Diana, Princess of Wales, was not only the queen of people’s hearts, but also the epitome of grace and elegance. She was a fashion icon known for her elegant and timeless style. She often wore glamorous dresses, tailored suits, and iconic gowns, capturing the attention of the world with her fashion choices.
Princess Diana’s transformation from “shy Di” to a style icon was remarkable and left a lasting impact on 80s and 90s fashion. She was known for breaking royal protocols with her fashion choices. She often opted for bold and unconventional styles that diverged from traditional royal attire. Her evolution in style reflected her growing confidence and independence, and her choices resonated with people around the world.
From her “wedding dress” to her “revenge dress”, let’s take a look at her most fashionable attires.
1. Princess Diana’s Wedding dress (July 1981)
Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress was a historic commission that involved two designers. It featured approximately 10,000 mother of pearl sequins meticulously sewn onto the bodice, sleeves, and veil. The royal family was invoiced 1,000 guineas for the dress. As Diana made her way up the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral, her separate train stretched an impressive 25 feet behind her. The dress also included a tiny gold horseshoe charm, containing 18 carats of gold, sewn in by the Emanuels for good luck. Additionally, her Clive Shilton wedding shoes were adorned with 500 sequins and 100 seed pearls, adding to the intricate beauty of her bridal ensemble.
2. Honeymoon (August 1981)
Dressed in a charming floral wrap dress by Donald Campbell and accessorized with a delicate white choker, Princess Diana departed from Eastleigh airport in Hampshire to embark on her honeymoon.
3. Sleeping beauty dress (November 1981)
In a shimmering off-the-shoulder Bellville Sassoon gown at a 1981 event, the princess resembled Sleeping Beauty, her nap prompting the palace to announce her pregnancy with Prince William the following day.
4. Australia tour (March 1983)
During an Australian tour, Diana radiated elegance in a rosy gown with charming ties at the shoulders, perfectly paired with her iconic wedding tiara. Her dress was designed by Victor Edelstein.
Diana dazzled in a long, sequined blue dress, accentuated with a sparkling diamond necklace and earrings, complemented by a silver belt, as she shared a dance with Prince Charles in Sydney.
Adorned with the historic Spencer family tiara, dating back to the Tudor period and featuring diamonds shaped like tulips and stars, Diana graced a state reception in Hobart, Tasmania.
5. James Bond film premiere (July 1985)
Princess Diana made a glamorous appearance at the London premiere of the Bond movie “A View to a Kill”, donning a stunning gold lamé gown designed by Bruce Oldfield.
6. National Gallery at Washington (November 1985)
Diana looked radiant in a sparkling one-shoulder evening gown as she attended a gala at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The elegant dress was crafted by Japanese designer Hachi.
7. The “Travolta” dress (November 1985)
Designed by Victor Edelstein, the off-the-shoulder midnight-blue velvet gown gained its moniker after Princess Diana wore it to a White House gala dinner in 1985, where she famously danced with actor John Travolta.
8. State dinner in Tokyo (May 1986)
Diana exudes the spirit of the ’20s with her ensemble at a state dinner in Tokyo, Japan, wearing a silk pleated navy-blue blouse featuring a glittery yoke. Completing her elegant look, she opts for another jewelled headband.
9. At Highgrove (July 1986)
On the steps of her home at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, Diana dons vibrant hot-pink chequered ankle pants paired with a matching top.
10. German Embassy in London (July 1986)
Described as her favourite gown, Princess Diana graces a banquet at the German Embassy in London in a stunning creation by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the same designers behind her iconic wedding dress.
11. Cannes Film Festival (May 1987)
Diana enchants at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival event in a gracefully draped blue chiffon gown, accompanied by a matching scarf.
12. Spain (August 1987)
While vacationing in Majorca, Spain, accompanied by her husband and two sons, Diana stands out in the coolest belted yellow jumpsuit imaginable.
13. Guards Polo Club (May 1988)
Diana dresses casually for a stroll with Prince William across the lawn at the Guards Polo Club, sporting a sweater featuring the logo of the British Lung Foundation, a cause she passionately supported. This iconic look served as inspiration for Louis Vuitton menswear designer Virgil Abloh’s 2017 collection for his Off White label.
14. In Paris (November 1988)
In Paris, at the Élysée Palace dinner, Diana dazzled in a cream evening gown by Victor Edelstein, adorned with gold embroidery.
15. The “Elvis” dress (November 1989)
Princess Diana dons her iconic white “Elvis Dress” and the Spencer tiara to a reception at the Culture Center in Hong Kong.
16. The “Revenge” dress (November 1994)
Diana made headlines wearing the iconic Christina Stambolian “revenge dress” to a Vanity Fair party, coinciding with Charles’s public admission of infidelity with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
