If the hubbub in the HELLO! office is to be believed, Zara Tindall just debuted her best look ever at Royal Ascot, wearing a bespoke lilac Rebecca Vallance design with matching accessories.
While I was impressed by colour coordination (right down to her sunglasses), it was Zara’s elegant hairstyle that caught my eye.
The 45-year-old twisted her trademark bright blonde hair into an intricate chignon, which HELLO!’s Head of Beauty, Cassie Steer, referred to as a ‘chig-knot’, the perfect name for the slightly messy updo Zara wore for the prestigious occasion.
A chignon is an oft-repeated style for the royals (Princess Kate wore her ultra-long hair twisted into one for Trooping the Colour on Saturday), with hair stylist Tom Smith noting: “The simple and elegant updo is timeless because it combines neat refinement with just enough detail to look feminine and soft. The curved silhouette is flattering to various face shapes and works whether paired with a hat or not.”
Zara’s slightly undone take on the look perfectly suits the most down-to-earth member of the royal family. While she still looks polished, the messier update adds an element of realness to a family who often seem far removed from us mere mortals.
Zara Tindall’s chig-knot
While Tuesday is the first time I’ve noticed Zara’s chig-knot, it transpires she’s been discreetly subverting the classic chignon all year, wearing a chig-knot for her brother, Peter Phillips’ wedding to Harriet Sperling earlier in June, as well as to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May.
© WireImageAdding a royal touch to the look, Zara wore a wide-brimmed hat to Ascot, a statement pearl-beaded headband for her brother’s wedding and a pretty striped hat for the royal garden party.
© Getty ImagesModern takes on the chignon
Zara isn’t the only royal playing with the chignon. On Monday, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (Zara’s aunt), braided her hair into a pleated chignon, with hair stylist Sam McKnight, MBE, noting of the style: “A chignon is a strong and powerful move”
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesSam, who styled the late Princess Diana’s hair, continued: “Chignons are a classic style staple for a reason, incredibly versatile and easily tailored to suit all different hair types and textures. There’s a chignon for everyone, and as we move into warmer weather, it’s a chic, effortless style go-to.”
On the power of the chignon, he added: “A chignon is similar to what a red lipstick does. You instantly look pulled together, ready to take on whatever comes your way.”
Want to try it for yourself? Tom says to start with a low ponytail first, as this gives the security of knowing the hair is held in place. “Next, start twisting and pinning the longer ends as desired. Prepping the hair with a texture spray such as Living Proof’s Dry Volume and Texture will help those with finer or softer hair gain control and a natural-looking hold. Miss Malleable hairspray from Evo can help for a light flexible finishing hold on the final style.”
With several more days of Ascot ahead of us, we look forward to seeing Zara’s hair each day – long live the chig-knot!
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