Harriet Phillips' cranberry-red midi dress just took the stress out of styling one of the season's boldest colour trends
Wearing this striking shade doesn't have to be daunting - she picked one item and let the red do all the talking
Many of us aren't always comfortable with wearing bright colours and embracing this year's autumn/winter fashion trend of scarlet might sound daunting at first. However, this cranberry tone is easier to style than it seems and Harriet Phillips showcased her method at the opening ceremony and reception for the exhibition, Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind, at Somerset House on 16th September.
She wore the crimson Nyra dress by British clothing brand Beulah and it actually felt very Princess of Wales-esque to me, with the midi-length, belted waist and high neckline. The long sleeved, fit-and-flare silhouette was refined and pearl buttons on the front exuded elegance.
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The vibrant cranberry-red shade of this dress is perfect for autumn/winter events and it has a belted waist and buttons up the front like Harriet's frock. The design features a mandarin collar and the skirt is cut on the bias. Style with neutral accessories or go for metallics for a touch of sparkle.
The Aspinal Mayfair clutch comes in a variety of different colours and finishes, including plenty of neutrals. Harriet carried the evergreen leather one to the reception and it's got a croc print and patent shine. You can attach the chain strap to turn it into a shoulder bag and inside there's a zipped pocket and card slots.
Crafted in Spain, these slingbacks have a low heel and a chic pointed toe. They come in other colours too, though this caramel hue is gorgeous with red - as Harriet proved. Whilst she wore traditional court shoes, these have the slingback strap with elastic in it for comfort and they're a lovely alternative.
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The buttons on the cuffs of this jumper are a neat finishing touch and the gold complements the richness of the ruby red colour too. It's a roll-neck and is designed to be streamlined, so it's easy to tuck into trousers and skirts. The fabric is rayon-rich and the trims are ribbed.
This crimson frock is a more casual way to wear red but still feel elegant and put-together. It's knitted and has cable stitch detailing on the skirt and cuffs. The sleeves are long and subtly puffed and there are buttons on the front so you can adjust the neckline and coverage.
A relaxed crew-neck jumper like this can go with everything from jeans to tailored or leather trousers depending on the occasion. It's got added stretch and a hint of wool in the fabric for comfort and is finished with detailing around the shoulders. Ribbed trims finish it off neatly.
Princess Anne's daughter-in-law cleverly picked a frock that was relatively simple and this is key when you're wearing vibrant colours. Timeless cuts and shapes help make the overall look feel balanced and it's just a bit easier than trying to style a bold shade and a statement design at the same time.
Another useful trick is to use the red as the focus of the ensemble and keep everything else quite minimal. Harriet partly did this at Somerset House with her tan suede court heels, though her forest green clutch from Aspinal London brought some contrast.
Red and green is classically festive and it's a combination that works really well if you want your outfit to feel quite seasonal. Navy and red also look great together, though I think the most versatile way to wear cranberry is with warm neutral shades like brown, tan and camel.
Harriet dressed more formally for the reception and a red dress like hers is beautiful for events this time of year. Knitted red dresses are a more casual alternative that you can make more casual with knee-high boots and a chunky coat but for me, it's hard to beat red jumpers.
Sweaters are a more affordable way to start off wearing this trending colour and they're a smaller part of a wider look so the red element is always going to be more minimal. The same is true of red bags or shoes or even jewellery set with red stones.
The NHS nurse wore what looked to be diamond drop earrings and a bracelet with her dress and pearls would have also been beautiful and co-ordinated with the buttons.
I can imagine Harriet re-wearing this dress with tights and metallic accessories in the countdown to Christmas and even potentially for the Royal Family's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.
Since becoming an official member of the Royal Family after marrying Peter Phillips in June, Harriet's style has shifted to become ever slightly more formal at public events. However, I love that she still gravitates towards wearable pieces or outfits that are easy to recreate compared to some of the working royals.
This cranberry-red dress is a prime example, as it's sophisticated and yet the building blocks of this outfit are quite accessible as well as stunning.
