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Want to dress more confidently? Take a cue from Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe – this royal fashion trend is making a colourful comeback.
What if you were to close your eyes now and picture Queen Elizabeth II, what outfit would she be wearing? Whilst we all might picture something different, it’s easy for all of us to visualise her.
It’s likely that the image you conjure up has her wearing one of her most famous signature styles: countryside attire with headscarf and quilted gilet, a Norman Hartnell couture gown or an outfit consisting of hat, dress and coat all in the same one bold colour.
The fact that we can all so easily picture these looks in our minds is a true testament to the late Queen’s commitment to her own personal style and its enduring presence.
Iconic outfits
Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, a major fashion exhibition being shown in The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, is marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth (see more at rct.uk). The exhibition, extended to April 2027, is the largest collection of her wardrobe ever displayed.
Visitors are invited to reflect not just on her extraordinary life in service, but also on the vivid, consistent visual language she crafted through her clothing and accessories over the years. With a reign spanning over 70 years, the collection of over 200 items is a wonderful time capsule of fashion history alone.
Ian Lloyd, author of The Queen: 70 Chapters of the Life of Elizabeth II, explains that in the later years of the Queen’s reign, and more particularly following the arrival of television in colour, she increasingly adopted head-to-toe dressing in a single shade to achieve a strong visual impact.
“It was part of her sense of duty. She knew people often caught just a fleeting glimpse of her from a long way away, so by wearing bright, vivid colours they would know it was her. She used the whole palette of colours, and of course, always with a matching hat.”
Bold and striking colours
She purposely avoided colours that might blend into backgrounds and thus diminish her visibility. It’s often been reported that she stated: “If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.” Her use of striking colours always ensured onlookers could easily spot her and those far back “could say they saw a bit of the Queen’s hat as she went past,” recalled the Countess of Wessex.
If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am!
Her bold, head-to-toe colour choices were practical, often symbolic and always deeply considered. She knew not to wear green to a garden party so as not to blend in with her background. She knew that dressing in bright yellow at a football match, or amongst students in black uniforms, would not go unnoticed.
However, you don’t need to be royalty to need to stand-out from the crowd. We can all take a leaf out of the late Queen’s hefty fashion book, to create striking outfits that will turn heads when we want them to, and have a lot of fun doing it too. Numerous celebrities and business leaders use the power of monochrome dressing to always ensure that all eyes are on them.
The origins of monochrome
At its core, monochrome dressing is about control of the visual message. Avoiding prints and contrasting tones ensures silhouettes stay clear and uninterrupted.
Contestants on the The Apprentice, for example, use monochrome dressing to project seriousness and competence. Their outfits transmit authority without being a distraction on what is being said or achieved. Baroness Karen Brady exemplifies this approach, often favouring clean, single-colour outfits that reinforce her calm authority and consistency week after week.
Beyond reality television, Steve Jobs’ black-on-black uniform created instant recognisability and removed distraction, and it is still a well-known look years later. Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and Tilda Swinton have all built much of their personal and professional aesthetic around head-to-toe colour. It’s also a strategy for simplifying wardrobe choices by creating a capsule wardrobe of monochrome outfits in a chosen palette with mix-and-match potential.
Whatever the colour, each look relies on impeccable cut and proportion. In place of pattern, other design elements take the spotlight. Seams and darts become design features, fabric choice and handling matter more, and proportion carries the entire look.
Monochrome outfits can also be satisfying to make because they’re great to show off precision. Whether you decide to accessorise with a large hat, pearl necklace, or pricy Launder London black handbag to really commit to honouring the late queen, it’s entirely up to you!
Styling a successful monotone look
Colour choice
Ask yourself what you want your outfit to communicate. Queen Elizabeth II chose colour based on setting and context. You can too! Want to show confidence and optimise visibility? Opt for bright shades. Looking to communicate authority? Choose deep tones. Prefer to transmit a calm nature? Go for soft neutrals.
Cut and shape
In monochrome, busy detailing can overwhelm. Look for clean lines and strong shaping. Tailored coats, well-cut dresses, jumpsuits and suits all excel in single colours. Layering these pieces in the same colour adds depth and impact.
Fabric selection
An outfit made from one single fabric creates a bold, cohesive look. Alternatively, you can create interest through combining different fabrics rather than colours. Experiment with pairing different textures and handle, such as wool with silk, or satin with tweed for example. Have fun combining matte with sheen fabrics or structured outerwear over fluid layers.
Balance proportions
In a solid colour outfit, proportion matters more than ever. A fitted bodice paired with a softly flared skirt, or an over-sized long coat over a slim-fitting suit, can define your shape effectively. We’re creating contrast through shape over print or colour change.
