A look back at Princess Diana’s best fashion moments, 26 years after her death
A look back at Princess Diana’s best fashion moments, 26 years after her death
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From the moment her engagement to Prince Charles was announced in February 1981, Princess Diana became a worldwide fashion phenomenon. Decades before social media and online shopping existed, women rushed to stores to emulate the princess’ “Sloane Ranger” style.
Through the years, her fashion shifted from the ruffly pussy-bow blouses and puffed sleeves of the ’80s to her iconic bike shorts and printed sweatshirts, slimmer silhouettes and shorter hemlines — and of course, the “revenge dress.”
From 1980s knitwear to her bolder post-divorce dresses, we’re taking a look back at the style of Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer announced their engagement in February 1981, with Diana wearing a chic skirt set and bussybow blouse in a hue to match her sapphire engagement ring. Getty Images
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The newly engaged couple headed out for their first public appearance in March 1981 and Diana ruffled feathers by wearing a black strapless gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who would go on to design her wedding dress. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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Diana showed off her penchant for funky knitwear during a trip to Balmoral before her wedding. Getty Images
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Women around the world flocked to buy Diana’s “black sheep” sweater, and with the re-release of the design by Rowing Blazers, royal fashion fans can still sport the look today. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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Her most iconic look of all came on the princess’ July 29, 1981 wedding day when Diana wore a puff-sleeved wedding gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel featuring the longest train in the history of royal weddings. Getty Images
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The newlywed sported her best country attire on honeymoon in Balmoral, wearing an oversized checked bomber jacket and matching skirt. Getty Images
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The princess looked like Sleeping Beauty in a shimmery off-the-shoulder Bellville Sassoon gown at a 1981 event, with her nap prompting the palace to announce her pregnancy with Prince William the next day. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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Diana was on-trend in a voluminous green polka dot dress with a tie neck as she stepped outside the hospital to introduce Prince William to the world. Getty Images
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Diana was pretty in pink during an Australian tour, wearing a rosy gown with ties at the shoulders along with her wedding tiara. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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Diana accidentally sparked a trend for headbands worn across the forehead after a 1985 trip to Australia — but legend has it that she got stuck in her diamond and emerald choker when she tried to put it on over head, and was convinced to wear it as a headpiece instead. Getty Images
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The princess loved a polka dot ‘fit, and this white Victor Edelstein ensemble she wore to the 1986 Epsom Derby was repurposed for a 1987 polo match. Getty Images
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The Princess of Wales made headlines when she danced with John Travolta at a 1985 White House dinner; the off-the-shoulder velvet Victor Edelstein gown she wore even became known as “the Travolta dress.” Pete Souza/The White House via G
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Diana loved bright skiwear, like this star-print neon jacket she wore on a family holiday with Sarah, the Duchess of York. Getty Images
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While everyone might be wearing the biker shorts with a sweatshirt trend these days, Princess Diana is the one who started it all — and her iconic Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt remains a fave for women to copy. WireImage
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The royal often wore a Philadelphia Eagles jacket for casual outings. Getty Images
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Her “Elvis dress” featuring all-over pearls and a cropped jacket with a high collar is one of the late princess’ most iconic looks. Getty Images
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Diana looked elegant in a blue strapless Catherine Walker gown with a matching scarf at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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The princess sported another one of her quirky crewnecks at a 1988 polo match, pairing it with a slouchy blazer, baseball cap and riding boots. Getty Images
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She combined an unusual combo of purple and red for a visit to the Taj Mahal, and decades later both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle would wear their own red-and-purple looks. PA Images via Getty Images
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Perhaps one of her most famous outfits of all is the “revenge dress” worn in November 1994 after Prince Charles admitted to adultery on TV. The daring frock, designed by Christina Stambolian, marked the start of her bolder post-Charles style. WireImage
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She showed off her post-royal style for an event at London’s Serpentine Gallery in 1995, wearing a sexy beaded halter by one of her go-to designers, Catherine Walker. Getty Images
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Catherine Walker designed this statement-making colorblocked dress that the princess wore to a concert to benefit the British Red Cross. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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She showed off her wild vacation style on Necker Island, wearing a leopard print tank suit with a matching cover up. Tim Graham Photo Library via Get
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The 1996 Met Gala saw a special appearance by the princess in a slinky navy slip dress by John Galliano along with her favorite pearl and sapphire choker; the event marked the final time she’d wear the necklace in public before her death. WireImage
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Just months before her death, the princess wore khakis and a white button-up shirt along with protective gear as she walked through a minefield in Angola. PA Images via Getty Images
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Diana originally wore this Atelier Versace gown in a Patrick Demarchelier portrait shot in 1991, but it became iconic when the image was used on the cover of a 1997 tribute issue of Harper’s Bazaar following the royal’s death. The heavily beaded ice-blue column gown went on to sell for $200,000 at auction in 2015. Harper’s Bazaar
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