Tank Dresses Were Princess Diana’s Secret Wardrobe Weapon
“Diana had been called a fashion icon, but at the start she was incredibly unsophisticated about it all,” remarked Anna Harvey, Diana, Princess of Wales’s stylist, in British Vogue’s October 1997 issue. With Harvey’s guidance, the People’s Princess “rapidly learned how to make an impact.”
In the ’80s, her dress code was typically Sloane Ranger: a wealth of tartan, prim cardis and modest hemlines. But by the mid ’90s, an emboldened Lady Di experimented with more daring silhouettes, particularly those featuring tank necklines.
Diana’s tank dresses are forgotten heroes of what some call her “revenge” wardrobe (she wore them religiously after her separation from Prince Charles). To let her dresses do the talking, she kept accessories low-key, sticking to understated earrings rather than the grand necklaces she had worn prior.
Gianni Versace masterminded two of her most famous tank dresses. The late designer was responsible for a pristine white style – adorned with gold square details on the straps – that she wore to a concert in 1995. Days earlier, Diana wore a similarly flattering LBD to the London premiere of Apollo 13.
Catherine Walker was another designer Diana regularly turned to. Walker was behind an icy blue cocktail dress that she wore to a party at Christie’s in London. “The sample Versace shift dresses and evening columns that Catherine Walker was doing for her were probably her most successful looks to date,” said Harvey.
Vogue spotlights 10 inimitable tank dresses that Diana wore in her lifetime.
Antony Jones1/102 June 1997
At a private Christie’s viewing in London wearing an icy blue embellished cocktail dress by Catherine Walker.
Tim Graham2/103 June 1997
Wearing a pale blue Jacques Azagury dress, Jimmy Choo slingbacks and a necklace by Garrard to the English National Ballet performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall.
Tim Graham3/1012 September 1995
Attending a concert in Italy sporting a sleek Versace shift dress.
Tim Graham4/1023 June 1997
Arriving at Christie’s in New York for the auction of her clothing, wearing a sparkling mini by Catherine Walker and shoes by Jimmy Choo.
Tim Graham5/101 July 1997
At the Tate’s centenary in London in a dress designed by Jacques Azagury.
6/1025 October 1995
Arriving at a premiere in a floor-length Catherine Walker gown with a suite of jewels from the Sultan of Oman.
Dave Benett7/1012 February 1997
At the London premiere of In Love and War wearing a navy gown by Catherine Walker.
Tim Graham8/107 September 1995
Dazzling in a showstopper Versace tank dress at the London premiere of Apollo 13.
