The royals are known for their love of vibrant colours but in recent years we've seen many of them going for neutrals a lot more - including Harriet Phillips. Princess Anne's daughter-in-law is a fan of understated styling and her chocolate brown floral frock from 2024 is an autumn outfit idea I can't stop thinking about.
Harriet wore this to the September book launch of Tom Parker Bowles's Cooking and the Crown, paired with classic trainers and a textured crossbody bag. The dress itself was by British clothing brand, Beulah London, and had long sleeves and a vintage-style lapel collar.
The dark brown colour was perfect for autumn and it's equally as on-trend for the season this year. Cocoa shades are a softer alternative to black which makes them incredibly versatile.
Recreate Harriet's Look
Made from soft jersey, this midi dress is currently on sale and falls to a flattering midi length. There's subtle ruching on the bodice, a V-neckline and short sleeves. Pair with brown boots in the autumn and white trainers like Harriet's when it's warmer.
Perfect for late summer into autumn, this charming dress features a pleated round neckline and long sleeves. It's got a fit and flare silhouette and a belt to accentuate the waist for a touch more definition. The deep brown background tone accentuates the delicacy of the floral print.
Crafted from fluid, printed fabric, this shirt dress is such a versatile piece that you can wear on warmer days or layer up when it's cooler. It's got a neat collar, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs and buttons down the front. The belt brings added structure too.
The Superga Cotu Classics have a streamlined plimsoll shape and are made with canvas uppers and rubber soles. Harriet has worn beige ones before and the Princess of Wales owns them in white. Both hues are incredibly versatile and easy to style.
These low-top trainers are affordable and made with protective rubber sidewalls for durability. They have a pebble grain finish for subtle texture, as well as classic laces to fasten them. As an added bonus, they come in half sizes as well as full sizes so you can find your perfect fit.
Made with a leather upper and a tennis-shoe inspired silhouette, these Carina L trainers are a great, comfortable option. You can get them in a few other colours too and the Puma branding is subtle. Slip-on with jeans for a casual look, or pair with a flowy dress.
They look great with hues like burgundy and olive green, though they are also stunning with light colours when you don't want a stark contrast.
Harriet Phillips' frock had a floral pattern running all over it and because it was cream rather than bright white, this tied in especially beautifully with brown. Floral dresses tend to be most popular in spring/summer though going for a moodier colourway like this one immediately gives them an autumnal twist.
On a colder day we might've seen the NHS nurse styling her dress with matching brown boots and a coat, but for the book launch she went for lace-up white trainers instead.
Trainers and longer dresses are a timeless smart-casual duo that ticks boxes for elegance and comfort. To master this combination, I'd recommend picking more streamlined plimsoll-esque trainers over chunky, sporty designs.
This way, the shoes are more minimal and the sleek shape tends to complement a flowing dress best without overshadowing it. If you have a dress that might feel too formal for a particular occasion, pairing it with trainers is a clever way to add a contemporary, relaxed edge.
Harriet struck a good balance at the book launch and finished off her ensemble with some delicate gold jewellery and an Aspinal handbag. Although she's started wearing structured, top-handle bags a bit more since marrying Peter Phillips, Harriet is a big fan of crossbody styles and I personally think they're a brilliant option.
They allow you to be hands-free when you want and tend to be daintier, meaning they work well for events and evenings out whilst still having room for essentials. The royal's bag was made from quilted canvas with tan leather details and brought some textural contrast.
The colours tied in with her dress and trainers, giving her outfit a sense of cohesion. Harriet Phillips might have worn this to a book event, but it would work just as easily for a casual walk or Sunday Roast outing with friends.
Late summer and early autumn can often be quite mild and whilst we have months of knitwear and boots to look forward to, there's still time to enjoy dresses and trainers like Harriet's for a while longer.
