Zara Tindall is now widely regarded as one of the best-dressed figures on the racing circuit, with her Royal Ascot and Cheltenham looks earning praise for their polished, sophisticated finish.
That reputation, however, is a far cry from the more rebellious fashion choices she made earlier in her public life.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Princess Anne’s daughter regularly embraced minidresses, thigh-high splits and off-the-shoulder tops for charity occasions and other public appearances.
Her race-day wardrobe, in particular, became a showcase for her willingness to take fashion risks.
A passionate equestrian and former Olympian, Zara often appeared alongside her traditionally dressed mother in striking and unconventional outfits.
Today, though, the 45-year-old has traded those daring silhouettes and body-conscious styles for a more considered, refined approach to dressing.
Fashion expert Caroline Baxter said: “The evolution of Zara Tindall’s race-day fashion has been considerable.”
She added: “Unlike her mother, Princess Anne, who is famously loyal to her wardrobe and rarely moves away from her signature style, Zara is seldom photographed wearing the same outfit twice.
Zara wore a canary-yellow, figure-hugging dress at Royal Ascot in 2015
Zara pictured with husband Mike Tindall at Royal Ascot in 2024
Zara Tindall in a £2,900 waist-cinching coat with coordinated burgundy accessories
“She embraced the Y2K aesthetic, experimented with high-street brands and was never afraid to take a chance.
“When she was not wearing her jodhpurs and riding hat, she tried thigh-high splits, bodycon dresses, clashing combinations and a more rebellious way of dressing.
“She even had her tongue pierced. There was a carefree, slightly mischievous quality to her style. She was not dressing to satisfy a fashion audience or create a personal brand; she was simply having fun.”
At Ascot in 2003, Zara Phillips, as she was then known, was photographed with her mother in one of her boldest looks.
The 22-year-old wore a red-and-black floral dress with a one-shoulder design and a dramatic thigh split. By contrast, Princess Anne chose a conservative silky peach skirt suit, finished with two strands of pearls.
The Northern Echo reported that Zara’s stylist, Ceril Campbell, had altered the dress to make the split slightly more modest. Even so, the outfit caused a stir when she appeared in it.
It was not only the silhouettes that defined Zara’s early style. She also enjoyed combining mismatched prints and patchwork materials. At the 2002 Cheltenham Festival, she wore a Mulberry coat made from patchwork leather and cashmere.
For the first day of Royal Ascot in 2015, Zara opted for a canary-yellow mock-neck dress by Rosie Olivia.
“Since the pandemic, however, her style has changed significantly,” Caroline said.
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2005
Zara Tindall attending the British Championships at Ascot in 2026
Zara Tindall at the third day of the Cheltenham Festival in 2012
She continued: “The clashing combinations have been replaced by pretty, feminine dresses, often defined by a cinched waist and flattering fit-and-flare shape.”
In 2020, Zara began working with London-based personal stylist Annie Miall, who helped reshape the royal’s wardrobe with silhouettes that complement her figure and colours suited to her complexion.
She unveiled the new direction at the 2020 Cheltenham Races in a bespoke houndstooth coat by Laura Green.
The days of mismatched shades appeared to be over. Zara teamed the £2,900 waist-cinching coat with coordinated burgundy accessories, including a fascinator, heels, handbag and gloves.
More recently, she wore a blue-and-purple checked suit by Victoria Beard to the Cheltenham Races in October this year. Caroline believes several key changes have driven Zara’s fashion transformation.
“She has embraced elegant tailoring and occasionwear from designers including Emilia Wickstead, Zimmermann, ME+EM and Rebecca Vallance,” Caroline said.
“She seems to have developed into a much more polished, almost ladylike dresser. The rebellious combinations have given way to pretty, feminine dresses, often cinched at the waist in a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette.”
Although her style has changed dramatically, Zara has not abandoned every element of her former wardrobe. Her memorable 2003 thigh-split dress, however, is unlikely to return anytime soon.
Zara wearing a thigh-high split dress at Royal Ascot in 2003
Zara at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival in a patchwork coat and feathered hat
Zara in an all-blue outfit at Cheltenham Racecourse during the 2025 festival
Instead, she has shown how older pieces can be refreshed with more contemporary styling and better-chosen accessories.
One example is the outfit she wore to the 2017 Cheltenham Festival: a navy funnel-neck Ted Baker coat teamed with contrasting teal accessories, including an Aspinal of London tote and matching fascinator.
While the accessories may have complemented another ensemble, their combination with the navy coat created a visually jarring result.
When Zara wore the Ted Baker coat again in 2020, she styled it with black knee-high boots and a muted grey fedora.
The grey hat worked far more effectively with the navy coat, resulting in a look that felt considerably more elegant and current.
Caroline said: “She still loves an accessory and clearly enjoys dressing for an occasion, but there is a new refinement to her wardrobe.
“She has developed her style as she has grown older, but she has not lost her sense of fun,” she added.
The transformation demonstrates how dramatically a wardrobe can be elevated simply by updating the accessories.
The fashion industry has also taken notice of Zara’s changing style. She was officially named a brand ambassador for Fairfax & Favor and regularly incorporates the label’s pieces into her outfits.
At the British Championships, she wore the brand’s Sybil blazer with a chocolate-brown suede belt.
Reflecting on Zara’s fashion journey, Caroline said: “At a time when so much celebrity dressing appears calculated for Instagram likes, there is something refreshing about a woman who seems to enjoy wearing clothes simply for the pleasure of it.”
Zara at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2017 wearing a navy Ted Baker coat
Zara attending Cheltenham Racecourse in 2020