Ahead of The Crown Season 4 premiere on Sunday, November 15, Emma Corrin, who is playing Princess Diana on the Netflix show, has been keeping busy. Between (virtual) red carpet premieres, guest appearances on late-night talk shows, and press events to promote the forthcoming season, Corrin has been stealing the hearts of fans of the series and Diana, alike, thanks to her grace and charm — qualities that made her the perfect fit to play the "people’s princess." Her style, with more than a few nods to the Princess of Wales, too, has many singing her praises.
Despite many of the press events for The Crown being canceled or moved online due to the pandemic, Corrin made a point of showing off some Diana-level fashion moments leading up to the premiere. Back in July, the 24-year-old, who has previously starred in a U.K. series called Grantchester, appeared on an episode of Graham Norton, a popular talk show in the U.K. While there, she and her co-star Josh O’Connor (who plays Prince Charles) discussed getting into their respective characters. For the appearance, she wore a stunning Richard Quinn dress with enormous puff sleeves, not unlike the ones featured on the gown Diana wore to marry Prince Charles in 1981.
Months later, on Thursday, at the show’s virtual premiere, Corrin sported a custom tartan co-ord. The look, which included a ruffled blouse and matching leggings, was reminiscent of many plaid ensembles Diana wore over the years. At another pre-premiere press event, for Netflix UK & Ireland, Corrin chose a collared, yellow frock to play popular British pub game Fives with co-star Olivia Colman. Statement collars and the color yellow were prominent sartorial fixtures in Diana’s wardrobe — made more modern with Corrin's addition of the lug-soled, knee-high boots.
Ahead, check out all of Corrin’s Princess Diana-inspired looks so far.
The Crown Virtual Premiere
For the red carpet premiere of The Crown, the Season 4 cast members had backdrops and carpets set up in their homes. Corrin got all dressed up in a custom blue tartan ensemble by Miu Miu, which included a puff-sleeved, ruffled blouse (another Princess Diana signature) and the coolest pair of matching plaid leggings we've seen to date. She topped off the look, created by Harry Styles’ stylist Harry Lambert, with a modern touch: exaggerated round-toe pumps.
Netflix Press Video With Olivia Colman
Despite losing to Colman in a heated game of Fives, Corrin looked absolutely delightful in a sunny yellow frock, which featured many of her character's signature trends, including exaggerated collars, vibrant color, and lace details. The boots — which aired more on the punk, rather than princess, side — made the look that much better.
The Graham Norton Show
It would be impossible to spot the eye-catching sleeves on Corrin's floral Richard Quinn dress and not compare them to those found on Diana's David and Elizabeth Emanuel wedding gown. This dress, which was first showcased at the London-based designer's fall '20 runway show in February, was also a standout thanks to its intricate sequin floral bodice.
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If fashion historians were to look back on 2020, we suspect they’d either shake their heads in incredulity or smirk in bemusement at how much we, collectively, fell into a pit of singular dressing: nap dresses (more so designed to be photographed in rather than actually sleep in), tie-dye anything, and sweatsuits saturated in every color imaginable. In our defense, outfitting ourselves in comfort clothing — and participating in a shared fashion experience — is, really, the only way to wield control when life feels completely and utterly chaotic.
That’s not to say this year marks the end of individualistic style. With the end of 2020 fast approaching (subtext: a new year, a clean slate, a glimmer of hope), this is the time to reclaim our stylistic preferences from pre-pandemic times. If not now, then when? To help re-familiarize yourself with non-sweats, we partnered with Cuddl Duds to put together five outfits that both harness the power of layering to keep you warm this winter (without feeling weighed down) and celebrate your personal style.
The Cozy Minimalist
You love: finding comfort in monochromatism, a neutral color palette, and clean lines. Bright colors and patterns intimidate you (or outright frighten you), but, rest assured, your look is anything but boring.
Your outfit: a white turtleneck as your base with warm camel-colored layers on top, made even cozier with delectable textures, like a chunky cashmere sweater and a ribbed knit skirt.
Cuddl Duds Softwear With Stretch Long Sleeve Turtleneck, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Naadam Marled Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater, $, available at Naadam
Brother Vellies Ronstadt Boot in Cognac, $, available at Brother Vellies
The No-Frills Pragmatist
You love: anything that doesn’t get in the way of your busy lifestyle. You don’t have time (nor the patience) to give your outfit more than two minutes of thought. And as someone who runs cold, you especially love layers that promise extra insulation.
Your outfit: no-nonsense layers, complete with a double-breasted coat for a look that’s equal parts polished and casual, making it the perfect ensemble for a day of errands.
Cuddl Duds Softwear With Stretch Long Sleeve Crew, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Mango Wool double-breasted coat, $, available at Mango
Cuddl Duds Double Plush Velour Legging, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Cuddl Duds Womens Chunky Braid Texture Knee High Sock, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Cuddl Duds Fleecewear With Stretch Full Zip Vest, $, available at Cuddl Duds
The Loud-And-Proud Maximalist
You love: colors (the brighter, the better), patterns, and unexpected combos. You thrive off of bold and exciting outfits. To put it plainly, you’re an exhibitionist.
