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It goes without saying that Princess Diana has left a lasting impact on the world—so much so that she’s still making headlines 23 years after her tragic passing. The late royal’s recent resurgence into the media cycle is largely in part to the premiere of season four of The Crown, which picks up in 1977 and follows the royal family well into the 1990s, marking the entrance of Lady Diana Spencer, who is played by Emma Corrin, in the famous storyline.
In addition to portraying the Princess of Wales in a new light with its raw and emotional depiction of her struggles to adapt to life in the royal spotlight and connect with her new husband Prince Charles, the critically-acclaimed Netflix series successfully introduces a new generation of viewers to Diana’s stunning and timeless wardrobe. Featuring glimpses of history-making moments including her and Charles’ wedding, the couple’s famous 1983 Australian Tour and more, royal fanatics and fashion enthusiasts are given an exciting front-row seat at the style icon’s fashion evolution and once more proving that Diana Effect is still very much so, well, in effect.
If you’ve just finished binging The Crown and can’t stop thinking about Diana’s royal wardrobe, keep scrolling through our Princess Diana-inspired style guide to find what you’ll need to channel the princess IRL. (And before you get to reading, preorder this Rowing Blazers replica of one of our favorite and original Lady Di looks).
A Pie Crust-Collared Top
Pie crust, what? Corrin’s portrayal of the late royal has already sparked a demand for Diana’s favorite 80s-trend, which is characterized by a high, ruffled neckline. Diana sported plenty of pie crust-collared blouses in her day and the costume gurus at The Crown made several nods to the elegant blouse silhouette in season four. Retailers like Nordstrom are filled with various replicas of the trend, including this polished silk blouse from Nili Lotan and this cozy cardigan from Topshop.
Some Pink Checkered Pants
Season four has given viewers plenty of memorable moments, but one that was particularly delightful was watching Diana roller skate through the halls of Buckingham Palace while listening to her Walkman. Further confirming that Diana was just as much fun as we perceived her to be—yes, she was actually known to skate through the palace halls from time to time—but she also served us quite the look while doing so. These pink plaid pants from Sanctuary will help you channel the vibe and add some vintage flair to your wardrobe.
A Floral Blue Dress Like Diana’s Rehearsal Dress
Diana and Charles’ wedding rehearsal scene was a pivotal scene for depicting the former couple’s not-so-fairytale romance, but I for one couldn’t get enough of the blue dress she was wearing. If you were also taken by Diana’s pre-wedding day look, then you’ll probably find this blue floral dress from Miss Selfridge equally as striking. It differs from the original in terms of print and detailing, but it nails the princess-to-be’s aesthetic perfectly with its long-sleeve silhouette and ruffled waistline.
A Long-Sleeve Dress Like Diana’s Donald Campbell Dress
Watching Diana work her magic during her and Charles’s Australian Tour was a thrill for viewers, especially once they realized that Corrin was wearing an iteration of the pink polka dot Donald Campbell dress that Diana wore back in the day. While this pink dress from Halogen doesn’t have the exact trimmings as Diana’s original ensemble, it definitely bears a close resemblance to the designer garment with its long-sleeved, belted construction and vibrant pink hue.
A Pair of Yellow Overalls
Pre-princess Diana had quite the eccentric sense of style. In a sweet scene between her and Charles during the early stages of their relationship, Corrin can be seen donning a pair of yellow overalls, which she styled with a ruffled floral top and a floral knit cardigan. For those who can pull off yellow overalls, this pair from Club Monaco will definitely help you nail the look. Or, you can put a modern spin on it with this mustard jumpsuit from Everlane or this floral jumpsuit from Billabong.
A Blazer Dress
If one thing is for sure, it’s that Diana knew how to work a blazer. During the Australian Tour episode, Diana also rocked an elegant blue blazer dress that created a look that we’d love to have in our closets. This blazer dress from ASOS definitely has the same charm as TV Diana’s ensemble, but also features more modern elements to make it perfect for 2020.
The Sheep Sweater
Perhaps one of Diana’s most recognizable fashion moments was when she wore the sheep jumper during a 1980 polo match, a moment so iconic that The Crown decided to pay homage to it. If you’ve always wanted a sheep jumper of your own, now’s your chance to score one; Rowing Blazers is set to re-release the famous sweater and you can sign up for the pre-order here.
Whether you’re a fan of bold prints like Diana was or prefer to make a statement with refined pieces instead, Princess Di’s sense of style is iconic in any decade and can be customized to match any type of wardrobe.
If you loved these royal-inspired ensembles, check out the looks we put together for our Emily in Paris Style Guide.
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