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‘Queenspiration’ has hit the high street this season – here’s how to make it work for you

Though the Queen's style has remained steadfast for years, you can update the looks with a little work
Though the Queen's style has remained steadfast for years, you can update the looks with a little work

Queen Elizabeth II is synonymous with polished, brightly coloured looks: colour-pop coats, co-ordinating midi dresses and Launer handbags are her signatures, but that’s not to say her practical off-duty style doesn’t deserve some airtime, too. This season, it’s getting tons of it.

Since we’ve been able to look back on the sovereign’s tenure in Netflix’s The Crown, her country-chic looks - think dark green gilets and sturdy boots for hunting and long walks at Balmoral - have been thrown into the spotlight.

Back in February, Max Mara showcased its autumn/winter 2021 collection which proved the brand’s creative director Ian Griffiths (who, much like us, had devoured the series) had also been influenced by the Queen’s early looks. Heritage country staples like quilted jackets with checked skirts and stomping boots featured throughout.

The practical off-duty trend has since filtered down to the high street in time for autumn, but as the Queen (who has worn these pieces for years) proves, they’re classics that you can turn to each year with some modern styling spins.

Here are the Queen-inspired looks to note for the new season and how to shop them yourself, courtesy of the high street…

Silk scarves and quilted jackets are ideal for drizzly days

Arguably the Queen’s most famous off-duty pairing is the silk scarf and quilted jacket, and it’s the one that has proven most popular among high street brands this season.

Mango’s version – shot by a moody country lake and paired with knee-high boots – has been given a modern spin by way of leather trousers, and it’s this element which is key if you’re planning to sport the pairing this season. Max Mara used oversized sunglasses, thin leather belts and mannish silhouettes to ensure the scarf and jacket duo looked fresh.

Satin quilted jacket, £59.99, Mango; Max Mara autumn/winter 2021; Queen Elizabeth 
Satin quilted jacket, £59.99, Mango; Max Mara autumn/winter 2021; Queen Elizabeth

Satin quilted jacket, £59.99, Mango; Max Mara autumn/winter 2021; Queen Elizabeth in her off-duty look

The cape is an excellent trans-seasonal cover-up

Think ‘cape’ and I’ll bet a glamorous, dramatic evening number springs to mind first, but the Queen (who has sported them for decades) has long been on to a good thing wearing them by day.

As functional as a mac and as chic as a trench, before the winter chill sets in, it makes for a stylish jacket option. Combining two trends, Zara’s quilted version is the ideal country-meets-city option. Balance the voluminous shape with sleek knee-high boots.

Cape, £49.99 Zara + Queen Elizabeth attends a Grand Military Race meeting in 2003
Cape, £49.99 Zara + Queen Elizabeth attends a Grand Military Race meeting in 2003

Cape, £49.99 Zara; Queen Elizabeth attends a Grand Military Race meeting in 2003

A pleated skirt and a cardigan is a chic combination

The Royal Windsor Horse Show has been a rare public engagement where the Queen’s looks have erred on the casual side, though no less polished. A pleated skirt with a fine knit cardigan has long been her style formula for the event, and it’s an ageless fashion pairing that many brands have picked up on for the new season.

& Other Stories has teamed chunkier cardis with floaty printed skirts, while both And Daughter and Cos with paired longline knits with pleated midi skirts. Most notably, all three brands used jewellery and strappy mules to add that modern element.

Queen Elizabeth attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018; and in 1991; Knitted skirt, £69; pleated midi skirt, £69, Cos
Queen Elizabeth attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018; and in 1991; Knitted skirt, £69; pleated midi skirt, £69, Cos

Queen Elizabeth attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2018; and in 1991; Knitted skirt, £69; pleated midi skirt, £69, Cos

The camel coat is a forever winter classic

The beige wool coat is Max Mara’s signature, so it’s no surprise that one was included in its autumn collection, and it handily chimed with the ‘queen-spired’ theme.

It’s perhaps the easiest trend on the list to adopt since it fits nicely into every winter wardrobe. In fact, such is its popularity, you can pick one up at any price point this season. Jaeger’s warm tan hue is as close to the Queen’s own version as you can get, while Massimo Dutti, Hobbs and Reiss are equally good sources.

Queen Elizabeth in a tan wool coat + Max Mara autumn/winter 2021 + Jaeger wool coat, £399, M&S
Queen Elizabeth in a tan wool coat + Max Mara autumn/winter 2021 + Jaeger wool coat, £399, M&S

Queen Elizabeth in a tan wool coat; Max Mara autumn/winter 2021; Wool coat, £399, Jaeger at M&S

The 5 most stylish Queen-inspired pieces to buy now

Collared cardigan, £385, & Daughter; Silk scarf, £40, Uterque; Jacket, £279, Barbour by Alexa Chung; Checked skirt, £150, Toast; Wool coat, £269, Massimo Dutti
Collared cardigan, £385, & Daughter; Silk scarf, £40, Uterque; Jacket, £279, Barbour by Alexa Chung; Checked skirt, £150, Toast; Wool coat, £269, Massimo Dutti

Collared cardigan, £385, & Daughter; Silk scarf, £40, Uterque; Jacket, £279, Barbour by Alexa Chung; Checked skirt, £150, Toast; Wool coat, £269, Massimo Dutti