We’re finally – finally! – at the end point of spring and summer is on the horizon, which means one thing: we can leave our coats behind and confidently go for a light jacket. Yes, it might still rain. No, it won’t be as sunny we expected. But still, we persist.
When it comes to what that light jacket might be, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is here to make the case for a twist on a classic: a pinstripe blazer. The royal made an appearance wearing hers at the Royal Windsor Flower Garden this week, where she’s working with Alan Williams of Landform Consultants to co-design and build The Plants with Purpose Garden, which will be a major focus of the Royal Windsor Flower Show later this year.
Sophie’s specific jacket is the ‘Sartoriale’ blazer by Max Mara, and sadly seems to be sold out (at least in the striped option). But the good news is that her styling of the item is replicable for everyone, and is a winning combination you can return to again and again – for the office and the weekend. Pairing the jacket with a crisp white shirt and white jeans moves it from a more business-ready feel into something casual, while remaining smart. Sophie completed the look with a pair of neutral espadrilles, matching the blazer’s shade in the classic ‘sandwich’ styling technique.
The even better news? We’ve found similar blazers you can buy right now; including one from H&M for just £40. This is a great option, in a wearable beige tone with a subtle pinstripe and a single-breasted design. It can be worn as Sophie has, over a shirt and a pair of jeans, or you can nab the matching waistcoat for a full tailored look.
Or, if you prefer the double-breasted design of the Duchess's Max Mara blazer, this one from Reiss fits the bill. Plus, it's linen, making it ideal for warmer weather.
This Jigsaw set has an excellent stripe and, again, has a matching waistcoat and trousers. We'd advise mixing and matching as well as wearing it as a full suit – a waistcoat paired with jeans is an easy alternative to your usual T-shirt.
Duke linen cotton stripe blazer
And of course John Lewis has a double-breasted linen blazer that will quickly become your go-to, at (just) under £100.
