This year marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, a woman remembered for various reasons: her philanthropy, her humility and her incredible style. To celebrate her fashion legacy, we look at some of her most iconic outfits, from the wedding dress to the infamous revenge dress.
Diana’s style evolved throughout her life. In her earlier public appearances, she appeared in simple, conservative outfits, reflecting an effort to fit into the traditional royal aesthetic. She wore this sensible and demure pink outfit in 1982 at one of her first official state outings.
As Diana grew older and more confident, so did her fashion choices. She wore this bold number in 1990 on a school run. The oversized belt and high-neck jumper reflect the style of the time. Diana favoured a sharp, powerful look, reflecting her status as one of the most influential women of the time.
Of course, we can’t talk about Princess and fashion and not discuss her wedding dress. A royal wedding dress will always have a profound influence on wedding style, just look at the number of women wearing long sleeved lace dresses after Kate and Will’s. After Diana wore this silk dress by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, many women sought to replicate the lavish, bouffant style. Diana was very involved in the design of her wedding dress, which included a 25 foot train and 10,000 pearls.
Diana was well known for her elegant evening gowns. There are hundreds that could have made this list but this bright pink Victor Edelstein outfit is particularly stunning. Again, reflecting Diana’s later, bolder fashion choices. The dress beautifully highlights her stunning figure, whilst still being sufficiently formal for a public royal appearance.
Girls, you can never go wrong with a little black dress. That’s right. It’s time for the revenge dress. So called because Diana wore it just after the news of Charles’ affair. Instead of hiding in the shadows, Diana stepped out in this incredibly sexy little number, showing off her stunning natural beauty. Her outfits certainly did get more daring after her separation and this was perhaps the raciest of all and will forever be remembered as the image of a new, free and happy Diana.
Katie O’Kelly
Image: Mario Testino