Off duty, the monarch dressed for country life.placeholder image
Off duty, the monarch dressed for country life.

‘Power-dressing’ monarch became queen of fashion

The Queen’s fashion became a legendary part of her role as monarch.

With her black patent Anello & Davide loafers, distinctive black Launer handbag and black or white gloves, Elizabeth II knew what worked and used that knowledge.

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.

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.

Throughout her life, the Queen mainly wore couture clothing, created specifically for her by some of Britain’s greatest designers.

Sir Norman Hartnell designed for the monarch for more than 40 years.

He designed Princess Elizabeth’s wedding dress in 1947, which was made of ivory duchesse satin and embroidered with 10,000 seed pearls, and her detailed Coronation gown in 1953.

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.”

Her dream team was Sir Norman for glamorous gowns in silk and tulle for evening events, and fellow couturier Sir Hardy Amies usually for his beautifully tailored full-skirted day-wear suits to emphasise her tiny waist.

For a 1965 state banquet in West Germany, the designer made a bodice for the Queen with silver embroidery inspired by the rococo grandeur of Schloss Bruehl, a former archbishop’s palace where the dinner was 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.

In later years, the Queen’s outfits simplified and settled into an easily recognisable style of a bold-coloured coat with a matching silk floral dress and hat.

But occasionally she ventured away from her staple choices.

Mr Parvin is known for his elegant but simple styles, and was approached by the Queen’s personal assistant and senior dresser Angela Kelly before the Golden Jubilee in a bid to find a more contemporary approach to the monarch’s wardrobe.

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.

Ms Kelly also became the Queen’s go-to choice for day and evening wear – sometimes using material which was given to the her when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

She was not afraid to make a feature of dazzling Swarovski crystals and re-used gowns, removing decorations and adding new ones.

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.”

There were also practical considerations for all dressers and designers to follow, in particular attaching tiny weights to the hems of the Queen’s dresses so they did not blow up in the wind.

Related topics:
Register
Follow us
© 2026 Formpress Publishing LTD. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice