The Duchess Of Sussex Knows How To Dress: Meghan Markle’s Greatest Fashion Moments
Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle's fashion style was already evident as an American actress. Her role as Rachel Zane on Suits gave her a beautiful wardrobe while in character and the clothes she wore inspired her style off-camera, too.
Some of her favorite designers include Dior, Givenchy, and Roland Mouret, whose clothing is by no means affordable to common folk, but are stunning to admire. Find out who Meghan's style icon is, and why the dress she wore to the Queen's birthday celebration caused a bit of controversy.
Meghan Revisits Roland Mouret
While in Ireland, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with President Michael Higgins. For the visit, Meghan wore a gray Roland Mouret dress with sleeves and a ruffle feature that didn't take attention away from her poise or the purpose of the visit -- professional women, take note!
If you follow her fashion choices closely, you'll recognize the similarities this dress shares with the blue dress Meghan wore the day before her wedding when she arrived at the hotel with her mom. This dress features the same beautiful boatneck cut with mid hemline and a large ruffle along the side of the waist.
A Stylish Givenchy Suit for a Somber Occasion
On the second day of the couple's trip to Ireland, Meghan and Prince Harry took a tour of the Famine Memorial in Dublin. Meghan's stylish suit follows the pantsuit trend for women and was a fitting outfit for a somber occasion. The royal couple reflected on the one million people who passed away in the 19th-century famine of Ireland.
Meghan paired the black trouser Givenchy suit with a simple white t-shirt, Givenchy belt, and Sarah Flint heels. She navigated the cobblestone in her pumps like a seasoned pro.
An Emilia Wickstead Dress For the British Embassy's Summer Party
While many royal women opt for bright, colorful clothing and showpiece accessories (Queen Elizabeth II, for one) Meghan has noticeably kept her style low-key classic. She's seen attending events in neutral and sophisticated colors with classic accessories.
The designers she chooses are the best in the business, but their pieces don't call out for attention. Here, the Duchess steps out of the British embassy's summer party in Ireland wearing an understated yet elegant black Emilia Wickstead dress, adorned with a black belt.
A Somber Occasion
The Duchess of Sussex dressed appropriately when it came to a more somber occasion. In April 2018, less than a month before she would wed Prince Harry, Meghan attended an Anzac Day service at dawn. The service commemorates the veterans of Australi and New Zealand who lost their lives on the anniversary of the landings in the Dardanelles in 1915.
To the service, Meghan wore a double-breasted Pagoda Smythe coast and Sarah Flint heels. Her stylish floppy black hat is by Gucci.
Another Timeless Outfit in Ireland
The visit to Ireland marked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first overseas royal tour together, and Meghan didn't pack lightly. The four outfits she was seen wearing were estimated to have a collective cost of $40,000. Meghan wore this green Givenchy dress as she stepped off the plane in Dublin. She paired it with a Strathberry midi tote, Paul Andrew heels, and Vanessa Tugendhaft earrings.
Members of the royal family are expected to buy their own clothing and are not allowed to accept designer clothing for free. That means Meghan paid out of pocket for her outfits in Ireland.
Celebrating the 100th Birthday of the Royal Air Force
You know you've made it in life when you're standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with the Queen. Here, Meghan is poised alongside Queen Elizabeth II looking elegant as ever as the royal family watches the flypast of 100 aircraft over the palace.
Again, the Duchess opts for a boatneck dress but this time the designer is Dior. She paired the black dress with a black Dior clutch and neutral tone heels. For only her second appearance on the balcony, the Duchess looks calm and collected.
Hiding The Bump Leading Up To The Announcement
Meghan and Harry revealed to their family that Meghan was pregnant while they were gathered together at Eugenie's wedding on October 12, 2018. The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family were ecstatic upon hearing the news.
If you look at the photos of the Duchess of Sussex in the days leading up to the announcement, it looks like she's doing her best to conceal her baby bump. One day she wears a loose blouse tucked into a high waisted pencil skirt. On the day of Princess Eugenie's wedding, she was noticeably holding her clutch in front of her.
Post "Megxit"
Back across the pond in Britain again, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reunited with Prince William and Kate Middleton as they attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2020. The couples sat a row apart at the event.
Meghan looked stunning in an emerald green Emilia Wickstead outfit complete with a matching cape and lovely hat, a darker green handbag and signature nude pumps.
