Kate Middleton's signature coats define autumn style, with accessible high-street emulations

The Princess of Wales’s outerwear has long defined autumn style, with a focus on structured silhouettes that fall to the shin, timeless British tailoring, and details such as notch lapels, clean lines and military-inspired accents. Kate Middleton’s coat assortment spans versatile grey wool pieces, refined camel designs, show-stopping red options, bold tartans and this season’s burgundy hue, making her wardrobe a blueprint for polished, enduring looks during official engagements.

A grey foundation anchors many of her appearances. Most notably this season, she has stepped out in the Maxi City Coat from Jigsaw. The longline silhouette is cut from brushed wool for a soft feel, and it features flap pockets, a centre back vent and a melton undercollar for a refined finish. Kate wore the coat in grey, a past-season colourway, but the style is also available in taupe, brown and purple to suit different palettes. Shoppers can explore must-have grey coats from retailers such as John Lewis and Stradivarius for similar aesthetics.

One colour that’s especially prominent this autumn is burgundy. The rich, autumnal shade has appeared across knitwear, dresses and outerwear, and Middleton has been spotted in burgundy coats on multiple occasions. The hue has become a staple for those seeking a regal yet versatile statement piece, and there are plenty of high-street options that capture the look without a royal budget. For those aiming to recreate Middleton’s impact at a lower price, brands offer coats in the burgundy family that pair well with tailoring and autumn layers.

Traditional tartan remains a signature for Middleton’s outerwear. Her collection includes two tartan coats from Holland Cooper: the Marlborough Trench and the Double-Breasted Wool Coat. The latter, a standout piece in green and blue plaid with a double-breasted silhouette, gold-embossed buttons and military-inspired tailoring, was worn during a Merseyside engagement with Cefinn knitwear and Gianvito Rossi footwear. The trench carries a £749 price tag, marking it as an investment item; however, more accessible tartan options from Hobbs or House of Bruar provide elegant alternatives that maintain the look’s heritage feel.

Another perennial favourite is Middleton’s red coat, notably the vibrant Alexander McQueen piece she has worn on at least five public occasions. Most recently, the coat accompanied a visit to Wales in February. For the Christmas carol services the previous year, she fastened a black velvet Jigsaw bow at the centre, blending formal polish with festive flair. The ensemble often pairs the coat with neutrals—Emilia Wickstead pleated tartan skirts and Ralph Lauren suede knee-high boots—showing how colour-forward outerwear can be balanced with classic accessories. Budget-friendly options from Phase Eight and Wallis can help reproduce a similarly striking red silhouette without overspending.

Camel coats anchor Middleton’s outerwear in regular rotation. Two camel designs appear in her repertoire: a Massimo Dutti piece and a Max&Co design, which she frequently pairs with navy outfits. The Max&Co Longrun wrap coat, introduced in 2022, features notch lapels and a detachable belt for a snug, elegant silhouette. The understated warmth of camel makes it a versatile staple for office to evening wear. For shoppers seeking a similar aesthetic at a more accessible price point, The White Company and Superdry offer noteworthy alternatives that maintain the line’s refined silhouette.

Winter white has also featured prominently in Middleton’s repertoire, including an ivory coat she wore to Westminster Abbey in the 2023 Christmas carol service. Kensington Palace later disclosed that the bespoke piece was crafted by Chris Kerr, a Savile Row menswear tailor. The tailored precision underscored the piece’s formal appeal. When recreating the look, contemporary options from Karen Millen and Forever New provide ivory or off-white coats that echo the clean, tailored lines Middleton favors without the bespoke price tag.

The assemblage of coats outlined in Middleton’s autumn wardrobe illustrates a coherent approach to outerwear: invest in a few timeless silhouettes, then build a versatile autumn capsule with color and tartan accents. The trend lines—structured longlines in greys and camels, bold burgundy, and heritage tartan—mirror a broader fashion cycle that prizes classic tailoring, quality fabrics and a restrained color story. While some of Middleton’s pieces are high-end designer statements, many of the core looks can be emulated through accessible high-street options and mid-range labels, making royal-inspired style attainable for a wide audience.

Institutional fashion coverage often notes how Middleton’s choices influence consumer buying. The focus on clean lines, notch lapels and military-inspired details provides a blueprint for building a seasonal wardrobe that remains elegant beyond a single trend. As autumn deepens, value-conscious shoppers can mix and match neutrals with a burgundy accent, or anchor ensembles with a camel coat while saving bolder statements for selective occasions. In this way, Middleton’s coat rotation offers a practical guide for those aiming to maintain a refined, enduring style through the season.