The Queen's standout fashion moments throughout her life

·Fashion and Shopping Writer, Yahoo Life UK

September 9, 2022, 3:24 a.m.·15 min read

The Queen served 70 years of great royal style throughout her reign. (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II lived until the remarkable age of 96. The longest reigning monarch in British history, she spent 70 years of her life on the throne, right up until her death on 8 September 2022.

Having been in the spotlight since birth, the Queen certainly knew a thing or two about dressing for the public eye.

As a young princess, Elizabeth took to wearing the era-defining A-line-style floral tea dresses and pleated dresses, opting for practical tweed and skirt suiting for horse riding and other outdoor affairs.

In her late teens, she graduated to fitted dresses and skirt suits as she took on her duties as a senior royal.

In 1947, she married her late husband, Prince Philip, in a dress that was certainly fit for a future queen. Designed by her go-to couturier Sir Norman Hartnell, it featured a dramatic 13ft train and intricate embroidery representing the flora of the UK and Commonwealth countries.

When she succeeded her father to the throne in 1952, the Queen embraced elegant tulle and embroidered gowns for state banquets and receptions, whilst honing her day-to-day style by enlisting designer Hardy Amies (until 1990).

In her final years, Her Majesty turned to dressmakers Stewart Parvin and Angela Kelly for her instantly recognisable colourful skirt suits, which, according to daughter-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex, she wore to ensure she can be seen in large crowds.

We take a look back at Her Majesty's most memorable looks from her 70 years on the throne.

The Queen's standout fashion moments

Her Majesty's final engagement ensemble

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II waits to meet with new Conservative Party leader and Britain's Prime Minister-elect at Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland, on September 6, 2022. - Liz Truss on Tuesday officially became Britain's new prime minister, at an audience with head of state Queen Elizabeth II after the resignation of Boris Johnson. (Getty Images) — The Queen pictured on September 6, 2022. (Getty Images)

The Queen wore a tartan skirt, paying homage to Scotland, to officially welcome Britain's new prime minister Liz Truss on September 6, 2022. A coordinating blouse, one of Her Majesty's go-to knitted cardigans and her three-string pearl necklace completed the put-together, but still comfortable, look.

Florals for spring

Queen Elizabeth best outfits — The Queen pictured during her first official engagement of 2022. (Getty Images)

The Queen opted for a spring palette with her floral dress, worn for her first official engagement of 2022, as she viewed a display of artefacts from British craftwork company, Halcyon Days, at Windsor Castle.

Pretty in pink

The Queen was dressed for summer during an inspection of the Balaklava Company in August 2021 as she took up her summer residence in Balmoral, Scotland. She proudly pinned her Royal Regiment of Scotland brooch on her chest as she inspected the regiment.

Signature look

Queen best outfits — The Queen at the launch of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace in October 2021. (Getty Images)

A perfect example of Her Majesty's signature look. The Queen dressed in a vibrant deep orange coat dress and coordinating hat at the launch of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace in October 2021.

Countryside chic

Her Majesty would put practicality first when dressing for the outdoors, and was known for her riding boots and waterproof wax jackets. Whatever she wears, she always manages to look chic, as seen here in a green woollen caped coat with Prince Charles as he planted the first Jubilee tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Summer shades

A little rain didn't stop the Queen from embracing the summer in a pale pink dress coat and matching pink umbrella as she met guests as for her Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in London in 2018.

Royal Ascot

The annual horse races at Royal Ascot allowed Her Majesty to push the boat out in terms of colour and pattern. She

London Fashion Week

Queen Elizabeth wore a co-ordinating pale blue skirt suit as she sat next to Anna Wintour to view Richard Quinn's runway show before presenting him with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design at London Fashion Week, 2018.

Signature pearls

Her Majesty is rarely seen without her three-string pearl necklace and Launer bag. Seen here joined by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018.

Silk scarves

Queen Elizabeth is also known for her numerous silk headscarves, seen here as she watched her horse 'Barber's Shop' win at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park in 2017 in Windsor.

