New Look coat reminds us of Duchess Sophie’s | Royal | News

When it comes to winter dressing, the Duchess of Edinburgh has mastered the art of elegant practicality – proving that cold-weather layers can still feel effortlessly chic.

Last week, the Duchess, 61, delivered a masterclass in modern style as she was snapped in Méribel, France, while attending the ISSC Championship in her role as Patron of the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association. 

The Duchess opted for a sleek padded coat from Prada, estimated to be worth around £3,600 (based on a similar style we found available at MyTheresa). Of course, we haven’t all got a spare £3.6k lying around, but I’ve spotted a coat that offers a similar look for more than £3,000 less.

New Look’s black padded hooded puffer jacket really caught our eye, thanks to a few standout similarities. Both coats are black, padded styles, and while we can’t say for sure they use the same materials (the New Look coat has synthetic filling), shoppers have praised the high street version for keeping the cold at bay. One shopper said: “Really warm and I love the thumb holes in the cuffs”.

We can’t see whether Sophie’s Prada coat has thumb holes, but this practical little detail is a great way to keep your hands extra cosy on chilly days.

Both coats are cut to a flattering hip-length and finished with a black fur collar. The New Look version uses faux fur around the trim, with the main body of the coat, the trim and the lining all made from 100% polyester. It’s available in sizes 6 to 14 and is currently reduced by more than half, down from £79.99.

While the Prada coat is likely to deliver a more luxurious feel, shoppers have been impressed by the value offered by the New Look alternative. One reviewer summed it up perfectly, saying: “Good value for money”.

The main aesthetic difference comes down to the padding. The New Look coat features a single layer of padding, while the high-end version uses stitched chambers, known in fashion circles as baffles, to hold the insulating material.