Junior Rasmussen
Princess Diana's wedding dress is arguably the most famous in royal history. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with a 25-foot train and 153-yard tulle veil, was valued at £9,000 at the time of her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981. When adjusted for inflation, the dress would be worth approximately £28,000 or $43,573 today. The gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured thousands of hand-embroidered sequins and pearls, as well as antique lace that once belonged to Queen Mary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | £9000 ($43,573 in 2023, $115,000 estimated, $490,000 in today's money) |
| Fabric | Ivory silk taffeta and antique lace |
| Details | 18-karat gold horseshoe, blue bow, 10,000 pearls, mother-of-pearl sequins, 25-foot train |
| Designer | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Year | 1981 |
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What You'll Learn
The dress's cost in today's money
Princess Diana's wedding dress, worn at her wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981, was valued at £9000 at the time. The gown was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace and featured a 25-foot train. It set a popular fashion trend of large puffed sleeves and is considered one of the most famous dresses in the world.
When adjusted for inflation, the dress would be worth approximately £28,000 in today's money. This value neglects the cultural significance of the dress, which renders it priceless. In 2023, the dress was valued at $43,573, and in 2019, it was valued at a whopping £151,000, showcasing the increasing value of this iconic garment over time.
Some sources provide different estimates for the cost of the dress in today's money. One source mentions that the dress would have cost over $490,000, while another states that a regular Emanuel wedding dress started at $5,610 in 1981, which would make Princess Diana's dress worth approximately $115,000 at the time.
The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured 10,000 pearls, mother-of-pearl sequins, and a 25-foot train. It combined historical inspirations and a fairytale look with strict royal tradition and has had a lasting influence on bridal fashion.
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The design and materials used
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, cost an estimated £9000 at the time. Adjusted for inflation, this would be worth approximately £28,000 today. However, in today's money, the dress would have cost over $490,000.
The Emanuels described the dress as something that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved" and which would be "suitably dramatic in order to make an impression". The gown was made from ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The fabric was sourced from British mills, with the antique lace being her "something old". The gown also included a piece of Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary.
The dress was embellished with 10,000 pearls and mother-of-pearl sequins, with some arranged in a heart motif on the fitted, boned bodice, while others decorated the waist, hem, and long train. The silhouette of the dress included a full skirt and large puffed sleeves with lace flounces on the neckline and cuffs. The dress set wedding fashion trends, with large puffed sleeves, full skirts, and "soft touch fabrics" becoming popular requests.
The designers also stitched an 18-karat gold horseshoe, a symbol of good luck, into Diana's petticoat and a blue bow into the interior waistband as her "something blue". Diana also had a spare wedding dress, which would have been used if the design of the original had been leaked to the press. The backup dress was made from pale ivory silk taffeta with embroidered scalloped details on the hem and sleeves and tiny pearls sewn onto the bodice.
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The dress's cultural significance
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, is arguably the most famous wedding dress in royal history. The Emanuels described the dress as something that "'had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved' and which would be 'suitably dramatic in order to make an impression'.
The dress was an ivory silk taffeta gown with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The fabric was sourced from British mills, with the antique lace being her "something old". The gown also included a piece of lace that once belonged to Queen Mary. The dress was embellished with 10,000 pearls and mother-of-pearl sequins, with a heart motif on the bodice. A small blue bow was sewn into the waistband of the gown for Diana's "something blue", and an 18-karat gold horseshoe charm was also stitched in for good luck.
The dress set wedding fashion trends after the wedding. Large puffed sleeves, a full skirt, and "soft touch fabrics" became popular requests. Copies by other dressmakers were available "within hours" of the 1981 wedding. The influence of the dress on the bridal world can still be seen today.
The dress was so famous that it was displayed at Kensington Palace as part of a royal fashion exhibit, "Royal Style in the Making", in 2021.
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The backup dress
Princess Diana's wedding dress is arguably the most famous in royal history. The Emanuels, a husband-and-wife duo, designed the dress, which was made from ivory silk taffeta and antique lace. The gown featured a 25-foot train, thousands of hand-embroidered sequins and pearls, and a silhouette that included large puffed sleeves and a full skirt. The dress set trends and became a "gold standard" in wedding fashion.
