Carole Middleton exuded class and confidence as she stepped out in a collarless gingham jacket and sleek trousers for her first public appearance of 2025.
If we had to sum up Carole Middleton’s signature style in two words they’d surely have to be timeless and put-together. Every time she’s pictured out and about, whether it’s at Wimbledon or when she attended the Princess of Wales’s carol concert in December, Carole’s outfit never fails to give us smart-casual dressing inspiration. She is a big fan of the best British clothing brands and she just re-wore a gorgeous black and white collarless jacket from LK Bennett she’s had in her collection since at least 2022.
The Princess of Wales’s mum made her first public appearance of the year when she attended the Turn The Tables event hosted by Tania Bryer and James Landale in aid of Cancer Research UK on 3rd March. She went for a chic monochrome outfit and her jacket was the centrepiece.
Shop Collarless Jackets
This tweed jacket is a beautiful and affordable choice if you want to recreate Carole Middleton's timeless style. It has a neat round neckline, contrasting buttons and patch pockets. The fringed trims bring texture and the navy and white colourway is striking but still very versatile.
You get two jackets in one with this gorgeous gingham design as it's reversible, with a plain black side and the patterned side. It's quilted and has black piping along the edges and statement patch pockets. Throw on with jeans and a T-shirt for a casual look or elevate with trousers and a blouse.
Carole's exact collarless jacket isn't available anymore, but LK Bennett still make very similar styles, including this luxurious black and ivy jacket. It features Italian tweed, fringe trims and crest metal buttons which give it a refined feel. We'd style this with black or white trousers and boots or trainers.
Recreate Carole Middleton's Look
These suit-style straight leg trousers are high waisted and have two handy side pockets. You can make them more casual with trainers for the daytime or add heels and a blazer for a chic date night look. The front pleats give them structure and the belt loop means you can accessorise them easily.
A crossbody bag is such an easy option when you want to be handsfree, whether for the daytime or evening. This one has a secure magnetic closure, two internal slip pockets and a zipped pocket too. The adjustable strap helps to ensure you get the perfect fit and you could also wear it as a shoulder bag.
These affordable court shoes have contemporary square toes, slightly curved heels and a satin lining. They're a failsafe footwear choice that will suit so many different outfits and instantly bring a smarter edge. To create a Carole-esque ensemble, pair them with black trousers and a collarless jacket.
Tweed collarless jackets, particularly Chanel ones, are often considered one of the key French fashion staples but Carole put a British twist on this classy style with her LK Bennett gingham jacket. The checked pattern ran all over it and the cuffs ended in fringed trims, with pearl effect buttons running down the front.
Patch pockets on the front are a practical addition and Carole’s jacket was cropped which is something worth looking out for if you want a more fitted jacket that accentuates your waist. This piece was so timeless in every way and collarless jackets always feel quite polished and proper which is perfect for a more formal occasion.
However, you could also make a jacket like Carole’s more relaxed by wearing it with a pair of blue denim jeans and a neutral T-shirt with your best white trainers. For the Turn The Tables event the Princess of Wales’s mother took a more elevated approach and paired her jacket with black tailored trousers and black court shoe heels by Emmy London.
Sticking to an all-black, understated outfit underneath her jacket balanced the boldness of the gingham jacket and made Carole’s whole ensemble even more classy. She exuded confidence and class and her accessories were the perfect finishing touch. Like the Princess of Wales, Carole is fond of pearl jewellery and her stud earrings mirrored the buttons on her jacket.
Their lustre added a hint of glamour but in a subtle way - just like the gold chain of her Jaeger quilted crossbody bag that was draped carefully on the back of her chair. This outfit was a checklist for elegant style and Carole wore the same gingham jacket with very similar trousers and heels when she visited a Saker Shoprite store in 2022 to mark the launch of her former business, Party Pieces, in the US.
This is clearly her preferred way to wear her gingham jacket and it’s lovely to see it make a comeback in 2025, especially at this important event. Turn The Tables flips the usual formula and sees politicians interview journalists and the money raised goes to Cancer Research UK. The Princess of Wales confirmed in January that she was in remission and it likely meant a lot to Carole to show her support for the world’s leading independent cancer charity.
-
Missed out the first time around? Fashion editor favourite A.W.A.K.E. Mode is back with another John Lewis collectionShop this collection online & in-store now
-
Maxi skirts are the new midi dresses and Queen Mary’s floral design is utterly eye-catchingQueen Mary’s floral skirt has convinced us that maxi skirts are a brilliant alternative to midi dresses for spring and summer.
-
Maxi skirts are the new midi dresses and Queen Mary’s floral design is utterly eye-catchingQueen Mary’s floral skirt has convinced us that maxi skirts are a brilliant alternative to midi dresses for spring and summer.
-
Should Adolescence be shown in schools? Yes, but 'parents need to get involved', expert saysParenting expert Tanith Carey believes Adolescence being shown in schools is a good thing - but parents should have their say too
-
Zara Tindall's clever heel trick is an affordable wedding season saviourWearing high heels isn’t for the faint hearted but Zara Tindall’s clever trick is an inexpensive way to make wedding season that bit easier.
-
These high street espadrilles will add some Kate Middleton-inspired glam to your spring wardrobeVersatile and easy to wear on repeat.
-
Kate Middleton and Duchess Sophie prove that buying items you love in multiple colours can really pay offThey've shown that having your favourite pieces in several shades can be so handy if they're true to your signature style
-
'I forgive the children who took Brianna's life' - Esther Ghey's remarkable empathy is an example to us allIn the wake of her daughter's murder, Esther Ghey offers extraordinary forgiveness and calls for change
-
Duchess Sophie means business in powder blue power suit and reminds us tailoring can be fun as well as sophisticatedIf you always thought tailoring was a little too corporate you might re-consider after seeing Duchess Sophie's fabulous pastel co-ord
-
Queen Letizia's trending pinstripe co-ord and lavender blouse shows us how tailoring and pastels should be styledThe Queen of Spain wore a structured suit with a flowing pussybow shirt and we're feeling inspired by the combination
