Queen Elizabeth was widely admired for her consistently polished appearance.
She had a distinct style formula – favouring shift dresses paired with tailored coats – and often chose bright colours to ensure she stood out in crowds of well-wishers.
Her impeccable presentation was the result of careful planning and a long-standing collaboration with Angela Kelly, her senior dresser of nearly 30 years.
In her book Dressing The Queen, Kelly offers an intimate look into the meticulous fitting process, which could last up to half-a-day for a single session.
These private fittings were attended by Elizabeth herself, Kelly, and the dressmaker – equipped with tools of the trade, including a wooden measuring stick, tape measure, scissors, a pincushion and tailor’s chalk.
‘I try to ensure that we have at least four or five outfits ready to be fitted at any one session to make the best use of Her Majesty’s time,’ Kelly explains.
‘Often, we are joined by one or two of the Queen’s corgis, who like to keep a watchful canine eye on things!’
These sessions were designed to be ‘relaxing and enjoyable’ for Her Late Majesty.
Queen Elizabeth’s consistently polished appearance was the result of careful planning and a long-standing collaboration with Angela Kelly
During the fittings, a toile (a mock-up of the outfit) would be tried on to check the shape, length, style and fit.
This also gave the dressmaker an opportunity to make further adjustments – whether altering a pocket, neckline or collar.
If a toile wasn’t required, the outfit would be loosely tacked together to allow for easy modifications if needed.
Hats, an essential part of the Queen’s ensemble, were included in fittings to ensure the overall look was cohesive.
Having previously reviewed the design through sketches or draped fabric on a mannequin, Elizabeth reserved the right to change her mind – but rarely did.
Her decisiveness made dressing her both efficient and straightforward.
This was especially valuable during the planning of her Diamond Jubilee Collection.
Initially, Kelly anticipated a time-consuming process, given the Queen’s packed schedule.
Queen Elizabeth sits alongside American Vogue editor Anna Wintour and her dresser Angela Kelly during Richard Quinn’s runway show in 2018
She had a distinct style formula – favouring shift dresses paired with tailored coats – and often chose bright colours to ensure she stood out in crowds of well-wishers
In her book Dressing The Queen, Kelly offers an intimate look into the meticulous fitting process, which could last up to half a day for a single session
During the fittings, a toile (a mock-up of the outfit) would be tried on to check the shape, length, style and fit
On the day of the event, Kelly and her team would prepare the Queen’s entire outfit – laying out the chosen ensemble along with a selection of brooches, gloves, a handbag and shoes
Even her umbrellas were thoughtfully styled: always transparent for visibility, with a handle and trim colour-matched to her outfit
However, thanks to Elizabeth’s clear decisions and the team’s meticulous attention to detail, the collection came together smoothly and quickly.
Kelly writes: ‘The Queen’s decisiveness and the way my team worked so well together, with such a close eye on the detail, meant that we were able to complete a record number of outfits in a relatively short space of time.’
The completed garments and hats were typically presented to the Queen a day ahead of each engagement. She would try on every element to ensure the full look met her exacting standards.
On the day of an event, Kelly and her team would prepare the entire outfit – laying out the chosen ensemble along with a selection of brooches, gloves, a handbag, shoes and a coordinating headscarf, in case of rain.
Even the Queen’s umbrellas were thoughtfully styled: always transparent for visibility, with a handle and trim colour-matched to her outfit – allowing her to stay dry while remaining clearly visible to the public.
Every detail reflected her dedication to presentation and her respect for those who came to see her.
