Fashion & Beauty

Decades later, we’re still in love with Princess Di’s style

The thing about style icons is that their look — no matter the decade — transcends time. Cue Diana Spencer (that’s Princess Diana to you). As one of the most photographed women in the world, Lady Di worked fashion trends in every which way: she sparkled in elegant evening wear, donned bold colors and playful prints, and never met a hat or smart clutch she didn’t like.

“Diana,” the newly released film starring Naomi Watts, might focus on her love affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, but we’d like to take a moment to reflect on how the “people’s princess” stole our hearts with her timeless style.

EVENING WEAR

Diana, then Princess of Wales, attends a dinner dance in Melbourne in 1988 wearing a floral gown designed by Catherine Walker. Very 2013, right down to the silver pumps.

The floral-printed ball gown still reigns for night. We love this cocktail- length version from Lela Rose; bonus points for its off-the-shoulder detail (a signature Diana go-to).

Get the look: Marvella necklace, $648 at houseoflavande.com; Lela Rose floral print satin dress, $1,595 at net-a-porter.com

Di dazzles in a salmon-pink and cream silk Catherine Walker ensemble for a 1989 performance of “Swan Lake.”

Minimalism is chic, as evidenced by this two-tone gown. Go bold in Delpozo’s nude and emerald-green version; the skirt’s regal hue is fit for a modern day princess.

Get the look: Delpozo silk-blend tulle gown, $11,000 at net-a-porter.com; Schreiner crystal chandelier earrings, similar styles for $448 at houseoflavande.com

OFF-DUTY 

On the steps of her home at Highgrove, Gloucestershire in 1986.

The princess’ preppy vibe is pretty iconic (cropped checked pants and a boat shoe), but floral-printed pants and metallic oxfords make for a sharp modern-day take.

Get the look: J.Crew embroidered capri pants, $298 at net-a-porter.com; Kate Spade Saturday leather oxfords, $185 at saturday.com

Her pre-princess days: on the estate at Craigowan Lodge in May 1981.

Though fair isle and Hunter boots are now ubiquitous, Diana’s small styling tricks (hello, red socks!) made for a playful look. Pair this H&M sweater with a pair of cords, et voila.

Get the look: Knit sweater, $34.95 at hm.com; Hunter rubber boots, $109 at mywardrobe.com

At a polo meeting at Windsor in June 1983.

Lady Di wore the very whimsical trend of a sheep-printed sweater with a Peter Pan collar. The 2013 version combines puppies and a black — what else? — ruff.

Get the look: Ruffled blouse, $60 at asos.com; Merino wool sweater, $88 at cwonder.com

COAT DRESSING

The Princess arriving at the Royal Tournament in 1996.

Diana rocked the black-and- white trend down to her cap-toe pumps. With graphic options aplenty, we love this modernly tailored jacket paired with a printed sling-back.

Get the look: Rachel Roy colorblock jacket, $348 at Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Ave.; “Laura” heels, $695 at oscardelarenta.com

At the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988.

The menswear trend recently started to rule the runways, but Diana was ahead of the curve, layering her bold oversize coat with a button-down and tie. Pair this updated Tibi version with a sleek clutch.

Get the look: Neoprene-bonded twill coat, $835 at Tibi, 120 Wooster St.; Saint Laurent leather clutch, $1,058 at mytheresa.com

Attending the Braemar Games in 1981.

We’ll always live in a mad, plaid world. Lady Di went for it in this full-skirted version; modernize yours with an electric hue.

Get the look: Mulberry houndstooth pea coat, $1,950 at mytheresa.com; Crystal and glass pearl earrings, $48 at liasophia.com

JET-SET

In Ottawa, Canada, during an official visit in 1983.

Di’s ladylike frock encompasses so much of what fashion is today: femme, elegant and complete with a subversive twist (see: sheer skirt). We love this delicate Tory Burch dress paired with a gold metallic belt.

Get the look: Tory Burch dress, $649 at mytheresa.com; Metallic leather belt, $35.90 at Zara, 666 Fifth Ave.

On holiday in Necker Island in the Caribbean in 1990.

Even princesses wear leopard prints! She opted for a racy swimming costume on the beach; this silky Versace (a label the princess often wore) is equally edgy.

Get the look: Versace dress, $925 at net-a-porter.com

SUITED UP

Wearing Versace for a visit to a regiment in 1995.

Diana thinks pink (which happens to be fashion’s color du jour) in this ladylike skirt suit. The brighter hue and edgier hemline in this Simone Rocha version — paired with a pillbox hat — makes for a perfectly updated ode to the HRH.

Get the look: Simone Rocha wafermesh jacket, $1,260, and miniskirt, $760, both at net-a-porter.com; Cotton boucle pillbox hat, $365, available by special order at Ellen Christine, 99 Vandam St.; Charlotte Olympia acrylic glass clutch, $1,262 at mytheresa.com

At Sandringham after the christening of her niece in 1990.

Lady Di boldly mixed patterns and prints way before the trend hit recent runways. Houndstooth and stripes finished with a color-blocked hat? All in a day’s work for this princess. An Alice + Olivia oversized coat and matching mini feels fresh for 2013, as does a Lucite clutch.

Get the look: Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet cocoon coat, $698 at aliceandolivia.com; Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet miniskirt, $220 at Bloomingdale’s; Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet Lucite box clutch, $295 at aliceandolivia.com; Pumps, $69.99 at mango. com