Tag Archives: Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall At Gold Coast Raceday

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Mike and Zara attended the Moet Marquee Magic Millions Raceday at the Gold Coast Turf Club today. Zara wowed in a pink silk dress paired with a percher hat covered in orange feathers. The hat is trimmed with a vertical wave that rolls around the back contour of the base and is covered with orange feathers on the front and bubblegum pink on the back.

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I love this look for multiple reasons. The hat is wonderful on its own, the vertical wave giving some architectural gravitas and elevating it way beyond a basic percher and the feathers giving wonderful texture. The colour scheme is so fun and pairs wonderfully with the dress. Bubblegum pink can tend toward the twee but the orange hat pulls the look away from saccharine to sophisticated. It’s a fantastic look for Zara. I’ve long admired Jill Humphries’ millinery work (many of us have!) and I’m thrilled to see one of her pieces atop a royal head.


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Designer: Millinery Jill (Jill Humphries) It is a version of Feathered Flame. Dress by Rebecca Vallance
Previously Worn: This hat is new

I adore this hat on Zara. What do you think of it?!

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Photos from Getty as indicated 

Tindalls Attend Australian Races

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Mike and Zara Tindall are in Gold Coast, Australia with their family for an annual trip to fulfill commitments as brand ambassador of Magic Millions racing events. Yesterday, they attended the Magic Millions Carnival and Raceday, Zara in a chic hat described by the designer as a “hand crafted black straw boater beautifully woven with traditional black grosgrain ribbon and a 9-10cm brim for great sun protection.”


I love the hat’s informal ease, emphasized by it’s brilliant pairing with Zara’s red animal print dress, beach waved hair and sandals. It might not be my top choice for a formal royal engagement but for a spokeswoman at a sporting event in the middle of summer, it hits just the right note of effortless glamour.

Designer: Sarah J Curtis’ Harmony Black Boater. Scanlan Theodore dress. 
Previously Worn: this hat is new

Zara donned a polo helmet later in the day to participate in a charity polo match that raised over $300,00 AUS to support those who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the devastating Australian bushfires. In the end, races and hats simply don’t matter when people, animals and the environment are suffering.

Photos from social media as indicated 

Zara Tindall’s Christmas Day Hats

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The hats worn by the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips Tindall, during racing season are always ones to watch. Today, we’re taking a look back at all the hats she has worn on Christmas Day:

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Floppy brimmed velvet hats (very popular at the time!) in green and grey in 1994 and 1996

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Oversize felt cloches (also stylish at the time!) in dark grey and ecru in 1998 and 2000

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Fuzzy exaggerated black trilby in 2001; Tall crowned chocolate design with velvet trim in 2002

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Chocolate brimmed cap in 2003; Brown leather informal design in 2004 

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Plum fedora with metal trim in a modern motif in 2006; Fuchsia felt hugger with statement bow by Philip Treacy in 2008

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Black felt oversize mod beret in 2009; Grey felt percher with ruffle and striped quills by Karen Henriksen in 2011

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Caramel felt ruched percher by Karen Henriksen in 2012;
Red felt button percher with pheasant feathers by Rachel Trevor Morgan in 2013

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Purple beret percher with bronze-backed flying leaf trim by Sarah Cant in 2018

This shows a considerable evolution in style that closely follows millinery trends of the time (and, I suspect in the case of the casual leather hat in 2004, a reflection of her gap year in Australia in 2003?!). The looks become increasingly sophisticated, although that fuchsia statement hat in 2008 remains a favourite of mine that I think would look as fresh and bold today as it did eleven years ago. What stands out to you in Zara’s Christmas Day hats here?

Royal Ascot Day 3: The Tindalls

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Royal Hats

I’m so pleased to be joined today by Ellie Vallerini, creator of Sussex-based Ellie Vallerini Hats, to comment on all of the royal hats we see today at Royal Ascot!  