Your outfit: print meets fluorescent hues with a cheetah-print base layer and neon pink pants. Anyone can wear a coat in the winter, but what about a shin-length puffer vest in pearlescent white? That’s all you.
Cuddl Duds Softwear With Stretch Long Sleeve Crew, $, available at Cuddl Duds
TNA The Super Puff™ Long Vest, $, available at Aritzia
Christopher John Rogers Neon wool-blend pants, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Loq Monica Boot in Crema Crinkle Patent, $, available at LoQ
The Great Outdoorswoman
You love: the wilderness. Even though you may be a city dweller, you get a kick out of applying aspects of your mountaineering look to your everyday life (the idea being: If it can withstand an arduous hike, then it can certainly weather a leisurely walk in the snow).
Your outfit: a solid foundation of base layers (a wear-everywhere henley and cozy plaid leggings) embellished with key add-ons, like an oversized fleece (pro tip: shop the men’s section) and cool trek-inspired lugsole boots.
Cuddl Duds Softwear With Stretch Ribbed Long Sleeve Henley, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Patagonia Men's Classic Retro-X® Fleece Jacket, $, available at Patagonia
Cuddl Duds Softwear With Stretch High Waist Legging, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Nomasei Slalom boots in white, $, available at Nomasei
The Romantic Botanist
You love: diaphanous dresses, dreamy colors, and flowers (it’s your favorite print) — a style ethos that’s pretty much directly at odds with winter.
Your outfit: a cold-weather version of something you’d wear in the summer (a pretty sheer dress, flower-pressed earrings, and baby yellow slingbacks), with the help of fleece base layers.
Cuddl Duds Fleecewear With Stretch Long Sleeve Crew, $, available at Cuddl Duds
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10229668a) Harry Styles attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Camp: Notes on Fashion” exhibition, in New York Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Camp: Notes on Fashion, Arrivals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA – 06 May 2019
In an act of end-of-the-week kindness we needed, Vogue revealed its December cover star, featuring none other than “charm-heavy style czar” Harry Styles, as writer Hamish Bowles calls him. In the cover story, the two banter about Alain de Botton novels, how Pilates has loosened up Styles’ hamstrings, and watching Clueless during lockdown (relatable). The revelation of Styles’ cover and profile is not in the text, however. The boy bander turned charisma-oozing solo artist and actor — who is the first man to appear on the publication’s cover solo — wears a dress straight from Gucci’s fall ‘20 runway.
Per Bowles, Styles showed up for his interview wearing a pair of Columbia Records track pants and a sweatshirt he designed himself, but told the writer he wished he’d packed a muumuu for the occasion. According to Styles, his wearing of traditionally feminine garments started from a young age, when he’d dress up in “fancy dress” — British for costumes — for school plays. For his stage debut, he dressed up as Barney, a church mouse, which called for him to wear tights. “I remember it was crazy to me that I was wearing a pair of tights. And that was maybe where it all kicked off,” he says.
In other photos from the shoot, Styles wears a pleated skirt (courtesy of Instagram brand Chopova Lowena) and a lace gown. “I like playing dress-up in general,” says Styles. Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director and a close friend of Styles, tells Bowles: “He is the image of a new era, of the way that a man can look.”
In July 2017, Vogue published a cover starring a different former One Direction member: Zayn Malik. Malik posed alongside then-girlfriend, now mother of his child, Gigi Hadid, for the cover — a shoot highlighting a “New Generation Embracing Gender Fluidity,” according to the accompanying story’s headline. Their interchangeable Gucci suits were meant to signify that the couple was not tied down by gender standards, according to Vogue. Following backlash over having a cis couple representing gender fluidity, a Vogue spokeswoman released an official statement: “The story was intended to highlight the impact the gender-fluid, non-binary communities have had on fashion and culture. We are very sorry the story did not correctly reflect that spirit — we missed the mark. We do look forward to continuing the conversation with greater sensitivity.”
Three years later, and it didn’t take an official gender issue to get there, but rather casting someone who doesn’t feel the need to confine himself in any way, especially in fashion. “When you take away ‘There’s clothes for men and there’s clothes for women,’ once you remove any barriers, obviously you open up the arena in which you can play,” Styles tells Bowles. That’s not to say that Styles is the first cis man to wear a dress. Men have been dressing in an androgynous manner for decades. However, he is one of the first to do so on such a global scale. (The man has 32.6 million followers on Instagram.)
In another part of the interview, Styles revealed another relatable item he has been living in during the pandemic, describing his lockdown uniform as “sweatpants, constantly.” He was still wearing them when cameras caught him on the set of Olivia Wilde’s forthcoming thriller Don’t Worry Darling (which has since paused filming due to the coronavirus). In the photo that circulated, Styles wears tie-dye joggers by luxury knitwear brand Elder Statesman with New Balance 574 sneakers, and a T-shirt by L.A.-based brand Free & Easy with “Vote!” printed across the back in rainbow lettering.
