Blame it on ’90s mania, the fact that sweatshirts and biker shorts are in high rotation in the pandemic era or the impending release of The Crown Season 5 slated for later this year, but a current-day resurrection of Princess Diana’s style is underway. From the glamourous – Revenge dress and the Travolta dress – to the everyday – grandma-chic knits and activewear ’fits – her style encapsulates the current sartorial mood and is surprisingly pandemic-suitable.
We look at how Princess Diana’s timeless elegance is being co-opted by millennials and Gen Z, who are taking unbound inspiration from the 90s super.
Athleisure FTW
Long before sweatshirts became our go-to uniform in the WFH era, they were a staple in Princess Diana’s sartorial statement. She often veered towards oversized collegiate jumpers – her blue Northwestern sweatshirt and the white Harvard jumper remain memorable. Paired with biker shorts and Reebok Classics with pulled-up socks, she gave the straight-out-of-the-gym look street cred. Circa now, her princess off-duty athleisure look is being borrowed by many – Hailey Bieber is one such taker.
Cosy grandma knits are cool
Grandma knits were Princess Diana’s calling card. From preppy vests to baggy sweaters, the people’s princess gave stuffy knitwear an elegant spin. Famed among her outlandish sweaters are the iconic ‘black sheep’ jumper and the pink Fair Isle sweater. The former is now part of V&A’s permanent collection, an iteration of which was adopted by Harry Styles recently as a homage to the veritable ’90s icon. The latter was worn at the Balmoral Estate as the princess posed with Prince Charles. Here’s to reviving grandma knits and putting them front-and-centre in our couch-bound winter line-up.
Comfort-first ’fits come first
Lady Di was the ultimate ’90s mom, her wardrobe a compelling mix of high-waisted mom jeans and tailored blazers with strong shoulder pads. Conveying an inherent sense of ease, the memorable image of her at the Guards Polo Club in 1988 shows her wearing an XL blazer with high-waisted Levi’s. She made it her own by tucking her jeans into cowboy boots and finishing the look with a baseball cap. The final look was suitably nonchalant, conveying authority without being intimidating. Fast forward to 2022, the blazer is a foundational wardrobe staple that champions waist-up dressing, but the royal tastemaker was onto its transformative powers back in the day.
Revenge dressing is real
After two couch-bound years of elasticated waistbands and enveloping sweats, talk of revenge dressing governed by unadulterated excess is rife. But its predecessor was Lady Di’s ‘Revenge Dress’ worn for her first post-divorce public appearance. After the televised admission of adultery by Prince Charles, the princess stepped out at the Serpentine Gallery’s summer party wearing a Christina Stambolian off-the-shoulder number. Sometimes, revenge is best-served sizzling. The moment became a tabloid sensation – the ’90s equivalent of a viral internet moment.
Reuse, repeat, rewear, and restyle
We’re seeing a global push towards sustainability today, but decades before it became a norm, Princess Diana was re-wearing and repeating her ’fits and jewels like an ethical crusader. Giving it a refresh each time, her styling chops ensured that she didn’t style any outfit in the same way twice. Take, for instance, her diamond and emerald heirloom choker that she later fashioned as a headpiece for a gala in Australia, much to the Queen’s wrath. Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are following in her sartorial footsteps – it’s got the royal stamp of approval.
