When it comes to the world of fashion, Queen Elizabeth II was always ahead of her time. From the iconic hats to the perfectly tailored suits, the Queen managed to stay one step ahead of the fashion world. However, it wasn’t always easy for the Queen to find the perfect style. In fact, her personal style evolved quite a bit through the years.
Queen Elizabeth had a long and illustrious reign, with many fashion choices that evolved over time. When she was a princess, Elizabeth’s style was classic and demure. After she became a queen, her look evolved to be regaler and more formal.
Let us see how Queen Elizabeth’s fashion through the years changed. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most notable fashion moments from the Queen’s life, from her early days as a princess to her last days as a Queen. During this time, her status was considered one of the world’s most fashionable monarchs.
Who Was Queen Elizabeth II?
Who was Queen Elizabeth II? and what was her style? Queen Elizabeth II was the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. She was also the Head of the Commonwealth. Born into the royal family in 1926, she became a Queen at the age of 25 upon the death of her father, King George VI. Her coronation took place in 1953 when she was 25 years old. There was much sadness when Queen Elizabeth passed away on 8th September 2022, carrying a reign of 56 years.
During this long reign, Queen Elizabeth II saw many changes in fashion, both in terms of style and function. In the early years of her reign, as a young woman, she was very fashionable and often photographed in stylish outfits. When she aged, her fashion choices became more conservative but no less elegant.
Queen Elizabeth Fashion
Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II had always been well-dressed, and her clothes were often copied by others. She was known for her love of bright colors, especially when it came to hats and coats. And while her style had evolved over the years, she had always remained true to herself by preferring classic pieces that stood the test of time.
The Early Years: 1926-1940
During “ The Early Years: 1926-1940”, Queen Elizabeth II was a style icon and was photographed in hundreds of different outfits, ranging from elegant evening gowns to more casual looks.
Elizabeth’s style evolved significantly over the years. In her early years as queen, she tended to wear more formal, conservative clothing. However, as she got older, she embraced a more relaxed and informal style.
In recent years, Elizabeth was photographed in a wide variety of stylish outfits, including many pieces designed by British fashion label Lily and Lionel. She also used to wear jewelry from her personal collection, which included some of the world’s most famous diamonds.
Whether she wore a simple dress or an extravagant gown, Queen Elizabeth II always looked chic and elegant. She was truly a fashion icon for the ages.
The Wartime: 1940-1946
During “The Wartime: 1940-1946”, the Second World War put many constraints on what people could wear. Rationing was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1941, limiting the amount of cloth that could be used to make clothes. This meant that clothes had to be made from simple designs and were often hand-sewn.
Despite the restrictions, people still tried to look their best. For women, this meant wearing dresses with nipped-in waists and full skirts. Men wore suits with wide lapels and trousers with a high waist.
Clothes were often made from whatever materials were available. Wool was rationed, so people started to wear clothes made from synthetics like rayon and nylon. These materials were also used to make military uniforms, so they became known as “utility” fabrics.
After the war ended in 1945, there was a big change in fashion. Women started to wear more feminine clothes again, with shorter skirts and tighter dresses. Men’s suits became narrower and more fitted. This style of clothing is known as “New Look” fashion, and it was designed by Christian Dior.
Post-War: 1947-1952
During “Post-War: 1947-1952”, the world was still recovering from the devastation of the Second World War, and fashion began to change. For the first time in years, people were able to spend money on things other than necessities. Clothing became more colorful and feminine. Skirts became shorter, and the dresses became fitted instead of loose. These changes reflected the newfound optimism of the post-war era.
The Post-war years were seen with new fashion trends as a sign of hope and change. This reflected the newfound optimism of the world as it began to heal from the horrors of war. When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953, this was when the dress code was finally relaxed to allow for more variety and personal expression.
The New Look: 1953-1960
“The New Look: 1953-1960” was the era that reflected a change to rebuild the sense of normalcy after the Second World War. Change in the style that reflected good life was a must and it could’ve only happened with the light bright hues that perfectly complemented that persona.
In this era, Christian Dior introduced a new style of clothing that became known as the “New Look”. This look was characterized by a fitted jacket, a nipped-in waist, and a full skirt. It was a complete departure from the utilitarian clothing that had been worn during the war years.