Chic But Casual Blue For First Major Speech After Leaving Royal Duties Behind
In July of 2020, Duchess Meghan delivered a speech (via livestream, of course) at the U.N. Foundation's 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit. This was her first major speech since stepping away from royal duties, and she nailed it with her empowering message to girls and young women around the world.
For the event, she wore a chic blue shift dress by Banana Republic. Eagle-eyed fans also noticed that she was wearing a Cartier Love bracelet, which she has owned for a number of years. There's nothing wrong with sticking with what works!
The White "Blessed" Dress in Sydney
After announcing that they were expecting, the royal couple headed to Sydney, Australia to begin their scheduled 16-day Autumn tour. Meghan absolutely stunned in a white sleeveless created by Australian designer Karen Gee. Instantly, fans dubbed it the "Blessed" dress for the mom-to-be, and it will no doubt go down as one of her most iconic dresses to date.
The Governor of Australia and his wife greeted the couple and gifted them with something for their little one, a stuffed animal kangaroo and baby fleece Ugg boots. Meghan gushed, "That's so cute, it's our first baby gift."
Exactly How Much Does the Wardrobe of a Royal Cost?
In June 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended Royal Ascot Day where Meghan wore a white Givenchy dress and a Philip Treacy hat. Her bag was also Givenchy, and her shoes were Balenciaga.
According to papers released by Buckingham Palace in 2015, Prince Charles gives Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry a total of $6 million each year to spend on clothing and other expenses. In 2012, Middleton spent a reported $70,000 on clothing.
Her Style on Suits Inspired Her to Be "More Polished"
In an interview with Outnet.com, Markle said that her style changed dramatically after she began her role on Suits. "My style has changed so much since I started working on this show. Everything that I used to wear was a bit more chill."
"Now, because of our exposure to designers and the beautiful clothes that Rachel wears, it's kind of amazing how my style has become a bit more polished and adapted to that aesthetic." The Duchess also said her style icons include Gwyneth Paltrow and she believes in wardrobe staples like keeping a "little sexy dress" on hand that she knows she'll feel good in.
Meghan Received Backlash For Her Off-Shoulder Dress
Following tradition, the Duke and Duchess rode in a carriage during the Trooping the Colour ceremony where military troops wave the flags and march through Buckingham Palace Square. For the event, Meghan Markle wore a stunning pale pink Carolina Herrera dress with Philip Treacy hat, but not everyone was happy with the former actress' outfit choice.
One critic on Twitter said, "Off the shoulder is inappropriate day wear at the Trooping or any official engagement." Others agreed that the dress was "pushing the limits" of appropriateness, but no one can deny she looked gorgeous.
Meghan's Birthday Wardrobe Malfunction
Like any celebrity with enviable style, even Meghan Markle isn't immune to wardrobe malfunctions. On August 4, 2018, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated her 37th birthday while attending a friend's wedding. But a small wardrobe mishap was all anyone could talk about.
The Duchess wore a grogeogorgeousMonaco dress to the event, but the top left button came undone, exposing her black, lacy bra. Of course, Twitter users took to the social media website to cast their own opinions. While some were on the rude side, others were downright hilarious. MrTaylorJohn summed it up perfectly, tweeting, "Meghan Markle accidentally revealed 3 square inches of her bra to the public. Hopefully no one was injured, but the story is still developing..."
One Of Their Last Royal Appearances
After announcing their decision to withdraw as senior members of the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to London from Canada to complete their royal duties. As usual, Meghan's fashion choices did not disappoint.
They attended the Mountbatten Music Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, and Meghan opted for this gorgeous red Safiyaa number with a shoulder cape and draping. She also chose to accessorize with red, including dangling earrings, suede Stuart Weitzman heels, and a Manolo Blahnik handbag.
Meghan's Boots Were Made For Walkin'
Were these stylish boots any sign of things to come? Two months ahead of Meghan and Harry's announcement that they'd be stepping down as "senior members" of the Royal Family, the Duchess donned these chic slouchy boots to attend an event honoring veterans.
She was stylishly dressed for the somber occasion, also wearing a black dress and a belted navy overcoat. Leather gloves matching the boots and a simple fascinator complemented the formal look.
