Princess Diana Is the Swimsuit Icon We Need—Revisit Her 4 Best Beachwear Looks
Princess Diana might not be the first person you think of when it comes to swimwear icons—hello, Pamela Anderson—but after I recently found myself poring over old photos of the late British royal, I was taken with how relevant her swimsuits feel today. Case in point: Meghan Markle just wore a black one-piece swimsuit with high-cut legs that bears a striking resemblance to Princes Diana's favorite suit. Oversize tees and sunnies are also back, sported by of-the-moment cool girls like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. But while trends are cyclical, there's just something so cool about seeing the vintage looks that inspired what we want to wear now.
Throughout the '90s, the royal served as both a style icon and inspiration to women around the world. And while it's been over 20 years since her tragic passing, Diana's fashion legacy continues, both on the beach and off. So if you're looking for a fresh (but retro) source of beach inspiration, we'd suggest you take your cues from Diana's bikinis, swimsuits, and signature beach ensembles.
Read on to see Princess Diana's beach style and to shop pieces inspired by her looks.
Dare to try a leopard one-piece (and a matching skirt while you're at it).
Whether you're on a yacht or sitting in your backyard, swap standard florals for a bold, abstract suit.
Try tossing on an oversize tee for a cool take on the beach cover-up.
Retro-inspired suits in saturated hues are a fun way to embrace color when you head to the beach.

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern in 2011—back when the site only published a single story per day. (We have since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC and lives in Los Angeles. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2015, where she is now the Associate Director of Fashion News. From the Oscars to the Met Gala, she leads the site's entire red carpet coverage strategy. She specializes in celebrity and fashion news but also enjoys writing travel features and runway reports. She frequently contributes to WWW's social accounts and has a sizable following on her personal TikTok.