Spain’s Queen Letizia has won the royal fashion game
Queen Letizia of Spain is an original modern royal style star, as proved once again when the 50-year-old supported Spain’s women’s national football team while wearing a Hugo Boss trouser suit in fiery Catalan red.
The royal stood alongside the winning team at the World Cup as they celebrated a 1-0 win against England at the match in Sydney, in the precision tailoring that’s become something of a mainstay of her wardrobe; Queen Letizia has previously worn ice-white iterations of the suit from the same brand.
Since marrying King Felipe (then Crown Prince) in 2004, she’s slowly amped up her clothing choices, realising the powerful possibilities which a clever fashion strategy can deliver in the age of social media and 24/7 news. With a wardrobe spanning Zara to Hugo Boss, Letizia has become a fashion muse to many. These are her rules of regal style in the 21st century...
Be just daring enough
If the stereotypes of royal dressing dictate that outfits should be politely people-pleasing, then Letizia has made it her mission to chip away at what’s seen as ‘queenly’. Sometimes it’s a subtle shift of silhouette – like an off shoulder tweed Zara dress – or it can be an unexpected piece, such as leather leggings or a leather dress.
These are choices which bring edge and interest to the queen’s polished personal style but which can still be worn with all the elegance you’d expect from a royal.
Mix up your moods
Queen Letizia always looks pulled-together, but her style is versatile. This summer, she’s embraced a feminine, bohemian look, opting for sundresses adorned with ruffles or in delicate floral prints. But if one day Letizia’s look epitomises pretty femininity, then it can effortlessly switch up to sharp tailoring the next. It’s a strategy which reflects how dressing the part as a royal requires a uniform-type approach which can be adapted depending on the mood of the moment.
Take the temperature
At times when morale in Spain has needed a boost, the queen’s wardrobe was carefully chosen to be understated and affordable. She has previously re-worn high street buys from the likes of Massimo Dutti and Sandro – often these came in bright, cheering colours. Dressing patriotically is another of her signature moves – in Catalan red, or ochre. At the World Cup final, a red suit was carefully selected to match the team’s kit and ensure she wouldn’t overshadow the players.
Hair is everything
The great philosopher Fleabag’s observation applies as much to royalty as it does to highly strung sisters. One of Letizia’s defining features is her glossy, brunette hair – a feature which has only strengthened the comparisons between her and the Princess of Wales. But Letizia’s hair styling choices are as telling as her clothing.
This summer, she’s preferred a practical high ponytail with occasional evidence of some lights of greys around the front, but we’ve also seen her sport elaborate up-dos, bouncy blow dries and business-like long, straight looks, proof that her attention to detail extends head-to-toe.
Land on your staples
Queen Letizia’s look may be versatile but there are some mainstays of her style which can always be depended upon to bring a look together and make it distinctly ‘her’. In terms of shoes, in summer she favours espadrille wedges (excellent for adding height in a casual way) while for other engagements, almond-toe heels (a shape which strike the balance between modern and classically chic) are regulars. On the rare occasion that she opts for flats, Hugo Boss loafers are a go-to.
Other items which are distinctly Letizia? Anything sleeveless (her toned arms are the envy of many), tailored culottes and shirtdresses.
The power of outerwear
There is an onion-like thought process required for royal dressing; every layer must be impactful on its own but work together, too. Letizia has paid special attention to her coat collection, experimenting with capes and clever cuts so that she never ‘just’ looks like she’s keeping toasty until she can reveal the full look. Tonal trenches, capes, braid-detailed blazers and soft pastels are just a few of the cover-up options in her repertoire.
Deploy subtle styling tricks
Letizia’s background as a newsreader once meant that she stuck to simple, streamlined silhouettes, but her tastes have evolved over the years, perhaps thanks to her stylist, Eva Fernandez, a former fashion editor at the Spanish edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. Now we see the queen deploying some of the clever styling tricks loved by the street style fashion set for the added sense of sophistication they lend a look.
Take the way that she ‘shoulder robed’ an old Felipe Varela camel coat over a Hugo Boss trouser suit. Had the coat been worn through the arms and wrapped at the waist, it would have looked professional if unstudied. But by draping it over her shoulders, these older pieces immediately looked fresh, sharp and fashion-forward.
