Zara Tindall's lilac wrap dress and soft pink accessories at Royal Ascot have a 'Kate Middleton-ness' that instantly won me over
This pastel outfit that had all the hallmarks of the Princess of Wales's signature structured yet feminine style
The weather is heating up again and the summer events keep on coming, but we can always rely on Zara Tindall to oblige and deliver some much-needed style inspiration. She didn't disappoint on Day 1 of Royal Ascot and instead of going for vibrant colours like so many of the royals do, she went for head-to-toe pastels.
Even Mike got on board and matched his tie to her Rebecca Vallance dress, which is a sneak peak of a new season colour that's yet to be released. Alongside her trusty British clothing brands like Fairfax & Favor and Aspinal, Zara regularly champions the Australian designer but this lilac Ascot dress is a little different.
Instead of going for the high neck, puffed sleeve shape she often wears, the equestrian royal chose a wrap dress with a scalloped collared neckline.
Shop Lilac Dresses
The Julissa dress is a classic style for Phase Eight and it comes in a variety of colours including this vibrant lilac tone. It's a timeless wrap style and has an asymmetric hem and subtle frill details that give it an ultra feminine edge.
Featuring kimono sleeves for a floaty feel, this dress also has a wrap front and V-neckline. It's finished with two pockets and has a discreet back zip that makes getting it on and off incredibly quick. Pair with white accessories or lean into the lilac.
If you love the lilac tone of Zara Tindall's Ascot dress then this is an elegant option and has a timeless shirt-style design that's also one of her favourites. The matching belt accentuates the waist and the floral jacquard fabric brings texture.
Shop Pastel Accessories
These luxurious court shoes have a pointed toe and a straight mid-height heel. They're the exact shade of Zara's shoes - misty rose - and this soft blush pink is surprisingly versatile in place of beige or light tan shoes. They're lined in leather and are hand-crafted.
Also available in butter yellow and in gold, this dainty top handle bag is made from faux leather and has a top handle strap. You can also attach a longer strap to make it a shoulder bag instead and it would add a lovely pop of colour to a summer outfit.
You can get these Jones Bootmaker heels in several colours and in half sizes which is always a plus. They're made from soft suede and have a low block heel that's sturdy and gives a good amount of elevation. The insoles add comfort and the edge on each shoe is beautifully scalloped.
I'm surely not the only one who took one look at this gorgeous piece and thought of the Princess of Wales. She loves tailored dresses and Zara Tindall's frock had the perfect Kate-esque blend of structure and femininity.
The skirt was floaty and the bodice was streamlined without being overly fitted. The waist belt accentuated this fit-and-flare shape too.
Flowy silhouettes are ideal to wear in the heat as they're more breathable and you can't beat pastels when you want to add a summery edge. Blush pink and cerulean blue are both fashion colour trends for 2026 and the King's niece paired her dusty purple dress with rose accessories.
Her court shoes were Kate's favourite Emmy London Rebecca design in the shade 'misty rose' which is still available in the lower-heeled Claudia style. For Ascot, Zara might have used her affordable heel trick and added plastic protectors to avoid sinking into the grass.
Like many people I prefer lower block heels which tend to be comfier too and no matter what specific style you wear, blush pink is remarkably versatile. It's so similar to beige or pale tan whilst being very soft and feminine. You can pair it with neutrals or with other pastels to complement it - as Zara did.
Even her bag was a pale pink tone and instead of one of her Aspinal Lotties she carried an Anya Hindmarch design. Top handle bags work effortlessly with occasionwear as they are generally more structured.
This style suits pieces like summer wedding guest dresses or jumpsuits and many come with detachable long straps anyway so you can make them more casual if you wanted to wear them with everyday outfits.
Coordinating your bag and shoes is a clever way to make a simple ensemble look particularly polished and this is exactly what Zara did. She finished off her look with sunglasses and a lilac boater hat, as well as amethyst drop earrings.
She started off Ascot 2026 strongly with this pastel outfit and with the temperatures set to rise, I think we'll see her reaching for more flowy midi dresses for the rest of the week.