Vibrant hues

The Queen brightens even the rainiest of British days with her vibrant colour choices as she visits the newly redeveloped Birmingham New Street Station in 2015.

Formalwear finesse

Her Majesty looked every bit as glamorous in her eighties as she did in her twenties at a state dinner for Barack and Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace in 2011.

Winter whites

Queen Elizabeth II understands the power of a tonal outfit as she attends the morning service on Christmas Day at Sandringham Church, Norfolk, 2010.

Royal jewellery collection

Even as she entered her eighties, Her Majesty still championed regal style, wearing the Diamond Diadem made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell as she arrives at the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament in 2007.

Signature accessories

The Queen Watching The Ceremonial Welcome For President Goncz Of Hungary At The Home Park, Windsor. (Getty Images) — The Queen at the ceremonial welcome for President Goncz of Hungary in Windsor in 2005. (Getty Images)

Whilst styles may come and go, Her Majesty's trusty white block heels and square top-handled bags continue to reign, here watching the ceremonial welcome for President Goncz of Hungary in Windsor, 2005.

Opera gloves

Queen's fashion moments — The Queen at a banquet in Hungary. (Getty Images)

Her Majesty opted for a light pink gown for a banquet in Hungary, but didn't go without her signature formal opera gloves and royal jewels for the formal occasion.

Style of the times

Queen Elizabeth's best outfits. (Getty Images) — The Queen in Berlin in 1987. (Getty Images)

Her Majesty's vibrant yellow patterned skirt suit was indicative of the 80s decade as visited Berlin in May 1987.

Practicality is key

The Queen adapted her accessories for each season. Seen here wearing a fur hat during a winter visit to Canada circa 1983.

Go-to dress shape

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Kiribati during their tour of the South Pacific, 1982. (Getty Images) — The Queen with Prince Philip during their tour of the South Pacific in 1982. (Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth took to wearing this recognisable patterned and pleated dress style on her royal tours, seen here with Prince Philip in Kiribati during their tour of the South Pacific, 1982.

Off-duty style

Queen Elizabeth II best outfits — The Queen and Prince Philip during their state visit to Zambia in 1979. (Getty Images)

Her Majesty in comparatively casual wear, wearing a loose shirt and slacks whilst on safari with Prince Philip during their state visit to Zambia, 1979.

Royal tour wardrobe

Her Majesty embraced green in a capped sleeve dress and matching hat during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977.

Matching brooches

The monarch would match her patterned dresses to her brooches and hats whilst on tour, seen here during her visit to New Zealand part of her Silver Jubilee Year Tour in March 1977.

Penchant for polka-dots

Think the Duchess of Cambridge co-opted the polka-dot trend? Think again. The Queen has been wearing the pattern for decades. Seen here in a yellow button-down dress with a group of local children during her state visit to Mexico, 1975.

Sunshine hues

Queen Elizabeth opted for sunshine yellow for her and Prince Philip's Commonwealth tour of New Zealand, 1974.

Red carpet glam

Queen Elizabeth opted for 70s glamour as she attended the premiere of Murder on the Orient Expressin a silk turquoise dress with embroidered detailing in London, 1974.

Sleek travel outfits

Queen Elizabeth in a chic and sleek teal skirt suit, with co-ordinating feathered hat in Balmoral, Scotland in 1974.

Neckerchiefs

Her Majesty likes to match her outfit down to her accessories, including any neckerchiefs. Here with Prince Philip at Balmoral, Scotland, 1972.

Outdoor chic

Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh are countryside style icons in tweed and gabardine whilst at Balmoral, Scotland, 1972.

Checks please!

Queen Elizabeth ll with her daughter, Princess Anne, during a visit to Turkey in October, 1971. (Getty Images) — The Queen with Princess Anne during a visit to Turkey in 1971. (Getty Images)

The monarch also experimented with patterns over the years, here one of the rare times Her Majesty was seen in houndstooth check with her daughter, Princess Anne, during a visit to Turkey in October, 1971.

