Dianacore Is Officially Here - Because Princess Diana Deserves Her Own Fashion Aesthetic
If there's one thing we can't deny about the legacy of Princess Diana, it's that her timeless fashion will never stop inspiring us. Her iconic looks were quintessential of the late '80s and early '90s, but at the same time, so classic that to this day, we're looking back to her for reference in the 2020s. This is in part due to the resurgence in Y2K aesthetics, so a sense of nostalgia is amplifying our renewed interest in what "The People's Princess" wore. Another part of it goes beyond any cultural hankering for the past. Diana knew how to throw a look together and look effortless while doing it. Her red carpet gowns were all that and then some; plus, she obviously enjoyed having access to the royal jewels in Queen Elizabeth II's collection, and she had her own impressive jewelry collection. So when Diana went glam, it was full on.
But it wasn't just Diana's red carpet looks that live on. Her day to day wardrobe has been the inspiration that's stood the test of time. Whether she was dropping off Princes William and Harry at school or leaving the gym, Diana looked put together. For a royal, she loved wearing denim on her days off, and was a huge fan of tucking her slacks into riding boots. She rocked trucker hats, and sweaters with shoulder pads. She regularly wore simple sweatshirts, and slipped into blazers often. Things were simple, but everything was styled to perfection, and we want in on Diana's exquisite taste.
The signature monochromatic reds
The late Princess Diana opted for a red, monochromatic look when she dropped Prince Harry off for his very first day of school in September 1989. Princes William and Harry attended Wetherby School in London, and Diana wore a red midi-length skirt with a red statement sweater and red flats to the location. While we can't get the exact pieces, we're leaning on Diana's looks for reference. As we interpret Dianacore, we're curating looks that take inspiration from the stylish princess while still enjoying the wiggle room of making the looks contemporary.
For our recreation of her red look, we're leaning towards a richly textural sequin skirt with a tonal Adidas jacket. Diana loved athletic wear, including white socks, so we're going with it. Diana also loved boxy-cut jackets, so the leather moto-style jacket with leather bag is everything. To replicate Diana's look, Dillard's has a red, midi-length satin skirt by Antonio Melani in cherry for $59. For the sweater, New York & Company has the Pearl Embellished Cable Knit Sweater with gold detailing for $69.95 originally. For the contemporary version, J. Crew has a gorgeous, red sequin skirt in Classic Cardinal for $268. The red Adidas track jacket is $90 originally. For the leather belted moto-jacket, try the Originals Belted Biker Jacket by Guess for $198. Diana rocked a lot of red, so lean into your favorite cherry, tomato, and scarlet tones.
The famous biker short look
Princess Diana was the original baddie, rocking the biker short look with a sweatshirt and bunched white socks. She proved that even princesses could sport white sneakers. The exact look has had a major comeback, and we are using Diana as the reference point for it. Diana's Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt was actually very significant to her in her relationship with the paparazzi. She would wear the same sweatshirt to and from the gym to devalue paparazzi shots; they weren't unique enough to command a large fee. Nevertheless, anything Diana wore commanded attention, and the Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt has gained cult status.
Replicas of this sweatshirt are available on Etsy. The crewneck sweatshirt sells for under $40, depending on its size, so fans can get the exact piece. For the shorts, Alo Yoga features a pair in Candy Orange for $64 originally. Princess Diana loved Reebok sneakers, so check out the Club C 85 sneakers in white for $74.99 from DSW. Don't forget the white crew socks, which are easy to come by, like these Hanes socks. A pack of 6 costs $11.99.
We love the modern take on Diana's gym outfit, with the black biker shorts and crewneck sweatshirt. The tangerine orange inspiration finds its way in the silky bomber jacket; check out the On Pointe Bomber Jacket from Free People in Tomato Bisque. The retro Nike sneakers are a perfect choice, so source a pair like the Waffle Running Shoe from DSW for $74.96.
Shades of red and pink
Like royals today, Princess Diana loved a coat dress; while on a Royal Tour in 1989, she arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, wearing a pink and red coat dress by designer Catherine Walker. The color combo look was bold, with oversized gold buttons and a matching hat. The color block look that Diana wore so effortlessly has lived on. In September 2019, fashion mogul Candela Novembre wore a pink and red color block look to the Marni show in Milan, Italy. She wore a pink mini dress with shoulder pads over a pink and red pleated skirt that tonally echoed Diana's iconic look.
To channel these outfits, we've sourced dresses, blazers, and skirts that embody the color blocking effect here. The Pleated Halter Midi Dress by Aidan by Aidan Mattox from Bloomingdales for $220 originally is a perfect base. Pair it with the Color Block Blazer by English Factory for $130 to complete the look. To replicate the contemporary look worn by Novembre, wear the satin drape neck mini dress with pleat detail by ASOS DESIGN for $69.99 over the midi dress for long, feminine layering. If you want the full Diana effect, Artesano's Cannes hat in Fuchsia for $260 is a perfect finishing touch.
Varsity Jackets galore
Princess Diana knew how to rock a varsity jacket. Diana frequently wore a green Philadelphia Eagles for a very special reason. Her former bodyguard Ken Wharfe explained why the Eagles jacket that Diana rocked in the late '80s and '90s was so special to her and her sons, Princes William and Harry. "Diana always craved the normalcy. By being a member of the royal family, that was almost impossible. Neither William or Harry, when they were kids, wanted their mother to sort of dress in her finery, take them to school. So all Diana would do is be as casual as possible," Wharfe said on the Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN. [3:11] So when doing school pickups, Diana frequently wore her varsity jacket.
