Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece.
Princess Diana’s style in one word? Timeless.
She passed away before I was even born, but even now, nearly three decades later, I’m taking tips from the Princess. More specifically, my Roman Empire is her off-duty style, like all the times she wore shorts, sweatshirts, and sneakers — which was actually pretty often. And celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Cardi B are still making references to it.
Each sighting was slightly different from the last, but fundamentally the same. They consisted of crewnecks (her iconic Virgin Atlantic pick eventually sold for $50,000 at an auction) and varying biker shorts.
Princess Diana’s Outfit Blueprint
- Sweatshirts: Barnesmith Crewneck Sweatshirt, $43
- Efan Oversized Sweatshirt, $20 with coupon (orig. $47)
- Orandesigne Oversized Graphic Sweatshirt, $29
- Anrabess Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt, $19–$20 with coupon (orig. $43)
- Biker Shorts: Baleaf 8-Inch Biker Shorts, $20 (orig. $27)
- Leggings Depot Biker Shorts, $14
- Tote Bags: Bagsmart Tote Bag, $28 with coupon (orig. $35)
- Cocifer Top-Handle Tote Bag, $27 with coupon (orig. $30)
- Sneakers: Illude Chunky Platform Sneakers, $27
- Reebok Classic Harman Run Sneakers, $44–$65 (orig. $65)
Barnesmith Crewneck Sweatshirt
Since Northwestern is my alma mater (and Meghan Markle’s), I’m obviously going to take the most literal approach to recreating Diana’s outfit. But for someone else, it’d be just as simple as choosing a sweatshirt for your school, team, or city, like this Los Angeles sweatshirt.
And remember: Style is personal, so it’s A-okay to make a few tweaks here and there. One that I might implement on a day when I’m not in the mood to rep anything? Wearing a plain hoodie or crewneck like this one. Plus it’s “super soft and fuzzy” on the inside, according to one shopper.
Baleaf 8-Inch Biker Shorts
I don’t like leggings, but biker shorts are much more freeing. And I practically live in them during transitional seasons when the weather hits that sweet spot between hot and cold. Diana donned multiple colors, and I plan to do the same, although probably not in white since I fear they may be see-through.
These ones from Baleaf come in three lengths, so as someone who’s fairly tall, I can wear them with confidence. They’ve also racked up more than 60,000 perfect ratings. But if it’s coral I’m craving, I’d step out in this $14 pair that looks like Diana’s and also feels “like butter.”
Cocifer Top-Handle Tote Bag, $28 with coupon
Diana’s totes ranged from styles with top handles — a detail her daughter-in-law Kate Middleton is fond of — to those with longer handles that she could wear hands-free. While this highly praised purse is the former, it also has a crossbody strap, so it can be worn either way.
Illude Chunky Platform Sneakers
And since it wouldn’t make sense to wear a comfy, casual outfit with a pair of shoes, I’m due for another pair of sneakers. I’ve always been tough on shoes, so I don’t always like to shell out a ton of cash on them. These are only $27, though, and have a padded insole, so they should be at least semi-comfortable.
Keep scrolling to shop more sweatshirts, biker shorts, sneakers, and tote bags inspired by Princess Diana now.
Efan Oversized Sweatshirt, $20 with coupon
Orandesigne Oversized Graphic Sweatshirt
Anrabess Oversized Crewneck Sweatshirt, $19 with coupon
Stretch Is Comfort Biker Shorts
Leggings Depot Biker Shorts
Bagsmart Tote Bag, $28 with coupon
Reebok Classic Harman Run Sneakers