Duchess Sophie Debuts a Powder Blue Coat—and It’s the Pop of Color Our Closet Needs for Fall

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If there’s one thing the royal family knows about style, it’s the fact that autumn weather calls for a cute coat. Enter Duchess Sophie, who just this week, joined her husband Prince Edward for a garden party at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, and was a vision in yellow—repeating her lemon-hued Beulah London ‘Yahvi’ dress ($816) that she wore to Trooping the Colour this past spring . Still, it was her powder blue coat from Suzannah London ( similar here from Sam Edelman , $240) that caught our eye—and is officially at the top of our shopping list for fall.

After all, a colorful coat (swipe through the carousel to see Sophie’s) is one of the easiest ways to stand out against a sea of neutrals, which tends to be what we gravitate toward in the chillier months. Sophie could have opted for a camel hue—or even a trench coat style—but her choice of blue (especially juxtaposed with the lemon yellow) delivers a vibe that’s bright and cheery. It also harkens back to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s sartorial signature to always wear an eye-catching shade: “You have to be seen to be believed,” was long said to be her fashion mantra .

Tim Graham/Getty Images

As for our own fall attire, we especially love that a coat like this is easy to mix in while still delivering that capsule wardrobe feeling . The soft blue is subtle, but also a hue that will transition nicely from fall to winter. (It’s not the same exact shade, but remember when Sophie wore a similar style last December in cornflower blue ? Swoon.) Alas, Sophie’s particular Suzannah London coat is past season and sold out, but we pulled a few similar options that absolutely fit the royal bill.

1. J.Crew Lady Day Topcoat

J.Crew

The shorter length makes it even more wearable for day to day.

2. Megan Renee Oversize Wool Coat

Nordstrom

As seasonally appropriate as it is stunning.

3. Sam Edelman Belted Double-Breasted Coat

Sam Edelman

We can picture this working with nearly everything in our closet.

As for the focus of the royal occasion, up to 1,000 people from local community groups and charities were invited to join Edward and Sophie for this annual event. Temps that day were in the low 50s, which—ahem—is perfect coat weather.

Further proof Sophie’s look was spot-on.

Duchess Sophie’s Dress and Oversize Blazer Combo Is My New Fall Uniform