Duchess Sophie’s striding into winter in style - her gothic floral maxi skirt, fitted blazer and suede boots are our new favourite combination
The Duchess of Edinburgh's recent look brought together so many gorgeous pieces to create an elegant winter outfit we want to recreate


Duchess Sophie’s gothic floral maxi skirt, fitted blazer and suede boots are our new favourite combination for winter styling.
Putting together smart casual outfits from your winter capsule wardrobe might sound easy, but sometimes it can be tricky when all we want is to get cosy in our best wool jumpers and leggings. Thankfully, we’re never short of inspiration thanks to the Royal Family and Duchess Sophie’s latest look was a masterclass in elegant dressing in the colder months. The senior royal has been the Patron of Guide Dogs since 2021 and she attended the Buddy Dogs Family Event at the Guide Dogs UK centre on 31st October wearing the most beautiful maxi skirt, blazer and boot combination.
Although she regularly champions the best British clothing brands, this particular skirt was a Valentino design and it fell to her ankles in an A-line shape. The silk fabric was floaty which helped to create the skirt’s beautiful drape and the delicate pleats also gave it a lot of movement.
Shop Dark Floral Skirts
This floral print skirt has been designed with a stretchy waist for comfort and is lined too. The contrast between the black background and emerald green flowers is stunning and the pleating makes this even more feminine and pretty.
Shop Black Ankle Boots
Gold-toned hardware adds a touch of extra glamour to these sleek black boots which have rubber soles and textured leather uppers. The square toe is very contemporary and the chunky heel is great for comfort.
The background tone of Duchess Sophie’s skirt was black with a pattern of pale pink flowers with a darker centre and olive green leaves all over it. Throughout the warmer months the Duchess of Edinburgh - like so many of her fellow royals - is a big fan of wearing florals so it’s perhaps no surprise that she wants to take her favourite print through to autumn/winter too. This dark floral pattern had a gothic feel to it and it was very sophisticated and easy to style.
This included a black blazer which covered whichever top Duchess Sophie wore underneath. Blazers are a go-to in the royals’ wardrobes and this one was single-breasted and had classic lapels and a sweeping V-neckline. The buttons down the front were covered in the same material as the blazer, creating a seamless finish.
It finished just below Duchess Sophie’s waist and even had handy pockets on either side. The gorgeous fitted shape of her blazer was wonderful and worked well with her skirt, creating a silhouette reminiscent of a dress. A black blazer is such an important piece in so many people’s collections as it is a neutral colour and can instantly give an outfit a more formal edge.
If you don’t yet have one in your wardrobe it’s well worth investing in one to achieve the most elegant smart-casual outfit, styled with everything from a knitted dress to jeans and a jumper. Although the Duchess Edinburgh could easily have worn her skirt with a cosy roll neck jumper, tights and flat boots or black trainers, the blazer - and her Aquazurra Manzoni boots - elevated her look and made it more smart-casual. The boots had pointed toes and were crafted from what appears to be black suede, with a high block heel.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)
A photo posted by on
They rose to above her ankles and the suede material added a lovely level of textural contrast into her outfit. With jeans or leather trousers tucked in these would also be spectacular, though they looked so chic with her skirt and blazer too.
She finished off her look with a Lulu Guinness clutch bag, which she put down throughout her visit as she met children who are working to develop their independent living skills through the companionship and support of their buddy dogs. The buddy dogs help children with a vision impairment to build confidence, improve their wellbeing and increase their physical activity and the Duchess of Edinburgh got involved alongside the children in crafting and decorating Halloween biscuits for the dogs.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her 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!
-
Budget to Blowout: The trio of face self-tan drops I rely on for a healthy, glowing complexion
Offering skincare benefits and a sun-kissed complexion, our beauty writer reaches for these three buys to mimic a holiday-like glow
By Sennen Prickett Published
-
Need neutral inspiration? Look at Kate Garraway's polka dot blouse and crisp white trousers
Impossibly sophisticated and chic, we love Kate Garraway's minimalistic look
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Queen Camilla just nailed trending spring frills with sweet pinafore dress and sandout Van Cleef earrings
The Queen Consort finished off her spring-ready look with a pair of chic knee high boots
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Remember Kate Middleton's baby pink McQueen suit? I've found a dreamy Mango lookalike
The Princess of Wales's pastel pink suit was a show-stopping spring outfit and I've found something very similar at Mango
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Snake print wedges with lemon-drop-yellow? Duchess Sophie just showed us how it's done
The Duchess of Edinburgh has brought back one of her favourite dresses for the first time in 2025 and styled it with snake print shoes
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Duchess Sophie's soothing sage walls and cream cabinets in Bagshot Park kitchen create a sense of calm cosiness
The Duchess of Edinburgh's royal kitchen is a calming space with soft green and cream tones and she once shared a glimpse of it
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Queen Letizia's knee high boots and split hem midi is exactly how tall boots should be done in spring
The Queen of Spain just delivered a masterclass in how to wear your knee high boots at this time of year
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Duchess Sophie brings royal style to New York with chocolate brown blazer and pink satin shirt
The Duchess of Edinburgh was the epitome of smart sophistication in New York in her tailored blazer and contrasting shirt
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
We never thought we’d love jewel tones in spring but Kate Middleton’s green St Patrick’s day outfit makes it look so elegant
The Princess of Wales stepped out on St Patrick's Day wearing a gorgeous bottle green coat and matching accessories
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
What wedges does Kate Middleton wear? Where to buy her summer shoe staples
Kate Middleton's wedges are an elegant option for the summer months and there are certain designs she's had in her collection for years
By Emma Shacklock Published