Known for her vibrant and carefully considered wardrobe, Queen Elizabeth II understood the powerful impact of fashion.

For over 25 years, she collaborated closely with her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser, Angela Kelly, to craft outfits that were not only stylish but also culturally suitable and symbolically meaningful. 

With her colourful wardrobe, signature wool coats and statement hats, she earned admiration and recognition around the world.

One of her trademark fashion strategies was monochromatic dressing, where she would choose a single colour for her entire outfit.

The late monarch famously relied on vibrant hues to ensure she stood out in any crowd, once quipping: ‘If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.’

This approach was a masterclass in fashion, expertly coordinating accessories to create outfits which were put together and unforgettable.

In her book Dressing the Queen, Angela Kelly provides a rare look behind the curtain, showcasing the careful preparation involved in each royal event. 

Each garment was assigned a distinctive name for easy reference – a practice Ms Kelly describes as ‘a lot of fun,’ but also crucial for keeping precise records of Elizabeth’s vast wardrobe. 

Known for her vibrant and carefully considered wardrobe, Queen Elizabeth II understood the powerful impact of fashion

While Her Majesty was well known for her love of bright colours, she was careful never to repeat a shade too soon. 

As Ms Kelly highlights, color makes a lasting impact – especially in photographs and on television – so the same shade would be avoided for future appearances in the same area. 

‘For example,’ she mentions, ‘if Her Majesty wore red on her last trip to the south of England, we would avoid red again, even if the design was completely different.’ 

To keep track of this, each dresser kept a handwritten diary, logging the details of every outfit and the occasions it was worn. 

The system was deliberately designed with built-in backups – if one diary were lost or damaged, the others would still provide a complete record. 

This documentation helped Kate, the Deputy Dresser, and her team to accurately track which outfits had been used for certain events, ensuring effective organization and preventing repetition. 

For over 25 years, she worked closely with her Personal Assistant and Senior Dresser, Angela Kelly, to design outfits that were not only elegant but also culturally appropriate and symbolically significant

The late monarch famously relied on vibrant hues to ensure she stood out in any crowd, once quipping: ‘If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am’

With her colourful wardrobe, signature wool coats and statement hats, Queen Elizabeth earned admiration and recognition around the world

Each ensemble was given a unique name, adding a personal and playful touch to the otherwise precise process

In addition to clothing, the diaries noted the significant pieces of jewellery worn – a particularly useful reference given the vastness

The Queen had a stunning collection of heirloom pieces, from signature pearls to intricate gemstone necklaces, which were carefully planned for each appearance

When wearing an evening gown with a low neckline, a distinctive necklace could be displayed, while a square or V-neck called for smaller pieces like a simple diamond chain or a string of pearls

Each ensemble was given a unique name, adding a personal and playful touch to the otherwise precise process.

In addition to clothing, the diaries also noted the significant pieces of jewellery worn – a particularly useful reference given the vastness.

The Queen had a stunning collection of heirloom pieces, from signature pearls to intricate gemstone necklaces, which were carefully planned for each appearance. 

When wearing an evening gown with a low neckline, a distinctive necklace could be displayed, while a square or V-neck called for smaller pieces like a simple diamond chain or a string of pearls.