Carole Middleton wore an elegant white tie front jacket for a special evening out back in 2011 long before they became a trend.
When your signature style is as classic as Carole Middleton's, it's no surprise that when trends come and go she’s very often been ahead of the curve and worn it already at some point. This is true of collarless jackets which the Princess of Wales’ mum has loved for years as well as her tie front jacket from back in 2011. Tie front pieces surged in popularity last year and although they can be daunting with their skin-bearing design, this doesn’t have to be the case, especially if you go for a jacket, cardigan or waistcoat that you can layer a top under.
Carole wore her white tie front jacket over a simple black knee length dress to create a stunning date night outfit for an evening at the Palladium Theatre. She and Michael Middleton attended the Venezuela Viva gala performance together and her jacket was longline, with a neat collar.
Shop Tie Front Jackets
This classic cream blazer also comes in black and fastens with a tie at the neckline. It's cropped and pared-back for a sleek, minimal feel that would work so well worn with a plain black dress like Carole's from 2011.
Add a splash of pattern into your spring outfits with this fabulous leopard print tie-up jacket. It's quilted and has a smart collar and handy side pockets. The 100% cotton fabric means that this is breathable when the weather warms up as well.
Carole Middleton's tie up jacket from 2011 was definitely more of an evening piece but this trend doesn't have to be so formal - as this collarless denim jacket proves. There are patch pockets on the front and we would wear this with a midi dress underneath or with jeans for a double denim look.
Shop More Tie Front Pieces
This short sleeved jacket has concealed press stud fastenings at the front as well as the contrasting black front ties to keep it secure when you want to wear it done up. There are front patch pockets and the frayed hems give this a contemporary feel.
Tie front waistcoats like this are fun layering pieces that look stunning worn over T-shirts and long sleeved tops. This one is made from linen rich fabric and a scoop neckline. The deep navy tone works with so many different shades and will really pop against a white or cream top or dress.
The pale grey hue of this cardigan makes it so easy to throw over any outfit without worrying about a colour clash and we love how big the tie up bows at the front are. They really make a statement and their adjustable nature means you can wear this cardigan as done-up or loose as you like.
The three quarter length sleeves were subtly puffed at the top to give more structure and the jacket had three ribbon details running across the front. These were the only fastenings for the jacket and even if they had some discreet press studs for security as well, they certainly created the chic look of a tie front style.
The minimalist design and classic white tone of Carole’s blazer made it very versatile as an evening jacket and it worked so well with her black dress underneath. She allowed the stark colour contrast to make an impact all on its own and accentuated this with a pair of timeless black court heels and a bag that appeared to have the strap tucked inside to make it a clutch.
Complete Carole's Outfit
Evening shoes don't come much classier than these and a pair of classic black court shoe heels that will last you years is a practical investment for your wardrobe. These have pointed toes and stiletto heels and can be used to dress up jeans as well as for elevating a formal outfit.
Add some extra glamour into your occasionwear looks with this quilted black clutch complete with gold-toned hardware. You can carry it as is or attach the strap so that you can comfortably wear the bag crossbody or over your shoulder.
Everyone needs a little black dress in their collection and this one is affordable made from smooth and comfortable ponte jersey. It has a shift dress silhouette with gentle shaping through the waist and a neat crew neckline. The handy side pockets are a wonderful additional detail.
Aside from the gold-toned hardware on her bag, the Princess of Wales’s mum went for a fully monochrome look and this is rather unusual to see from her nowadays. As a special evening look it had a Chanel-esque feel, particularly with the quilting on her clutch. This outfit was such a sophisticated way to wear a tie front piece and it’s become a great source of inspiration for us now that these styles are everywhere.
Tie front jackets and tops naturally feel quite feminine and formal thanks to the ribbons at the front and so they work quite well with more sleek and tailored dresses for an evening look. However, you can also easily dress them down and layering is one of our favourite tie front top styling hacks as simply by adding a white T-shirt underneath they look more casual.
A jumper would also work well under a tie front jacket and adding a pair of blue jeans makes this into an everyday ensemble that feels put together but relaxed. With a more statement design like tie fronts we prefer going simple like Carole did when it comes to the rest of what we’re wearing.
It was an elegant evening out 14 years ago and would be such an on-trend ensemble if Carole Middleton were to re-wear this jacket with something similar in 2025. Unfortunately we haven’t seen her bring out this jacket publicly since then but it’s possible that she still has it in her collection and shares the Princess of Wales’s love of keeping her old favourite items.
