Princess Diana is a Winter Olympics ski style muse in flamboyant 80s outfit

The 2026 Winter Olympics are finally here, and everyone is hooked on the event, which has been taking place in Milano Cortina. It finishes next week, and we plan to embrace all the snow-covered sports while we can. 

As a fashion editor who has been writing about royal style for over eight years, I love to check out the aesthetic element of sports, aside from the competition, and it got me thinking about skiwear in general. 

The ski competitors representing their country have to wear uniforms that incorporate practicality, but they can also add more playful elements, such as flashes of contrasting colour and accessories like cosy hats, glasses and anoraks. A great style muse for skiwear was the late Princess Diana, who made skiwear look uber trendy and fashionable when she took to the slopes in the 80s, and her dazzling creations wouldn’t look out of place today.

Prince William and Prince Harry’s mother often opted for powerful, punchy red creations and even added fashionable accessories into the mix. Her ski attire was always on point. An expert case was her look from 1984. That year, Diana headed to Lech, Austria, to enjoy a skiing holiday with her sons. 

© Getty

She donned this gloriously flamboyant red puffer jacket, which she styled with simple black trousers, matching gloves, and Hollywood-worthy shades.  

Diana wowed in this delightful scarlet bodysuit during the royal family’s ski trip to Klosters in Switzerland in 1986. What made the look stand out was her pink and white braided headband, which she styled on her forehead, reminiscent of the 80s aerobics aesthetic. Together with her gold hoop earrings, skiwear never looked so cool.

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Many have remarked that this particular look inspired the Princess of Wales in 2005. Kate, then the girlfriend of Prince William, joined King Charles and Prince Harry on the holiday and donned a bold red ski jacket, just like Diana’s.

© Tim Graham Photo Library via Get

Diana really shone in the ski stakes from then on, becoming slightly more adventurous with her outfits. In 1994, the blonde royal wore a bright blue Bogner jacket and leopard-print leggings paired with angular sunglasses. Perfection!  

© Getty Images