Zara Tindall wore a deep teal blue straw split saucer hat. The top edge of the saucer extends to a folded ruffle at the back of the hat and the design is finished with a navy quill and a two-toned green and navy silk flower placed on the front.

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Ellie Vallerini: Like Autumn, Zara looked very beautiful and stylish in her hat; she chose a hat that suits her in colour, shape and style. This hat looked really lovely from all angles especially when they were riding in the carriage and you could see it’s beautiful sculptural shapes. The hat really flatters her and she looks comfortable and relaxed in it which always helps. It’s a good match to the dress however, I definitely prefer the hat to the dress! Although I think the hat is perfect on her I do think with that dress it needed a bit more width just to balance out the shoulders and create a better overall silhouette.

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Royal Hats: We have had some great teal looks this Ascot! This is outstanding on Zara. Love the colour, love the shape, love the scale, love the trim. LOVE. The two-toned flower gives a beautiful focal point to the ensemble (LOVE the subtle contrast between the teal hat and green and navy flower) and the nude shoes and purse a neutral counterpoint. I love how the ruffle motif in the hat is repeated with smaller ruffles on the dress. High necked dresses can be tough to style but this vertical hat, upswept hair and simple hoop earrings are just right.  Did I say I love it?!

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Designer: Juliette Botterill. Dress by Claire Mischevani
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Mike Tindall wore his very dapper antique top hat covered in black silk.

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What do you think of Zara’s hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: The Tindalls

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Joining me today is Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery to chat about the royal hats at Ascot.

Zara Tindall topped her chintz maxi dress with a blue straw hat (the royal hat colour of the day!). Made of pale blue sinamay, the split saucer is trimmed with silk roses, straw twists and large tufts of widely-woven pale blue net veil.

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Jay Cheng: Very stylish disk hat with the split detail, giving space for the roses to flow from front to the back side of the hat. I feel the blue of the hat could be slightly darker. It’s too much of a contrast to Zara’s tanned complexion. Overall, Zara made a graceful appearance.

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Royal Hats: Agreed, Jay- the vent in the saucer base gives some variation to the shape and the trim gives this hat lightness and life. I really like the hat in combination with this dark floral print dress, which grounds it a little, and with Zara’s hairstyle, which shows it off to perfection. And I think you’re right- a shade darker would have been even better. It’s not a standout look for Zara but I think it’s a good one!

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Designer: Juliette Botterill. I believe it is bespoke. Dress by Zimmerman.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Zara’s husband, Mike, looked dapper in his black antique top hat. He hat a miniature top hat hidden inside which greatly amused the Queen and Countess of Wessex!

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What do you think of Zara’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Easter at Windsor: Part 2

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We continue our look at the royal hats on Sunday at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle with the Countess of Wessex. Sophie topped her floral dress with a navy straw percher saucer hat trimmed with silver metallic leather flowers and leaves, burnt feathers and rough-edged crin. I understand the design is about making a statement of the edgy trim but it came off a bit messy for me.

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Designer: Jane Taylor. Dress by Oscar de la Renta
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Lady Louise Windsor repeated her navy satin covered button percher with multi looped satin and beaded bows. It’s a great scale for this young royal hat wearer and the bit of sparkle makes it a wonderfully youthful choice. With her navy floral dress, the hat tops a great Easter look.

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Designer: Emily London. Dress by Reiss
Previously Worn: Oct 12, 2018

Princess Anne repeated her oyster straw hat with sideswept brim trimmed with layered cream curling quills. The hat used to also include feather trim in apricot/burnt orange hues that have now been removed- an interesting development that extends this hat’s ability to be paired with different ensembles such as the silver silk frock Anne paired with it here. For good views of this hat in its previously trimmed form, jump over here to its last outing, last June at Ascot.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 19, 2018; June 4, 2018;  June 20, 2017, May 20, 2017 

Autumn Phillips wore a new navy straw hugger percher design trimmed with cream silk flowers and a swath of ruffled widely woven tulle veil. The cream trim links well with the statement buttons on Autumn’s dress and the hat’s blocking creates a beautiful line to the design. It’s a lovely design by a designer we’ve not seen on a royal head before- a designer I can’t wait to see more of.


