There’s no doubt that 2020 has been the year of the streaming service, with Netflix, Amazon and iPlayer saving us in the evenings and weekends. But if you’re finding that you’ve finished Tiger King, Normal People, Selling Sunset and Emily in Paris, then we have good news: The Crown is returning and this time it’s with the addition of Princess Diana. Played by Emma Corrin, we already know some of the iconic outfits we’ll get to see, including her wedding dress created by Elizabeth Emanuel.
It’s hardly surprising that most of the headlines about the show’s new season focus on the late royal. Princess Diana’s style has been examined endlessly, and the obsession with her clothes shows no sign of slowing down. A few years ago, Off-White‘s S/S 18 collection was clearly inspired by her style, with models wearing her signature power shoulders, cycling shorts with blazers, pastel suits and sunglasses worn around their necks. Whole photoshoots have been dedicated to showcasing her style too—remember Hailey Bieber‘s Vogue Paris shoot in 2019?
If you look at any Princess Diana style gallery or Instagram account (there are dozens, and you should follow them all), you’ll spot many of today’s biggest trends again and again—from cycling shorts to heritage-check blazers to gingham trousers. Scroll through the gallery below to see how The Crown has recreated some of her classic looks and then keep scrolling for all the outfits we hope to see in the coming seasons.
Style Notes: We love Princess Diana’s matching hat, clutch and pumps.
Style Notes: This silhouette is similar to the hugely buzzed about dresses by Alessandra Rich, with the double-breasted tuxedo bodice, pleated skirt and belted waist.
Style Notes: Pencil skirts also made a return this year, and we love how Princess Diana countered the fitted silhouette with a puff-sleeved blouse.
Style Notes: Diana’s honeymoon floral dress is exactly what we want to be wearing right now.
Style Notes: Sometimes one polka isn’t enough, and Diana mastered spots by wearing her dotty skirt with a matching pair of socks.
Style Notes: These two-tone pumps are still a wardrobe essential.
Style Notes: Statement puff-sleeved midi dresses are a 2020 staple, and we love the simple white dress she wore in Australia.
Style Notes: With her oversized glasses, ribbon at her collar and sheep-print knit, Diana looks like she’s stepped straight off the Gucci runway.
Style Notes: This white-and-black printed shirt was direct inspiration for Off-White’s spring/summer 2018 collection.
Style Notes: You can’t have a Princess Diana style gallery without including this black off-the-shoulder dress by Christina Stambolian—she wore it at the same time as her TV documentary aired, and it has since been called the ultimate “revenge dress.”
Style Notes: Before Kim Kardashian-West and the rest of her family wore cycling shorts, this was a Princess Diana signature look.
Style Notes: Red is the colour of the season, and Princess Diana was a big fan of a bold red coat.
Style Notes: Princess Di loved her white high-waisted jeans.
Style Notes: Our earring obsession shows no sign of slowing down, and Princess Di was a fan of a novelty chandelier earring.
Style Notes: Princess Diana loved dresses like this with statement buttons. Very Rejina Pyo, right?
Style Notes: Polka-dot dresses are always a good choice. This was arguably Diana’s favourite print.
Style Notes: Heritage-check blazers are everywhere right now—from Isabel Marant to Zara. This was one of Princess Diana’s key style signatures.
Style Notes: Princess Diana is often considered the poster girl of Sloane Ranger style, so it’s hardly surprising that she was a fan of this preppy print. Her picnic-cloth cropped trousers are back once again.
Style Notes: A boxy, checked jacket with dramatic shoulder pads paired with a sweatshirt, baseball cap and high-waisted jeans sounds like the work of Demna Gvasalia from Vetements, but in fact, Princess Di sported this way before DHL T-shirts became a thing.
The ’80s revival has made white pumps cool again.
Style Notes: High-waisted Levi’s that skim the ankle were one of Princess Diana’s go-to off-duty pieces. She usually paired hers with loafers, a belt, a heritage check jacket and a white shirt—an outfit combo you see in London every day.
Style Notes: Dior’s Lady Dior quilted handbag was Diana’s signature accessory—so much so that in 1996, the Parisian fashion house renamed it the Lady in her honour. But this wasn’t the only sophisticated handbag in her collection. Princess Di often favoured structured top-handle handbags much like the Gucci Sylvie bag and Miu Miu styles.
Next up, the biggest winter 2020 fashion trends to know.
This piece was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
