‘Power-dressing’ monarch became queen of fashion
Elizabeth II was famed for her love of block colours and matching hats.
The Queen’s fashion became a legendary part of her role as monarch.
Her block-coloured outfits and matching brimmed hats created a consistent style identity, recognisable from afar and famous around the globe.
The Queen was once described as “power dressing in extremis” for using vibrant shades to make herself stand out from the crowd.
Her hats allowed her to be easily spotted but were small enough so her face was visible.
During official state visits, she would use her outfits as a diplomatic tool, often wearing gowns featuring significant symbols, colours or motifs in honour of the country she was visiting.
When she visited Ireland for the first time in 2011, it was no surprise she chose green – the Republic’s national colour – to honour her host nation.
Her look was traditional, but did evolve over time.
She adopted the style of the day, but avoided the trap of being a slave to prevailing trends.
Sir Norman Hartnell designed for the monarch for more than 40 years.
He was known for his “sense of theatre” and use of extravagant fabrics and jewelled embroidery.
He would send sketches to the Queen and a sample to approve, and she would instruct him to send her compliments to the seamstresses, saying: “Tell your girls, their work is fabulous.”
The 1950s saw her style status blossom, with cinch-waisted dresses emulating Christian Dior’s New Look.
Sir Hardy designed for the Queen from 1951 until his death in 2003 and paid great attention to detail, even creating gowns to complement the buildings where events were being held.
When the Queen chose to wear an off-the-peg dress, usually from respected British ready-to-wear label Horrockses in the 1950s, it would instantly sell out.
By the 1960s, the Queen had eschewed the New Look in favour of shift dresses and coats, and petal-covered hats.
The turban became one of her signature looks of the 1970s.
But occasionally she ventured away from her staple choices.
In 1999, the Queen went for a harlequin look when she wore a flamboyant glittering multi-coloured sequinned gown to the Royal Variety Show.
He said of the Queen in 2012: “I see beautiful, wealthy young women looking in the mirror and all they see is their faults.
“The Queen looks squarely in the mirror and she likes what she sees.
“She has a confidence that transcends beauty – that’s the most fascinating thing with her.”
Ms Kelly brought a sense of glamour to the head of state in her later years.
Ms Kelly once said: “The Queen loves clothes and is a real expert on fabrics.
“It’s not been a question of me teaching the Queen – it’s been the other way round.”
The Queen wore an Angela Kelly tweed dress and jacket in duck egg blue, embellished with tiny aquamarine Swarovski crystals, when she sat in the front row of London Fashion Week and watched a catwalk show in 2018.
Off duty, the monarch dressed for country life.
