Welcome to autumn, Pippa Middleton’s plum leather jacket and knee high boots are the jewel-toned style pairing we’ll be wearing on repeat
Pippa Middleton's plum-toned outfit from 2012 has reminded us that this stunning shade is the perfect colour for autumn days out


Pippa Middleton’s plum leather jacket and knee high boots showed how easy it is to add a pop of colour to your go-to autumnal outfits.
Summer might now finally be over, but whilst we might miss our favourite floral dresses and strappy sandals, we’re equally excited to be re-adding our favourite knitted pieces and boots to our autumn capsule wardrobe for 2024. This season warm, rich shades also come into their own and if you’re not a huge fan of wearing chocolate brown or burnt orange, then plum is another stunning autumnal hue well worth considering. Not quite a true purple, not quite red, plum is a lovely tone to wear for a pop of colour without being overwhelming. Pippa Middleton proved this in sensational style in November 2012 with an outfit that celebrated this shade.
The Princess of Wales’s sister was pictured out and about in London in an outfit that was simultaneously very much her signature style - and a little bit unique for her. The base of the outfit was a jumper dress and a pair of her favourite black knee high boots. However, the addition of her French Connection plum leather jacket took this look to new heights.
Shop Plum Pieces For Autumn
This leather jacket is an investment, but one well worth making if you love a plum tone and a biker style jacket. It has metal trims, is fully lined and has leather zip pulls too. Throw over a knitted dress and knee high boots for a chic look that will keep you cosy and stylish all autumn long.
Perfect for layering season, this faux leather jacket is such a beautiful berry tone that works so well with neutral shades. It has a zip fastening, plenty of pockets and a pin-buckle belted waist. The epaulets are a pretty detail and this is an affordable way to get the leather jacket look this season.
This stunning dress has a fit-and-flare shape and comes in this fabulous deep purple colour that can't fail to stand out. It's a great piece for daytime as well as for evenings out, simply styled with your favourite black boots and a jacket. It features a V-neckline and three-quarter length sleeves.
Shop Knee High Boots
These stretchy knee high boots have a comfy block heel that makes them great to wear both during the day and in the evenings. They also come in beige and leopard print colourways and are made from faux suede. Style with your favourite jumper dresses and a leather jacket to put your own twist on Pippa's outfit.
On these autumn days when it’s not yet quite cold enough for your best wool jumpers and longline coats, a leather jacket is the perfect alternative. They’re easy to throw on with everything from a flowing midi dress to a pair of blue jeans and a lightweight knit and strike a great balance between being formal and casual, depending on the design.
For a smarter look, go for a collarless, streamlined leather jacket or for a more relaxed feel a biker-style leather jacket is a lovely choice. Pippa Middleton’s plum leather jacket had a biker design, with lapels, plenty of zipped pockets and silver hardware. The jacket was slightly cropped and this is a detail that’s very flattering if you want to accentuate your waist, especially when worn with high-waisted items.
Pippa wore her jacket open and the plum colour was stunning as it was striking but not shockingly bold. A tone like this works so well with neutrals like brown, black and camel, which makes it remarkably versatile when it comes to styling possibilities. Alternatively, as Pippa did, you could also go all-out and pair plum items with different shades of purple.
Her dress was a dark purple hue and she added a purple patterned cashmere scarf from Beulah London for an extra cosy touch. The subtle colour contrast gave her outfit depth and the various shades of purple looked wonderful against the neutral black boots too. Knee high boots are a footwear staple for Pippa and these were suede with a low heel.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
This kind of design is brilliantly comfortable for days when you’re going to be out and about for a long time, whilst heeled knee high boots are always so elegant for evenings or special occasions. Pippa wore hers with black tights underneath and finished off her autumnal London outfit with a black and tan Loewe bag which had pops of plum purple on the sides.
If you’ve never been sure about incorporating a colour like this into your wardrobe you can rest assured that it’s easier than you think. Like Pippa, you could simply add a plum-toned piece into an outfit that already suits your personal style, whether it's a dress, trousers, or jeans, and a jacket is a great way to do this. With jewel tones and warm shades everywhere right now, we’re certainly tempted to wear more plum this autumn.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. She specialises in the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the latest royal outing or unmissable show to add to your to-watch list, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
I feel relaxed just looking at Jennifer Lopez’s latest outfit – it's comfy-chic at its finest
The singer proved that casual basics can still look high fashion
-
I love a milky manicure as much as the next person, but lychee nails sound far more appetising for summer
This glassy lychee-inspired manicure is deliciously chic...
-
Kate Middleton's favourite Aspinal bag just got a summer pastel makeover
And the brand is having a massive summer sale across other styles
-
Not your usual royal look: Princess Anne's trendy black trainers were an unexpected delight
The Princess Royal stepped out in an unexpected choice of footwear at the Paris Olympics
-
Kate Middleton's favourite flats are trending again in 2025 - I predict she'll wear them again soon
Boat shoes are set to be a hot trend in summer 2025, and the Princess of Wales has been a fan for a long time
-
A statement bag and espadrille wedges - Duchess Sophie just wore her go-to accessories with summer Broderie
The Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out for her first appearance of the month in a striking blue Broderie frock - along with two of her favourite accessories
-
Ageless summer style: Pippa Middleton’s elegant red jumpsuit is a timeless choice
Pippa Middleton's bold red jumpsuit and matching heels is a statement party outfit you can wear for any occasion
-
Carole Middleton’s go-to trick for eye-enhancing makeup you can do in minutes
Carole Middleton’s makeup trick is a simple yet effective way to achieve 'fuller' looking lashes no matter the occasion
-
Queen Mary’s crushed watermelon nails have got me waving goodbye to pastels and jumping on the sorbet nail trend
The Queen of Denmark showcased one of the season's biggest nail trends in the most gorgeous way.
-
Duchess Sophie delivered ideal wedding guest outfit inspiration with a chic navy jumpsuit and simple accessories
The Duchess of Edinburgh has timeless style