Kate Middleton Wore the Chic Jacket Style That's Worth Ditching Big Blazers For
There was a time not too long ago when nearly every single outfit I wore included an oversize blazer. But over the last few years, I've begun to look for other alternatives that don't feel so safe and expected. And the only real contender I've found along the way just got Kate Middleton's royal stamp of approval. (Talk about validation.)
At a celebration for the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in London this week, the Princess of Wales wore a black-and-white ensemble by Self-Portrait (which is still available in limited sizes at Matches) with Aquazzura pumps and a Chanel clutch. At first glance, her dress appears more like a jacket and skirt, with the top half being the outerwear style I've slowly but surely been replacing my endless big-blazer collection with: the lady jacket.
Unlike a typical blazer, lady jackets are cropped and fitted, making them appear chicer and more formal. Many are made out of tweed or bouclé, though J.Crew's become famous for designing them with Italian wool and cotton, thus offering up a more casual alternative. While Middleton's take looks more like a suit, my favorite styling method is to pair one with loose denim, ballet flats or kitten-heel pumps, and a simple tee or tank. But really, you can't go wrong either way. See her look for the reopening and shop the trend below.
On Kate Middleton: Self-Portrait Metallic Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress ($327); Chanel Classic Wallet on Chain ($3350); Aquazzura Bow Tie 105 Suede Pumps
Shop similar looks from Self-Portrait:
Shop the lady-jacket trend:
If you look close enough, you'll notice this style features all-over sequins.
Those boxy shoulders add a masculine touch I didn't expect to love so much.
This style has a bit of the military look that Yves Saint Laurent made appear chic and elegant in the '80s and '90s.
Prepare for compliments when you pair this $60 blazer with jeans and a T-shirt.
Coming up next: The Tantalizingly Pretty Shoe Trend That's Headed Straight for Viral Status
Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.
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