Carole Middleton's cosy quilted jacket proves why this style should never be overlooked for chilly walks and pub lunches.
The Princess of Wales’s mother might be seen more often wearing flowing midi dresses and timeless court shoe heels, but she knows how to adjust her style for more casual occasions too. Denim pieces are a key part of her wardrobe, as are jackets that can be dressed up or down and at this time of year it doesn’t come much more practical or chic than Carole Middleton’s quilted jacket. Perfect for layering over your best wool jumpers, a quilted jacket is such an easy-to-wear staple on colder days and Carole wore hers to watch the Rugby World Cup back in 2015.
She and her husband Michael Middleton were pictured enjoying the England vs Australia match that October and Carole wore a deep navy jacket to keep her warm. It had puffer-style, long sleeves with horizontal quilting running across them and the material was the same on the back.
Shop Quilted Jackets
Available in both black and a soft beige colourway, this quilted jacket is currently 33% off in the sale. It zips up conveniently at the front and has a beautifully streamlined silhouette and adjustable button side tabs. Wear with jeans and boots for an instantly chic look.
This stunning navy blue quilted jacket is so elegant and cosy for autumnal days out. It's part of a collaboration between Barbour and Alexa Chung and has flap-over pockets, faux-tortoishell buttons and a contrasting sky blue lining.
This quilted jacket is practical as well as stylish, thanks to its water-repellent Stormwear™ technology. Padding in the lining gives extra cosiness while the Thermowarmth™ insulation helps you stay toasty. Throw on over leggings and a jumper or layer over a knitted midi dress.
Shop The Rest of Carole Middleton's Look
Featuring a freshwater pearl drop, these earrings are understated enough to be worn everyday as well as for special occasions. They're made from rhodium-plated sterling silver and the delicate pearls would add a timeless feel to any autumn/winter look.
Crafted from cotton-rich denim, these jeans have added stretch which ensures they not only fit wonderfully but are very comfortable. They have a slim-fit silhouette with a mid-rise waist and fall to an ankle-grazer length that works well with both ankle boots and trainers.
This heritage print scarf is such an eye-catching accessory that can be worn as a headscarf. The pattern makes this really stand out, though the minimal colours within it means that you can easily wear this with so many neutral and similar-toned outfits.
However, the front of Carole’s jacket was crafted from a smooth material and the gold-toned fastenings had a duffle-coat feel to them. The contrast between the two fabrics was accentuated by the colour too, as the quilted sleeves were a lighter tone of navy compared to the deep blue-black hue of the front of Carole’s jacket.
If most of your jackets tend to be black, white or brown it’s also worth considering navy as it’s equally easy to style but is something a little different and adds a subtle pop of colour. This design was quite unique and yet it was still so wearable thanks to the timelessness of each aspect, from the sleeves to the silhouette and neutral colour.
The combination of the two materials also gave Carole Middleton’s quilted jacket more of a smart feel to it. This is totally in-keeping with her signature style as, just like the Princess of Wales, Carole loves her casual looks to be a little more elevated and put-together.
Even without the contrasting fabrics, a quilted jacket is a gorgeous addition to anyone’s autumn capsule wardrobe and is perfect for when a full-on coat is a bit too much. You can also layer a thicker coat over the top on really cold days and a quilted jacket is something that works well with everyday items like jeans and jumpers. They also look lovely with a midi dress and knee high boots for a smarter but still low-key evening outfit.
Carole Middleton wore her quilted jacket with a gold, yellow and blue patterned scarf that reminds us of the Hermès scarves Queen Elizabeth used to wear. The Princess of Wales’s mum tucked her scarf into the top of her jacket for some of the rugby match but also let it drape downwards at the front. The deep tones complemented her navy blue jacket and the pale background shade and gold added brightness.
Underneath her jacket Carole wore a white long sleeved top and dark wash jeans, and she added a pair of pearl drop earrings, creating the most put-together and comfy rugby outfit. A look like this would also be beautiful for a frosty autumn walk or for a cosy pub lunch with friends and family. It struck the right balance between style and comfort and showed that we should never forget a quilted jacket as an outerwear option.
