Harriet Phillips' wide-leg cream jeans and muted floral shirt are an understated style formula I'm copying for autumn
Light denim isn't just for summer and she gave her jeans a seasonal twist with mustard florals and a brown jacket
Autumn outfit ideas don't have to be complicated and Harriet Phillips' signature style is all about making the most of timeless basics. When she's not accompanying her royal husband Peter to formal occasions like Ascot or Trooping the Colour, the NHS nurse dresses more simply and she wore ecru denim to the Burghley Horse Trials.
These Wiggy Kit gaucho jeans are high-rise and the oversized patch pockets and flowy silhouette give them a casual, modern feel. Harriet also wore them to her and Peter's wedding rehearsal in June and this time she gave them an autumnal twist by pairing them with a floral Boden shirt.
Shop Harriet's Outfit
Suede and suedette jackets are another great option for this time of year and this one is long-line and collarless. It's fully lined for comfort and has a flattering cinched-in waist and neat neckline. The buttons are subtle and there are four utility-style pockets at the front.
Harriet owns the Boden Carmen blouse in the 'flecked garden' colourway which is almost entirely out of stock, but it comes in other versions including this gorgeous navy floral design. It's made from 100% cotton and has lace trims and a woodblock pattern for a touch of romance.
Available in five different lengths, the ecru jeans are high-waisted and the pleats accentuate the flowy, palazzo silhouette. There are belt loops so you can accessorise them easily and they have a button and zip fastening. The neutral colour is such a versatile tone for autumn.
Military-inspired jackets are massively on-trend for autumn/winter 2026 and the buttons and stand-up collar on this design nod to it. Crafted from chocolate brown denim, the jacket has two welt pockets on the front. Pair with cream jeans for a Harriet-inspired look.
Covered with a floral print featuring burnt orange and blue tones, this cotton top is a stunning option to pair with jeans this season. It has blouson sleeves, a frilled neckline and also comes in other colours. To take it from day-to-night, swap denim for leather trousers and add some heeled boots.
These wide-leg jeans have a comfy, mid-rise waist and are slightly cropped for a contemporary edge. They're made from 100% cotton denim and have no stretch, but naturally ease with wear. The ecru shade is a warmer alternative to bright white jeans as we head into autumn-winter.
The British clothing brand is famous for their colourful designs and the royal's Carmen top had black piping and mustard, blue and pink flowers all over it. If you want to make floral pieces more seasonal then I'd recommend steering away from bright or pastel hues and going for something darker, deeper or more muted.
The black panel detailing on Harriet's top added the illusion of more structure and would've also made it easy for her to swap her ecru jeans for black denim or trousers and tie everything together. I like that she took a different approach, though.
Ecru and cream tones are a warmer alternative to bright white and look gorgeous with so many autumn/winter fashion colour trends like berry, scarlet and blue, offering some more contrast. They're also very versatile as they go with everything and because ecru denim doesn't have a graduated wash like blue, it tends to feel smarter.
Harriet Phillips is never seen in public looking super casual, so her jeans and shirt combination worked well for a day at the Horse Trials. She finished off her ensemble with green Chico espadrille flats by Penelope Chilvers and the sheen of the velvet brought some subtle glamour.
Later on in the day Harriet also donned a brown-black denim jacket from ME+EM over the top and the collarless shape layered seamlessly over her shirt. A brown suede or leather jacket would've looked equally polished and if you love blue denim jackets then the beauty of ecru jeans is that you can style them together without creating an obvious denim-on-denim outfit.
The NHS nurse accessorised with a woven white crossbody bag and a larger blue tote (both by Anya Hindmarch). We often see the royals carrying two bags to engagements - one for fashion and one for practical reasons.
Harriet's small handbag complemented her jeans and looked very neat and sleek. The tote brought a pop of colour, though if I had to pick between the two I think the crossbody is my favourite.
Her overall outfit was utterly timeless and perfect for a sunny September day when you have to still be prepared for potential showers or cold breezes. When it gets slightly colder, you could wear a neutral knitted vest or jumper over your shirts as an extra mid-layer and gently tuck the bottom into your jeans. This brings a preppy feel, though you could leave the knitwear draped and loose to be more casual too.
