We come to the last stylish royal lady of Fashion Rules and Fashion Rules: Restyled at Kensington Palace. In the five rooms of the new exhibition, two are predominantly dedicated to the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. In this post, I will share photos from both exhibitions and list them in chronological order.

The first dress is a fine cotton evening dress designed by Norman Hartnell in 1949, which was worn for private events. It belongs to the Fashion Museum of Bath and is part of Fashion Rules: Restyled.

One of my favourite dresses of Princess Margaret’s is this pink silk and black lace evening dress by Norman Hartnell from 1953. It was worn to a performance of Guys and Dolls at the London Coliseum and paired with a fur bolero jacket. This dress also belongs to the Fashion Museum of Bath.

This stunning cream silk satin evening dress with beaded embroidery has been part of Fashion Rules and Fashion Rules: Restyled. The halter dress was worn to a film premier in London and to a dinner in Paris as a guest of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia in 1951. Part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

This grey lace and tulle day dress with matching bolero was designed by Norman Hartnell in 1952. It was worn on several occasions in 1952, including the Ascot races and wedding of her cousin, The Honourable Gerald Lascelles, and for an official portrait by Dorothy Wildling in 1953. Part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

The Margaret Look: various 1960-80’s sunglasses; fur wrap by Norman Rogul with her monogram; late 1950’s blue scarf by Yves St Laurent for Dior; beaded bolero jacket worn to the state opening of Parliament. Part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

A fan of Dior’s post-war New Look, it’s hardly surprising that Princess Margaret would turn to French designers to fill her 1950’s wardrobe. This silk chiffon cocktail dress and jacket is called Rose Pompon and was from the Christian Dior spring collection, which Princess Margaret ordered. Although it was originally printed with rosebuds, she ordered it in plain white. Princess Margaret first wore it to the Royal Ascot in 1952 and then to a show at the London Coliseum. It is part of the Fashion Museum of Bath’s collection.

This beautiful blue silk organza cocktail dress with velvet ribbon was designed by French designer, Jean Desses. Princess Margaret ordered this in 1951 and wore it to the Royal Ascot in 1953, which she wore with a white collar and white cuffs. This is part of the V&A Museum’s collection.

Although I am not a fan of the 1960’s ‘mini’ style, this dress features panels of antique lace most likely made in Belgium, between 1870-1890. It is part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

This military-inspired green velvet coat dress with gold buttons was designed by Marc Bohan for Christian Dior in 1975.  It is part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

This silk caftan and turban was created by Carl Toms in 1976. It was worn by Margaret in Mystique for a fancy dress party. This costume reminds me of what Princess Jasmine’s father, the Sultan, wore. Part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

I absolutely detest the colour of this silk organza evening gown but I like the rose detail in the back. It was worn by Princess Margaret in 1993 in Paris for the opening gala performance of Mayerling (musical or ballet?). Part of Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto’s collection.

This silk and lace evening dress from 1995 is part of Historic Royal Palace’s collection! Princess Margaret wore this to a concert at the Royal College of Music in 1995 with her sister, Queen Elizabeth II (and I think Margaret’s dress was better than The Queen’s).

Newly added (Dec 2016):

A black silk taffeta cocktail dress with silvered beads and diamantes on the shoulder straps by Norman Hartnell, 1951. From the V&A collection. Princess Margaret wore this on a private occasion.