The Clever Trick Princess Diana Used to Become a Style Queen

It’s been nearly three decades since Princess Diana’s tragic death, and all these years later, she still remains a major style icon. A recent poll named the late princess the most stylish person in history, followed by the Beckhams and Jennifer Aniston.

Some of Diana’s most memorable looks include her “revenge dress,” her “Travolta dress,” and the historic wedding gown she wore when she married then-Prince Charles.

Now, an expert has revealed Diana’s clever trick of combining royal glam with high-fashion looks that stand the test of time. And how she has inspired so many, including Kate Middleton’s wardrobe over the years.

Lauren Bulla is a fashion expert and the Editor of Groupie Magazine, where she provides in-depth, on-the-ground coverage of New York, Paris, London, Berlin, and Copenhagen fashion weeks.

Speaking on behalf of the online bingo provider Zingo Bingo, Bulla told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Princess Diana is considered one of the biggest style icons, and it’s no real surprise. She was able to masterfully curate her own style within the confines of rigid royal expectation all while holding onto her own specific type of feminine flair. Many of her most famous ensembles take shape not merely in the form of noteworthy silhouettes, but markers of a specific moment or pinpoint in time, cementing her impact via bespoke pieces and unique colorways.

“Specifically, I mean the ‘Revenge Dress’ that is likely the first ensemble on everyone’s mind. Diana’s affinity for royal glamour alongside her own interpretation of current trends really helped cement her icon status — alongside the fact that she was so well-adored. There is also a harkening back to many of Diana’s most iconic looks in Princess Kate’s personal wardrobe. Where instead of an outright copy, she rather nods to specific ensembles and accessories, continuing the legacy in a new light.”

Bulla continued, “Part of Diana’s allure also comes down to her approachability in the eye of the general public. She was known for her opulent ballgowns — fit for the most serious of royal occasions, all the way to curated looks featuring garments that anyone could purchase on the high street. Her looks were not just chic and on trend, but stylish and accessible in the eyes of those who wished to emulate her elegance and allure. 

“She was unafraid of asymmetrical hemlines, bold patterns, and glossy materials — making her ensembles not only intriguing, but also daring, and unique. Princess Diana played into the trends of the time, but simultaneously was always seemingly dressing for what was next to trend. Many of the styles she was known for are seen replicating themselves across the runways of today.”

The expert added, “This is even true of the way she styled her hair and wore her makeup. All in all — Princess Diana remains a fashion icon all of these years later because her wardrobe was representative of something bigger than merely aesthetic ensembles to look at. Her style was a result of an ever-expanding desire to understand herself and her constituency through fashion, as well as use it as a way to showcase empowerment, connection, and bravery.

“Though Kate’s style is of course powerful in its own right, boasting a unique layer of feminine flair enmeshed with royal elegance, there was something about Diana’s ability to marry on-the-nose trends (that may have been a bit more controversial) with royal expectation of dress that really added to her iconic status all these years later.”