It’s amazing how Diana set new standards during her time as a princess. She created a new standard for how the royals interacted with the public and were perceived. She also redid motherhood for the elite, by choosing to be a very hands-on mother. And, she definitely influenced fashion too. It wasn’t just her love of hats that the world was copying. Diana’s pregnancy style influenced women then and now. Kate Middleton isn’t the only influential woman who stepped out to show the world her baby in a flowing blue polka-dot gown. Chelsea Clinton also posed in a similar dress to show the world her newborn just like Princess did in the 80s. Granted a few things have changed since then as far as maternity style goes. Yet, that doesn’t mean that Diana is any less influential. She was a modern-day fairy-tale princess who struck the world with her open heart and vulnerability. So, when she stepped out in a shocking pink or a white lace gown, the world loved her for it and wanted to look just like her. Check out the rest of her maternity styles and see if you can spot any trends that began with her that are still going strong.

15 Romantic Or Frumpy In Ruffles?

We’re sorry that pregnant women were forced to wear shapeless ruffles and oversized polyester damask dresses in the 80s. In case you don’t know, polyester stains horribly and does not hold up well against the hot flashes you experience while pregnant. Just, because she was a princess, we’re sure that Diana was not immune to the downside of pregnancy or the lumpy fashion of the time. She probably would have felt more comfortable in a breathable cotton dress with a lot of stretch. But, let’s face it, in the 80s, women were expected to cover and hide their bump not flaunt it. On a trip to the Sicily Isles with Prince Charles the princess hide her bump in ruffle fabric that made her look like an uncomfortable relic from the 1970s.

14 The Bold Princess

Diana was the queen of matching and bold colors. Her fashion choices were put on the cover of magazines around the world and single-handedly helped fashion say goodbye to the Autumnal colors of the 70s and hello to bold and bright hues of the 80s. Even on a casual day at the stables, Diana still favored neon-inspired looks. A brighter than pink sweater was sure to keep her warm and stand out in a sea of navy. The paparazzi probably loved how easy she was to find. They managed to snap a pic of her this day when she casually wrapped her baby bump in a fuzzy hot pink sweater and matching striped pants. This look worked for a princess in the 80s, but probably wouldn’t work for a princess or any pregnant woman today.

13 Looking As Cute As A Button

Diana was back with the ruffles, wearing a Catherine Walker maternity dress at the Guards Club in Windsor when she went for a visit in 1982. She looks less like a princess and more like a blushing mom-to-be in the simple dress. It’s amazing to see how much fashion has changed over the decades. Her makeup isn’t perfectly contoured, her hair isn’t sweeping past her shoulder with extensions, and her jewelry choices are toned down. Her simplistic and natural style was part of what made Diana so appealing to the public. She was pregnant with William at the time this picture was taken and Diana radiated a healthy glow. We’re pretty sure that after she was photographed in this dress, it sold out within minutes. After all, the ability to move merchandise is something that Princess Di and Kate Middleton have in common.

12 Pink For St. Patrick's Day?

Collars were big in the 80s. Color was big in the 80s (as we’ve previously mentioned). And Princess Diana boldly did them both proving that she when it came to fashion, she was bigger than life. While she was pregnant with William, Diana and Charles still took official trips. In March, the couple visited St. Patrick’s Catholic Centre Huddersfield for the Prince’s Trust. No doubt, her bold pink coat was a rebellious stance against wearing green as what would normally be expected around that time. Or, maybe she just saved her green coat for St. Patrick’s Day that year. The princess was photographed having a cup of tea at the center of the Bellville Sassoon raspberry mohair maternity coat. She also greeted adoring fans when she stepped off the plane in the coat and graciously accepted flowers and other small gifts.

11 The Trend Setter

Here is a picture of Diana pregnant with Prince Harry and visiting a polo match at the Smith’s Lawn polo grounds in Windsor. Her look is the epitome of classic 80s style. The titled hat was her signature and framed her blonde feathered hair well. The bow collar and loose fitting dress was the style of the time for upper-class ladies. The full look also featured a pleated skirt that hit right below her knees complete with white kitten heels. Today, the ‘it’ color heel in women’s closets is the nude heel, but in the 80s it was all about the white pump. Diana was a woman who loved fashion, so of course she had a heel in the most desirable color of the times. Pregnancy didn’t stop her from having fun and being impeccably dressed and fashionable.

10 Everyone Wants To Be Diana

When women weren’t wearing white pumps in the 80s, they were wearing white tights. Diana swapped her classic pumps for a demure green hue that perfectly matched the trimming on her blue mohair coat. She was pregnant with Prince William at the time of the photo and looked elegant and comfortable as she greeted fans. You almost wouldn’t know that she had a difficult pregnancy (health wise) with her firstborn. Yet, now you can see where Kate Middleton gets her love of brightly collared coats? She’s not the only royal to wear tailored fun coats while pregnant. And, we have a feeling that that trend all began with Diana. It was a stylish look with slightly puffed sleeves and a hemline perfect for a princess. Frumpy was never a word that Diana seemed to lean towards with her clothing choices.

9 The 80s Dynasty

After a few years as a princess, Diana was finally coming into her own step by step. In 1984 she was pregnant with Prince Harry and as usual the royal couple were making the rounds with public appearances. Here, she looked radiant in a blue silk dress for an evening accompanying her husband. We wonder what lovely thoughts she was focused on at the time of this picture. Maybe, cute baby names for the future little prince? The blue shade of her dress truly brings out her eyes and she accessorized the pretty dress with a single strand of pearls and drop earrings. It’s a polished look for an evening out that showed off her tiny baby bump. The draping was very 80s, but the look could still look lovely for pregnant women today; just ditch the shoulder pads.

