In praise of Princess Diana’s ugly sweaters, and how to recreate the look

The late Diana, Princess of Wales, was a style icon – not least for her love of a loud jumper. Let her be the inspiration for a seasonal statement

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Princess Diana in her famous “black sheep” jumper at a polo match in Windsor, in 1983. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 7:45pm, 1 Dec 2020Updated: 12:19pm, 2 Dec 2020

If you finished the fourth season of The Crown feeling you wanted more and are already eagerly awaiting season five, you’re probably a fan of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and her personal style.

It took Diana a few years to develop her own fashion identity but in her early days as a member of the royal family, she made her mark with her collection of patterned jumpers.

In the early 1980s, while attending a polo match with Prince Charles, she famously wore the much-talked-about black-sheep jumper, which is now part of the permanent collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. United States-based brand Rowing Blazers recently made a new version of the infamous jumper, which has already sold out.

Diana in another statement jumper, at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland, in 1981. Photo: Getty Images

Royal watchers have interpreted Diana’s penchant for that particular jumper (she rewore it on several occasions) as a subtle statement about her role as the “black sheep” of the royal family.

But as these pictures show, the “ugly sweater”, a staple of winter and the holidays, was a favourite of the princess. There’s no better time to get inspired by her quirky jumpers than just ahead of the festive season.