Princess Diana Was The Original Prairie Collar Influencer
Pie crust collars were synonymous with Diana, Princess of Wales’s Sloane Ranger style (see also strong-shouldered blazers and high-waisted jeans), but the royal’s penchant for Peter Pan collared shirting was where she showed true character. From exaggerated Prairie styles to oversized frilly necklines trimmed with ribbons, monster collared blouses formed the feminine foundation to Lady Di’s eclectic daywear.
The playful proportions suited her. “Fashion might not have been a priority, but she loved to experiment,” the Princess of Wales’s stylist and former British Vogue deputy editor, Anna Harvey, once said of her client. The riotous ruffled shirts were a snazzy upgrade from the Laura Ashley blouses she lived in prior to being thrust into the spotlight, and played up to her persona as an English sweetheart.
Many of the polite dresses made rebellious by bold collars were by British brands, because Princess Diana saw her platform as a way to positively reinforce the UK’s fashion industry. Designers, including Catherine Walker and David Sassoon, were thrilled to make pieces for the spirited twenty-something. “There was such a feeling of euphoria that here was this young, glamorous girl who loved clothes,” explained Harvey.
Four decades on from the late princess’s signature souped-up collars, loud blouses are back. The new crisp cotton poplin versions might be more cottagecore than ’80s, but there’s a dash of Diana’s energy in every starched neckline on the market, from Ganni’s to Miu Miu’s.
Below, 19 fabulous pictures that prove Diana, Princess of Wales was the original monster collar fan.
Anwar Hussein1/191984
Visiting Deptford wearing a Liberty print maternity suit designed by Jan Van Velden, while pregnant with Prince Harry.
Anwar Hussein2/191982
The Princess of Wales stepped out with a newborn Prince William at St Mary’s Hospital in London wearing a polka-dot dress by Catherine Walker with pink bow-embellished pumps. The spotty dress would later be compared to the Jenny Packham design the Duchess of Cambridge wore to introduce the world to Prince George in 2013.
Princess Diana Archive3/191985
Even Bracknell’s inclement weather did not rain on Princess Diana’s strong collared shirting parade in 1985.
Anwar Hussein4/191983
Feathered headpieces and pussy-bow blouses were defining characteristics of Princess Diana’s daywear in the early ’80s.
Tim Graham5/191983
The Princess of Wales sat for a portrait at home in Kensington Palace wearing a tonal look with her bow-embellished blouse pride of place.
Princess Diana Archive6/191983
She landed in Alice Springs, Australia with the Prince of Wales wearing a turquoise tea dress with a collar that could be called anything but prim.
Princess Diana Archive7/191983
A peach Catherine Walker dress was the definition of sweet-but-not-saccharine when meeting the then-Australian prime minister, Bob Hawke, in 1983.
Anwar Hussein8/191983
She took her bold collars to Auckland and posed for a photo with a just-walking Prince William during the royal tour of the region.
