9 bold outfits the Queen has worn over the years that are a major departure from her usual style (2024)

FAQs

What type of clothing did Queen Elizabeth wear? ›

Bold colours, great hats, pearls, brooches, tweed skirts, black handbags. For the last two decades of her reign, the Queen maintained a clear standard in her uniform, one which showed her unswerving dedication to her life of public service at a time of turmoil – both global and personal.

Throughout her reign, the queen could be seen reusing and re-wearing important dresses, though perhaps not as extensively as her granddaughter-in-law. Royal fans have pointed out a number of these instances on social media in the days since Kate's recent BAFTA appearance.

In Elizabeth's era, dress was also a means of expressing social hierarchy and the Queen believed that one's dress should suit, but not exceed, one's rank. Elizabeth's appearance stressed her rank as head of state and church, and 'pecking order' was reinforced by legal restrictions.

Explanation: The details in Queen Elizabeth's clothing and in the background that may symbolize achievements during her reign include the use of vibrant colors and intricate embroidery on her gown, along with a background featuring royal symbols.

“Items from the Queen's personal collection would have been passed to her family members with each chosen personally by Her Majesty. Like any treasured heirloom, these are certainly very special pieces,” Ross stated.

Heavy brocade, stockings, tight-fitting doublets, long billowing dresses embellished with pearls and jewels, knee-length trousers, stiff linen collars or ruffs, and feathered hats were all staple elements of the wardrobes of the well off.

The only time the Queen was photographed in pants was during the Royal Tour of Canada in 1970, when a young tailor crafted her a matte-silk trouser suit in an effort to update her look. Apparently it never stuck, and the moment has become the only time the royal wore trousers in public. No, we're not kidding.

Such is the genius of her turn toward frumpy fashion: The queen uses her modesty as a tool to pacify her advisers, so that they remain her cooperative informants. But the dowdiness of her clothes is merely a comforting lie. Underneath her ill-fitting garments lies an experienced, determined, resilient woman.

In the early years of her reign, men's fashion was much the same as it had been under her father and brother, favouring a broad, square silhouette with layers of garments made of rich fabrics. As Elizabeth's wardrobe became more opulent and elaborate, with a more exaggerated silhouette, so did that of her courtiers.

The Woman of the Bedchamber helps the Queen to dress and undress, as well as helping her take a bath. It's a very private and personal role, that has been around for centuries.

Was Queen Elizabeth I a redhead? ›

Queen Elizabeth I was likely a natural redhead and probably had wavy or curly hair. However, most of her life she wore wigs. She chose to keep to the bright shade rather than opt for another colour. Her signature locks were so popular that some courtiers dyed their beards auburn as a trend.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died Sept. 8 at 96, was in the public eye her entire life and wanted to make sure her subjects saw her — literally. That's partly why she long wore festive, bright colors for her public appearances, according to royal expert Daisy McAndrew.

Some say that she may have died of blood poisoning, brought on by her use of a lead-based makeup known as “Venetian Ceruse” (or “the spirits of Saturn”). This substance was classified as a poison 31 years after Elizabeth's death. 2.

Very few original garments have survived from this time, and the nature of portraiture has meant that our knowledge of what the average Tudor man or woman wore is very limited as only the rich and powerful could commission them.

If you have seen some of the monarch's biopics, you might know that Queen Elizabeth II had no black dress in her luggage when she got to know about her father's death in 1952. At the time, she was visiting Kenya with her husband, Prince Philip. She had to arrange a black outfit on the way back to London.

And as to putting one's clothes on, contrary to popular belief the Queen actually dressed alone. The monarch also did her own make-up for most events, with the exception of her annual Christmas speech, for which a make-up artist was employed.

The only time the Queen was photographed in pants was during the Royal Tour of Canada in 1970, when a young tailor crafted her a matte-silk trouser suit in an effort to update her look. Apparently it never stuck, and the moment has become the only time the royal wore trousers in public.

The Queen has been photographed wearing trousers on numerous occasions but never on formal occasions. Does Queen Elizabeth ever wear jeans? QEII has only ever worn trousers in public a handful of times and they have usually been practical wear - hunting trousers, jodhpurs etc.

You'll rarely see the Queen in pants

While Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle often wear trousers or even jeans at public events, you'd be hard-pressed to see the Queen in anything but a dress or skirt.