Fans of Princess Diana’s fashion have been awaiting the new season of The Crown, which sees Emma Corrin take on the role of Lady Diana Spencer. And for a good reason! From the people’s princess’ wedding dress to the sky blue chiffon dress she wore to the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, some of Diana’s best looks were the inspiration for The Crown Season 4 costumes.
When preparing for the new season of the Netflix show, costume designer Amy Roberts and assistant costume designer/head buyer Sidonie Roberts studied photographs of the royal family before sourcing and buying fabrics for the costumes that were made from scratch. While the color palette they chose for Corrin’s character was in keeping with the actual looks the Princess of Wales appeared in, the duo leaned toward shades that other royals did not wear, like red, to “further emphasize the narrative of ‘her’ vs ‘them,'” according to press materials. This resulted in some bold evening looks, as well as Princess Diana’s signature casual styles, like graphic sweaters and statement collars.
Ahead, see costumes from The Crown, on Netflix November 15, inspired by Princess Diana’s best fashion moments.
See-Through Skirt On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Sheer Skirt
In 1980, just after her relationship with Prince Charles was revealed, Diana was photographed in a see-through skirt while at The Young England Kindergarten. The Crown replicated the look down to the sheer material of the flowy skirt style.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Ruffled Shirt & Sweater In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Ruffled Shirt And Sweater
Before Lady Diana Spencer became Diana, Princess of Wales, she was already one to watch in fashion, opting for whimsical sweaters and standout collars as early as 1980, when this photo was taken.Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
Pussybow Blouse On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Pussybow Blouse
When announcing her engagement to Prince Charles (and debuting the ring!) in 1981, Diana wore a pussybow blouse — a style most recently worn by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris while giving her acceptance speech — with a blue skirt suit. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Yellow Overalls On The Crown
Princess Diana In Yellow Overalls
A favorite of many for its playfulness, these yellow overalls, worn over a delightful floral blouse with a Peter Pan collar, were worn by Princess Diana in 1981 to a polo match.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Wedding Dress In The Crown
Princess Diana’s Wedding Dress
For her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, Diana wore a dramatic taffeta-silk gown. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress featured poofy sleeves, elaborate embroidery and lace, 10,000 pearls, and a 25-foot-long train.
Tartan Jacket In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Tartan Jacket
In 1981, the newly married Princess of Wales wore a tartan ensemble with a stand collar and buttons running all the way down the front designed by Caroline Charles on a visit to Scotland.
Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images.
Red Dress On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Red Dress
Another crowd favorite, this red dress, featuring gold detailing and delicate straps, was designed by Bellville Sassoon and appeared on Princess Di while she was visiting the London Royal Opera House in 1982.Photo: PA Images/Getty Images.
Green Dress With A Statement Collar On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Green Dress With A Statement Collar
While on a six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1983, Princess Diana wore a flowy green polka dot dress with an oversized collar, a trend that has made a comeback yet again this year. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images.
Yellow Skirt Suit In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Yellow Skirt Suit
For the same tour, the royal wore a skirt suit in a can’t-miss shade of yellow.Photo: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images.
Blue Ruffled Dress In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Blue Ruffled Dress
While attending a charity ball in Sydney, Diana wore a ruffled baby blue gown by Bruce Oldfield. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Pink Gingham Pants & Sweater In The Crown
Princess Diana In Pink Gingham Pants & Sweater
For one of her casual looks in 1986, the Princess of Wales wore a sweater and gingham pants in pink, one of her go-to colors, while outside her Highgrove home. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Strapless Gown With A Matching Scarf In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Strapless Gown With A Matching Scarf
Diana made a memorable appearance at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival in a pale blue silk chiffon strapless dress with a matching scarf designed by Catherine Walker.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
One-Shoulder Gown In The Crown
Princess Diana In A One-Shoulder Gown
Princess Diana wore another Catherine Walker evening gown — this time in a floral pattern and a single long sleeve — to a dinner hosted by the British Ambassador in Paris in 1988.
Photo: Jayne Fincher/Getty Images.
Beaded Gown And Bolero In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Beaded Gown And Bolero
In 1988, while attending a banquet in Paris, the princess wore a shimmering beaded dress and bolero designed by Victor Edelstein. The English designer was also the couturier behind Diana’s velvet dress that she famously wore while dancing with John Travolta at the White House.Photo: Georges De Keerle/Getty Images.
Red Skirt Suit In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Red Skirt Suit
In 1991, Diana wore a red suit made of a monochrome blazer and a striped skirt. This was flipped in The Crown when Corrin appeared in a printed blazer and a monochrome skirt instead. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images.
Belted Blue Skirt Suit, Pearls & Hat In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Belted Blue Skirt Suit, Pearls & Hat
While The Crown‘s version features a flowy midi skirt version of a blue skirt suit, in 1995, Princess Diana opted for a more modern version of the belted look, with a mini pencil skirt, statement pearls, and a pillbox hat.Photo: Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Princess Diana Appears In New “The Crown” Teaser
