We knew Princess Diana was a style icon, but we underestimated exactly what she could make look fashionable. While 2022 may be the year of coastal grandmother and Barbiecore, in 1991, Diana was pioneering the “nurse chic” look. Behold:
Listen, Princess Diana Basically Invented the Nurse Chic Look Back in 1991
Published Jul 28, 2022
•6:10pm
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In October 1991, the Princess of Wales was photographed with sons William and Harry (who were about 9 and 7 years old at the time) leaving a church service at St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Canada. She wore a tailored white suit jacket with a matching knee-length skirt. The jacket was accentuated with thick red piping, and Lady Di wore patent red pumps to match.
Of course, the outfit itself wouldn’t draw so much attention if it weren’t for that bold hat, which is giving equal parts nurse’s cap and sailor chic.
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But it wasn’t the only time she wore this outfit. Diana was seen in a royal outfit repeat later that year, wearing the same white-and-red power suit while in Brussels, Belgium, in December. The only difference? She lost the cap.
We can’t say “nurse chic” caught on quite like Diana’s other iconic outfits (hello, sheep sweater and bike shorts), but it’s probably for the best. Though she pulled it off, we would look ridiculous it that hat.