At the races

Royal tours are where Her Majesty's style really showed itself, whilst chatting with jockeys Ron Quinton and Hilton Cope during her tour of Australia, April 1970.

Swinging Sixties

Queen Elizabeth's best outfits. — The Queen at the airport during the 1960s. (Getty Images)

Her Majesty in her go-to style, a sixties pea coat and hat, with her two corgis at the airport during the 1960s.

Eye-catching colour

Whilst the silhouettes of her coat dresses rarely changed, the Queen would mix it up with vibrant colours, reportedly so she can be seen from the crowd. Seen here with Princess Anne at the wedding of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, 1967.

Go-to cover up

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Queen Elizabeth truly embraced the A-line pea coat style as her go-to outerwear of the 1960s, seen during a royal visit to the Isle of Wight in 1965.

World-class millinery

Her Majesty has a penchant for an architectural floral hat, as seen here on a royal tour to Ghana in 1961.

Stepping into summer

Queen Elizabeth visiting Italy in 1961 wearing a summery checkered dress.

Festive dressing

Queen Elizabeth embracing the festive season in a shimmering dress for her first Christmas Day television address to the nation.

Timeless elegance

Her Majesty's blazer and floral dress combination seen here at Royal Ascot, wouldn't look out of place in 2022.

Going with the times

He Majesty embraced the 50s style with a patterned dress in Germany in 1953.

Portrait perfection

Queen Elizabeth in an official portrait wearing the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

Coronation gown grandeur

Queen Elizabeth coronation — Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth during her coronation in 1953. (Getty Images)

For her coronation the Queen wore a design by Sir Norman Hartnell. It was created in the finest white duchesse satin, richly embroidered with the floral emblems signifying the nations of the UK and the Commonwealth.

Equestrian excellence

An avid horse rider, Queen Elizabeth II never passed up the opportunity to take part in the Trooping of the Colour ceremony, seen here in official uniform.

Motherhood

Chic practicality was the theme of Elizabeth's early royal wardrobe.

Senior royalty

The Queen's formal wear in the early days featured a similar silhouette: a strapless gown with a cinched waist and full skirt, that allowed her royal jewels and tiaras to sing.

Official duties

Whilst her skirt suits remained largely similar, the details changed with the times. Like these large mother-of-pearl buttons worn whilst with Prince Philip in Malta.

Beautiful bride

Queen Elizabeth wedding day — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's wedding day in November 1947. (Getty Images)

Her Majesty wore a satin gown with intricate detail on her wedding day by Sir Norman Hartnell.

Engagement portrait

Elizabeth is seen wearing a lilac fitted dress with a sophisticated square collar representing her graduation to a more senior role in the royal family. It still featured a bit of fun though, with small bow detailing to the sleeves and neckline.

The happy couple

Her engagement to then-Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten raised the style stakes even further, opting for her now-recognisable coat dresses for her first outing since the young couple's engagement.

Diplomatic dressing

Diplomatic dressing seemed to come easily to Queen Elizabeth from a young age, seen here wearing a floral dress with her sister Margaret in Durban, South Africa.

Early style signatures

Her Majesty has accessorised with her famous head scarf since she was a teenager, as seen here with her sister Margaret at Balmoral.

Royal teenager

As she grew older, patterned A-line dresses with a cinched waist were a modest yet chic go-to for Elizabeth, seen here at Windsor Castle in the late 1940s.

Young royal

Summer dresses were also a mainstay of her royal wardrobe, but frills and bows kept them youthful in her early teens at Sandringham.

Sister act

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose were often photographed in similar outfits during their youths, such as here on the Sandringham Estate.

A family affair

Princess Elizabeth with her mother, Queen Elizabeth, and sister, Princess Margaret wearing matching pale pink outfits.

Active youngsters

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret with their pet corgis. Warm woollen clothing and traditional tartan was already a part of Her Majesty's wardrobe from a young age.

Like mother, like daughter

The then Royal Princess Elizabeth with her mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, 1940.

Young royals

Princess Elizabeth with her younger sister Margaret Rose as young children in the 1930s.

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The Queen's standout fashion moments

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