Jessica
A Look Back at Princess Diana's Style
Off-the-ShoulderPrincess Diana wore a range of styles during her lifetime.
And when it came to gowns specifically, she played with different necklines and cuts, including off-the-shoulder.
Consider the chiffon David Sassoon gown she picked for a trip to London's Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981, which featured a pink and blue pattern, sparkly embellishments and ribbon detailing. To complete her look, she accessorized with a pearl choker, matching bracelet, diamond drop earrings and a clutch purse.
The princess also wore a lavender off-the-shoulder gown with bow detailing by Donald Campbell while attending the ballet in Auckland, New Zealand, with her then-husband King Charles (formerly Prince Charles) in 1983. For her jewelry, she opted for the Prince of Wales Feathers necklace and pearl drop earrings.
And of course, fans can't forget about her famous "revenge dress," which was designed by Christina Stambolian and Diana wore to a Vanity Fair party at London's Serpentine Gallery in 1994. She donned the dress on the same night ITN's interview with her estranged husband Charles aired and he admitted he was faithful to Diana in their marriage "until it became irretrievably broken down."
Another famous example? The midnight blue velvet Victor Edelstein gown Diana wore to the White House nearly a decade before in 1985, where she shared a dance with John Travolta (leading to the dress being dubbed the "Travolta dress").
Pop of Pink
When it came to her wardrobe, Diana also sported a rainbow of colors. Among her often-wore hues? Pink. During a 1985 visit to Sicily, for instance, Diana wore a pink Catherine Walker dress featuring voluminous sleeves and a pleated skirt. To finish the ensemble, she added a matching hat by milliner John Boyd, a white clutch and pearls.
Diana suited up in a similar hue, this time a Versace number, during a 1995 trip to Argentina—adding gold knot earrings, a black bag and matching heels.
Chokers
Diana also rocked bold accessories, including choker necklaces. Like this sparkly one she wore to complement her purple Versace dress for a gala dinner at Chicago's Field Museum in 1996.
Similarly, Diana wore a pearl choker necklace while visiting a Commonwealth War Graves ceremony in Anzio on her 1985 Royal Tour of Italy with Charles. The statement piece matched her pearl earrings. However, these weren't her only accessories. Diana also donned a red and white hat, which coordinated with her red striped Catherine Walker dress, and a gold watch.
Color Blocking
You'll want to bow down to her use of color blocking, too. Take, for instance, the blue and white seen in Diana's Catherine Walker suit and Philip Somerville hat during her visit to Dubai in 1989.
Or her use of pink and red in her suit and hat by the designers during the same visit.
Puffed Sleeves
While there are several examples of Diana wearing puffed sleeves (a popular style in the '80s), perhaps the most famous is the dress she wore for her wedding to Charles in 1981. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the gown also featured a scooped neckline adorned with ruffles and bows, bodice overlaid with lace, full skirt and 25-foot train.Diana and Charles split in 1992 before finalizing their divorce four years later.
One-Shoulder
Another style Diana occasionally sported was the one-shoulder gown. In 1985, she wore a white, crystal-beaded silk chiffon dress by Hachi for a visit to the National Gallery in Washington D.C.
There was also the blue asymmetrical dress by Bruce Oldfield featuring ruffles and a circular pattern that she wore to a fashion show benefitting Birthright, an organization of which she was patron. Diana added her signature pearl choker necklace, matching bracelet, earrings and a clutch.
Jacket Draping
When it came to outerwear, Diana would also sport a variety of options—including varsity jackets, wool coats and puffers. And sometimes, she would simply drape her jackets over her shoulders—as she did with her white coat, using it to top the floral Donald Campbell dress that she wore to the airport in Hampshire at the start of her 1981 honeymoon with Charles.
Along the same lines, Diana threw a black blazer over the shoulders of her matching dress for a trip to the Alfred Dunhill shop in London in 1994. She finished the look with pearls, a dainty bracelet and black purse with gold chain.
Corset Belts
Big bold belts were popular in the '80s, and Diana appeared to be a fan of the trend. She wore a turquoise one that divided her patterned blouse from her white pencil skirt during her visit to Bangkok, Thailand, in 1988.
The princess also paired a silver belt with the blue, ruffle-sleeved Bruce Oldfield dress she wore to a state dinner in New Brunswick during her 1983 Royal Tour of Canada. The belt matched her silver clutch, and there was plenty of sparkle thanks to her Spencer tiara and drop earrings.