The Duchess' First Royal Occasion Wasn't Without Hiccups
Meghan Markle stepped out for her first royal occasion as the Duchess of Sussex on May 22, 2018, when she attended the Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration. Between the wedding and the honeymoon, Meghan and Prince Harry attended the celebration at the Gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Meghan wore a blush-colored dress designed by Goat to the event, along with her favorite stylist for hats, Philip Treacy. It was during this time that Meghan was still getting the hang of royal protocol and had some flubs. She nearly forgot to cross her legs with the "Duchess slant" and needed to remind herself not to hold her newlywed husband's hand, which is considered too much PDA in front of the Queen. But who can blame her?
Olive Green For Prince Louis' Christening
In mid-July 2018, Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton's third child, Prince Louis was Christened. While the majority of the royal family went with a blue color scheme, Meghan wore an olive green dress.Color choice is very important for the royal family and isn't an aspect that's overlooked on any occasion.
Many speculate that Meghan selected olive green because the color symbolizes peace, love of family, and nurture. Her dress was made by Ralph Lauren and featured a bateau neckline and a thin belt around the waist. She paired the dress with Manolo Blahnik suede heels and a clutch.
Meghan Markle Attends the Youth Forum in Style
Just one month ahead of her big day, Meghan Markle accompanied Prince Harry to the Commonwealth Youth Forum in London. Queen Elizabeth II named Harry the Youth Ambassador, so the couple will be meeting with young delegates frequently.
To the event, Meghan wore a pinstriped Altuzarra dress with Camilla and Marc jacket and Tamara Mellon heels. Her fashionable bag was made by Oroton. Meghan and her soon-to-be husband at the time paid out of pocket for her outfit, which cost $3,391.
Always Elegant
A classic beauty who loves a classic look, here is Meghan in a simply stunning red dress at the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala. The event was held at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.
Harry accompanied Meghan in a black tuxedo with a bowtie. The pair are perfectly matched here with their red flowers that are worn to commemorate military members lost in battle.
Looking Good In Black
Who doesn't look good in black? While on a trip to London, England on Sept. 25, 2018, Meghan Markle was sporting this precious black sheer outfit. She was opening the Oceania Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Oceania is the first-ever major survey of Oceanic art to go on display in the United Kingdom. Naturally, its a must that she looks sharp at all public appearances, but this get-up was just right for the occasion.
Meghan Supports Serena Williams, Blazer Then Sells Out
We know Meghan Markle has many style inspirations so it's no surprise that for this blazer she tapped into Serena Williams' clothing line. The "boss blazer" she wore in Dubbo Australia on Oct. 17, 2018, immediately sold out on Williams' online site.
A picture of Markle sporting the coat was posted on the site with the caption, “A trailblazer in the Serena Boss Blazer.” Markle has blessed her fans with many looks and this was just calling on a friend to help.
No Sleeves, No Problem
A week after their successful two-day visit to Dublin, Ireland, the newlyweds received a history lesson about South Africa's first black President, discovering more about his journey. Nelson Mandela was being honored with an exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Meghan Markle was wearing a sleeveless trench dress from a new and fast-rising Canadian label, NONIE. It just seems like whatever she puts on is a fashion success at this point. The prince looked pretty sharp as well.
Keeping It Classy On The Court
"Although many might consider the black-and-navy combo a fashion faux pas, Markle turned the unexpected pairing into a sleek, professional ensemble," Harpersbazaar reported. "Her peplum blouse featured a thin belt at the waist and asymmetrical draping, which fell nicely over her flared pants."
Is it just us, does Markle make anything navy look good? This isn't the first time at an event or on this list where she's worn this color and made it and herself look as great as anyone wearing the color. That's a really nice combination for her.
Ralph At Wimbledon
"For her first appearance at the event as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan selected a stripey blue and white Ralph Lauren shirt, which she paired with crisp white pants," Harpersbazaar wrote. "The chic look, worn with her signature messy bun, was very in keeping with the Duchess' style, and it also paid tribute to husband Prince Harry."
Markle stuns in stripes while paying tribute to her husband. Can she do any wrong? By this point, all of her outfits will be saved for her future daughter to look just as stylish as her mother when she grows up.
