Zara Tindall styles stripes at Wimbledon and her dusty blue and white dress was a masterclass in refined simplicity
She's worn this pattern to the tennis plenty of times but this pastel design was subtler and made accessorising even easier
Zara Tindall knows exactly what outfits are breathable enough to wear in the heat and still look elegant and over the years her Wimbledon style has always included a simple midi dress. This silhouette is her go-to and she reached for it again on 8th July when she and her husband Mike made a low-key appearance at the tennis.
They don't usually sit in the Royal Box and can go under the radar, though Zara's blue and white striped dress caught my eye as she's worn stripes a lot to Wimbledon. It was by Australian designer Rebecca Vallance and had puffed sleeves and a round neckline.
Delicate buttons mean you can adjust the look and the King's niece undid a couple to give her dress a more relaxed feel. If you prefer summer dresses that accentuate your waist then you can't go wrong with a fit-and-flare shape like this.
Shop Zara's Wimbledon Outfit
This elegant puff sleeve dress falls to maxi-length and has a self-tie belt and V-neckline. There are practical side seam pockets and it's made from 100% cotton for a breathable feel. Pair with white shoes and a raffia bag and you've got yourself a Zara-esque look.
Woven accessories add an instant summery edge to an outfit and this one is a luxurious option. It's got a top handle strap as well as a removeable long strap so you can adjust how you carry it. The vanilla colourway Zara owns is out of stock, but this tan version is just as versatile.
Zara Tindall has owned her Finlay Tavistock sunglasses for a while now and they're a timeless style that effortlessly complements summer outfits. She owns them in the neutral champagne tone but they make them in many other shades too.
Crafted from pure cotton, this affordable striped shirt dress comes in regular and petite versions. It's cut in a comfortable regular fit, with a waist tie and a softly tiered midi skirt. The covered buttons and collared neckline add a refined edge and there are handy side pockets.
This woven bag has a flap in white grained faux leather for a touch of contrast and features a shiny gold-toned padlock. It's designed to be fastened with a turn-lock at the front and you can detach the long strap if you prefer top handle styles.
Made with a brown acetate frame and polarised lenses, these sunglasses come with a protective case. They're easy to work into different summer outfits and the rectangular shape is very stylish. They offer UV/UVA 400 Protection in category 3.
A flowy skirt that doesn't cling to your legs is also a bonus when it's boiling hot outside and I love the way Zara Tindall's dress had stripes running in several directions. Pastel blue and white is a popular combination and the two colours were a soft contrast.
This helped to make the patterned design subtler. The Princess of Wales is a big fan of polka dots in the summer months and she often goes for black and white or navy and white which are both bolder. Zara has also worn striped frocks in these colours to Wimbledon before, though I do like this lighter, brighter option.
Whatever shades you choose, spots and stripes are very timeless prints that are simple to style. The easiest way is to pick out one of the colours and match your accessories to it. This level of coordination makes an outfit seem very thought-out and polished.
Zara did this at Wimbledon, where she wore white Emmy London court shoes and carried a white and raffia Strathberry bag. Sadly this particular version is out of stock but the brand also makes this piece in tan and raffia.
She removed the longer strap and held it by the top handle one which is another trick the royals use to elevate their looks. Zara finished off her ensemble with her champagne-toned Finlay Tavistock sunglasses.
Pale neutral sunnies are a great alternative to black or brown pairs as they're less stark on the face and complement paler outfits well.
The King's niece has worn hers a lot, including to Royal Ascot this year. In the past she's worn similar colours with her midi dresses and they're perfect for a sunny day. No jacket was needed on Day 10 as she and Mike enjoyed the matches and chatted with former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner who was sitting near them.
The couple weren't the only royals attending the championships, as Queen Camilla and Zara's brother and sister-in-law Peter and Harriet Phillips also enjoyed a day at the tennis.
