Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96, has been in the public eye all her life. She ruled the country for 70 years – the longest reign in British history. Over the course of his time on the throne, we’ve seen the monarch’s style change from 50s gowns to 80s frilly ensembles and flamboyant wool coats. She once said that she “needs to be seen to be believed”, hence her penchant for flashy colors that stand out from the crowd.
She is one of the most photographed women in history and over the past 70 years has defined what it means to dress like a queen. She became famous for her flamboyant dresses and coats, paired with a matching hat, signature square handbag, string of pearls and a jeweled brooch. The Queen’s style has become a powerful formula that has been honed and perfected over the course of seven decades. We at Joy-pup take a look back at some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most iconic outfits.
Throughout childhood, the visual image of Elizabeth II was inextricably linked with the image of her sister, Princess Margaret. The Queen Mother liked to dress her daughters in identical outfits, despite their four-year age difference.
She became queen at 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. The Queen’s coronation dress was made by court fashion designer Norman Hartnell, who later became the Queen’s personal tailor. Her coronation gown, with extensive embroidery and pearls, was adorned with the national symbols of the United Kingdom and other countries of which she became queen.
Another iconic outfit of Elizabeth II – a wedding dress – was also created by Norman Hartnell. The dress had a fitted flared silhouette and a wide lace train. The veil was inspired by a painting by Botticelli and the dress was embellished with 10,000 pearls and crystals.
A memorable outfit during a visit to Malta in 1951. The lavender dress was embroidered with a floral pattern and bared her shoulders. The image is completed with a fur shawl, tiara, matching necklace and earrings. At that time, such an outfit was considered quite bold by royal standards.
The historic dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1961 is a banquet in honor of then US President John F. Kennedy. Elizabeth II gradually modernized her image to bring it in line with modern dressing ideals. For a meeting with the president and his wife, she chose a blue dress with a full skirt.
The Queen’s style has subtly transformed over time.
The appearance of the queen is recognizable and will remain in our memory forever. Bright outfits are not only the highlight of the style of Elizabeth II. According to her relative, this is in order to distinguish the queen surrounded by escorts. It was the last chapter of the Queen’s style, which began around the time she turned 65, that made the biggest wave. Bright plain dresses and coats in all shades of the rainbow made Elizabeth II a bold figure who stood out from the crowd and turned her into a pioneer of royal fashion.
Hats were also an integral part of the Queen’s wardrobe. Wonderful pieces from hat designer Rachel Trevor-Morgan graced Her Majesty’s head when she wasn’t wearing a crown, of course.
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