10 Photos of Princess Diana Prove She Was Holiday Fashion’s Muse

Attending the film premiere of Santa Claus in London, Diana pulled out the most elegant festive look. The two-toned blue ensemble, made from smooth velvet, featured a sheer lacy panel and long, flowing skirt. Her matching choker was the cherry on top, and she paired it all with sapphire and diamond studs. In another instance, she wore the same look with a tiara—which is definitely holiday-appropriate.

Seen alongside Queen Elizabeth II, Diana gave the classic muff a much needed update, pairing the furry black piece with a Marina Killery hat and an army jacket designed by Piero de Monzi in festive red. Plus, her black patent boots were the coolest snow boots.

Diana’s yellow-on-yellow Escada coat completely redefined what Christmas colors could be, and her off-kilter Philip Somerville hat was the coolest royal alternative to the classic fascinator or pillbox style.

She may have been the people’s princess, but she was also the queen of mismatched prints. Taking sons William and Harry to a Christmas carol concert in London, she stepped out in a red-and-black look, composed of a classic check blazer and dotted maxi skirt. The best part? The young princes matched their mother in their school uniforms, which trimmed with red piping.

Diana’s monochrome looks continued in 1994, when she pulled out the coziest teddy bear ensemble, with a fluffy hat that perfectly matched her cuffs. Balancing all the layers with a bit of leg, she paired the outerwear, which was pulled from Frank Russell’s high street label Mansfield, with a high-slit skirt and stepped out with a young Prince William for the Christmas Day service at Sandringham.

An honorable mention, as it was technically not a holiday look, had to be Diana’s iconic Rowing Blazers sheep sweater—which has become a staple of holiday season inspiration.