Few people do timeless style quite like Kate Middleton. She somehow manages to make classic pieces feel current, and that's inspiring for someone like me who prefers to get as much wear as possible out of the clothes I already own.
Kate’s latest outfit is the perfect example. During a visit to Southend-on-Sea, the Princess of Wales stepped out in a statement houndstooth blazer that instantly caught my eye. With fall finally here, I couldn't think of a better piece to kick off the season.
I’m especially drawn to the houndstooth, which feels structured and collegiate and elegant all at once. Additional details like peaked lapels, double-breasted buttons, and front flap pockets make the jacket look stylish as it is serious.
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After light digging, I found the princess’s exact blazer. It’s made in Italy and comes from designer Max Mara—it’s the brand’s Double Breasted Jacquard Knit Jacket (and according to my research, it’s a newer item in the brand’s collection). You can find it on stock online in sizes 0-16 at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth.
I won’t sugarcoat it, though. The blazer costs a pretty penny. If you wanted to check out some similar options, I found a bunch from our favorite retailers, including nearly identical picks from Amazon, Revolve, and Madewell. Some are more oversized, some have a different shade of brown, but hey, you’ve got options.
Once you’ve got the blazer down, styling the rest of the outfit is easy. If we zoom out on Kate’s ensemble, she’s wearing a link choker-style necklace above a brown crewneck top, fitted dark-wash jeans, and classic penny loafers (they look like Boden’s Nya loafers in Chocolate Brown). She looked neat and sharp, but little things like the cropped cut on her pants and loose curls softened the overall look.
It’s called balance, and Kate’s got it down!
