Styling Iconic Women in History
- Hiba Awais
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Hi everyone! Happy Women's History Month. I hope midterm season is at least tolerable, make sure you're getting tons of sleep and taking it easy on the energy drinks! We're almost there, just a few weeks until spring break (I'm counting down the days).
Somehow I've recently become a history buff. I'm binging a podcast called The Rest is History, which dives into historical moments and figures. The hosts explain it cinematically, making it super fun to listen to. It has hundreds of episodes, and although I'm not planning on listening to them all, I'm really enjoying learning more about my favorite people in history.
In honor of Women's History Month, I wanted to do something silly and style some of my favorite historical icons in modern outfits they'd totally rock in the big 2026.
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Mary Queen of Scots
Mary became the Queen of Scotland at just one week old and the Queen of France at sixteen. Her reign was marked by romance and drama, where she married for love and was famously beheaded by Queen Elizabeth I of England. She was well known for her beauty, high education (she knew five languages!), and her talent in hunting and dancing. I think she really encompasses the fantasy vision of a Renaissance princess and I love fictional adaptations of her, like in Reign.
In 2026, I think Mary would wear outfits with princess flair, like lace and beadwork. She's often painted in luxurious colors, like deep reds, blues, and purples, so she'd definitely reach for a bold, modern dark winter color palette. Her gold necklace and pendant, the 'Penicuik Jewels,' are displayed in Scottish museums, so I can definitely see her wearing gold lockets and layered necklaces as well.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra ruled Ancient Egypt for nearly three decades, and was a descendant of the Ptolemy dynasty. She was dedicated to learning everything she could, like art, science, and nine languages (which gave her a huge diplomatic advantage!). Her strategic romantic relations with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony helped her hold power in Egypt and expand her control to Rome. She often posed herself as Egyptian goddesses, like Isis, and considered herself a Pharaoh of her people.
Because of her bold personality and love of gold, I styled Cleopatra in dark, dramatic outfits with tons of chunky jewelry. I can also see her wearing tons of prints and fun accessories like big sunglasses and fun belts. Out of the three women, her style definitely aligns with mine the most, and I had a ton of fun finding outfits for her
Joan of Arc
She was a French peasant who led the army to victory in 1429 during the Siege of Orleans in the Hundred Years War. After her victory, she was famously captured and burned at the stake by Burgundian forces allied with England. Joan was well known for her rebelliousness, through her defiance of orders and masculine clothing. Her martyrdom and fame spread throughout France, where her legacy is celebrated to this day through art, literature, and film (most recently through Chappell Roan's 'Roan of Arc' outfit).
I think Joan would express her rebellious personality through fashion and wear clean-cut outfits with a neat silhouette. I also styled her in monochrome layers and emphasized silver jewelry to represent her armor and fierceness.
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