Meghan and Harry Twinning
They say that married couples start to look alike. Meghan and Harry had only been married for five months when this photo of them was taken in Australia. They both look business casual with their collared shirts and rolled up sleeves.
The one open button on each of their shirts gives them a bit of a relaxed look as they visit a local farm along their 16-day Australian tour. They appear adorably meant to be.
Meghan Looks Poised During Her First Speech
In September 2018, Meghan introduced her new cookbook to a group of women who were affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. It was an important occasion for the Duchess, who would be giving her first formal talk as a royal.
She dressed the part, wearing a pleated skirt designed by Misha Nonoo, who happens to be a good friend of Meghan's. She paired it with a Tuxe sleeveless top and black suede pumps designed by Sarah Flint.
Royal Blue To The 100 Days Of Peace
Both Meghan and her Prince charming are passionate about humanitarian issues. They were happy, hand-in-hand as they arrived at the charity concert named "100 Days of Peace."
Meghan wore a beautifully cut royal blue dress to the event, designed by Jason Wu. She entered Central Hall Westminster holding a black Dior clutch and blue matching shoes, reportedly designed by Aquazzura. It appears that blue is one of Meghan's favorite colors, offering the perfect balance of sophistication and color.
Meghan Wore a Blazer-Inspired Dress and We Love It
While attending a special performance of Hamilton with Prince Harry, Meghan wore this chic blazer-inspired dress that we can’t get enough of. The black tuxedo mini dress by Judith & Charles offers the classic look of a blazer but is perfectly tailored to her body. Best of all, the look cost just $595 making it somewhat attainable if we really pinch our pennies.
Meghan completed this look with a reflective clutch which gives the perfect pop to her outfit. Of course, we’re still distracted by her enormous ring.
Can We Talk About Those Sunglasses?
We love Meghan's style and that includes her accessories. One of the most sought-after items that the Duchess has been wearing is her Linda Farrow sunglasses. Ever since she wore them to a friend's wedding, the sunglasses are on the verge of selling out, even at $750 a pop!
The British brand designed the sunglasses with Japanese titanium and 18-22-karat yellow gold detailing. Simon Jablon, Founder and Creative Director at Linda Farrow, told PEOPLE, "We are absolutely thrilled to see the Duchess of Sussex wearing our sunglasses- we are huge fans of her style!"
We’ve Never Seen Denim Looks So Chic
For an appearance at Polo during the summer of 2018, Meghan managed to beat the heat while still looking as stylish as ever. The Duchess donned this denim wrap dress by designer Carolina Herrera with a flattering neckline, waist-cinching belt, and midi length.
She completed this summer-appropriate look with an adorable wicker clutch, matching neutral pumps, and her signature Tom Ford sunglasses. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the new royal step out in navy — Meghan clearly favors the color and we have to say it favors her back!
Her Givenchy Clutch
It's no secret that Meghan loves Givenchy and clutch purses, and of course, she has several clutch purses made by the designer. In June 20187 she traveled with the Queen north of London to visit Cheshire.
Her paired her cream-colored dress with matching nails, a delicate diamond bracelet and a clutch by Givenchy, which features a gold chain. While Kate Middleton has opted for very minimal size clutch purses, Meghan has stepped out with slightly larger clutches, showing that she loves to accessorize.
We Can’t Forget Her Stunning Wedding Dress
Our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t give a nod to the dress Meghan wore when she officially joined the royal family and added a new title to her name. For her big day, Meghan worked with British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, the art director of Givenchy.
The elegant dress was made of silk and featured three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a silk organza underskirt.
Subtle, Sentimental Touches
Although you can’t tell from the pictures, Meghan made sure to incorporate a few sentimental touches into her dress. A piece of the blue dress she wore on she and Prince Harry’s first date when stitched into her gown. How sweet is that?
Meghan also included another thoughtful detail (or should we say details) to show her respects to her new family. The Duchess worked with a team of ateliers to have her veil hand-embroidered with a variety of symbolic flowers — including individual flowers to represent each of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
Kelly Green To The Invictus Games
Prince Harry himself founded the Invictus Games, a series of sporting events for veterans who have lost limbs fighting for their country. In April 2018, Meghan attended the reception at the Australia House in London.
For the occasion, she wore a Self-Portrait Cold Shoulder Floral Dress costing $510. Her Alexander McQueen Grain de Poudre Wool Blazer is priced at $1,995. Both the kelly green and navy blue colors look gorgeous on the Duchess.
