NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

Princess Diana's 10 most outrageous fashion moments

Ranking her wildest and raciest looks. - by Maddison Leach
  • 30 Jun 2022

There's no denying Princess Diana was a royal fashion icon, but some of her outfits made history because they were - in a word - outrageous.

WATCH: Princess Diana in her iconic revenge dress

Whether the ensemble was a little too racy for royal protocol, downright scandalous or, dare we say it, kind of ugly, some of Diana's looks will go down in history for the wild reactions they created.

From her iconic revenge dress to the lingerie-inspired slip she wore to the Met Gala in 1996, we're looking back at the wildest fashions the People's Princess donned in her lifetime and ranking them here.

Keep reading for the definitive list of Princess Diana's most outrageous looks.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

10. Royal athleisure

It seems innocent, but seeing a royal in biker shorts, sneakers and a baggy sweater was quite the shock back in 1995. Little did we know Diana would go on to become a posthumous activewear fashion icon in the 2020s.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

9. Oversized tartan 

This look is proof you can take the oversized trend too far. Pairing a huge green tartan coat with a comically oversized matching hat wasn't doing Diana any favours in this snap from 1985 - sorry.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

8. The white tux

This outfit made waves because it broke royal protocol - after all, princesses are expected to wear evening gowns to important occasions. Diana bucked that tradition in this white tux and while we commend her bravery, it wasn't her best look.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

7. The sheer skirt

This particular outrage wasn't Diana's fault at all. During her engagement to Prince Charles, this photo was snapped of young Diana at a kindergarten in 1980, but the lighting made her thin skirt almost see-through, showing off her legs.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

6. A satin nightmare

All we can say about the unique look Diana donned in Lisbon in 1987 is that it made a statement. Whether or not that statement was a fashion-forward one... we'll leave that for you to decide.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

5. The little blue dress

During her divorce era, Diana became a huge fan of short cocktail dresses - like this blue halter number she wore to a Vanity Fair party in 1995. She looked ravishing, but old-school royal fans weren't impressed with the racy (for the time) outfit.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

4. Diana's strapless mishap

It was one of her first major appearances as a royal and she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Grace Kelly, but when Diana wore this strapless black gown in 1981 all hell broke loose. The neckline was deemed far too low for a princess and it didn't help that the strapless sweetheart neckline left plenty of skin on show. We think she looked great though.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

3. Met Gala moment

Negligée-style satin slips are back in fashion in 2022, but Diana was rocking the trend way back in 1996, when she attended the MET Gala in this slinky number. It made headlines for looking like lingerie, which simply wouldn't do for a royal lady, but there's no denying she looks phenomenal.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

2. Bikini paps

Paparazzi managed to snap this rare shot of Diana in a colourful bikini in 1988 and everyone lost their minds. Seeing a princess in her bathers - especially one who looked as fit as Diana - was practically unheard of in that era and the photos were considered totally outrageous.

princess-diana-fashion
Getty

1. The revenge dress

And who could forget the moment Diana stepped out in this tiny black number, hours after Prince Charles confessed to having an affair on national TV. She broke all the royal fashion rules and in doing so made it the most outrageous - and iconic - fashion moment in her history. Good for her.

  • Royals
  • Women's Fashion
  • Fashion Trends
  • Princess Diana
Maddison Leach
Maddison Leach
Maddison is a senior journalist covering everything from celebrity news, to entertainment, fashion and beauty.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Lady Kitty Spencer discusses family in rare interview

Princess Eugenie copies Princess Diana at society wedding

Kate Middleton and Prince William enjoy date at Wimbledon

Meghan stuns in feminine power suit in Ireland

{headline}

{headline}

Pippa Middleton just broke a major fashion wedding rule

Pippa Middleton just broke a major fashion wedding rule

Kate Middleton pays homage to Princess Diana with latest appearance

Kate Middleton pays homage to Princess Diana with latest appearance

Princess Anne’s big regret: ‘I failed Diana’

Princess Anne’s big regret: ‘I failed Diana’

{headline}

{headline}

Royal Rebel: Every time Diana broke protocol

Royal Rebel: Every time Diana broke protocol

Doomed from the start! Princess Diana and Prince Charles' failed romance

Doomed from the start! Princess Diana and Prince Charles' failed romance

Harry and William: 'We miss Diana so much'

Harry and William: 'We miss Diana so much'

Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana in stunning tonal ensemble

Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana in stunning tonal ensemble

Princess Diana's LEAKED letter reveals details of Harry & Will's relationship

Princess Diana's LEAKED letter reveals details of Harry & Will's relationship

A very maternal monarchy! The mothers of the royal family

A very maternal monarchy! The mothers of the royal family

Prince Harry's tell all book about Diana EXPOSED

Prince Harry's tell all book about Diana EXPOSED

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!