Queen Elizabeth II was one of the first public figures to embrace the New Look. She wore Dior’s designs on several occasions, including her coronation in 1953. The Queen’s support helped to make the New Look popular with ordinary women.
In the late 1950s, the fashion designer Mary Quant introduced a new style of clothing that became known as the “mod” look. This look was characterized by shorter skirts, bright colors, and bold patterns. It was popular with young women who wanted to express their individuality.
Queen Elizabeth II continued to wear conservative clothing throughout the 1960s. However, she started to experiment with brighter colors and bolder patterns. By the end of the decade, she fully embraced the mod look.
The Mod years: 1960-1970
During “The mod years: 1960-1970”, a time of change and Queen Elizabeth introduced her new fashion. She embraced the mod look of that time, with skirts, shift dresses, and brightly coloured clothes. She also wore more casual clothes, such as jeans and sweaters.
In the 1970s, Queen Elizabeth’s style became more conservative. She wore more traditional clothing, such as suits and dresses. However, she also embraced some of the trends of the time, such as bell-bottom pants.
Queen Elizabeth was always a trendsetter. Her fashion choices influenced many people over the years. Her simple, classic style was timeless and will continue to be popular for years to come.
The Glitzy Years: 1970-1981
During the era of “The Glitzy Years: 1970-1981”, the decade of disco and glitter began, and Elizabeth’s fashion choices changed. She wore plenty of sequins, metallics, and feathers during this time. She also experimented more with color and favored pastel shades. Sometimes the style of Elizabeth during this decade was sometimes criticized for being too flashy, but she clearly enjoyed dressing up and sparkled with elegance.
The 1980s was a more subdued decade for fashion, and Elizabeth’s style followed suit. She favored classic silhouettes in muted colors. However, she managed to stand out from the crowd, thanks to her unique sense of style. She often incorporated unexpected details into her outfits, such as large bows or statement jewelry.
Elizabeth’s fashion changed quite a bit throughout the years, but one thing remained constant: her impeccable sense of style. Whether she was wearing a flashy disco dress or a simple suit, she always looked chic and put-together.
The Conservative Years: 1981-1990
During “The Conservative Years: 1981-1990”, fashion for Queen Elizabeth became popular as she favored muted colors and modest designs. This was in keeping with the general trend of the time, which was away from the flashy fashions of the 1970s.
One of the most famous outfits from this period was the cream ensemble that she wore to Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981. Norman Hartnell designed this outfit and featured a fitted jacket and an A-line skirt.
In 1985, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 60th birthday. For this special occasion, she wore a diamond and pearl tiara that belonged to her mother. She also wore a beautiful cream dress with an embroidered bodice.
In 1987, Queen Elizabeth visited Germany. For this trip, she chose a simple but elegant navy-blue suit. This suit had a jacket with gold buttons and a skirt that fell just below the knee.
By the end of the 1980s, Queen Elizabeth’s style had evolved somewhat. She began to experiment with brighter colors and bolder designs. However, she still favored classic cuts and silhouettes.
The Modern years: 1990 – 8th September 2022.
During “The Modern Years: 1990 – 8th September 2022”, Queen Elizabeth had begun experimenting more with her style. She began to wear brighter colors and bolder patterns. She also began to wear less formal clothing, such as sweaters and jeans.
In the 2000s, Queen Elizabeth’s style became more modern. She began wearing more casual clothing, such as suits and sports coats. She also began to wear less jewelry and more simple accessories.
Sadly, the Queen of England, Elizabeth passed away on September 8th, aged 96. Her charm was beyond words, and she truly was a remarkable figure. Even today, people consider Queen Elizabeth’s style very modern and unique. She liked to wear suits and sports coats. She also used to wear casual clothing, such as jeans and sweaters. Queen Elizabeth was also known to wear more daring styles, such as skirts and dresses.
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most iconic fashion figures in the world. For over 60 years, she set trends and inspired fashion designers with her unique sense of style. As we look back at her fashion through the years, we can see how her style has evolved and changed with the times. From her early days as a young princess to her more recent years as a grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II always had a keen sense of what looked good on her. We hope you’ve enjoyed looking at some of her most iconic Queen Elizabeth fashion moments through the years. Thanks for reading!