Before Meghan Markle [1] and Kate Middleton [2], we had the original royal style icon: Princess Diana [3]. William [4] and Harry [5]'s mum served up fashion inspiration regularly, and the world was always watching to see what she would wear. Whether she was dressed up for an official engagement or enjoying downtime on the beach [6] or a yacht, some of Lady Di's best looks were from the summer months.
Diana had a way of making every outfit look elegant and effortlessly chic, even when she was sporting overalls or bike shorts (which are conveniently in style again [7]). So in honour of the "People's Princess," we're having a look back at her best summer fashion moments and scoring some warm-weather dressing inspiration of our own. Join us, won't you?
Yellow Overalls
Just a few weeks before her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, Diana wore pastel yellow overalls, a matching printed top, and espadrille wedges to a polo match at Windsor Great Park.
Pale Blue Blouse and Skirt Set
The picture of 1980s perfection, she wore a button-front top and pleated skirt to Windsor Polo in 1985 — complete with feathered hair and oversize aviators, of course.
Black and White Blouse
The princess was as chic as it gets in black and white at a 1983 polo match. The printed puff sleeve blouse would work seamlessly into a 2018 wardrobe.
White Skirt Suit
Diana did the princess version of power dressing in a white skirt suit with black accents at the 1995 VJ Day 50th Anniversary Celebrations in London.
Pastel Sweatshirt and Bike Shorts
Long before Kim Kardashian [9] was even a twinkle in our eyes, Princess Di rocked the oversize sweatshirt and bicycle shorts look in 1998, sans the clear heels.
Neon Swimsuit and Sarong
In the Summer of 1997, Diana enjoyed the sun and sea in St. Tropez. She was a vision in a fluorescent green and purple one-piece swimsuit, complete with matching sarong.
Sleeveless Chambray Shirt and Cropped Chinos
Visiting landmine victims in Angola in 1997, Diana's sleeveless button-up and khakis look was understated and timeless, right down to her loafers.
Leopard Swimsuit
Diana showed her wild side on the beaches of St. Tropez in an animal print one-piece bathing suit in 1997.
White Tee and Khaki Shorts
During a 1993 visit to MGM Studios at Walt Disney World, the princess managed to make a logo tee and Bermuda shorts look stylish. (Give us that belt and those sunglasses, please.)
Hot Pink Bikini
Diana was mom goals (before mom goals) in 1993 when she rocked this underwire two-piece bikini during a Nevis, West Indies, holiday with her boys.
White Bow Blouse and Seersucker Pants
She went polished and preppy for a 1983 polo match in a silky blouse, pleated trousers, white peep-toe pumps, and oversize sunglasses.
Black and White Swimsuit
Diana kept it sleek on the beach in 1997, wearing a colourblocked one-piece tank swimsuit.
Red Beaded Dress
During a 1995 visit to Venice, Diana did the monochromatic thing in a red tank dress with matching clutch and pumps.
