Royal expert: Princess Diana’s ‘The Crown’ revenge dress ‘feels like cosplay’
“The Crown” is back — and so is Princess Diana’s iconic fashion.
Season 5 of the hit Netflix drama premieres tomorrow, and along with all of the royally juicy drama, fans can look forward to some standout looks from Elizabeth Debicki as the late Princess of Wales — including her infamous “revenge dress.”
The latest installment of “The Crown” will chronicle the breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage in the 1990s, and the black Christina Stambolian frock Diana wore following the future king’s infidelity admissions will finally get its onscreen moment — though one royal expert isn’t fawning over the look.
“I think that their dress is beautiful, but it really doesn’t compare to the original, honestly,” royal expert and “To Di For Daily” founder Kinsey Schofield told Page Six Style, adding that “you can’t help but think back to Diana in the dress.”
“There’s something so iconic about the dress it almost feels like cosplay to see anyone else in it,” she said of the sexy off-the-shoulder mini.
However, the expert stressed how “important it was that they recreate it and tell that story, because all the sudden we realized how hurt she was [by Charles] and how she was reacting to the situation and how brilliant that was.”
The “revenge dress” is almost a character itself in the Charles and Diana saga, marking a moment when there’s a seismic shift in the late princess’ wardrobe.
“I do think that just watching what I’ve seen so far they are projecting that evolution of her confidence and her feelings through her wardrobe,” Schofield said.
“At the beginning of the season, early 90s, she’s dressing like almost the Easter mom, pastels … as it gets further into the series and closer to the end of the decade, she’s sexier, you’re seeing pop culture’s influence on Diana.”
Indeed, in the trailer for Season 5, the “Easter mom” lavender skirt suits make way for Diana’s bolder looks as viewers see the princess gain confidence and speak out about her relationship.
“You’re seeing kind of that revenge body and revenge wardrobe toward the end of the season which is exciting, and I know fans are looking forward to seeing that,” Schofield said.
The podcast host also pointed to the “giant red puffer coat” that the late royal wore while jogging on an Austrian ski vacation as one of her most anticipated looks on Debicki.
“Street style is so important,” Schofield said. “Seeing her dressed down we get to see more of her personality. She was a cool mom. Her wardrobe was a reflection of who she really was. She was the first royal who said, ‘I don’t really care what I’m supposed to wear.'”
And while royal fashion fans will easily spot some more iconic looks in the trailer, such as a peek at the British Lung Foundation sweatshirt she wore to a 1988 polo match, the outfits aren’t always seen in the same context as history.
The short, beaded Catherine Walker dress Diana wore to a 1995 “Vanity Fair” dinner, for example, shows up in Season 5 — but at a performance of “Swan Lake,” which was one of the royal’s last public appearances before her death.
“They’ve prioritized visually some of those outfits that we recognize and dropped them into storylines that didn’t necessarily fit that outfit,” the royal commentator said, adding she appreciated that the “Crown” creators “know how important her wardrobe is to the viewers and to fans of Diana.”
Despite the “salacious” drama that might be in store for this season, Schofield reflected on Princess Diana’s legacy.
“It’s so funny because here we are, 25 years after her death still trying to dress like her.”
Season 5 of “The Crown” streams Wednesday, November 9 on Netflix.
