Princess Diana - Still Influencing in 2023

Through elegance, immense contrast, and simplistic yet eye-catching looks, the late Princess Diana has influenced some of the most popular looks of the year. Diana was fiercely known for her courage, self-discipline, and femininity, all of which manifested in her clothing preferences and selections. Her vast social calendar and hobbies truly helped to shape the staple wardrobe pieces and common looks we all know and love from Di. Ranging from an oversized crew thrown over some biker shorts to exaggerated puff-sleeve looks, Di’s timeless style is here to stick around. While some trends are more reflective than others in today’s current industry, let’s break down a few of the fan favorites.

Courtesy of the Collarbones

Sculptured necklines have made incredible headway into the industry in recent years, evoking the attention of a mature and elegant audience. In accordance, we’ve also begun to see deeper v’s, strapless and off-the-shoulder garments on the rise. Wide-shouldered and draping sleeves commonly decorated Diana’s gowns, with drama and charm being some of her favorite characteristics to achieve. The shoulders and chest have become a stage to hold styles ranging from fine jewelry to extraordinary chokers showing a hint of personality and glamor. Although palace rules were restricted, when Di made exceptions it left incredible impacts on history. There is something so sophisticated about a decorated piece and a bare neckline as well, which is truly a trend we’ve seen many exploring recently. Whether the look is elaborate or quite simple, a shoulder moment is always a good idea.

Athleisure as a “Look”

Society as a whole has warmly welcomed the idea of “comfort over style” as our daily choice of wear. Even more so, we’ve begun integrating pieces that would commonly be worn for a specific sport, into clothing that may be worn by many. The biker short, for example, has had smashing success in the industry as of recent, with Diana once again influencing this raging trend. Paired with a casual crew and some cute sneakers, these shorts can be declared a “fit” by many. Princess Diana was far ahead of the trend on this one, stimulating its popularity in the mid-90s and once again in the 21st century. Additionally, adding color to this style made it all the rage in a society obsessed with color in her day, and even now inspiring society to embrace such color once again. While some biker short looks can certainly be a miss, Princess Diana had a way of creating a modest look with these shorts that must be noted.

True Fashion of a Trucker Hat

One of the most pivotal looks Di ever brought to the world was rounded out by the infamous navy blue cap. Paired with an oversized blazer on several occasions, it was proved that these garments paired together can create something that can only be described as sophisticated streetwear. While it was common for women of her age to support headpieces, it was often a billowing hat accessorized with flowers and bows galore, so the introduction of a fashioned baseball cap was certainly a statement. Flat-brim caps are slowly being reintroduced into popularity as the perfect finishing touch to nearly any look. Seen across social media paired with dresses and booties, jeans and blazers, and of course, any casual look; there is really no going wrong with your favorite flat-rimmed look. Hats have always been a staple as a backup in the closets of many, yet now it is an item people intend to have to complement their outfit, rather than act as a cover.

Whether you were initially aware of it or not, Princess Diana did incredible work for the fashion industry that is noteworthy and appreciated. Designers of the past, present, and future will continue to hone in on her looks and develop ways to reintroduce them time and time again. The contrasts in her life commitments allowed her to create such a vast wardrobe and gave her room to develop a personal style as well. She was, currently is, and will continue to be one of the most influential characters the fashion industry has ever seen and it is to her we owe much development and success.