Why Did Princess Diana Wear a Harvard Sweatshirt?
Princess Diana, whose full name was Diana Frances Spencer, was born on July 1, 1961, in Norfolk, England. She grew up in a noble family and received her education at private schools in England. She did not attend university as a formal student; instead, she pursued various interests and undertook charity work throughout her life.
Princess Diana was known for her impeccable fashion sense and often made deliberate fashion choices that conveyed important messages or showed support for popular causes. In addition, there are three particular styles that have left an incredible mark on her legacy as the classic princess of Wales. First, there is the legendary little black “revenge dress” she elegantly donned following her separation from Prince Charles.
Then there is her memorable collection of statement sweaters, including the memorable Gyles and George black sheep knit. Moreover, Diana was also known for her signature style of pairing sweatshirts with biker shorts. Notably, she often wore a cowl-neck Harvard crewneck in her casual outfits, especially when dealing with paparazzi
One of Princess Diana’s well-known sweatshirts in her iconic wardrobe featured the name of the prestigious American university, “Harvard.” It was a grey sweatshirt. As a matter of fact, this oversized sweatshirt without a hood is considered one of the most imitated casual looks.
Origin
Diana often paired them with shorts or short skirts and complemented the outfit with white shoes. This was her preferred style for gym workouts or tennis matches. This iconic casual look of hers was a nod to the “preppy” style, which originated in the United States and was initially associated with students attending Ivy League and preparatory schools.
Diana’s choice to wear a Harvard sweatshirt in 1997 when she was photographed leaving the gym exemplifies her embrace of this classic, college-inspired fashion trend. Furthermore, this piece of hers was so significant that Ivy League University itself recreated it for season 5 of The Crown after being contacted by the costume department.
In addition, numerous casual garments once worn by Diana remain highly relevant today. Just like the iconic black sheep sweater, which saw a reissue in 2020, this iconic sweatshirt was reintroduced through ZARA in 2021. This demonstrates that Diana continues to be a fashion icon even after her passing.
To conclude, Princess Diana’s decision to wear a Harvard sweatshirt was a part of her broader fashion choices that often resonated with the public. This iconic casual look, influenced by the “preppy” style popularized by Ivy League school students in the United States, became a symbol of her timeless fashion influence. Furthermore, the fact that the Harvard sweatshirt was recreated and re-released years later demonstrates the enduring legacy of Princess Diana as a fashion icon, even after her passing.