VintageGriffin.com

In honor of Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday, 80 of her formal gowns and dresses will be on display in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. The range of gowns dates from the 1940s (when she was still a princess) forward to the present, and include examples from British couture designers Norman Hartnell and Hardie Amies, who have provided many wardrobe items for the queen over her reign. Though the examples span the queen's life, they are not displayed chronologically, but are grouped by hue. The pieces, many made for official royal visits to foreign countries, often incorporate precious and semi-precious materials, like pearl, silver and crystal. Notable examples of royal attire shown in the exhibit are the gown that the queen wore to her sister, Princess Margaret's, wedding. The gowns will be on display until September 24.

See a slideshow of selected gowns