However, what many people don't know is that there was also a backup dress. The backup gown was designed as a precaution to ensure that the main dress remained a surprise on the wedding day. In fact, there were two backup dresses. One was a duplicate of the main dress, which was later displayed at Madame Tussauds, and the other featured a different design without the enormous gigot sleeves, in case the initial design was leaked to the press.
The second, alternate dress was made from ivory silk taffeta without the antique lace and was embroidered with scalloped details along the hemline and sleeves. Tiny pearls were also sewn onto the bodice. This dress has since disappeared, and its whereabouts are unknown. Elizabeth Emanuel, one of the designers, stated that it was only ever meant to be a backup, and she is unsure of what happened to it.
The existence of the backup dress highlights the importance and secrecy surrounding Princess Diana's wedding dress. The designers wanted to ensure that the main dress remained a surprise, and the backup dress provided peace of mind in case of any leaks or issues.
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The dress's influence on fashion
The cost of Princess Diana's wedding dress, with its billowing sleeves and intricate lace, was a significant £9,000 (approximately $12,000) in 1981. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress was made from ivory silk, pure silk taffeta, and antique lace, featuring 10,000 mother-of-pearl sequins and pearl embellishments. The dress had a 25-foot train of ivory taffeta, and the silk tulle veil was adorned with lace that had once belonged to Queen Mary. The dress's design and opulence captured the world's attention and set trends that influenced bridal fashion for years to follow.
Princess Diana's wedding dress had a profound and lasting impact on the world of fashion, particularly in the realm of bridal wear. Its influence can be seen in the following ways:
Return to Romance: Diana's wedding dress marked a return to romantic, fairytale-inspired bridal gowns. The billowing sleeves, full skirt, and lengthy train created a dramatic and dreamy silhouette that captivated audiences worldwide. This style influenced a generation of brides who sought to emulate the romantic and regal look. Bridal designers responded by creating gowns with similar features, often incorporating lace, voluminous skirts, and dramatic trains.
Lace Revival: The use of antique lace on Diana's dress sparked a renewed interest in this classic fabric. Lace had long been associated with weddings, but the intricate and delicate lace on Diana's gown elevated its status. Designers began incorporating lace in new and innovative ways, often using it as a focal point or accent rather than merely a trim or overlay. The trend extended beyond bridal wear, with lace becoming popular in ready-to-wear fashion as well.
Statement Sleeves: One of the most memorable features of Diana's dress was its dramatic sleeves. The billowing, puffed sleeves, which extended beyond her hands, became an iconic element of the design. This style influenced a trend for statement sleeves in bridal and evening wear. Whether exaggerated and voluminous or more subtle and tapered, sleeves became a focal point, often adorned with lace, ruffles, or other embellishments.
Soft Colour Palettes: Diana's choice of an ivory silk dress, rather than the traditional pure white, influenced a shift towards softer, warmer colour palettes for bridal gowns. Ivory, cream, and champagne hues became increasingly popular, offering a more subtle and flattering alternative to stark white. This trend allowed for a wider range of skin tones to be complemented and provided a more diverse array of choices for brides.
Embellishments: The intricate embellishments on Diana's dress, including the 10,000 mother-of-pearl sequins and pearl decorations, inspired a trend for intricate and delicate detailing. Designers began incorporating subtle sparkles, beads, and sequins to add depth and dimension to gowns. This attention to detail and emphasis on craftsmanship became a hallmark of high-end bridal wear, with many designers taking inspiration from vintage and antique pieces, much like the lace on Diana's dress.
Princess Diana's wedding dress continues to inspire and influence bridal fashion, even decades later. Its romantic silhouette, intricate details, and soft colour palette have left an indelible mark on the industry, reflecting the enduring appeal of this iconic royal wedding gown.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress cost an estimated £9000 at the time. Adjusted for inflation, it would be worth approximately £28,000 or $43,573 today.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace. The dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, a husband-and-wife duo, and featured a 25-foot train, a 153-yard tulle veil, and thousands of hand-embroidered sequins and pearls.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was arguably the most famous wedding dress in royal history. The dress was kept a closely guarded secret before the wedding, and its design set wedding fashion trends. The dress was also considered a "gold standard" in wedding fashion and solidified Princess Diana's status as a fashion icon.
