Meghan Markle's 2-Second Trick to Elevate a White Dress

Sticking to the Royal dress code (no short hemlines or flat sandals) comes with Meghan Markle's newfound role as the Duchess of Sussex. But that doesn't mean that Markle doesn't look for ways to make seasonal trends work for her. She stepped out at Ascot, a British horse race, taking a warm-weather white dress and making it feel more formal with one quick trick.

Meghan arrived wearing a button-down dress from Givenchy, the same design house behind her wedding dress (and recent look while out with the queen). While it's more custom to style such a dress with colorful sandals or a raffia bag, Meghan went for all-black accessories, including black pumps, a belt, and a small black clutch and finishing it off with a black-and-white hat. The effect works for daytime but feels formal enough for a royal outing or a fancier evening event. Read on for a look at Meghan's ensemble and to shop pieces to help you try out the look too.

On Meghan Markle: Givenchy dress and belt; Philip Treacy hat.