We don’t know if it’s due to the special nature of the occasion, whether it is held in her homeland, or simply because it is an event that deserves a wardrobe to match, but the truth is that the Princess of Asturias Awards are, for Queen Letizia, that appointment where she always brings out her best self. She did so as a princess years ago and continues in that vein since she took on the role of queen.
Every year she takes advantage of this event and her return to Oviedo to demonstrate—and confirm—why she is considered one of the most elegant women in the world, and of course, in our country. If we take a look at the best looks of Queen Letizia, the outfits chosen for these awards, which will be held again in a few days, are always among the top.
Carolina Herrera, Del Pozo, or Felipe Varela are some of the labels she has chosen for each edition, signing impressive designs and pure inspiration. On the occasion of celebrating a new edition next Friday, October 24, we review which have been the most striking outfits and reveal a style error she has not repeated — and that we recommend you not follow if you want to be the guest who looks most flattering.
The 3D Flower Dress by Carolina Herrera
We don’t have to go far back to discover what could perfectly be one of the best looks in Queen Letizia’s history. And in 2022, once the pandemic was behind us, Doña Letizia reappeared in Oviedo wearing a dress that took the breath away from many and that was among the most applauded.
It was a spectacular design by Carolina Herrera, featuring a 3D floral ornament with beads and sequins on the upper part of the piece. Short sleeves, round neck, and straight cut, this dress was completed with a black lower part, plain, which left all the focus to those white details that suited her so well.
A very striking piece that Queen Letizia paired to perfection, and this time not opting for minimalism. In fact, it stood out especially when she complemented it with flower-shaped earrings that were visible thanks to her hair in a low bun, further enhanced by makeup in which the bright white eyeshadow greatly highlighted her face. She completed the look with a black clutch and open-toed heels adorned with a bow at the front.
Dior New Look Style
In recent years, Queen Letizia has made black her color of choice for attending this event, in which for several editions now Princess Leonor has taken the lead. It may be a choice to stay slightly in the background and yield the spotlight to the heir to the throne. However, her looks remain under the spotlight and among the most analyzed.
An example of this was the ensemble chosen for the 2021 edition. Letizia pleasantly surprised by opting for a spectacular dress from the Spanish firm The 2nd Skin Co. It was a piece that paid a small nod to the famous New Look of Dior and consisted of a fitted sleeveless bodice with a round neck, and a voluminous midi skirt with plenty of body and presence. That silhouette was enhanced with a thin black belt, and the dress was adorned with bows that added even more volume to the skirt.
And, as happened in the previously detailed occasion, Queen Letizia elevated this whole ensemble with some of the finest jewels from the passer-by’s lot. A diamond bracelet and the stud earrings took center stage and made the white masks that completed the look due to the global pandemic at the time fade away.
The Most Praised Felipe Varela Dress
In this list there could not be a missing dress from the Varela era. And as you may know, Queen Letizia had a stylistic romance with Felipe Varela and spent several years almost exclusively betting on his designs. One of her favorites was this one, which she wore at the Princesa de Asturias Awards in 2018, and which could be said to mark the beginnings of a queen who would soon become a true style authority.
She managed to stand out thanks to this lovely brocade dress and a single detail, since the rest of the silhouette was simple, with short sleeves, a round neck, and a midi-length skirt. Moreover, on that occasion, Doña Letizia also innovated with makeup and hairstyle. Her defined gaze and elevated cheekbones did not go unnoticed, as did her ultra-sleek hair with a side part.
The result was a look that triumphed as soon as she stepped onto the blue carpet of this event and that was again complemented by the earrings from the royal jewelry box. She looked spectacular.
Style Mistake
Finally, we must discuss a styling misstep that Queen Letizia made at this event. Although all her looks have earned top marks, Doña Letizia proved to be human as well and confirmed that perfection isn’t always attainable.
We are talking about the look she wore in 2019, dominated by the color red. As you know, this shade is the wife of Felipe VI’s favorite, and at that time she used it as her best ally to look beautiful, stylish, flattering, and very elegant. And so it was. She chose a beautiful Felipe Varela design, with short sleeves, a V-neck, and a flowing, ruched skirt with diamond details at the waist.
A design that suited her wonderfully and that she paired with shoes that prevented this look from reaching a perfect 10. They were red pumps with a bracelet-like design and an ankle buckle. This small detail, added to the midi skirt length, shortened the queen’s figure and made her silhouette look much less elongated.
This type of shoe is not highly recommended if you are aiming for that leg-lengthening effect. In fact, it seems Queen Letizia was fully aware of this small mistake and has not worn them again since. All the shoes she wears, whether high or low heels, always feature a design with an open ankle. Take note.
