18 Of Princess Diana’s Most Iconic Fashion and Beauty
Moments
The People's Princess was a sartorial icon way ahead of her
time. Here, we look at some of her finest looks
As the world so tragically learned in 1997, Princess Diana lost
her life in a car accident, leaving her two young boys, Prince
William and Prince Harry without their mother. Her impact though
has been far reaching in more ways than one. She demolished many
royal traditions, thus paving a (slightly) more modern path for the
monarchy, dedicated much of her life to humanitarian work and of
course, left a strong sartorial impression that still reverberates
through the industry.
From her revenge dress to the inception of collegiate-inspired
athleisure, her voluminous wedding gown to her pick of the
crown jewels, here we look at 18 of Diana’s most iconic fashion and
beauty moments through history.
Keep scrolling for the gallery.
LONDON – NOVEMBER 1995: Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing
Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt, leaves Chelsea Harbour Club, London in
November, 1995. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
Who could forget this iconic photo of Princess Diana running
around town in a baggy “Fly Atlantic” pullover sweater, peach bike
shorts, and chunky sneakers? Taffeta and ball gowns aside, Diana’s
preference for athleisure is still paying fashion dividends today.
Modern reincarnates like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid are often
seen in similar ensembles, whereas lifestyle brands (like the
now-questionable Sporty&Rich) reference her
bike-short-preppy-logo-sweater aesthetic season after season.
TETBURY, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 18: Princess Diana Resting Her Head
In Her Hands While Sitting On The Steps Of Her Home At Highgrove,
Gloucestershire. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Images)
BONN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 02: The Prince And Princess Of Wales In
Germany Attending An Evening Function. She Is Wearing A Dress
Designed By Fashion Designer Victor Edelstein (Photo by Tim Graham
Photo Library via Getty Images)
Princess Diana (1961 – 1997) arriving at the Serpentine Gallery,
London, in a gown by Christina Stambolian, June 1994. (Photo by
Jayne Fincher/Getty Images)
Ah, the original revenge dress. On the same day Prince Charles
publicly confessed his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles in a
television interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, the Princess attended
the Serpentine Gallery’s summer party wearing a custom black velvet
off-shoulder dress by Greek designer Christina Stambolian. At the
time it was considered the ultimate sartorial middle finger to her
cheating ex-husband. And rightly so – she looks fantastic.
NEW ZEALAND – 20th APRIL 1983: Diana, Princess of Wales,
looks thoughtful while wearing a tiara in New Zealand during April
1983. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
Gifted to Diana as a wedding present in 1981, the ‘Lover’s Knot’
tiara is encrusted with diamonds and teardrop pearls. It was
designed by Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother in 1914 and was
reportedly Diana’s favorite.
Diana, Princess of Wales on holiday in Majorca, Spain on August 10,
1987. (Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images)
Princess Diana wearing an unusual combination of white trousers,
boots, a blazer jacket and a baseball cap after taking her sons to
school at Wetherby, 25th April 1989. (Photo by Daily
Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 02: Prince William with his mother Diana,
Princess of Wales at Guards Polo Club, The Princess is casually
dressed in a sweatshirt with the British Lung Foundation logo on
the front of her t-shirt (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via
Getty Images)
Diana, Princess Of Wales Attends The Victor Chang Research
Institute Dinner Dance During Her Visit To Sydney, Australia.
(Photo by Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images)
In striking blue Versace (one of her favorite designers) while
on tour in Australia.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 04: Princess Diana At The
Victoria And Albert Museum For The Splendors Of The Gonzagas
Exhibition Gala Wearing A Pale Blue Chiffon Evening Dress Designed
By Fashion Designers Bellville Sassoon. The Princess Seemed Tired
During The Event And The Following Day The Palace Announced Her
Pregnancy. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Images)
Princess of Wales by day, nap queen by night. This iconic photo
of Diana at the Victoria and Albert Museum Exhibition Gala in pale
blue Bellville Sassoon chiffon is one of her best (because all
those royal engagements no doubt got exhausting).
FRANCE – UNDATED: Diana, Princess of Wales poses in a bikini
while on holiday in the South of France. (Photo by Anwar
Hussein/WireImage)
London, England October 15, 1994. Princess Diana shopping in
Knightsbridge. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
MODENA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Princess Diana Attending A Concert In
Italy In Aid Of Bosnian Children. The Princess Is Wearing A Short
White Dress And White Shoes. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via
Getty Images)
BALMORAL, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 06: Prince Charles With His Fiancee
Lady Diana Spencer During A Photocall Before Their Wedding While
Staying At Craigowan Lodge On The Balmoral Estate (exact Day Date
Not Certain) (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 20: Diana, Princess Of Wales,
Attending A Gala Evening In Aid Of Cancer Research At Bridgewater
House In London. The Princess Is Wearing A Dress Designed By
Fashion Designer Jacques Azagury (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library
via Getty Images)
Lady Diana famously worked closely with makeup artist Mary
Greenwell (who actually trained Charlotte Tilbury). It was
reportedly Greenwell who convinced Diana to steer clear of the
heavy blue eyeliner she was so fond of in the 80s.
The Prince and Princess of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham
Palace on their wedding day, 29th July 1981. She wears a wedding
dress by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and the Spencer family tiara.
(Photo by Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty
Images)
Princess Diana wed Prince Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral in
London. The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel for
Alexander McQueen, was covered in 10,000 pearls and featured a
25-foot train – the longest in royal history. Referred to as “the
wedding of the century,” the glamorous affair was attended by 3,500
guests and watched on television by 750 million people.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 15: Prince Charles And Princess Diana Arriving
At The Cannes Film Festival For A Gala Night In Honor Of Actor Sir
Alec Guinness. The Princess Is Wearing A Pale Blue Silk Chiffon
Strapless Dress With A Matching Chiffon Stole Designed By Fashion
Designer Catherine Walker. They Are Greeted By The Lady Mayor Of
Cannes. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Images)
ST TROPEZ, FRANCE – JULY 17 1997: (FILE PHOTO) Diana, Princess Of
Wales is seen in St Tropez in the summer of 1997, shortly before
Diana and boyfriend Dodi were killed in a car crash in Paris on
August 31, 1997. The inquests into both of their deaths are due to
start in early 2004. (Photo by Michel
Dufour/WireImage)