The Duchess of Edinburgh leaned into autumn as she visited Helsinki City Hall in Finland alongside her husband Prince Edward.
In photos of Sophie meeting with Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov and signing the visitors' book, she wore a £2.8k Gabriela Hearst co-ord in a beige, copper and chocolate houndstooth.
It was made up of the 'Wesley' pleated wool and cashmere-blend midi skirt with a fitted waist and a pleated hem. Further accentuating her figure, she wore the matching cropped jacket and knee-high boots, completing her seasonable ensemble with a soft smoky eye.
Fashion expert discusses Duchess Sophie's 'hourglass' look
Oriona Robb, founder of Style Therapy and the Luxury Style Academy and a fashion stylist with two decades of experience, explained to HELLO!: "Duchess Sophie really understands the art of making classic tailoring feel current.
"The cropped jacket is what makes the outfit interesting; it draws the eye to the waist, creates a beautiful hourglass shape and gives what could have been a fairly traditional checked ensemble a much sharper, more contemporary finish. There’s a definite nod to British heritage dressing, but the proportions make it feel fresh."
"What I particularly like is the way Sophie has played with silhouette. The shorter, structured jacket sits beautifully against the longer, softly flowing skirt, creating that balance between masculine tailoring and feminine elegance. It’s a styling trick we’re seeing increasingly in luxury fashion, where designers are experimenting with shorter hemlines on jackets and more exaggerated proportions. Sophie has interpreted that trend in a very wearable, sophisticated way, proving that you don’t need to embrace an entire trend to make a fashion statement."
© GettyWhile some might be cautious of trying the shorter silhouettes, Oriona explained why it can be particularly "flattering" for all ages.
"Cropped tailoring is one of those pieces I would encourage more women to experiment with, particularly in their 50s and 60s. It can be incredibly flattering because it defines the waist without overwhelming the figure, especially when worn with high-waisted trousers or longer skirts. The secret is getting the proportions right. Sophie’s choice of a coordinated check also creates a beautifully cohesive look, while the muted tones give it that expensive, understated finish," she added.
Duchess of Edinburgh's fashion confessions
While the 61-year-old previously confessed she prefers to be casting the spotlight on others with her PR background, Sophie has learnt to lean into the media interest in her fashion.
During a British Fashion Council event for London Fashion Week in 2021, the royal opened up about her approach to dressing. "A work in progress," she joked, before adding: "I think it's developed over time. I think reasonably classic, but I like things with a twist. I sometimes get a bit braver and then retreat again."
© Getty ImagesSuzannah London and Victoria Beckham are among Sophie's go-to designers, but Gabriela Hearst's sustainable luxury pieces entered into her official royal rotation in 2019, when she debuted a striped skirt at the Burghley Horse Trials.
Some of her most memorable looks from the designer since then include the plum 'Woodward' belted dress at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the multicolour floral shirt dress during her 2024 Malta trip.
