Margaret Howell Tuxedo

fits Franklin Mint Diana Portrait Doll

Although no one could accuse the young Lady Diana Spencer of being a trendy fashionista, she did have her own preferences, one of which was for functional, comfortable, yet slightly androgynous casual pants such as overalls and knickerbockers (knee pants). Margaret Howell had made a name for herself in the late 1970's with a menswear attitude towards women's clothing, and was a perfect fit. Diana was an early customer, and when she was photographed at Balmoral during her engagement period in what became the famous Llama Sweater , the corduroy knickerbockers she wore with it were from Howell.

Another Howell look Diana pioneered was the androgynous formal tuxedo. Worn in Birmingham to a Prince's Trust concert by Genesis in late Februray 1984, it was a daring step for a royal lady to not wear a gown to a formal event, much less a man's formal wear, but newly pregnant with Prince Harry, Diana found this white dinner jacket with tuxedo pants, wing tip shirt, and bow tie, to be a comfortable alternative. The press was wowed. It was the first of many similar takes on a tuxedo that she would wear in the coming decade.

This reproduction for the Franklin Mint Peoples Princess Doll is primarily in linen. The jacket is in white linen with satin lapels, and features white stud buttons on the front and cuffs. It's fully lined in white polyester, has shoulder pads, and closes in the front with snaps. The slacks are in black linen, unlined, with a black satin stripe on the sides(They're hard to see, the photo on the right has been lightened to show them a bit better). They are unlined, close with a snap at the back, and are open at the bottom to accept the stand (this allows them to hang freely and properly). The 'shirt' is actually a shirt front dickey (it has only a half back, primarily so the collar attaches to something, and no sleeves), for less bulk, and features the wing collar of a true tuxedo shirt. The pearl buttons in the front are for show, it actually closes at the back neck with a snap and is held in place with an elastic band at the waist. The satin bow tie is attached to the shirt. Comes with satin clutch bag and a reproduction Genesis concert program. Shown with the earrings from the Franklin Mint Casual Khaki outfit, and hose and shoes from the Franklin Mint Princess of Glamour doll.

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