Harriet Phillips' maxi dress and comfy trainers are a failsafe combination when the thought of picking an outfit fills you with dread
Princess Anne's new daughter-in-law wore this combination for a low-key outing in 2024 and it's the perfect smart-casual duo
Harriet Phillips' signature style has always been elegant but since her wedding to King Charles's nephew Peter in June, we've all been taking more notice of her looks. She looked polished in pastel blue at the polo and went vibrant at Wimbledon and yet I can't help feeling that one of her past outfits deserves another moment.
In 2024 Harriet and Peter went to the Burghley Horse Trials and she wore a pink maxi dress and trainers. Comfort and fashion go hand-in-hand more than you might think and the new Mrs Phillips proved it then. The dress was by the sustainable British clothing brand Dilli Grey and they still make the Fifi design in different colours now.
It's made from 100% cotton which makes it a lovely option to wear in the heat as it's breathable. The V-neckline and blouson sleeves are chic and there's a drawstring at the waist so you can adjust it to be as fitted as you want.
Recreate Harriet's Outfit
The flowing tiered skirt on this affordable maxi dress gives extra breeziness and shaping and the design also features an elasticated waist. There are functional buttons on the cuffs of the long sleeves and you can belt it to define the silhouette even more.
This maxi dress is crafted from organic cotton for a breathable feel and is perfect for holidays as well as for wearing during hot weather at home. The style comes in so many different colours, including this fun pink tone, and it slips on over your head.
Available in several colours, this maxi dress is a gorgeous blush pink and has a wrap V-neckline and long flowy sleeves ending in elasticated cuffs. There's pockets for practicality and the dress is fully lined too. Pair with trainers day-to-day and wedges to elevate it.
The Superga Cotu Classics have a streamlined plimsoll shape and are made with canvas uppers and rubber soles. Harriet wore beige ones to the horse trials which are sadly sold out, but the Princess of Wales owns them in white and they're equally versatile.
You can get these M&S trainers in half as well as full sizes, which is always a bonus with footwear. They're very minimal and are made from canvas with a plimsoll shape that works particularly well with dresses. There's a wedding pull tab at the heel and an embossed pattern on the midsole adds subtle detailing.
These Skechers trainers have a fun leopard print interior and a classic white exterior, combining fun with functionality. They're made with cotton canvas uppers and inside there's a memory foam cushioned insole. Pop on with your favourite summer dresses for a smart-casual style.
Details like this are often underrated but they are great for increasing the wearability of a dress. When it's hotter or you want a flowier silhouette, you can leave it looser and vice versa. Even if a frock doesn't come with a built-in belt or string, adding a belt of your own is a simple way to accentuate the waist and switch up the look.
Harriet Phillips tied the drawstring enough to give a bit more shaping and left it at that. Her trip to the Burghley Horse Trials with Peter was quite low-key so this dress was perfectly smart-casual. Maxi dresses naturally feel sophisticated and yet if you go for a fabric like cotton, linen or jersey they work so well for the daytime.
Materials like silk or satin or fit-and-flare styles risk falling into "gown" category so sticking to a more relaxed design works best if you want to pair your frock with flats.
She stepped out in the Princess of Wales's favourite Superga Cotu Classic trainers but whilst Kate has them in white, the NHS nurse's were beige. White trainers are the most versatile option as they'll go with everything, however cream or beige are still easy to incorporate into outfits.
These tones have more warmth to them too so it depends what you prefer. The one thing I do think is important when you're finding trainers to work with dresses is going for streamlined plimsoll designs.
Chunky sports shoes can be a bit too much of a contrast against a long, feminine dress and minimal canvas trainers like Harriet's blend in better.
She finished off her ensemble with a cream Anya Hindmarch bag and wore it crossbody. The Royal Family usually prefer top handle accessories for a formal edge. However, crossbody bags are far more practical as they leave you hands-free.
When the weather got a bit cooler, Harriet Phillips added a Boden borg gilet over the top and though we definitely don't need a layer like this right now, it gives us a bit of inspiration for how to wear maxi dresses and trainers into autumn.
