Royal Ascot 1981

The year was 1981.  The fashions were frightening, we must say.  But we can't get enough of them!

Date:  June 1981
Place:  Ascot, England
Event:  Royal Ascot Horse Races

With just a month before her wedding, Lady Diana was a sensation at the week-long event.  Thus, most of the photos that made their way to Internet archives are of her!  But, we did manage to get one of the Queen and Queen mother.

Here is Lady Diana wearing a distinctly peppermint-esque red and white outfit by Bellville Sassoon.

She was also seen wearing this rather unfortunate ruffly peach concoction (designer unknown).

I believe that is the Queen Mother whose blue sleeve and hat make an appearance in the right of this photo.

From the shoulders up, this purple striped outfit and purple hat (designers unknown) suited Diana.

But, seen at full-length it was yet another ill-fitting 80s monstrosity.

Finally, this grey gingham dress (designer unknown) was a bit more promising for the soon-to-be princess, but the hat took away from the overall look.  A wider-brimmed hat would have made it more stylish.

Notice the crowd's reaction to Diana!  (And only the second photo with Charles.  She didn't get to spend much time with him, it would seem.)

Last but not least, we have their majesties the Queen and Queen Mother.  The Queen wore a tangerine outfit (designer unknown) while the Queen Mother did indeed wear a light blue creation (designer unknown) with heavily netted hat.  (Though I think this outfit is different from the one mentioned above.  Very similar though!)

That's all for now!  I can't wait for this year's Ascot, just one month away.  Until next time, thanks for reading Fashionably Royal.

The Honeymoon of Princess Diana

All right, now that the royal wedding madness is dying down a bit, let's look at some retro honeymoon fashions.

Date: July and August 1981
Place: England, the Mediterranean, and Scotland
Event: Honeymoon of Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Leaving from Buckingham Palace for Waterloo Station (where a private train was waiting to take them to Broadlands for the first leg of their honeymoon), Princess Diana wore a peach/salmon colored suit created by Bellville Sassoon.

The hat was created by John Boyd; Diana would repeat this style of hat throughout the next several years.

Following their time at Broadlands, Diana and Charles boarded a plane to Gibraltar.

Once in Gibraltar, the newlyweds boarded the royal yacht Britannia for a cruise around the Mediterranean.

The white and blue floral dress Diana wore in Gibraltar while setting sail on Britannia was designed by Donald Campbell.

Once on the yacht, Diana wore a number of dresses.

Including this polka dot dress (unknown designer).

And this striped, one-shoulder dress (unknown designer).  EDIT:  I have been informed that it may be a Mondi!

When they went ashore for time on the beach, Diana wore this bandeau-top bikini (unknown designer).

In Egypt, Anwar Sadat came aboard.

Diana wore this striped dress (unknown designer).

Eventually, the honeymooners made their way to Scotland.

On arrival in Scotland, Diana wore this white coat (unknown designer).

In Scotland, Diana and Charles spent the rest of their honeymoon at Balmoral.

A photo-call was arranged with the couple and Diana wore this iconic, tweed outfit designed by Bill Pashley.

Stay tuned for more (honeymooning) royal fashion!

A Very Merry Welcome: Princess Diana's Wedding Day

With just a week until the big day for Kate Middleton and Prince William, I think it's high time I started a blog on a subject that has interested me for years--royal fashion. Love them or hate them, you have to admit that the royal family have an eye for fashion. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. This blog will look back at the fashions of yesteryear (and yesterday). And what better way that to start with one of the most recognizable pieces of clothing ever made . . .

Princess Diana's Wedding Dress

David and Elizabeth Emanuel, a husband and wife team, were chosen to be the designers for that day.

Date: 29 July 1981
Place: St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Event: Wedding between Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles

The dress was made with yards of silk taffeta and was brimming with ruffles and lace.

The train on the dress set a record at 25 feet in length!

Her shoes were handcrafted by cobbler Clive Shilton. They were essentially flats--much of a heel would have seen her taller than the groom.

She wore a tiara that belonged to her family called the Spencer tiara. (It was also worn by her sister Jane and her brother's first wife Victoria on their wedding days.)

Don't you just love the early 1980s filter in that photo?

Well, now, most of that you may have already known as, like I said, it is one of the most recognizable pieces of clothing ever created.

Stay tuned to Fashionably Royal for much, much more about royal fashions!