Zara Tindall was the ultimate lady in red in thigh-split gown we all forgot

Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall was just as comfortable in riding clothes as she was dressing up for royal events in her 20s. 

But one of her most striking outfits has largely been forgotten. Back in 2004, the then-23-year-old was a lady in red as she attended a party to celebrate the reopening of the Asprey store in Bond Street. 

Accentuating her figure, the dress featured a fitted silhouette, a high neckline and a floor-length skirt with a split in the front.

The daring feature showcased her black stilettoes, which coordinated with her ebony handbag slung over her shoulder. In classic noughties fashion. 

Zara wore her bright blonde hair in a poker-straight style that fell to her shoulders, tucking the front sections behind her ears to reveal her drop earrings.

Style transformation from noughties to today

Long before she earned a reputation for her polished dresses at Ascot and Cheltenham, Princess Anne’s daughter reigned supreme as the royal family’s Y2K fashion trendsetter.

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Unafraid to break traditional royal fashion rules, Zara went through a rebellious era in the early 2000s, opting for dressed-down denim shorts and hoodies for her off-duty style. This contrasted starkly with her glamorous outings, such as her chocolate brown suede Afghan coat, wide-legged trousers and baker boy cap at Cheltenham in 2003.

By the end of the decade, she had begun to move away from fur-trimmed coats and shoulder-baring silhouettes, and towards the refined style she’s known for today. These included longline colour-block jackets, knee-high boots and statement headpieces, such as the one she wore to the Melbourne Cup in 2009.

Zara’s biggest fashion tips

Zara has previously opened up about her style, sharing tips to “create a balance between elegance and practicality” when dressing for Cheltenham.

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“Choose a classic, tailored outfit, but make sure to incorporate layers and weather-appropriate accessories. For me, it’s about what works and feels good to wear,” she told HELLO!.

Looking at the rest of her wardrobe, she added: “For events where I have to get more dressed up, I work with an amazing stylist who’s brilliant at finding pieces that reflect the type of event it is.

“So, for instance, when I go to Australia for the annual Magic Millions event, I wear a mix of British and Australian designers, and then continue wearing them when I’m back in the UK.”