The world of fashion is so cyclical, so it's not at all surprising that trends from the '80s and '90s are popping up on the runways again. And because Princess Diana was the height of fashion back then, it's also not surprising that a lot of what she wore 30 or 40 years ago is now back in style.
To be fair, not everything the princess wore is still fashionable (most of her ruffly '80s dresses are just as wacky-looking now), but some of her wardrobe staples, including blazers, wide-legged pants, and bike shorts, can be seen all over Instagram and TikTok.
Diana wasn't afraid to take fashion risks while in the royal limelight, and while not everything paid off, the majority of her style was impeccable at the time and just as trendy now.
Vintage Jewelry
According to the Zoe Report, '80s-style jewelry is back in vogue. That means things like Diana's iconic gold button earrings and pearl necklaces are totally trendy again. And the best part about buying vintage jewelry is that by participating in the trend, you're helping keep pretty items out of landfills.
Bold '80s Patterns
Speaking of the '80s coming back into style, bold prints and colors from the decade are also trending. Teals, neon pinks, and big splashy geometric shapes can be seen all over the runways. We used to mock the outrageous outfits from the decade, but now vintage '80s clothing is so stylish again.
Overalls
Overalls were a big thing in the '80s and '90s, but they faded from popularity in the 2000s when low-rise jeans became all the rage. Thankfully for all of us, low-rise looks are out now and things like overalls are back in. Diana was once spotted in these cute yellow overalls — a fun twist on the typical blue denim kind.
Monochrome Style
Matchy-matchy may have been a bit trite a few years ago, but now the all-one-color look is being worn by influencers, celebs, and even us everyday people. Diana was also a big fan of wearing one hue of everything. On a trip to Italy, she broke out this all-red outfit with a matching skirt, jacket, tights, heels, and purse.
Cozy Athleisure
Bike shorts and comfy sweatshirts may not sound like the height of fashion, but when you've got everyone from Kim Kardashian to Hailey Bieber rocking the style, you know you're onto something. Diana was a pioneer of the athleisure-chic style back in the day, so we really have her to thank for being able to roll straight from the gym back into our real life.
Denim on Denim
The "Canadian tuxedo" as its called has had its moments throughout all the decades (remember Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's iconic denim looks at the 2001 American Music Awards?). Since the early 2000s, the jean-on-jean look has had a bit of a resurgence. One only has to see the denim jumpsuits that Khloé Kardashian's Good American line is selling to recognize that Diana would be just as in style now wearing this outfit.
Chic Blazers
Blazers aren't just for office jobs anymore. Even teens are wearing the tailored pieces over everything from crop tops to turtlenecks. Blazers were a big trend item in the '90s too, which is when Diana was spotted wearing this look. The blazer pairs perfectly with her all-cream ensemble. It's effortlessly classy and stylish.
Cheeky Sweaters
Diana's sassy sweater game was so good that several of her iconic tops have recently been re-released for sale. Who can forget her black sheep sweater that perfectly predicted how the royal family would see her? We're also partial to this "I'm a luxury few can afford" sweater. She knew her self-worth!
The Classic LBD
The perfect little black dress never goes out of style — especially not one this impactful. The off-the-shoulder cocktail outfit Diana is wearing here became known as the "revenge dress." She wore it the same night that Prince Charles went public with his affair, and she showed the world just what he was missing out on.
Slope Style
One of Who What Wear's biggest trends to watch for 2021 was "slope style," — things like puffer jackets, scarves, and warm boots that someone would wear on a ski trip. Diana had amazing slope style, from her trendy snowsuits to her braided headbands to her chic sunglasses. She and Charles often vacationed in the mountains, so there are so many chic ski outfits of hers to choose from.
Dressy Casual
It's not easy to make slouchy clothes look stylish and not sloppy. Diana avoided that by pairing her baggy sweatshirt and jeans with a sleek blazer and boots. She looked comfy, but still dressy enough to attend Charles' polo match. The cozy trend is back again now, especially since many of us spent the last year working from home wearing sweats on the bottom and throwing on a blazer or nice top to show up for Zoom meetings.
Bold Tops
Statement puffed sleeves have been trendy for almost a year, and that was also a big (pun intended) style back in the '80s. This top of Diana's is very '80s with the geometric black and white pattern — which is also back in style, per Vogue. Basically, you could replicate this whole outfit today and look like you just walked off a 2021 runway.
Breezy Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits have been here to stay for a while, especially breezy linen or cotton ones like Diana wore when visiting Queen Sofia of Spain in 1987. The accessories have changed a bit since then, with most people opting not to cinch theirs with giant gold belts anymore. But the jumpsuit is just as stylish as ever, especially in this pale buttercup color.
Cottage Core
Thanks to things like Taylor Swift's Folklore album and TikTok, a trend called "cottage core" has become really popular. It basically idealizes cozy country life, which is exactly what Diana's outfit does here. She's standing in a gorgeous green pasture in a flowy skirt and a warm, oversized cardigan. Could anything be better than that?
The Slip Dress
When the princess wore this slip dress to the 1996 Met Gala, it was the height of fashion at the time. And now that we've rolled back around to '90s style, lingerie-inspired clothing is once again totally trendy. It seemed to really become popular again in 2020, probably because who wanted to wear real clothes when the world was dealing with so much? But then the trend carried right through into 2021 also.
Jeans & a Button-Front Shirt
This simple look is also a favorite of Meghan Markle's. On her first public date with Prince Harry, she wore ripped jeans and a white button-front shirt. She looked sophisticated and casual at the same time. You can never go wrong with something timeless like denim and a simple collared shirt. These days, Diana's belt would be a little old-fashioned, though.
Wild Prints
Animal print kind of went out of style after Jersey Shore, just because so many people associated it with the cast and their wild antics. It wasn't always seen as something chic. But it's been coming back again, with even people like Kate Middleton wearing a leopard print skirt recently. Diana rocked the print as a beachy cover-up while on vacation with her kids.
Sweater & Skirt Set
While this particular bedazzled sweater may not be as trendy today, it's become stylish again to wear sweatshirts or sweaters over skirts. It's another way to seem both dressy and laid-back at the same time. Diana was so good at that balancing act, as she looked put together even when she just threw something on.
Wide-Legged Pants
Haven't you heard? Gen Z has declared that skinny jeans are dead, and wide-legged pants are back in style. If you don't trust teens with your fashion choices, then you should know that the look has also been all over the runway. Vogue even named wide-legged pants one of its biggest spring/summer 2021 trends to watch. Diana rocked the breezy look back in 1983.
Matching Set
The matching top and skirt (or pants) set has been back in full force for a while. Usually people tend to pair a crop top with matching bottoms, but for Diana, the closest she got to a crop top was knotting the front of her floral blouse while heading off on her honeymoon. This is the perfect vacay look.
