An underrated fashion icon (Picture: Getty /Metro.co.uk)
Queen Elizabeth II is many things – a mother and grandmother, a lover of corgis, a symbol of Britain – but today, in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, we’re celebrating a lesser-discussed role: that of a style icon.
From floral tea dresses to highlighter-bright twinsets, the Queen has long been donning timeless pieces that continue to influence modern fashion, often in subtle ways you might not realise.
That trend for lilac you’re seeing everywhere in 2022? Take a gander at all the times the Queen wore that particular shade.
The blue gown she wore to meet the Kennedys – try to tell us a celeb wouldn’t be hailed best-dressed for wearing the exact same one on the red carpet today.
Ahead, we recap some of her best ever fashion looks through the years.
At Windsor, 1944
Try telling us the fashion girlies wouldn’t wear this exact dress today (Picture: Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Buckingham Palace, 1947
Check out the bow detailing (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Buckingham Palace, 1947
A wrap-style neckline will always be in style (Picture: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Wedding day, 1947
Any bride would be proud to wear floral applique and a tiara on their big day (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Honeymoon, 1947
A very chic autumnal suit (Picture: Central Press/Getty Images)
Coronation, 1953
A gown designed by Norman Hartnell, with stunning detailing (Picture: Central Press/Getty Images)
At Badminton House, Gloucestershire, 1956
That coat! Want (Picture: Tidmarsh/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Meeting the Kennedys, 1961
Pure princess style (Picture: Bettmann Archive)
Malta, 1967
Another great coat moment (Picture: Harry Dempster/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Sydney, 1970
The Queen’s 1970 tour was a series of brilliant sartorial moments, like this adorable yellow situation (Picture: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
New Zealand, 1970
It’s rare to see Queen Elizabeth in trousers, but we love this more casual look (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Mexico, 1975
Look at that matching hat and dress combo (Picture: Serge Lemoine/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
New Zealand, 1977
Pretty in purple (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
New Zealand, 1977
This cape is a touch Holly Golightly, no? (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
New Zealand, 1977
Another fantastic hat (Picture: Serge Lemoine/Getty Images)
In Morocco, 1980
Another glorious hat (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Quirinale Palace, Rome, 1980
Evening gloves like these are back in fashion, FYI (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Edward at Badminton Horse Trials, 1980
We love the classic combo of a coat and scarf (Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Watching the polo, 1980
It’s not often you see vertical stripes (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
Taking a photograph, 1980
A cracking cardi (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
At Sandringham with the corgis, 1980
Great colour, great sleeves (Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Meeting Cliff Richard, 1980
When you’re meeting Cliff Richard, some sparkle is a must (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka, 1981
Another great tea dress (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
Leaving St Mary’s after meeting baby Prince William, 1982
The perfect meeting-your-grandchild outfit, we say (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
30th anniversary walk, Sandringham, 1982
Love a bit of tweed (Picture: Dennis Oulds/Central Press/Getty Images)
Braemar Highland Games, 1982
We know Diana gets a lot of attention, but check out the Queen’s sweet pink ensemble, too (Picture: Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
Banquet in San Francisco, 1983
Ultimate 80s style – we adore (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Canada, 1984
One of the Queen’s early monochrome outfits (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
Bahamas, 1985
White accessories add a regal touch to a sweet pussybow dress (Picture: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)
Windsor, 1985
All the inspiration you need for a rainy day outfit (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Singapore, 1989
Fresh in florals (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
At the Derby, Epsom, Surrey, 1987
This is a rather bold print for the Queen, isn’t it? (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
London, 1990
So bright! (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Trooping the Colour, London, 1991
A demure gingham combo (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
At the VJ 50th anniversary parade, London, 1995
We would 100% wear this dress today (perhaps without the hat) (Picture:Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
South Africa, 1995
Now that’s what we call a conversation print (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
At the Royal Windsor Horse Show, 1998
An absolute dream of a daytime outfit, in our humble opinions (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
South Africa, 1999
It might be time to bring back the sash (Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
Westminster Abbey, London, 2000
The Queen was a big fan of structural headwear (Picture: Picture Library/Getty Images)
The Christmas broadcast, 2001
Sometimes a simple outfit in just one bold colour works perfectly (Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
