Princess Diana and her iconic style are having a Moment this fall. Gucci has reintroduced her favorite tote in updated colors. Last week, The Crown won all four major acting awards as well as best drama at the 2021 Emmy Awards. The biopic Spencer starring Kirsten Stewart hits the screen this month. And as Broadway reopens, Diana: The Musical is in rehearsals for a November 2 opening. So what are some of Princess Diana’s essential fashion and style elements? And which collections are the best at channeling her iconic look for a new era? Our correspondent Julie Murphy Chang has curated a list of the 6 best on trend fashion looks to buy this fall 2021 if you’re wondering how to dress in the iconic style of Princess Diana.
Princess Diana is setting the trend in fashion again
Royal enthusiasts, fashionistas, and Anglophiles have a lot to look forward to this month in the biopic, “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as the People’s Princess. And if you’re all three — this feature has you written all over it.
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend like Princess Diana this fall 2021.
Princess Diana ruled the fashion scene back in the day with her sartorial choices. And as we look back at some of her most iconic looks, we find a lot of them are not only relevant again, but still inspiring.
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An enduring fashion icon, Diana loved color and was not afraid to embrace head-to-toe ice cream pastels or vibrant allover prints like classic polka dots or florals. She even had a penchant for a bold and quirky “ugly sweater” in her casual attire. There was a phase of big lacy collars and frou frou sleeves — a trend that came back recently in the homespun cottagecore vibe. And of course, there was her revenge dress phase. Something mere mortals can also relate to. When wronged, sometimes there’s no better cure than a sexy dress.
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Just for fun and pure eye candy, check out our round-up of 6 essential Princess Diana-inspired looks and where to get them.
6 best on trend fashion looks in the essential style of Princess Diana
1. Statement Collars
In the beginning, there was the collar. The “pie crust collar” was popular amongst the Sloane Ranger set — posh members of the British social scene in the 80s. It represented easy femininity with a bit of playfulness. And Princess Di was fond of experimenting with all sorts of frills for thrills.
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend like Princess Diana this fall 2021.
The cottagecore trend brought the exaggerated collar back in our consciousness and there is no shortage of tops and dresses that feature this dramatic neckline. Rejina Pyo’s poplin button down ($396) has a casual and relaxed shape trimmed with a large sailor collar and ruffles. Pair with wide-legged denim and clogs for a Brooklyn-chic look. For a more subtle option, check out Intermix’s chambray shirt ($228) which places the ruffle around the yoke instead of the collar. For the all-in choice, we’d go for Victoria Beckham’s silk georgette dress ($1,650) which looks like it could have been borrowed from Princess Diana’s closet back in the day.
2. Polka Dots
It might be said that Princess Diana never met a polka dot she didn’t like. Not only did she wear micro dots as much as she did macro dots, she even matched them to a polka dotted accessories. They suited her — a sweet, enthusiastic and charming print that belied her serious royal role.
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend like Princess Diana this fall 2021.
A modern take on the polka dot is Sea’s blouse with balloon sleeves ($395) — where the dots are a bit imperfect, an artsy paint blob. Zimmerman’s burgundy blouse ($425) combines two Diana looks — the romantic ruffled collar and the youthful polka dot. Dress down with a 70s flare jean. For an effortless polka dot look, try a skirt. This jersey one from Balenciaga ($875) is so versatile and easily matches up with a crop top, turtleneck or sporty t-shirt.
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3. Grannycore sweater
Lady Di loved flaunting the frumpy Grandma-chic sweater as part of her maximalist style. Hers were adorned with farm animals and other bold graphics. Even back then, it could be said that these sweaters were kitschy. Most importantly, they showed her sense of humor and irony despite the many pressures she faced in her position.
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend Princess Diana style this fall 2021.
That original Warm & Wonderful black sheep jumper ($295) has actually been officially recreated by Rowing Blazers and is made to the same specifications as those famously worn by the Princess of Wales. Anthropologie’s floral motif sweater ($180) is peak grannycore but with a slightly cropped, modern boxy fit. The homey and idealized farm life is depicted in Sea’s wool-blend intarsia sweater ($425). To wear it is to be as ironic as Lady Di could be.
4. Casual Blazer
We’re used to seeing women in power in pantsuits or blazers with a sheath dress underneath. Diana, however, was the queen of rocking the menswear style blazer and dressing it down with jeans or even sweatpants. As we re-enter the world this fall, the blazer over a casual outfit feels like an effortless way to add instant polish to a look.
6 best fashion looks to buy right now that represent the essential elements of the style of Princess Diana.
Annie Bing’s fishbone blazer ($349) is rich in texture and has a subtle retro quality. Stye with white jeans for a casual flair like Princess Diana or dress up with leather pants. It’s all about the gold buttons — adding a dose of easy glamour to Balmain’s version ($1,995) which is oversized like a boyfriend’s borrowed blazer. We love Cuyana’s minimalist navy blazer ($275) with no bells and whistles, just a gorgeous fluid drape.
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5. Wallpaper Florals
There are florals (we all wear them) and then there are Florals with a capital F. Princess Diana loved them in full bloom and in all the colors. The bigger and more colorful the better. The instantly iconic look is also favored by Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, who routinely shows up in florals. Maybe there’s something to not always wearing black…
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend Princess Diana style this fall 2021.
Rhode is known for their flirty dresses and this version with a waterfall hem ($425) seems especially 80s inspired. There’s something sweet and provincial about Reformation’s midi dress ($250) that makes it look like something Lady Di would have worn with a cardigan in her nursery school teacher days. And we couldn’t resist Giambattista Valli’s crepe de Chine blouse ($1,600) as a nod to Diana, England’s rose.
6. The Revenge Dress
After her split with Prince Charles, Diana cemented her fashion icon status stepping out in shoulder-baring, cleavage-baring and leg-baring styles. Good for her! She knew how to showcase and pick dresses that highlighted her best features — something that will always make her look timeless.
The 6 best fashion looks to buy if you’re wondering how to dress on trend Princess Diana style this fall 2021.
Pudico’s electric blue sheath dress ($295) with a sweetheart neckline has a faux leather look that gives it a bit of edginess. Likely’s body con dress ($188) is a must if you have Princess Diana’s toned shoulders and arms. For a vampy look that gives a bit of coverage, look no further than Norma Kamali’s halter neck gown ($175). Pair with sky high heels like Diana and make them regret they ever crossed you.
how to dress on trend in the iconic fashion style of Princess Diana
In the era of Instagram and TikTok fashion influencers, sometimes it’s a good idea to seek inspiration from icons of the past. It’s refreshing to see that many of Princess Diana’s looks still resonate and that her legacy lives on. Let us know which one you are loving for this fall!
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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.
