A look back at Princess Margaret's most daring looks

princess margaret style
(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are many stylish women in the royal family. In recent years, Kate Middleton has truly finessed her style, as has Meghan Markle, while of course Princess Diana's iconic style is one we are constantly inspired by.

Then there is Queen Elizabeth II, whose timeless elegance includes brightly coloured suits and ballgowns. And if The Crown has done anything, it is to remind us all of how daring her sister, Princess Margaret used to be, not just in behaviour, but in style also.

As the ruling monarch's younger sister, there was perhaps a bit less pressure on Princess Margaret to follow protocol - she even broke the rules on her own wedding day by buying her own tiara rather than borrow one from the family.

In fact, she was know as the 'royal rebel', and her fashion-forward looks of the 50s, usually fit 'n' flare dresses (she embraced Dior's 'New Look') and bold accessories such as printed headscarves and sunglasses, earned her the nickname 'the Margaret Look'. Yep, long before the Kate effect or the Markle sparkle were even a thing.

A fan of parties, she always looked the part, opting for lavish ballgowns in bright prints or colours and made of luxurious fabrics such as satin, taffeta, tulle and silk. She always accessorised to the max too, with plenty of diamonds, pearls, elbow-length and a fur stole or two.

She adored headpieces too, and when she wasn't wearing a crown in the evenings, she wore magnificent hats and headdresses, such as the canary yellow feather hat on her visit to Jamaica in 1962 or the peacock feather pillbox she wore at Ascot in 1973.

As she grew older, she refused to compromise on her style, and was still rocking strapless evening gowns, big sleeves and oversized shades. Scroll down for a look at her most daring outfits.

Princess Margaret posting for an official photo in 1934

Princess Margaret posting for an official photo in 1934

Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth in 1936

Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth in 1936

(Image credit: Time Life Pictures)

Princess Margaret in 1940

Princess Margaret in 1940

Princess Margaret in 1943

Princess Margaret in 1943

Dressed up for a production of Aladdin at Windsor Castle

Dressed up for a production of Aladdin at Windsor Castle

Princess Margaret posing for a German magazine in 1951

Princess Margaret posing for a German magazine in 1951

Princess Margaret at a wedding in 1951

Princess Margaret at a wedding in 1951

(Image credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho)

Princess Margaret at the races in 1955

Princess Margaret at the races in 1955

Princess Margaret at a film premiere

Princess Margaret at a film premiere

(Image credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho)

Princess Margaret at the theatre in London in 1952

Princess Margaret at the theatre in London in 1952

(Image credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho)

Princess Margaret at the airport

Princess Margaret at the airport

Princess Margaret in the Caribbean in 1955

Princess Margaret in the Caribbean in 1955

Princess Margaret at a garden party during her African tour

Princess Margaret at a garden party during her African tour

Princess Margaret in East Africa in 1956

Princess Margaret in East Africa in 1956

Princess Margaret wears a white dress in 1956

Princess Margaret wears a white dress in 1956

Princess Margaret on her wedding day in 1960

Princess Margaret on her wedding day in 1960

Princess Margaret at a film premiere in 1960

Princess Margaret at a film premiere in 1960

Princess Margaret in Jamaica in 1962

Princess Margaret in Jamaica in 1962

Princess Margaret with her family at her daughter’s christening in 1964

Princess Margaret with her family at her daughter’s christening in 1964

princess margaret style

Princess Margaret in the Bahamas

Princess Margaret in the Bahamas

Princess Margaret in 1974

Princess Margaret in 1974

(Image credit: KEYSTONE-FRANCE/GAMMA-RAPHO)

Princess Margaret at the races in 1973

Princess Margaret at the races in 1973

Princess Margaret at the ballet in 1982

Princess Margaret at the ballet in 1982

(Image credit: PL Gould/Images Press)

Princess Margaret with Princess Diana in 1981

Princess Margaret with Princess Diana in 1981

Princess Margaret celebrating the Queen Mother’s 90th in 1990

Princess Margaret celebrating the Queen Mother’s 90th in 1990

Princess Margaret at the Royal Caledonian Ball in 1983

Princess Margaret at the Royal Caledonian Ball in 1983

(Image credit: 1983 David Levenson)

Princess Margaret with the Queen in 1995

Princess Margaret with the Queen in 1995

(Image credit: 1982 David Levenson)

Princess Margaret with the Queen

Princess Margaret with the Queen

Princess Margaret in 2000 for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday

Princess Margaret in 2000 for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.