Sporty Chic
Anyone wondering how to pull off the sporty-yet-chic look, take notes! Because Meghan Markle pulls it off flawlessly. She attended the Invictus Games UK team Trials in April 2018 with her then-fiance looking gorgeous as always.
To show her support, she wore the zip-up Invictus Games polo. She doesn't look overdone while on the field, opting for simple makeup and sans earrings. She pulls off the look with a stylish olive trenchcoat.
We've Got Serious Shoe Envy
These shoes are so incredible, we don’t even really need to see the rest of Meghan’s outfit. But of course, the Duchess paired them with another flawless ‘fit.
Meghan looks like a true royal fashionista in the beige waterfall overcoat, forest green midi skirt, and cozy cream sweater. The real showstopper is here though are her Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ Pumps in “Oxid” velvet. Sadly, these babies have been sold out for months — but you can still finding them floating around eBay if you’re lucky. They’ll just set you back a cool $800 or so.
Charlotte Elizabeth Handbag
During her visit to Belfast, Ireland, fans were quick to spot her gorgeous handbag. It's likely that Meghan was gifted the bag from the royal family, as its from the Charlotte Elizabeth brand. Prince Charles supports the Britain-based brand as part of The Prince's Trust, which helps young people get career training and education.
The bag costs around $247 which isn't too hefty compared to some of her other pieces and part of the proceeds go to a good cause.
Meghan’s Hugo Boss Dress Caused Quite the Stir
When it comes to style, members of the royal family have some pretty strict rules to follow. Typically, showing off your shoulders is considering somewhat of a no-no. So you can only imagine the buzz that Meghan created when she sported this dress.
Meghan attended a memorial service in London wearing this sleek Hugo Boss dress with a v-neck and no sleeves and many were offended the royal decided to show off her shoulders at this sort of event. While lots of people were quick to voice their negative opinions of her outfit on social media, many also praised her for pushing the royal boundaries. It’s 2018 after all.
Gold Rings For Eugenie's Wedding
In October 2018, Meghan and Harry attended Princess Eugenie's wedding. Little did the world know, but it would also be the day that the couple would reveal that they were expecting their first child.
Meghan wore a beautiful deep blue ensemble, but we were also looking at her hands! The Duchess wore numerous rings on her right hand, designed by Pippa Small, who approved of how she styled them. "She wore quite a few rings, which was really great to see, especially with her stacking them all up like she did – I just love the way she put it all together," she told PEOPLE.
Meghan's Classic Look for Her First Commonwealth Day Service
Last year was full of firsts for Meghan as she prepared to join the royal family. On this day, in particular, Meghan was attending her first Commonwealth Day service, the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations at Westminster Abbey.
For the special occasion, Meghan went with a chic cream coat and a dress by British designer Amanda Wakeley. She completed the look with a match cream hat and a navy Mulberry bag, which she used as a clutch.
Menswear-Inspired Pieces With a Feminine Touch
One of our favorite things about Meghan’s style is her ability to put a feminine spin on menswear-inspired pieces. This look is the perfect example. While on a visit to Millennium Point in Birmingham, Meghan wore the J. Crew coat, Alexander Wang trousers, and an AllSaints jumper.
We love this look because it’s chic but also comfortable and utilitarian. Considering she and her then-fiance were attending the event on International Women’s Day, we’re sure Meghan was more concerned with inspiring women than her outfit!
Meghan and Harry Complement Each Other Perfectly
Meghan and Harry's outfits complemented each other perfectly while they were visiting Social Bite in February 2018. For the outing, Meghan chose a very festive tartan coat by Burberry that gave a nod to the pattern that is commonly associated with Scotland. We're sure this was very appreciated by her Scottish hosts!
To finish the look, the Duchess wore a Wolford turtleneck along with Veronica Beard trousers.
The Perfect Accessories
Meghan always looks flawless, but if there is one thing she is exceptionally good at, it's accessorizing. Meghan's style truly shines when you take a closer look at the small details in each of her outfits.
Take for example, this stunning forest green handbag from British leather goods company DeMellier. The bag is a modern classic and adds a perfect pop of color to her already on-point look. Best of all? This bag can be yours for around $300!
