Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic style is more than memorable. With her colourful wardrobe, signature wool coats and statement hats, she earned admiration and recognition around the world.

One of her signature fashion strategies was monochromatic dressing, where she would choose one bold 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 co-ordinating coats, hats and even umbrellas to create outfits which were put together and unforgettable.

And over the years her senior dresser for three decades has revealed how much meticulous planning went into every outfit – by both herself and the Queen.

In Angela Kelly’s book, Dressing the Queen, she reveals how important it was for Queen Elizabeth to wear clothes that were not only high quality but also perfectly tailored for her needs.

The necklines on her coats were designed with careful thought, neither too high nor too low, ensuring they allowed ease of movement especially when entering and exiting vehicles.

Another important factor was the choice of jewellery. The Queen had a stunning collection of heirloom pieces, from signature pearls to intricate gemstone necklaces. 

Queen Elizabeth II established herself as a style icon, with her signature wool coats and statement hats earning admiration worldwide

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.

In warmer weather, the Queen would opt for more open necklines, while in colder months higher necklines provided more warmth and comfort.

The Queen and her dresser had a particular love for boucle fabric, due to it always looking sophisticated and interesting as it was textured. But Kelly has since explained the challenges it posed. 

Though perfect for winter coats it required careful handling, especially around the sleeve area, as its texture could easily catch on objects such as the Queen’s watch.

Loose-weave fabrics posed a similar issue as they could develop unruly strands creating an unkempt look. And loose-woven wools needed to be lined properly to maintain their shape.

Kelly would frequently ask herself, ‘Will this material fold and hang nicely or will it fray?’

 The late monarch famously used vibrant colours to ensure she stood out in a crowd, once quipping: ‘If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am’

Much planning went into her outfits, with the Queen working closely with Angela Kelly, her senior dresser for nearly 30 years

When wearing an evening gown with a low neckline, a distinctive necklace could be displayed, while a square or V-neck would preclude large diamonds, in favour of smaller pieces like a drop or a string of diamonds

Boucle wool required careful handling, especially around the sleeve area, as its texture could easily catch on objects, such as the Queen’s watch winder

In warmer weather, the Queen would opt for more open necklines, while in colder months, she preferred higher necklines for warmth and comfort

Queen Elizabeth understood that beading and crystal embellishments were sometimes necessary to achieve a stunning effect, and she was willing to endure some discomfort for the sake of looking her best

It was vital for the Queen to feel confident that her outfit would hang properly and not wrinkle

When the Queen travels in cars or sits for extended periods, her coat or jacket must be both comfortable and practical. 

Kelly highlights the importance of non-crease fabrics in these situations, since the Queen needed to feel confident that her outfit would hang properly and not wrinkle.

She also explains the challenges of chiffon for evening gowns. Excess fabric in long dresses could be tricky when getting in and out of cars, and heavy beading could cause discomfort, particularly on the back while seated.

However, Queen Elizabeth understood that beading and crystal embellishments were sometimes necessary to achieve a stunning effect, and like many of us she was willing to endure some discomfort for the sake of looking her best.