FASHION experts in Cheltenham have defended Zara Phillips' taste in clothes – but admitted she could do better.
It seems the Queen's granddaughter is better on horseback than as a clothes horse if comments by Daily Mail fashion guru and columnist Liz Jones are anything to go by.
She criticised Zara for her "questionable" attire at the 2013 Magic Millions Carnival in Australia this week. The newspaper focussed on how the 31-year-old outfits "may go down as the worst fashion shoot in history".
The article claimed Zara, who lives in Cheltenham with husband Gloucester Rugby star Mike Tindall looked "as uncomfortable and out of place as Dick Emery on the Prada catwalk".
Yesterday it went onto criticise the royal with photographs of Zara from down the years claiming she had definitely had more misses than hits when it came to fashion.
But Kate Parker, style expert for the Echo's Weekend magazine defending the Olympic silver medallist.
She said: "Fashion isn't a priority for Zara, which sometimes shows in her choices. She is a very sporty natural woman and probably finds it tough being scrutinised like this all of the time. Unfortunately, it's part and parcel of being in the public eye.
"She has a great physique and with a little professional help I think she could look great when she steps out in front of the camera."
Cheltenham-based style consultant Michelle Blake said she did not want to be too critical of Zara but agreed that not all of her outfits had looked the best on her.
She said: "Occasionally, all celebrities get given outfits that suit the occasion but don't suit them."
Michelle said it was quite nice Zara was interested in fashion and she stressed that she felt she was an attractive woman. But she said she might be falling into the same trap as other high-profile people and wearing the latest designer outfits that might not suit her body shape or personality.
"They sort of get geared up for the latest event by the latest designer but it's not necessarily their own personal style," she added.
OPINION, P8
