The Defender Burghley Horse Trials became an unofficial autumn catwalk this weekend, with royalty, celebrities and country-fashion regulars delivering some of the season's strongest looks. Zara Tindall kept things chic in denim and equestrian-inspired layers, while Gemma Owen and countryside style influencers leaned into rich tailoring, chocolate tones and glossy boots.
Jade Holland Cooper Makes Tweed Autumn's Hottest Buy
Jade Holland Cooper, dubbed the "Queen of the Cotswolds," made an emphatic case for tweed as one of autumn/winter's most powerful style statements. Her latest collaboration with Kate Hutchins is built around versatile investment pieces designed to move between city and countryside, and her own chocolate-brown tailoring captured that perfectly.
She styled the tweed with a crisp white shirt, cinched waist, glossy riding boots and a structured handbag, giving the heritage fabric a sharper, more modern edge. The fashion tip? Invest in one great tweed jacket and let it do the work. Pair it with jeans and classic courts, layer it over a pussy-bow blouse with skinny denim and knee-high boots, or soften it with a chic skirt for something more feminine.
Zara Tindall Makes a Case for the Forever Handbag
Zara Tindall, 44, kept things pared back, stepping out with a fresh, barely-there beauty look and a sleek country uniform. She was pictured alongside Marcus Fairfax Fountaine, co-owner of British label Fairfax & Favor, wearing straight-leg denim, sleek trainers and the brand's new Connie handbag.
The structured bag instantly sharpened the relaxed outfit, proving that one strong accessory can do most of the work. The fashion tip? Invest in one really good, multifunctional handbag and think in terms of cost per wear. A style like Zara's, which can be worn crossbody or carried by the top handle, gives far more mileage than a one-note design.
Gemma Owen Gives Country Layering a Glamorous Upgrade
Love Island star Gemma Owen, also a British international dressage rider and eldest daughter of former England footballer Michael Owen, leaned into a country-meets-glamour aesthetic at Burghley. The standout was a chic blouse with statement sleeves underneath a Holland Cooper quilted gilet, with rich chocolate tones, gold hardware and glossy accessories doing the talking.
The fashion tip? Blouses are firmly back. Use one to soften practical countrywear - a fitted gilet can easily feel sporty, but add statement sleeves or a pussy-bow neckline and the whole look instantly feels more elevated. Wear yours with dark denim and boots by day, then swap in tailored trousers and heels when you want something smarter.