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Designer: bespoke Julian Garner.  Dress by Claire Mischevani.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Zara Tindall topped her elegantly streamlined cream coat with a pink felt formed button percher trimmed with curving leaf trim in silver and pink and white gingham patterned leather. The hat’s interesting trim makes a wonderful statement that is tempered ever so slightly by its pale colour scheme- a scheme which Zara wears really well. It’s an interesting but pretty hat well suited to an event such as this.

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Designer: Sarah Cant. Coat by Goat Fashion.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

This wraps up the eight royal hats we saw at Windsor on Easter Sunday. This group included a few surprises and renovations which makes me curious, dearest readers- which designs stood out most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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More casual hats on Princess Anne and Zara Tindall last weekend at the Gatcombe Horse Trials
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Queen Elizabeth repeated her textured cream and gold split crown hat with black and gold feather trim last Sunday to attend church at The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park. Interesting to note that this hat, made under the Angela Kelly Couture label by Stella McLaren, is still in rotation despite a four year gap since we saw it worn last. 
On Monday, the Japanese Emperor and Empress traveled to Kyoto. Empress Michicko wore a new oyster grey saucer with ivory windowpane lattice crin underbrim and a looped double bow (see the hat in better detail here)
On Tuesday, Princess Kako visited the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum in Hachioji, Tokyo, in a black silk covered bowler hat.
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Also on Tuesday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu in Kashihara as part of the rites in preparation for the emperor’s upcoming abdication. Empress Michiko wore a new lilac undertoned grey hat that seems standard but on closer look, shows exquisite details of a beautifully molded raised edge saucer shape, crin underbrim and silk bow. 
On Thursday, the Imperial couple returned to Tokyo, the Empress in a repeated blue-grey saucer with elegantly streamlined silk bow trim. You’ll notice it’s a lighter hued twin of the hat she wore on Tuesday.
Princess Hisako was in Yokohama yesterday to open the 83rd annual meeting of the Japanese Circulation (cardiovascular) Society. To deliver her opening address on the importance of heart disease prevention, she wore a white shallow crowned hat with saddle brim brimmed with a wide ruched green hatband.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Stunning navy velvet felt trilby with twist and feather by British milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan
Black and purple iridescent large disc hat with silk & straw twists from UK brand Rebecca Couture Millinery
Bold and jade straw percher with fun silk abaca lilies by Aussie brand Melissa Gaye Millinery
Swirling blue and black quill headpiece with black stars from British milliner Sarah Cant
Lovely pleats around the back brim of this ivory straw design from UK milliner Rae Oakley
Fantastic metallic sheen on this black & gold looped silk bandeau by Australian brand Polly and Peaches
Adore the silk orchid trim on this monochrome blue straw saucer by UK brand Hostie Hats
For our dear gents, this very dapper beaver felt fedora in a delicious colour (the milliner calls is black
cherry) with black silk paisley hatband and brim binding from Danish brand Hornskov København
Wonderful use of abaca silk on this vibrant turquoise & green button percher by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
Dramatic red feather and floral headpiece from British milliner Edwina Ibbotson we’ll surely see at Ascot

And from London-based Turkish milliner Merve Bayindir, this whimsical and very fun black straw disc with multi-coloured tiles, flowers and curling black quills.

The Prince of Wales and Peter the blue iguana seemed delighted to make mutual acquaintance on Thursday in the Cayman Islands
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Some diplomatic dressing by young Princess Gabriella this week during the Chinese state visit to Monaco.
The Duke of Sussex has developed a special relationship over several encounters with an Australian fan and brightened her 99th birthday yesterday with a lovely greeting
We end this week with some great (and perplexing) formal looks at the annual Rose Ball in Monaco tonight- my favourite is Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi’s Dior gown. Breathtaking.
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Photos from Rex/Shutterstock; social media and Getty as indicated