Twenty-five years after her death, Princess Diana’s wardrobe continues to inspire new generations. From TikTok users painstakingly recreating her workout outfits to fashion fans sourcing cult items worn by the late royal, her style remains as influential as ever, sparking magazine photoshoots, designer runway collections and reissues of her beloved pieces.
Recent
movies and TV shows such as «Spencer,» «The Crown» and the HBO Max documentary «The Princess» (HBO Max is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery) have reignited interest in
Diana, introducing her — and her story — both to millennials, some of whom may be too young to remember her, and Gen Zers, who were born after her death in 1997. With «The Crown» in particular, costume designer Amy Roberts’
painstaking attention to detail went as far as consulting with David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the original designers of her
iconic wedding gown.
How Kate and Meghan pay tribute to Princess Diana through their wardrobes
However, as with the Netflix series’ reinterpretation of that bridal look — which saw actor Emma Corrin swamped by the gown’s heavy 25-foot train, amid
ominous music and eerie snippets from the British media’s coverage of the wedding — there has been a shift in the way we perceive Diana’s wardrobe today. While the fascination with iconic outfits, such as her famed Christina Stambolian «revenge dress» (pictured above) or the
blue velvet gown she wore to the White House in 1985, remain utterly timeless, younger generations are absorbing her looks in the pursuit of specific aesthetics.
Scroll through Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok and you’ll notice a particular part of Diana’s wardrobe has established newfound popularity amongst Gen Z: sporty, laidback outfits from the ’80s and ’90s — the type she was often photographed in while visiting the gym or attending polo matches. The quintessential ensemble includes an oversized sweatshirt, cycle shorts, chunky sneakers, sunglasses, vintage earrings and a designer bag, an effortless juxtaposition of streetwear, athleisure and glamour in a single look.