The sneaker slayer! Diana was the OG queen of sneakers – here’s how to replicate the trend in 2021

When athleisure clothing started appearing in the fashion scene during the late 2010s, some people were sceptical of this more laid back and casual approach to dressing.

Can one really go out to dinner in sneakers?

For some it felt like the art of dressing up was a thing of the past – a freeing proposition that took away the pressure of wearing uncomfortable clothes.

Even though athleisure has exploded into a mainstay staple, many may be unaware that this trend was rocked by no other than the eternal Princess Diana.

Those shots of Diana wearing sneakers with sporty outfits and even jeans are among the many reasons she has been dubbed the people’s Princess.

These pictures of Diana looking effortless in sneakers are fashion inspiration for the ages.

In her early days as a royal, Diana was a big fan of the humble sneaker. Above, Diana was seen wearing white overalls, a crisp shirt and what looks like slip-on sneakers.

Although they weren’t the chunky shoes we would go on to see her wear later; it marked the start of a more laid-back style approach.

And above, behold one of Diana’s most iconic looks of all time – yes, we are still obsessed with it to this day!

Chunky sneakers, chunky socks and bike pants are everywhere in 2021, and the Kardashians may think they started the trend, but we all know it was really Diana.

Diana wore this tracksuit with a pair of sneakers in Berlin, and we could see indie arty Berliner’s scrambling to find a dupe of this outfit even today.

The Princess styled these sneakers with jeans and a blazer as if she were teleported to now and then went back to pull off this fashion-forward number.

Here are the most versatile sneakers you can buy to take a leaf out of Diana’s fashion book.