Lady Diana, the affirmation of a woman through her wardrobe
When the wardrobe of a princess allows the woman behind the title to assert herself and break free from the codes of a monarchy. In just a few years, Lady Diana managed to reveal herself as a woman, and not just the wife of a prince.
The British royal family has always attracted attention. Hidden behind palace gates, between Buckingham and Windsor, their appearances are scrutinized by the eyes of the world. A look, a gesture, everything is observed and analyzed.
At tea time, the object of all discussions, after their relationships that cause a whirlwind, is focused on deciphering fabrics, cuts, and buttons.
All royal figures are idolized and envied, especially for their ready-to-wear pieces. Iconic pieces, sometimes marking history, that envelop them with elegance and power.
Magazines plaster their covers, and now it is up to social media to decipher them. With accounts that are flourishing to find the pieces worn by Kate and Meghan at each appearance.
Although the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex are in the sights of fashionistas, the one who will always remain the iconic princess is none other than Lady Diana.
Lady Diana, her wardrobe as an outlet
Throughout her life, spent in the spotlight, the Princess of Wales never ceased to fascinate the world. A woman with a troubled and exposed life. Between scandals and extramarital affairs. Made up of official visits and family vacations spied upon. A challenging life, ultimately devastating.
A young woman who, over the years, revealed herself to the eyes of photographers from around the world. Beyond being a princess, wife, and mother, she was able to assert herself as an independent and confident woman by exploring her femininity and sensuality. The outfits she wore reflected her evolution within the British royal circle. In just a few years, the princess was able to appropriate fashion and learn to play with it. Wearing characterful outfits, she transitioned from the look of “the girl from Essex” to dresses that embraced her silhouette, with bare shoulders exuding elegance and glamour.
Lady Diana’s all-terrain wardrobe
The characteristic of Diana’s wardrobe is its division into three parts. Namely, evening gowns, outfits for official outings, and a daily look as “the girl from Essex”.
The popularity of the princess with the public is due to this mix of glamour and a wardrobe common to any mother taking her children to school. An identification that is also present in her choice to combine royal jewelry with jewelry from major brands, costing a few pounds. Not seeing clothing as ephemeral, Lady Di also reused her outfits.
Elegant in any situation, her everyday looks, between style and comfort, inspired women.
Ambassador of a new English fashion
At first, inspired by the fashion of the time and her friends, Diana’s style evolved over time through her encounter with fashion. Her education in style was notably acquired from renowned designers and couturiers. Like Jacques Azagury in the early 1980s, Bruce Oldfield, or Catherine Walker, who would be a decisive encounter in her evolution.
By showcasing the work of these designers, their pieces traveled around the world. Designers who enhanced her, transformed her, and elevated her to the status of a woman, no longer just a young woman in her twenties. Her “conservative” and very British look thus modernized, drawing inspiration from designers from around the world, such as Moschino in Italy, Chanel in France.
Her outfits paid tribute to the countries she visited. Especially with her outfit during her visit to Japan, featuring the flag motif on her fabric. Diana was able to transform the “norms” of the time by showing herself as adventurous in fabrics, cuts, and colors. Her trip to India was marked by her traditional-cut outfit in striking colors, namely red, purple, and yellow.
Lady Di’s Fashion Statements
Surrounding herself with designers who understood her desires, the Princess of Wales understood the power that fashion could have. Thus, Diana created real Fashion Statements through her outfits. After wearing “classic” pieces for a long time, such as hats, other pieces came to complete her collection. Especially the famous Coat dresses designed by Catherine Walker. With a cut similar to a men’s suit. These pieces defied the leaders by elevating the role of women, which was often diminished.
Her wardrobe consisted of pieces that increasingly highlighted her body and silhouette. Her short dress worn in Venice left a lasting impression with its unusual length for a princess. By training daily, especially in swimming, Diana took care of a figure that she unveiled year after year, thus putting away her first looks that concealed any signs of a slender waist.
The cuts of her dresses progressively revealed her shoulders, arms, and legs, while closely hugging her curves.
These figure-hugging outfits thus revealed a more independent woman, feeling sexy and in harmony with her body and femininity. The reflection of a stronger mindset, even in moments of life synonymous with relationship problems and disagreements with the royal family. Gradually, her wardrobe allowed her to assert herself and have a place in the spotlight, even overshadowing Prince Charles.
Knowing how to make an impression
Diana knew how to play with photographers and make the most of the events she attended. Her choice of outfits was meticulously thought out. More than once, the princess attracted attention with her outfits, prior to a decisive meeting or in connection with current events.
Thus, she made a masterstroke with one of her most memorable dresses, now seen as her revenge dress. Indeed, in 1994, Lady Diana attended the annual charitable gala of Vanity Fair, wearing a dress that conveyed a strong message announcing her freedom. With an extremely turbulent marriage, we are in the midst of a divorce between the Princess of Wales and Prince Charles, following the prince’s adultery revelations. A divorce that was still kept secret, outside the gates of Buckingham.
However, at the Vanity Fair event, Lady Di arrived resplendent in a short black dress that revealed her legs. A dress with a stunning neckline, adorned with an imposing pearl necklace and high heels. A dress that remained in the shadows for three years, as it did not conform to the codes of the British crown. By wearing this dress at this point in her life, Lady Diana made her greatest Fashion Statement. Declaring her newfound freedom and feeling like a free and independent woman.
A haircut that highlighted the outfit
The princess’s growing confidence in her femininity and strength was also evident in her haircut. Originally sporting a short haircut, this choice brought her both elegance and practicality for daily maintenance during her travels. This haircut became shorter as her evolution progressed, in correlation with her wardrobe, becoming increasingly feminine and assertive. Indeed, the more plunging necklines became present, the shorter her haircut became, thus highlighting her neck.
This apparent evolution allowed the Princess of Wales to position herself as a fashion icon. But above all, it was a vision of the wardrobe as a powerful tool carrying a message. In a highly codified monarchy and a life regulated like clockwork, Lady Diana’s wardrobe served as an outlet for her, allowing her to assert herself and say through clothing what she could not say out loud.
If you want to rediscover some of the most memorable outfits of the princess, we can only recommend watching the films and series that pay tribute to her! The latest season of The Crown revolved its entire storyline around her tumultuous destiny alongside Prince Charles. As for the film, the latest film by Pablo Larraín, Spencer, has recently been praised by critics for its striking and moving portrayal of the Princess.
