Famed for her vibrant wardrobe and iconic accessories, Queen Elizabeth was the epitome of elegance – always impeccably dressed, with not a single crease in sight.

Every public appearance was marked by flawless presentation thanks to a meticulous approach to fabric selection, as revealed by Angela Kelly – her senior dresser of nearly 30 years – in her book Dressing The Queen.

Kelly explains that choosing the right fabrics was a critical part of her role. She often visited shops to collect ‘feelers’ – large fabric samples she could physically assess before committing to a purchase.

To test a fabric’s suitability, she wouldn’t just examine its colour, texture and weave -she would scrunch and twist it in her hands, then smooth it out to see if it held any creases.

‘If the material remains creased or crumpled, then it will be of no use and will be discarded from the selection,’ Kelly notes. This simple yet effective trick was something the Queen herself had taught her.

Kelly maintained a small archive of fabric swatches for easy reference and comparison, ensuring consistency and quality in every outfit.

Although Kelly admitted sourcing fabrics was a passion – partly because it gave her an excuse to go shopping – she also emphasised just how important the task was to her role.

‘Selecting the right materials, colours and trimmings and accessories which are both suitable for the occasion and to The Queen’s liking is both a serious responsibility and great fun.

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Famed for her vibrant wardrobe and iconic accessories, Queen Elizabeth was the epitome of timeless elegance – always impeccably dressed, with not a single crease in sight

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Queen Elizabeth’s public appearance was marked by flawless presentation, thanks to a meticulous approach to fabric selection, as revealed by Angela Kelly – her senior dresser of 25 years – in Dressing The Queen.

‘I find I still get excited when I go shopping for materials but I always let Her Majesty know too so there won’t be any headaches when I return to the Palace with the bill.

‘I am at my happiest when I know that I have all I need to produce a stunning wardrobe, and The Queen is always happy when I return before the shops have closed!’

While Catherine, Princess of Wales, has taken many pages from the Queen’s fashion playbook, she’s had her own learning curve.

Attending the Wimbledon men’s singles final in 2023, Kate was the picture of sophistication in a fitted green Roland Mouret dress.

However, sharp-eyed royal watchers couldn’t help but notice how creased the frock appeared when she stepped on to Centre Court to present the trophies – a rare fashion misstep in an otherwise polished record.

Similarly, Meghan Markle had her fair share of creased ensembles during her time as a working royal.

For her first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth in 2018, Meghan wore a caped Givenchy dress to visit Cheshire.

Though elegant in design, the dress showed prominent creasing just minutes into the appearance – clearly visible in photographs.

Sharp-eyed royal watchers couldn’t help but notice how creased Kate’s frock appeared when she stepped on to Centre Court to present the trophies – a rare fashion misstep in an otherwise polished record

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For her first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth in 2018, Meghan wore a caped Givenchy dress to visit Cheshire. Though elegant in design, the dress showed prominent creasing just minutes into the appearance – clearly visible in photographs

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Meghan’s creased dress didn’t seem to stop her from enjoying her outing with the Queen

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Meghan’s £2,600 Oscar de la Renta coat was visibly crumpled as she stepped out of the car long before the engagement had even begun

Despite her undeniable sense of style, Meghan has repeatedly been spotted in outfits marred by wrinkles – from rumpled hems to prominent fold lines.

One notable example came during her visit to Smart Works at St Charles Hospital in North Kensington.

Her £2,600 Oscar de la Renta coat was visibly crumpled as she stepped out of the car long before the engagement had even begun.

While both the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex bring their own flair to royal fashion, Queen Elizabeth’s fabric philosophy remains a masterclass in timeless elegance.

A twist and scrunch might seem old-fashioned, but it’s a simple trick that kept a monarch looking pristine for more than seven decades – and one today’s royals may be wise to adopt.