The Epitome as style icon: colours solid and bright as a Cluedo pieceQueen Elizabeth celebrates St David’s Day in March 1990. Photograph: Rex FeaturesQueen Elizabeth honours St David’s Day in March 1990. Photograph: Rex FeaturesHer remarkably consistent, well-chosen wardrobe made her as recognisable to us as a member of our own familyThe Ruler was one of the greatest fashion figures the world has ever known. It is testament to her extraordinary life that 70 years of cut will go down as one of her more minor achievements.In her rainbow colours she flew a flag for a dependable, unflashy cheer. Each day, she doubled down on one identity, wearing it head to toe. She wore yellow, red, pink, purple, blue or green. (She was ever the diplomat, so we will never identify which was her favourite. I always thought she looked particularly pretty in buttercup yellow, not an easy colour to pull off.) A ordinary-looking knee-length coat layered over a dress in the same colour or a coordinating floral pattern, and matched with a hat. Non-belligerent accessories: a handbag hanging from her left wrist, gloves, and block-heeled shoes. A brooch at her left lapel, and a triple strand of prizes around her neck.‘Each day, she doubled down on one colour, wearing it head to toe’ … Royal Ascot in 2018. Photograph: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesA photograph of the Epitome from May 1977, taken during her silver jubilee tour, shows her in a Reuse this content
