It was a see-through skirt that started it all.
Hand-selected by the Queen Mother to marry the future King of England, Diana Spencer was just a shy nursery school assistant when she was photographed by Arthur Edwards in London, 1980, wearing the now-infamous look. With two children in her arms, and back lit by the sun, she was first defined by the silhouette of her legs. It was an embarrassment, sure, but it focused the eyes of the world, and they never left.
Princess Diana married the Prince of Wales, and the public became ravenous for photos. Her style was evaluated and emulated. Today, it continues to have such an influence on women's fashion that it's easy to find pieces to replicate her signature bold, classic style.
During her reign, she promoted British designers including Catherine Walker and Bruce Oldfield. And when the royal fairy tale romance ended in divorce in 1996, Diana's style evolved, and she slipped into more international fashion, including couture Chanel suits and Hermes handbags.
Not only was the Princess tall and statuesque with model good looks, her warmth, blunt-force honesty and philanthropic endeavors captured the hearts and minds of the world — who forever crowned her "the People's Princess," no matter that she was stripped of her HRH after her divorce from Prince Charles.
Diana stands shoulder-to-shoulder in the history books with fashion icons such as Jacqueline Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Here, a small sample of the winning looks — and how to get them — worn by the Princess of Style, Diana.
