophie’s Christmas jumper is what really made it stand out for us and it oozed sophistication with its minimalist design and colour palette. Although the reindeer motif made it undeniably a festive knit, the monochrome tones and the fact that the pattern didn’t cover the entire jumper made it so much more versatile than other Christmas jumpers we’ve seen.
Duchess Sophie could have styled this with her favourite jeans and boots for an everyday look, but for her visit to the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Charity Shop she went for a more elevated outfit. The senior royal was there in her role as Patron to help sort items for sale and to dress the window for Christmas and she opted for a comfortable but elegant black midi skirt.
This was easy to move in but had plenty of impact with its fabulous flowing shape and the Duchess looked to have tucked her Christmas jumper into it to create a streamlined silhouette. The bottom hem had a thin line of white piping that echoed the design of her knitwear and she wore a pair of knee high black boots underneath.
Keeping to the monochrome theme, Duchess Sophie layered a black gilet over the top. It had long fluffy lapels that added some textural contrast to her look and it seemed as though the inside was lined in the same material too for extra cosiness. For occasions when you’re not going to be outside for extended periods of time a gilet is great as it helps to keep your body warm, but gives you full ease of movement with your arms and means you won’t overheat.
On really cold days you can also throw on your favourite coat over the top of a gilet for even more insulation. The Duchess of Edinburgh clearly didn’t need this back in 2020 and her Christmas jumper outfit showcased festive knits at their most understated. If you’re looking for something a little different this year, a jumper like hers is such a lovely low-key way to spread Christmas joy.
