Princess Di's Most Minimal Outfits Can Basically Be Bought at Arket, COS and H&M

There are many Princess Diana fashion eras to remember fondly and feel compelled to rediscover every now and then, but when it comes to the late royal's style applying to my own wardrobe, there's one particular moment in time that feels most relevant. As much as I enjoy the pie-crust collars of the early days or the elaborate evening gowns of her years in the royal family, it's from around 1992 to 1994 where things really start to heat up outfit-wise.

This is when Lady Di started to show just how good she looked to following a "less is more" mantra. She made over the concept of jeans and a shirt, breathing new life into a fairly staid formula with her gold earrings, tan accessories and bare makeup. Her after-dark wares became more subtle and pared back, often in monochromatic ensembles featuring body-forming sheath dresses with very little detailing and worn with matching, sleek shoes. It's when her blazer wardrobe came out to play, and we all learnt a thing or two about how this one piece of tailoring can smarten any look under the sun.

What I've realised is that Diana's most minimal outfits are made of the pieces and combinations that I keep wish listing over at my favourite online stores. In fact, COS, & Other Stories, Arket and a couple of choice others all create the kind of plain, versatile, top-quality pieces that it takes to craft a wardrobe like this. Don't believe me? Keep scrolling to see what I mean…

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Even the idea of adding white pumps to anything and everything feels right for 2019.

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Could Diana get any cooler with her gold-buttoned blazer and extreme sunglasses? I think not.

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Never forget that a little white dress can be just as effective as a little black one.

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A truly iconic outfit, and it's still so current.

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When in doubt, always add chic tan accessories.

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.