Zara Tindall's embellished sapphire dress signals that sparkle season has come fashionably early this year
She attended the Tusk Conservation Awards in a Rebecca Vallance frock that's perfect for festive gatherings as well as winter events
For many people, November is still far too early to be thinking about Christmas but festive fashion is already creeping in everywhere and there's no harm in getting some inspiration ahead of time. After all, partywear might be a huge deal around December but there are other occasions where having a go-to evening outfit is very useful too.
Zara Tindall knows this very well and she attended the 2026 Tusk Conservation Awards wearing an embellished midi that would double as a great Christmas, winter wedding or special date night look. Although she usually wears a lot of British clothing brands, her go-to for events is Rebecca Vallance and this frock had the signature shape she loves.
Shop Zara Tindall's Dress
If you love the embellished elements on Zara Tindall's dress but would prefer something slightly more subtle then this is another fabulous frock. It's black rather than navy and has puffed sleeves and a trio of bows on the bodice. Pair with silver accessories if you want to accentuate the sparkles.
The very aptly-named Crown Jewel dress was worn by royal Zara to the awards and it has shoulder pads giving it a gorgeous amount of structure. It fastens at the back with a discreet zip and has a straight point collar embellished with intricate glass detailing.
This affordable midaxi dress is made from velvet and comes in various different shades, though the emerald green version would be particularly stunning for the festive season. The short puffed sleeves bring a feminine edge and the bodice is more fitted before it flows down into a softly flared skirt.
Shop More Embellished Favourites
If you're not someone who loves full-on sparkles, then this embellished shirt is a more subtle way to add a sheen to your winter outfits. It's adorned all over with diamantes that catch the light and is made from a flowy sheer material. Style with leather trousers or black jeans for a day-to-night look.
The glimmering stripes running down the sides of these trousers elevate them to new partywear heights without compromising their versatility. They also come in a tall version and in navy blue if you've been inspired by the colour of Zara's dress. Made from stretchy fabric, they are straight-leg.
Cosy, comfortable and chic, this knitted top delivers on so many levels and it's not so sparkly that you couldn't wear it outside the festive season. The embellished elements running across the front bring a fun feel to this timeless design. The fabric features a touch of wool and plenty of stretch.
It featured puffed sleeves, a fitted bodice and flared skirt and had a neat collared neckline. The dark navy tone beautifully highlighted the detailing which was made up of glass adornments. They cascaded across the collar and also appeared on the statement brooch-style details on the bodice.
If you want to add some sparkles to your winter wardrobe but don't love sequins or overly statement designs, then I'd advise going for something with minimal, specifically-placed embellishments like on Zara's dress. That way, they're not covering the entire item and the final effect is a lot more considered and sophisticated.
A lot of dresses out there right now just have sparkles along the neckline, which is another more low-key approach.
Darker tones make embellished detailing shine the best because of the colour contrast and in the past we've seen Zara Tindall wearing different Rebecca Vallance black embellished dresses to special events.
Navy blue is a slightly softer option, as is chocolate brown, which is also a must-have colour trend for the season. All of these muted shades help to balance beading or sequins and if the majority of your frock is neutral then it gives you more freedom to have fun with your accessories and re-wear it over and over again, creating a distinct look each time.
Embellished shirts, knitwear or jeans are always going to be more low-key than a full-on dress, so these are great alternatives to add to your collection if you prefer a more relaxed trousers-and-a-nice-top look. At the Tusk Conservation Awards the King's niece leaned into the glamour and coordinated her accessories to her frock.
She wore a glittery clutch and drop earrings that almost blended in with the glass beading on her collar. These helped accentuate the celebratory feel of Zara's look, which was perfect for the star-studded awards.
She and her husband Mike Tindall were there to support Tusk Trust and Prince William, who has been Royal Patron since 2005.
The charity was founded in 1990 and works to halt the decline of wildlife and biodiversity across Africa. The future King addressed the winners of this year's awards personally, declaring that it is "critical" that the work being spotlighted that evening continues to be supported.
"We cannot forget that those who are among the most impacted by our changing climate are also at the forefront of protecting it. May their achievements inspire us all to build on this momentum and go further," he added.