8 Why The Big Collars?

Take a look at this picture and you’ll know who’s always been on Kate Middleton’s inspiration board. This probably stems from her childhood, most people can assume that Kate probably grew up idolizing the “People's Princess.” From the perfectly tailored maternity coats and matching hats, these are the signature looks that the Duchess still follows today. It is pretty clear that Princess Di still remains a strong fashion influence for Kate. Granted, women have left larger than life collars in the 80s and Diana favored more voluminous pieces than Kate would be seen in today. Yet, bold colors and matching ensembles were fit for a princess then and are fit for a duchess today. Just look at Diana and her pregnancy glow here and Kate Middleton and her tailored coat / hat ensembles.

7 Getting Matchy Matchy

If you need concrete evidence that Diana is a major fashion influence for Kate Middleton’s pregnancy choices, just have a look at this photo. The green wool coat is definitely drawn from Princess Diana’s lookbook. The Duchess has updated the look with sleek tailoring. After all, the 80s favored voluminous looks and power shoulders that we’ve learned aren’t the most flattering for women gaining a couple of inches around the waist. Thankfully, it’s considered proper and acceptable to show off your baby bump a little these days. Although, that we don’t think that’ll mean that anyone from the royal family will be photographed pregnant in spandex. We love how Kate even paid homage to the late princess with her hair swept high to show off her earrings that are very similar to Diana’s in this photo.

6 Go Bold Or Go Home

Diana loved fashion and loved to have fun. While the style rules of Buckingham Palace were very strict, Diana wasn’t afraid to break them. We’re sure that this colourful coat with its wild fringe collar and hemline gave the Queen a slight heart attack. Yet, Diana looked lovely for a day out and about while pregnant. She looks every bit the princess that she was with her demure kitten heels and matching hat. And, as usual, she knew that the best accessory that she could have was her beautiful smile. It almost feels as if Diana was so overjoyed to be pregnant that she didn’t have a black or gray coat in her closet. Those dark colors didn’t quite hit her closet until the sober 90s when her style became a lot more relaxed and toned down. Yet, while she was pregnant, she celebrated with bright colors.

5 The Photo That Changed The World

Princess Diana could never escape the paparazzi. While vacationing in the Caribbean while pregnant with William in 1982, they even managed to find the princess on a secluded beach. Rumor has it that the royal couple even tried to fly as Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, but the press was right there to catch a glimpse of the princess in a bikini while pregnant. The picture was tabloid gold, labeling her as ‘Bahamas Mama’ while Queen Elizabeth called it “the blackest day in the history of British journalism.” Prior to the sneaky photo, the royal family wasn’t seen in two-piece bikinis, let alone while pregnant. Diana shrugged it off at the time and the world loved her all the more for being down to earth and even a little bit sexy.

4 Was She Expecting Her Third?

The paparazzi were sneaking around again, this time while Princess Di was vacationing in St. Tropez, France. The picture was taken in 1997 and was her last holiday. She was tanned and toned and looked happy enjoying the beach with her sons William and Harry. However, when her untimely death a few months later hit the press, some speculated that Diana was pregnant at the time of her death. These photos sparked the debate about whether or not Diana was carrying a child. We’re still not sure if the princess was, in fact, pregnant and a royal cover-up prevented the truth from leaking to the press. It could have just been a great family vacation with lots of great food. Either way, the princess looked great and truly happy spending time with her boys.

3 Not A Fan Of Gray

This tailored coat was one of the more serious looks worn by the princess. She did add her usual romantic touch with a big bow blouse in a soft ivory color. The tailored look is more in line with Kate Middleton’s pregnancy style favoring slim lines than Diana’s usual voluminous looks worn throughout her pregnancy. It’s also a deviation from her love of bright hues or soft pastels. Maybe, the lack of color is one of the reasons that Diana is making this face. Although, the young princess was always one to shock the press with her style choices. Here, is no different. You can see the tiniest baby bump beneath her tailored coat peaking out. And, we’re sure that her ‘power woman’ look inspired many women to copy this easily achievable work style for pregnancy.

2 The Fairytale Princess

Diana was a true romantic and she reflected that with her fashion choices. Notice the puff sleeves and high waist? Although, these romantic touches to her evening gown weren’t just for fashion. Flowing dresses with a high waistline is also a nice design detail to avoid any uncomfortable cinching along the waistline or tightness around the baby bump. This was one of the few times that Diana wore her tiara while pregnant. She looked every inch the fairytale princess that the world so desperately needed her to be. And, Diana knew that her glittering white dress and tiara was all the sparkle that she needed and she chooses to keep the rest of her accessories simple. Her simple simmering gown and tiara could easily be interpreted as a wedding look today. And, the higher waistline can easily copy by pregnant women the world over wanting to look tailored and fashionable.

1 Always Stay Comfy

Diana chooses another voluminous dress as she exited the plane with her husband here. To keep warm, she chooses a fuzzy mohair sweater. The look is simple and in line with Diana’s love of frilly collars and soft hues. It’s a comfortable look for the plane as it was still demure and sweet enough for when she would be photographed by the paparazzi. And, as we know, the press loved to grab any shot of Diana that they could. Exiting a plane was a sure-fire way to see what the princess was wearing as far as her maternity fashion went. And, for the most part, Diana kept her style choices consistent. She was shy and a little insecure, but she made her bodywork with voluminous dresses and coats that let her be comfortable and the demure and stylish princess that she needed to be.

Source: Vogue.com