New survey names Princess Diana as biggest style inspiration

Princess Diana after her divorce in a low cut sleeveless dress with her classic emerald choker.

The public’s love and fascination with Princess Diana is confirmed by a new survey conducted by fashion rental site Le Tote, which names Diana as the “biggest style inspiration of all time.”  The beautiful Princess was has not been forgotten almost 20 years after her untimely death in a car accident in 1997.  The survey asked 2,000 Americans to select the most iconic styles dating back all the way to the early 1900s.  The results are fascinating because they reveal that classic styles rather than trends, are what we most remember when it comes to fashion.  I think the survey also reveals that fashion is a love affair as much with the clothes, as with the individual who wears them.  I’ve seen many of Princess Diana’s dresses on mannequins, and without the charm and personality of the Princess, many of them would never have been noticed.

Past style icons include Lillian Gish, Coco Chanel and Katherine Hepburn.

After Princess Diana, the list includes the following celebrities and public figures as leading style icons over the last 100 years:

• Lillian Gish had the best style of the 1910s
• Coco Chanel had the most iconic style of the 1920s
• Katharine Hepburn, known for her fierce and lively personality had the most iconic style of the 1930s. Ms. Hepburn was one of the first celebrities to wear trousers and popularized pants for women.
• Lauren Bacall, who was known for her singing voice and her sizzling looks had the most iconic style of the 1940s
• Marilyn Monroe had the greatest iconic style of the 1950s. Unlike her screen image as a sex symbol, off screen Marilyn favored classic styles by Irene Lentz, Ceil Chapman, and later Pucci.
• Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s conservative style was voted the most iconic of the 1960s.
• Farrah Fawcett – whose red Norma Kamali swimsuit photo captured international attention had the most iconic style of the 1970s.
• Princess Diana was ranked as having the most iconic style of the 1980s, closely followed by pop icon Madonna.
• Actress, producer, and businesswoman Jennifer Aniston was voted to have the most iconic style of the 1990s, followed by Julia Roberts.
• Bronx native Jennifer Lopez had the most iconic style in the 2000s, receiving twice as many votes as Lady Gaga who came in second.
• Kate Middleton – The Duchess of Cambridge – has the most iconic style in modern history, beating out the likes of Beyoncé, Victoria Beckham, and the Kardashians.

Movie stars Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe top the list as style icons.

“Every style icon broke the mold by thinking beyond the trends of the time and creating their own signature look. Looks which, today, we still admire and emulate,” said Ruth Hartman, Chief Merchandising Officer at Le Tote. “Everyone should have the joy of trying new trends and developing their unique, personal style. That’s why, at Le Tote, we let our members borrow clothing and accessories without the commitment to purchase. We believe that fashion should be fun, fluid and affordable.”

Watch this video to learn more about the survey and the fashion icons respondents most admire.