Diana, the Princess of Wales, solidified her position as a style icon with her fashion-forward sense and inventive dressing. And while Diana was the most photographed woman in the world, she was never too proud to step out in repeated outfits multiple times.
In fact, Princess Diana became known for the creative ways she recycled fashion, from modifying a formal gown into an entirely new dress, to wearing jeweled headbands as necklaces.
The late Princess‘ daughters-in-law, Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan appear to have taken a leaf out of their husband’s mothers style guide as they too have taken to frugally rewearing their favourite ensembles.
Here we take a look back at all of the times Princess Diana recycled, updated, altered or rewore her stunning outfits.
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Diana debuted this beaded long-sleeved gown for the first time during an official visit to Lisbon, Portugal in 1987. She then stepped out in it again to a charity ball in 1989, after craftily having it altered into a strapless number.
Polka-dotted outfits were a staple in Diana’s wardrobe. This Victor Edelstein number was first worn by Diana at the 1986 Royal Ascot. For it’s second wear, the savvy Princess removed the peplum-skirt and paired it with pears for a day at the races two years later.
Diana was the Princess of shirting. At left the style icon wears an abstract shirt to a polo match in 1983. Diana wore the same shirt again, updating it with a new belt during a visit to Siracusa amphitheatre, in Italy, 1985.
The late Princess loved this tartan suit by Caroline Charles. She wore it to the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland in 1981 and then again in Bridgend in South Wales, 1985 with a slightly different collar underneath.
At left, Diana in her Mondi spotty skirt and matching ankle socks at a polo match in 1986. The Princess packed her iconic skirt for a royal tour of Australia, here she wears it to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne.
The best thing about matching separates, is that they can be broken up — a style note not lost on Lady Di. At left, Diana is photographed enjoying the 1981 Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Four years later she wore just the skirt teamed with a wide tan leather belt and crisp white sailor shirt to a day a the polo.
Fuschia fun! One of Diana’s favourite designers was Donald Campbell the craftsman behind this pretty pink dress she wore during a trip to Australia in 1983, and again in 1985 in Italy.
The Princess was a true fashionista, finding unique ways to wear her favourite accessories. Diana was crafted a headband made from jewels, which she had reset from the Saudi suite of sapphires. She also wore as a choker necklace.
The Princess of Wales stepped out in Lisbon, Portugal in 1987 wearing a balloon-skirted diagonal stripped dress under a navy blazer. Diana wore the same outfit again to the Cannes Film festival a few months later, this time opting for a white blazer.
Gorgeous in green velvet! Princess Diana wearing a Caroline Charles suit at the Guard’s Chapel, London, 1983 and stepping out in it again, with a pussy-bow neckline in snowy Norway.
Diana adored this two piece set by Jasper Conran, she wore it many times. Here she is pictured pairing it with a hat during a visit to Ottawa, Canada and again on a tour of Italy in 1985.
