It is impossible to talk about Diana, Princess of Wales without mention of her impact on fashion. As arguably the most photographed woman of the ‘80s and ‘90s it is perhaps impossible to think she could have been anything but a style icon. However, her lasting sartorial legacy knows no bounds.
From her instantly recognisable wedding dress to her statement-making revenge dress, it is perhaps her off-duty style that is most replicated and remains to this day an effortless look. Consisting of an oversized crew-neck sweatshirt often paired with lycra gym shorts or leggings, mid-calf socks and chunky trainers, it was in stark contrast to the shoulder padded skirt suits, opulent ball gowns and glittering tiaras she wore for her royal engagements. And that's exactly why everyone loved it – she was the people's princess through and through.
Well, it is now easier than ever to recreate one of Princess Diana's *exact* outfits, specifically the navy blue ‘Fly Virgin Atlantic’ jumper the royal made famous in the ‘90s when she donned it for a casual outing on 20 November 1995.
Originally launched last year to mark the 30th anniversary of the Princess wearing the jumper, the replica crewneck sweatshirt is emblazoned with the same vintage printed Flying Lady motif, inspired by 1930s pin-up style, (unsurprisingly) sold out. Now, following overwhelming demand, the airline has announced its return and will be restocking the Virgin Atlantic Retail Therapy online store at 9am on Tuesday 27 January to give fans another chance to copy Diana's style.
Blending British style and nostalgia, the jumper is retailing at £59 with limited children’s sizes available at £47. Honouring the princess in more ways than one, £10 from each jumper sold will be donated to Save the Children (as part of Virgin Atlantic's ongoing partnership with the childrens' charity) to support children affected by crises worldwide, a move Diana would no doubt applaud given she was hugely passionate about charitable work during her life.
Sophie Woodford, Head of Creative and Design at Virgin Atlantic said: “Princess Diana’s Virgin Atlantic jumper became an icon of freedom and individuality. Replicating it for Save the Children lets us celebrate her legacy with a fresh twist, combining style, purpose and a little Virgin Atlantic spirit along the way.”
To purchase the jumpers from 9am on 27 January, visit order.virginatlantic.com.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
