There are plenty of looks that were once covetable in the ’80s and ’90s that are slightly less-so today. Sure, we can appreciate the casual nature of high-waisted culottes, or get a kick out of structured, shoulder-padded skirt suits, but they’re not quite what we’re looking to stock our closets with these days.
However, Princess Diana — who, yes, did wear those very same pieces on occasion — is still considered a fashion icon. Decades later, her enviable outfits stay on our mind, and what’s more, her wardrobe was chock full of trends that are currently making a comeback, shining brightly during another trip around the sun.
From her sexier “revenge” looks to her effortless ability to match tailored blazers with off-duty sportswear, there are at least 15 Princess Diana-inspired trends that we’re still wearing today. Gather a few tips on how to make them work for 2021, ahead.
of
Whimsical Knits
Diana made headlines in 1981 with this Warm & Wonderful “Black Sheep” sweater, and many continued to refer to her as such when it came to her position in the Royal Family. Intentional or not, her ability to send messages or command attention through her wardrobe was largely unmatched — and we can’t argue that this knit is super quirky and cute. The brand Rowing Blazers recently brought back the exact design so that all of us could copy Diana’s iconic look, which, yes, Harry Styles is a fan of, too.
of
of
Elevated-Casual
Princess Diana was a champion of high-low dressing, which is still so popular today. Her effortless ability to pair casual jeans with a relaxed, oversized sweatshirt, then pull the look together with a tailored blazer and high leather boots is what continues to make her outfits so relatable.
of
of
Sweater Vests
Sweater vests were a huge trend in the 1970s and ‘80s, and Diana wore them on the regular. In recent years, they’ve come back into rotation, with models like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid working the layer into their looks, and even styling them as shests from time to time.
of
of
Gingham
This classic yet eye-catching pattern was one that Diana wore in many forms. It’s a fun print for spring that will allow you to bring a little bit of whimsy into your wardrobe while still remaining timeless.
of
of
Little Black Dresses
Diana knew the power of an LBD, but aside from tight strappy numbers, she once wore this black, off-the-shoulder mini dress to an event — at the very same time Prince Charles was confessing his longtime affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles to the world. Diana’s “revenge” fashion choice still works the same wonders today as it did back then. Even if your particular version is on the simpler side, this piece can be styled with absolutely anything for both fancy and casual occasions.
of
of
Bike Shorts
A few years ago, we might have filed bike shorts under the ’90s trend we were sure would never return — but that would have been the wrong call. Diana was one of the OG fans of this comfy staple, pairing brightly colored shorts with a slew of graphic oversized sweatshirts, which is exactly how we love to wear them today.
of
of
Overalls
Princess Diana’s affinity for wearing silhouettes, colors, and patters that weren’t often seen in a royal’s wardrobe gained her a great deal of criticism. Yet, moments like this one, where she paired pale yellow overalls with a floral button-down, were easy, playful, and chic, all at the same time.
of
of
Mom Jeans
The fashion world has a love-hate relationship with hight-waisted denim; one second ‘mom jeans’ are in, and the next, it’s all about the low-rise. But, as the world embraces non-skinny styles (thanks to Gen-Z), we’ll use this slightly-baggy denim-on-denim moment as a source of inspiration, right down to the statement belt and sleek white boots.
of
of
Puffy Sleeves
We tend to associate the ’80s with a whole lot of volume, whether we’re talking about the hair or the fashion. But, thanks to cottagecore and playful, cutesy, fairy-like clothing, balloon and puff-sleeves are still going strong, and Diana would no doubt be thrilled. The royal was a pro at finding balance with this look, often styling oversized tops with slimmer bottoms.
of
of
Polka-Dots
Not only did Diana work this timeless yet powerful print into a variety of her outfits, she wasn’t afraid to go all out when doing so. If she wore a polka-dot dress, it was likely she’d have a polka-dot hat or socks to go along with it, creating a cool matchy-matchy moment.
of
of
Graphic Sweatshirts
While graphic sweatshirts have had a reputation of being either juvenile or casual, the piece has been since revamped. From it’s a designer to vintage versions, we’ve started pairing them with just about everything, from structured trousers, plaid skirts, and biker shorts, just like Diana.
of
of
Large Collars
Oversized collars were definitely a thing in the ’80s, and they’ve managed to resurface over the past year, with everything from pilgrim to nautical styles popping up on tops and dresses. Even Kate Middleton has channeled her mother-in-law with this statement detail, wearing scalloped collars — a Princess Diana go-to — on numerous occasion.
of
of
Pearls
We have no issue with silver and gold, but this princess was definitely partial to pearls — and wow, she knew how to make them look extremely elegant. So many brands these days are releasing their own, updated pearl designs, and if Diana taught us anything, it’s that it’s perfectly fine to layer them and wear multiple pieces at the same time.
of
of
Halternecks
Like so many ’90s trends, halternecks are suddenly everywhere, but we don’t really mind re-embracing this fancy-meet–sexy style. It’s best to keep any halter look simple, so take a note from this fabulous outfit and skip the necklace, adding a pair of drop earrings and strappy shoes instead.
of
of
Ankle Socks
A simple styling trick Diana was a fan of? Adding fun socks to her outfit. The time she matched her polka-dot pair to her skirt will forever go down in royal fashion history, but for us normals, letting longer lengths peek out at the top of our sneakers can quickly amp up a basic ensemble.
of
Source: Read Full Article