Queen Elizabeth II may not have top of mind as a trend setting fashionista.

However, throughout her seventy year reign, she taught us many lessons about style. I’ve rounded up 10 classic style tips from Her Majesty that you can use to level up your wardrobe and look classic and refined.

Choose between reading the blog post or watching my YouTube video below.

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Queen Elizabeth’s 10 Best Style Tips for Every Woman

#1. Wear Bright Colors

The Queen would wear bright colors because she needed to stand out in a crowd.

First of all, it was helpful for her security detail to be able to find her quickly and always spot her.

Second, if you were in a big crowd coming to see the queen, and the crowd is five or ten people deep, it could be very difficult to spot the Queen. However, if you saw the pink of her hat at least you'd be able to say, “Ah yes, I saw the Queen!”

When out in public the Queen always wore bright colors so she was easily noticed and she looked beautiful in them.

These shades were well chosen for her to really brighten her up and give her a whole pulled together look.

#2. Wear a Monochromatic Outfit

In a recent video, I mentioned how Queen Elizabeth is known for dressing monochromatically. If you’re not familiar with the term, it means dressing in all one color.

She would wear an entire outfit from the top of her hat down to the down to the end of her skirt in all one color.

Wearing all one color is very elegant and made her easier to spot.

Also in her later years, she was somewhat petite. Wearing all one color made her appear taller.

If you want to be noticed, look taller, and more elegant - try wearing a monochromatic outfit.

#3. Wear Pearls

Pearls go with everything!

You can see this time and again on Queen Elizabeth.

She wears her pearls almost daily and they are her go-to piece.

From what what I understand, she has a set that was gifted to her by her father, King George VI.

She loves those strands of pearls so much and wanted to keep them for special occasions. So she had another set made that she could wear every day.

Pearls can be a great addition to your own wardrobe.

They go with just about everything.

You can wear pearl earrings, a bracelet, or simple necklace.

Recently, I’ve spotted a pearl jewelry trend. Rather than strands of solid pearls, the pearls are more integrated with the style of the jewelry so that you don't feel that you have to have them just for very special occasions - you can wear them every day.

#4. Have a Black Outfit On Hand

As we know, it’s customary to war black when someone close to you passes away, when you are in mourning, or attending funerals, calling hours, or memorial services.

However, when Queen Elizabeth's father passed away, she was caught overseas did not have a black outfit in her luggage.

Her staff had to scramble at the last minute to get her the clothes that she needed.

After that happened, she made a part of the royal protocol that you need to have a black outfit go with you wherever you go.

That way, if someone in the royal family happens to pass us away, you have black attire to put on.

Of course, I’m not going to be traveling with my black outfit.

However it is really nice to have a couple darker classic pieces in your wardrobe that you can go to when occasions like that arise.

There are going to be funerals, wakes, and memorial services you need to attend. If you just have some go-to pieces in your wardrobe, then you don't have to think about it when those occasions occur.

By having some outfits on hand, it’s just one less thing to have to worry about.

You have a dress or outfit that you can put on if needed.

I have several pieces like that in my wardrobe. I don’t wear them only for funerals but it’s nice to know I have them if the unfortunate circumstances arise.

This is a great tip from the Queen is to have a black outfit ready to go .

#5. Say No To Fur

For centuries, fur was part of our everyday lifestyle.

I remember as a girl, playing with a lot of my grandmother's furs.

My grandmother and mother always wore fur coats and now we have gotten away from that because of taking care of animals and inhumanity of wearing fur.

It’s just not what we’re doing today.

So back in 2019, Queen Elizabeth said no more fur. She chose to no longer wear any fur and removed it from her wardrobe.

I think that's a very conscious thing to do. I love that she did that and I can say I don't have any fur in my wardrobe any longer either.

#6. Classic Style Creates Confidence

A classic style creates confidence and continuity.

Queen Elizabeth needed to project those things about herself as a monarch.

But you don’t have to have a classic style to make this tip work for you!

Instead it’s about your consistency and knowing your style that creates confidence.

In fact, I have an easy method to help you figure out your style! We talk about choosing words that describe your style and that's how you choose your outfits.

As for Queen Elizabeth, she needed to project consistency, continuity, and confidence. After all, she was a queen so those things were all important. She needed to be a rock for the people to be able to turn to in rough times, so those were the things she always projected in her style.

I think it's very clear throughout the many decades you can see this in her style.

So the takeaway is - what does your style say about you and what are you going to project out there to the world with the clothes you're wearing?

#7. Bring Out the Bling

After hours, bring out the bling!

Nobody has a bigger jewel collection than the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth had some of the biggest diamonds ever found.

She dressed conservatively during the day, but at night during events, state dinners, and meeting with other foreign dignitaries, she would bring on the bling. Tiaras, diamond necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and rings were all part of her nighttime wardrobe staples.

That's what I love about night time! I use this technique with my gold jewelry, shoes, and accessories.

I love adding a bit of bling to take things from day to night - so don't be afraid to have a little fun with your wardrobe that way and spice things up for night time.

#8. Add Personal Touches to Your Outfit

One thing we can learn from Queen Elizabeth's style is to add personal touches to your outfit.

The Royals have made a very concerted effort, that even though they're not talking, their clothes are seeing a lot about how they feel.

For example, I read an article that mentioned Michelle Obama had presented Queen Elizabeth with a modest pin when they met. At the time, the Queen the queen was wearing a very lavish brooch.

But later in the trip when the Queen met back with the Obamas, later in the day she had on this modest pin that Michelle had given her.

People notice and appreciate that little extra step and that acknowledgement that someone has done something for them.

It's those little touches. For example, maybe your grandchildren made you a macaroni necklace.

You could put that on next time you see them so they can know that you love to get gift that they made for you.

It’s just those little simple touches that let other people know you care.

#9. Add a Little Whimsy to Your Wardrobe

We know that Queen Elizabeth had to keep her wardrobe very conservative but she could have fun with her jewelry and her hats.

She was known for her very interesting hats and accessories. She loved silk scarf squares and wore those all the time. If you want to wear silk scarves like the Queen, check out this post.

Anything you can do that just adds a little bit of interest or whimsy to your wardrobe will help others see your personal style.

#10. Smile and Enjoy Yourself

I think is the biggest takeaway we can learn from Queen Elizabeth is smile and enjoy yourself.

Some of these dinners, launches, openings, and Royal meetings that the Queen had to attend seem pretty boring.

However, the Queen always looked like she was enjoying herself, having a good time, making small talk, having conversations, getting out there and presenting herself to her people.

If we can learn anything from these ten style tips is that whatever you're doing, just do it, enjoy it, and put yourself in the moment.