royally modest
Updated: Feb 26, 2022
If you've been following me for a while, you probably know that I am a massive fan of the British Royal Family and an overall anglophile. Although the history of the monarchy intrigues me, I find myself most attracted to all the regal royal styles. No matter how old Her Majesty, the Queen is, her vibrantly colored suits and matching ensembles always look lovely on her. A modest dress code never fails to look perfect on The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duchess of Sussex, as well as the late Princess Diana (yes, even in the 1980s!). Before Meghan and Harry moved to California, Meghan had served some beautiful modest looks, and I still can't seem to get her Givenchy wedding gown out of my mind! As a more seasoned member of the Royal Family, elegant evening gowns and exquisite coat dresses worn by Kate all these years are a testament to her flawless modesty and polished fashion. Some of this modest royal fashion has even inspired me to embrace a modest wardrobe myself! Continue below to view all of my favorite royally modest outfits from these three fashionable royal women. But don't stop there! Keep scrolling for a surprise ending to see the legendary and historic royal wedding gown I got the pleasure of viewing recently and haven't stopped thinking about since!
Kate: Coat Dress Queen
With over a decade of gorgeous clothes under her belt, it's no surprise that Kate Middleton is the Queen of royal fashion. Her vast collection of coat dresses are all meticulously made and worn to perfection, making them a flattering and regal style staple for the Duchess of Cambridge.
My Modest Pick: All Laced Up
When it came to her first appearance at Royal Ascot in 2016, Kate opted for a high-neck lace dress with long sleeves by Dolce & Gabbana. She accessorized the midi with a woven fascinator topped with a cream rose. Despite her choice for a more subdued style, Kate kept it classic in her luxurious white lace ensemble.
Meghan: Boatneck Beauty:
After entering the Royal Family in 2018, Meghan handed in her ripped jeans and tees for modest midis and fancy fascinators. In her first year as a senior royal, Meghan donned several boatneck dresses and gowns and adopted a chic monochromatic look, both of which became known as her signature style.
My Modest Pick: Green with Envy
As one of her farewell engagements as a senior royal, Meghan chose a striking green Emilia Wickstead caped number to the Commonwealth Day ceremony. Meghan's monochrome outfits never disappoint, but this one is at the top of my list. She accessorized the dress with a tasteful mini purse by Gabriela Hearst and a matching netted cap, which finished off the emerald green look flawlessly.
Princess Diana: My First Fashion Influencer
Princess Diana was my fashion "influencer" long before Instagram was even invented! She was the ultimate trendsetter in the early 1980s with her love of Peter Pan collars and oversized Prairie-inspired necklines trimmed with bows; gowns with puffed sleeves with big ball skirts so many fun prints, fabrics, and colors, too. These trends created the foundation for Princess Di's ladylike yet playful style. The Crown's fourth season was followed by the highly anticipated biopic film Spencer and numerous new documentaries (even a Broadway musical!) about her life, her struggles, and of course, her unique style. Many were reminded of the princess's adored personality. As for her fashion, It's obvious that the world is still marveling at her fabulous wardrobe and bold style choices. Princess Diana was able to win the nation's heart with her charisma and poise, as well as her distinctive fashion sense in the '80s, and I think we are now reliving a contemporary version of "Di Mania" with this renewed interest in the beloved late princess. It has been more than two decades since Princess Diana's death, yet many people still feel a strong connection to her despite not even being alive during her royal tenure, and I'm one of them! I was just a baby when she passed, yet she still serves as a role model for me in style, demeanor, and modesty. Check out some of my favorite of Princess Diana's modest outfits as I reflect on some of her groundbreaking looks! And keep scrolling to see Diana's legendary voluminous wedding gown in all its lace taffeta splendor!
The Collar Influencer:
When it came to Princess Diana's clothing, there were several collars, from Peter Pan to the Prairie style, and even though these overwhelmingly large collars may be stuck in the '80s, I am all for their return, mainly the ones with bows!
The Print Influencer:
Whether it was plaids, polka dots, or florals, Princess Di had every pattern in her closet. Below I've highlighted my favorite modest picks, all in various prints!
The Puffy Gown Influencer:
Let's be honest, the '80s wasn't everyone's favorite fashion cup of tea. (see what I did there?) The decade was full of over-the-top silhouettes and intense colors, patterns, and fabrics, making it one of the boldest eras in fashion history. The '80s were the years of the puffed, well, everything. Princess Diana somehow dominated the decade and glowed in every piece of clothing she stepped out in.
The Wedding Gown:
The gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was embroidered with sequins and pearls (10,000 pearls to be precise!) An exquisite heart motif was centered on the bodice from the delicate embellishments. There were three bows on the gown, one in the middle of the adorning neckline and two on the large sleeves. It was the longest royal wedding train in history, with antique lace gracing the hem and sleeves of the massive garment. Despite being dubbed "too much dress and not enough princess," the young bride and soon-to-be princess looked beautiful! The Emanuels said they wanted to make a gown that would be treasured for a long time and go down in history. Immediately after the 1981 royal wedding, the ballgown was duplicated by countless designers, and brides across the globe were rapidly influenced by both the dress and the bride wearing it!
To say that seeing this iconic dress in person brought me great joy is an understatement! I instantly gasped, walking into Kensington Palace for the exhibit, and I could have stayed there for hours gazing at the dress behind the thick glass wall.
If I had included all of my top royal ensembles, this post would have been hundreds of pages long! I'd love to hear about your favorites, too! Which of these three royal wardrobes would you love to see more of? Let me know below! Stay tuned for my next royal post, devoted to shopping, of course! Come shopping with me as I've searched for royal-inspired dresses worn by Diana, Kate and Meghan so you can bring some of the regal flair into your own closet!