Here is a man who wears Renaissance-inspired gowns on the cover of Vogue, wishes he had on a muumuu, and wears sweats that make the internet drool. This man doesn’t believe in gender norms. He contains multitudes. His last name is, after all, Styles.
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When preparing for the new season of the Netflix show, costume designer Amy Roberts and assistant costume designer/head buyer Sidonie Roberts studied photographs of the royal family before sourcing and buying fabrics for the costumes that were made from scratch. While the color palette they chose for Corrin's character was in keeping with the actual looks the Princess of Wales appeared in, the duo leaned toward shades that other royals did not wear, like red, to "further emphasize the narrative of 'her' vs 'them,'" according to press materials. This resulted in some bold evening looks, as well as Princess Diana's signature casual styles, like graphic sweaters and statement collars.
Ahead, see costumes from The Crown, on Netflix November 15, inspired by Princess Diana's best fashion moments.
See-Through Skirt On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Sheer Skirt
In 1980, just after her relationship with Prince Charles was revealed, Diana was photographed in a see-through skirt while at The Young England Kindergarten. The Crown replicated the look down to the sheer material of the flowy skirt style.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Ruffled Shirt & Sweater In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Ruffled Shirt And Sweater
Before Lady Diana Spencer became Diana, Princess of Wales, she was already one to watch in fashion, opting for whimsical sweaters and standout collars as early as 1980, when this photo was taken.Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
Pussybow Blouse On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Pussybow Blouse
When announcing her engagement to Prince Charles (and debuting the ring!) in 1981, Diana wore a pussybow blouse — a style most recently worn by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris while giving her acceptance speech — with a blue skirt suit. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Yellow Overalls On The Crown
Princess Diana In Yellow Overalls
A favorite of many for its playfulness, these yellow overalls, worn over a delightful floral blouse with a Peter Pan collar, were worn by Princess Diana in 1981 to a polo match.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Wedding Dress In The Crown
Princess Diana's Wedding Dress
For her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, Diana wore a dramatic taffeta-silk gown. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress featured poofy sleeves, elaborate embroidery and lace, 10,000 pearls, and a 25-foot-long train.
Tartan Jacket In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Tartan Jacket
In 1981, the newly married Princess of Wales wore a tartan ensemble with a stand collar and buttons running all the way down the front designed by Caroline Charles on a visit to Scotland. Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images.
Red Dress On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Red Dress
Another crowd favorite, this red dress, featuring gold detailing and delicate straps, was designed by Bellville Sassoon and appeared on Princess Di while she was visiting the London Royal Opera House in 1982.Photo: PA Images/Getty Images.
Green Dress With A Statement Collar On The Crown
Princess Diana In A Green Dress With A Statement Collar
While on a six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1983, Princess Diana wore a flowy green polka dot dress with an oversized collar, a trend that has made a comeback yet again this year. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images.
Yellow Skirt Suit In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Yellow Skirt Suit
For the same tour, the royal wore a skirt suit in a can't-miss shade of yellow.Photo: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images.
Blue Ruffled Dress In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Blue Ruffled Dress
While attending a charity ball in Sydney, Diana wore a ruffled baby blue gown by Bruce Oldfield. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Pink Gingham Pants & Sweater In The Crown
Princess Diana In Pink Gingham Pants & Sweater
For one of her casual looks in 1986, the Princess of Wales wore a sweater and gingham pants in pink, one of her go-to colors, while outside her Highgrove home. Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
Strapless Gown With A Matching Scarf In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Strapless Gown With A Matching Scarf
Diana made a memorable appearance at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival in a pale blue silk chiffon strapless dress with a matching scarf designed by Catherine Walker.Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images.
One-Shoulder Gown In The Crown
Princess Diana In A One-Shoulder Gown
Princess Diana wore another Catherine Walker evening gown — this time in a floral pattern and a single long sleeve — to a dinner hosted by the British Ambassador in Paris in 1988. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Getty Images.
Beaded Gown And Bolero In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Beaded Gown And Bolero
In 1988, while attending a banquet in Paris, the princess wore a shimmering beaded dress and bolero designed by Victor Edelstein. The English designer was also the couturier behind Diana's velvet dress that she famously wore while dancing with John Travolta at the White House.Photo: Georges De Keerle/Getty Images.
Red Skirt Suit In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Red Skirt Suit
In 1991, Diana wore a red suit made of a monochrome blazer and a striped skirt. This was flipped in The Crown when Corrin appeared in a printed blazer and a monochrome skirt instead. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images.
Belted Blue Skirt Suit, Pearls & Hat In The Crown
Princess Diana In A Belted Blue Skirt Suit, Pearls & Hat
While The Crown's version features a flowy midi skirt version of a blue skirt suit, in 1995, Princess Diana opted for a more modern version of the belted look, with a mini pencil skirt, statement pearls, and a pillbox hat.Photo: Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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