Of course, Diana styled the jacket in an incredible way. She paired it with a high-waisted denim skirt with a bold, black belt and a simple black top. A store on Amazon recreates the iconic varsity jacket that Diana wore for $104.99. Prime Jackets also made a recreation of this piece for $89.00 on sale. Pro Standard also offers a modern version of the varsity jacket for $200. As for the denim pencil skirt, the Gap offers a comparable version for $69.95 originally. Madewell's Chunky Buckle Skinny Leather Belt in True Black for $48 is a great modern mimic of Diana's belt. For the contemporary inspiration, the Sunday Best Rider Skirt in Wicker Tan from Aritzia for $68 is a perfect choice.
The Canadian Tuxedo
In 1993, Princess Diana arrived in Lech, Austria for a ski trip with her little lads, Princes William and Harry, in tow. She rocked a full Canadian tuxedo, wearing denim on denim with a leather bomber jacket overtop. She wore a white shirt underneath and played with black and brown tones by cinching her look with a brown belt. She tucked her jeans into white winter boots. Even though it was a sporty family vacation, Diana still rocked a pair of gold hoops and had her makeup done, proving that she never took a day off from being put together.
For this perfect '90s denim look, we've sourced Everlane's denim collection as a comparable choice. The Way-High Jean in Vintage Indigo for $118 is a perfect denim base, while their Relaxed Jean Shirt for $60 originally is a great top. Levi's Calneva Belt in Brown for $34.50 is perfect for cinching the look. For the jacket, look to the premium real leather bomber jacket by ASOS Design for $199. The Gap has a great vegan alternative for a black, bomber jacket for $148 originally. Our contemporary vision of Diana's '90s ski look features embellished denim. Recreate this look with the High Rise Faux Pearl Wide Leg Jeans by Chico's for $139. Pair with the Oversized Pearl and Rhinestone Denim Jacket by Grace and Charm for $98. Diana loved a little bling, so she'd likely appreciate these embellishments.
Neutral dresses are a necessity
Princess Diana visited the Karnak Temples in Egypt in 1992, where she arrived in a tan blazer dress by Catherine Walker. The dress featured tortoise shell buttons and a white lapel. She polished off the look with some statement sunglasses and big, gold earrings. The look was perfection. Our modern inspiration for Diana's tan dress is a shorter look; a sand colored belted blazer dress with a white button down shirt underneath gives a similar effect. Of course, there's no way that we're missing out on the big sunglasses and gold accessories.
For Diana's tan blazer dress, we've sourced a few similar pieces. Lulus' Captain's Blog Tan Double-Breasted Coat in Tan for $99 works well, as does the Double Breasted Faux Leather Blazer from Avec Les Filles for $190 from Nordstrom. For our contemporary reimagining of this look, check out the Tailored Compact Essential Self Tie Belted Tuxedo Blazer Mini Dress by Karen Millen for $170 originally. A crisp, white button down shirt like Banana Republic's The Perfect Shirt in White for $80 is a way to keep it polished and channel Diana's white touches on her dress.
You can never go wrong with a baseball cap
Princess Diana rocked a fair collection of trucker and baseball hats in her days. In 1989, she dropped Princes William and Harry off at Wetherby School wearing a trucker hat with a crewneck sweatshirt underneath a dark blazer. She had loose, white pants on that were tucked into cowboy boots. Her casual low ponytail completed this ultra-chill and chic look. Her street style game was spot-on. Our contemporary reimagining of this look includes a long, tweed coat with high-waisted jeans, a simple top, and a blue baseball cap to finish off the look.
To recreate Diana's look, sourcing a trucker hat with a gold logo could be a fun project for those who love vintage shopping. However, Anine Bing has the Jeremy Baseball Cap La by Revolve for $60 that features gold lettering. Banana Republic's Palmira Tweed Blazer in Gray Texture for $250 is a perfect dupe for Diana's jacket. Reformation's Wilder High Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Fior Di Latte for $148 are the perfect bottoms. Tecova's The Jamie cowboy boots in Sequoia for $275 are a great choice. For the contemporary look, Lift Down's Classic Cap in Ocean Blue for $24 is a perfect choice. For the coat, the Single Breasted Full-Length Tweed Coat by The House of Bruar for $355 is a longer version of Diana's blazer. Pair with your favorite retro jeans and a black top and you've got yourself a look.
The high-waisted pant + polo
Princess Diana's summer looks were all amazing, but we can't get over her look of blue and white high-waisted striped pants with a tie-up sailor blouse. It's nautical yet fresh. Plus, Diana was never far from a great pair of sunglasses, which always gave her looks the perfect finishing touch. Our modern inspiration of Diana's outfit entails light wash, high-waisted jeans with a white shirt featuring an embroidered collar.
To recreate Diana's look, Reformation's Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans in Coastal Stripe for $188 are almost identical. For her shirt, Reformation also carries a similar look in the Liora Top in White for $168. The Sail sailor neck blouse by Laurence Bras for $343 is also a great alternative. The Bang sunglasses by Valley for $240 are a great rendition of Diana's pair. For our modern version, check out Spanx's Seamed Front, Wide Leg Jeans in Vintage Indigo $168. For the top, we love the Sézane Flavie Shirt for $140, featuring a statement embroidered collar. You can certainly go high end for a pair of red cat eye sunglasses, but Amazon also features a pair for $11.99. It's a fun, contemporary accessory to Diana's timeless look.