Duchess Sophie just proved its possible to dress for hiking without sacrificing style
The royal looked stunning as she and Prince Edward visited a remote Himalayan village on their final day in Nepal

Duchess Sophie stunned in a sand-coloured waterproof co ord for her last day in Nepal, with her cosy scarf and fingerless gloves being the perfect accessories to pair with her practical brown hiking boots.
Duchess Sophie has had us dreaming of spring with all the stunning floral looks she's stepped out in during her and Prince Edward's visit to Nepal - and while the practical waterproof look she wore for their final day of the trip is so different to those trendy spring/summer styles, it's no less chic.
Trekking out to the remote Himalayan village of Ghandruk for a tour of the Gurung community centre and museum, Sophie opted for a practical outdoorsy combination of wide leg walking trousers and a matching sand-coloured waterproof shell jacket. With a trusty pair of brown leather walking boots keeping her comfortable on the rocky terrain, she accessorised with a pair of cosy fingerless gloves and bundled up in a grey scarf whose minimal blue pattern brought in a pop of colour to the neutral outfit.
Shop Duchess Sophie's Outdoorsy Look
As well as looking timeless, classic and chic, these walking boots are super comfortable thanks to the internal cushioning shock pads, stabilising shank supports, and the die-cut footbed that offers underfoot support, but they're also made of leather so are waterproof and super durable.
With the same toggle waist as Duchess Sophie's waterproof coat, this 80s-inspired shell jacket from New Look is a great piece to get her look with. The sand colour is the perfect neutral, with ribbed jersey layers at the neck and cuffs keeping you extra cosy.
These water-resistant, splash-proof trousers are not only great for keeping you dry, they're also made from a sun-protective polyester cotton blend that is insect bite-proof, so they're a great summer staple too. Available in short, regular and long, it's easy to get the perfect fit.
Emulating the blue and grey pattern of Duchess Sophie's scarf brilliantly, this soft and lightweight scarf boasts an intricate flower design and a generous size that allows for various styling options.
While Sophie's practical outfit seems worlds away from the stunning floating dresses and maxi skirts she's been sporting during her Nepal trip, it actually shows off the duality our spring capsule wardrobes must have. While we wish that the season would let us break out our best sandals without worry of getting wet and cold feet, the unpredictable weather at this time of year means we need to keep our boots and waterproof coats close at hand.
With that in mind, a pair of comfortable trousers like Sophie's are a must, with their wide leg and neutral sand colour making them a versatile and cosy yet lightweight staple you can wear for any outdoorsy adventure - even if you're only heading out to get all the benefits of a morning walk in.
With a slightly cropped hem, which is a great design choice that means your trouser legs won't get muddy after a night of spring rain, Sophie's trousers showed off her choice of practical hiking boots. Made from brown leather with a chunky black sole and matching laces, the boots played into the neutral tone of her trousers while also adding a darker shade into the look for some contrasting tones.
We love the monochrome look of Sophie's co ord and her waterproof coat is a stunning staple that proves you don't have to give up style in order to be practical. With a cosy longline hem, hood and front patch pockets, the jacket is simple yet chic, with a toggle detail at the waist meaning you can nip in the waist to create a flattering silhouette despite being so bundled up in the insulated padding all winter coat boast.
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.
With her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her makeup kept minimal to let her healthy skin glow on its own, it was Sophie's accessories that really pulled the outfit together.
She opted to add a grey scarf with a minimal blue pattern to the outfit, with the neutral tone complimenting the sand colour while the blue brought in a pop of interest and contrasting colour without overwhelming the outfit. She tied in the shade with her fingerless gloves, which remind us so much of Claudia Winkleman's iconic Traitors style, and the style of glove is great for spring not only in terms of practicality, so you can use your phone without fussing about taking them off, but also with the weather that means you might not need a full glove or mitten to keep you warm.
Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse is a freelance royal news, entertainment and fashion writer. She began her journalism career after graduating from Nottingham Trent University with an MA in Magazine Journalism, receiving an NCTJ diploma, and earning a First Class BA (Hons) in Journalism at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. She has also worked with Good To, BBC Good Food, The Independent, The Big Issue and The Metro.
-
With fresh greens and rich berry tones, our beauty team's March nails are a bouquet of spring-ready looks
From the classic to the unexpected, our manicures offer something for everyone this month - no matter your aesthetic or nail length
By Naomi Jamieson Published
-
Want a shinier 'do with depth? Learning how to gloss your hair at home is how to get it, say hairdressers
Understanding hair glossing at home could be your ticket to silky, salon-fresh hair
By Stephanie Maylor Published
-
Kate Middleton is all pearls, bows and ravishing cherry red as she steps out for Commonwealth Day
The Princess of Wales arrived at Westminster Abbey in showstopping cherry red to attend celebrations for Commonwealth Day 2025
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Zara Tindall's comfy wedges, cool sunglasses and Aspinal bag were the perfect trio of summer accessories
Her go-to accessories will take any summer outfit to the next level
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Amazon Spring Sale 2025: what to expect and how to find the best deals
Find out what to expect from the Amazon Spring Sale 2025 and how to find the best deals across beauty, fashion, health and homes
By Heidi Scrimgeour Published
-
Thanks to Meghan for some relaxed glam outfit inspiration - creamy neutrals are the style theme in her new Netflix show
Meghan Markle's style is all about soft neutrals and understated glamour in her Netflix series
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
My black leather jacket will have to forgive me - Queen Letizia’s cherry coloured one has got me shopping red
Queen Letizia of Spain went bold with her beautiful red leather jacket and I'm eager to recreate this look myself
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Duchess Sophie looks epic in camo and cool walking boots as she gets stuck in for day at army centre
The Duchess of Edinburgh showed that functionality and style can go hand in hand as she stepped out in her sturdy walking boots
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Carole Middleton exudes class and confidence in collarless gingham jacket for first appearance of 2025
Carole Middleton's signature style couldn't be more elegant and her gingham jacket and sleek trousers epitomised this
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell's undeniable chemistry stole the show at the 2025 Oscars
Together since 1983, the couple's love was palpable on the red carpet
By Kerrie Hughes Published