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Long Before Kate Middleton, Princess Diana Was the Original Queen of Recycled Outfits

Royals

Jun 21, 2018 11:40 am·

By Closer Staff

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Throughout her life, Princess Diana solidified her position as a style icon with her fashion-forward sense and inventive dressing. And while Diana was the most photographed woman in the world, she was never too proud to step out in recycled outfits multiple times.

In fact, Diana — who tragically passed away at age 36 in an August 1997 car crash — became known for the creative ways she recycled fashion, from modifying a formal gown into an entirely new dress to wearing jeweled headbands as necklaces.

The late Princess’ daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle appear to have taken a page out of their husband’s mothers style guide as they too have taken to frugally rewearing their favourite ensembles.

Scroll down to take a look back at all the times Princess Diana recycled, updated, altered or rewore her stunning outfits!

This post was written by Bettina Tyrrell. It originally appeared on our sister site, Now to Love.

1 of 10

The Pink polka dot dress

Fuschia fun! One of Diana's favorite designers was Donald Campbell, the craftsman behind this pretty pink dress she wore during a trip to Australia in 1983 and again in 1985 in Italy.

2 of 10

The embroidered blue gown

Diana debuted this beaded long-sleeved gown for the first time during an official visit to Lisbon, Portugal in 1987. She then stepped out in it again to a charity ball in 1989, after craftily having it altered into a strapless number.

3 of 10

The polka dot dress and hat

Polka-dotted outfits were a staple in Diana's wardrobe. This Victor Edelstein number was first worn by Diana at the 1986 Royal Ascot. For its second wear, the savvy Princess removed the peplum-skirt and paired it with pears for a day at the races two years later.

4 of 10

The headband turned choker

The Princess was a true fashionista, finding unique ways to wear her favorite accessories. Diana was crafted a headband made from jewels, which she had reset from the Saudi suite of sapphires. She also wore it as a choker necklace.

5 of 10

The red polka dot skirt

At left, Diana in her Mondi spotty skirt and matching ankle socks at a polo match in 1986. The Princess later packed her iconic skirt for a royal tour of Australia and wore it to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne.

6 of 10

The patterned blouse

Diana was the Princess of shirting. The style icon once wore an abstract shirt to a polo match in 1983 and later, Diana wore the same shirt again, updating it with a new belt during a visit to Siracusa amphitheater in Italy in 1985.

7 of 10

The green velvet dress

Gorgeous in green velvet! Princess Diana wearing a Caroline Charles suit at the Guard's Chapel, London, 1983 and stepping out in it again, with a pussy-bow neckline in snowy Norway.

8 of 10

The purple patterned two-piece

Diana adored this two-piece set by Jasper Conran, she wore it many times. Here she is pictured pairing it with a hat during a visit to Ottawa, Canada and again on a tour of Italy in 1985.

9 of 10

The striped dress

The Princess of Wales stepped out in Lisbon, Portugal in 1987 wearing a balloon-skirted diagonal striped dress under a navy blazer. Diana wore the same outfit again to the Cannes Film festival a few months later, this time opting for a white blazer.

10 of 10

The tartan suit

The late Princess loved this tartan suit by Caroline Charles. She wore it to the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland in 1981 and then again in Bridgend in South Wales, 1985 with a slightly different collar underneath.