Princess Diana in one of her signature blazers
"Di's incredible relationship with accessible sportswear through to luxury fashion forms the cornerstone of the collection and feels more modern than ever" reads the press release for WAH Nails founder Sharmadean Reid's new Princess Diana-inspired collection for ASOS. It's true that almost 20 years on from her 80s and 90s heyday, the carefully curated, era-defining style of Princess Diana feels relevant and, with a few tweaks, exactly right for now.
You can barely go a scroll on your Instagram feed without coming across an image of Diana posing for Lord Snowdon in a pie-crust collar or greeting crowds of adoring fans in a power-shouldered skirt suit. There's even a @princess.diana.forever account has 124,000 followers and counting.
Renowned for the wit she showed with her style choices and the oft-rebellious glamour she honed over the years, there is something refreshingly joyful about emulating the Princess Di approach to getting dressed which means that our obsession with nostalgic imagery is set to spill into our real-life wardrobes.
When Alexa Chung debuted her collaboration with M&S in the spring, the star item was the Harry blouse which bore a striking resemblance to the styles which Princess Diana made famous in the early 80s- now you can hardly move for frilly shirts in the shops. Meanwhile, the ASOS collection riffs a little less literally on the Diana look; there are jeans covered in red ribbons signalling her support for HIV/ AIDS victims, cycling shorts and sweatshirts which channel her original athleisure vibes and LBDs echoing some of those signature killer evening looks. But the styling is purposefully more Dalston than Chelsea, which seems a shame because that innate elegance is lost.
It's all proof though that there's a Diana-feeling in the air. Here are the six key pieces you need for a modern spin on her look...
1. The Novelty Jumper
Princess Diana with Prince Charles at the polo in Windsor, 1983 Credit: Daily Mail/REX/Shutterstock
Nowadays, polo-match style extends only to boring Breton tops, skinny jeans and wedges which makes Princess Diana's legendary 'counting sheep' jumper even more noteworthy. Her penchant for a novelty knit extended to countless styles during her lifetime, with other highlights including a giant Koala motif jumper and a navy sweater emblazoned with polo players. Genius. Shrimps' red polo neck features a cat called 'Alan'- a suitably humorous modern take on the look. Layer over a blouse for extra Princess points.
'Hunk' jumper, £295, Shrimps at Net-a-Porter
2. The Tailored Blazer
Princess Diana in 1989 Credit: Rex
Blazers were a mainstay of Princess Diana's wardrobe, seguing from the power-shoulder styles of the 80s to chic, continental cuts in the 90s which were worn with simple chinos or jeans. Catherine Walker, Versace and Giorgio Armani were among her go-to designers for tailoring. Blazé Milano's double-breasted designs have a hint of those 80s sharp lines and blingy buttons but also look perfect with jeans and a tee.
Princess Diana wears pearl earrings in Washington in 1997
From long strands to statement chokers, bauble earrings and plenty of tiaras, pearls played a central role in Diana's jewellery repertoire. They're a classic decorative element but Sloane-y associations make them ripe for a little off-kilter styling; there's a faux pearl choker in the ASOS offering which would be ideal with a white t-shirt.
Faux pearl choker, £12, ASOS
4. The Little Black Dress
Princess Diana arrives at the Serpentine summer party in 1994.
Princess Diana had one of the best LBD moments in fashion history in this off-shoulder design by Greek designer Christina Stambolian which she wore on the night that Prince Charles admitted to being unfaithful. Widely labelled the 'revenge' dress, it joins a host of other sleek LBD designs which replaced the taffeta ballgowns of the 80s. As Jennifer Connelly proved this week, the LBD never gets old but this new season style from And Other Stories has elegant back detailling which plays to the same subtly sensual strengths as the Stambolian number.
Open-back dress, £65, And Other Stories
5. The Original Bomber Jacket
Princess Diana at Alton Towers in 1994
The bomber jacket has been back on the fashion radar for a few season's now but Princess Diana's penchant for casual baseball-influenced Americana bombers is where we should be taking the look next. Authentic, cosy and suitably tongue-in-cheek, wear as she does above- on a trip to Alton Towers with William and Harry- with a polo neck and jeans.
Red bomber jacket, £59.99, Zara
6. The Pie-Crust Collar Blouse
Princess Diana in a frill-collar blouse in 1981.
It wouldn't be dressing like Diana if there's weren't a frill (or twenty) somewhere in the mix. These dainty collars seem to capture a more innocent time, lending every look they accentuate a kind of prim naivety. While Diana wore hers layered under puff-shouldered, garishly patterned dresses, 2016's options are best played down and given a bit of extra attitude. Perhaps worn underneath one of those blazers or bombers. The collar on this A.P.C blouse is brilliantly retro but the cut works for now.
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Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/style/the-modern-way-to-dress-like-princess-diana/
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