The Duchess of Sussex is not just sticking to a formal royal uniform for her first official tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. She has worn a pair of skinny jeans, Veja trainers, Reformation sundress and & Other Stories polka dot dress. But one royal styling convention she is firmly sticking to is nodding to her host country via her outfits. It is customary for the royal family to wear designers from the nations they visit, colours and motifs to reflect the stops on their schedule and brands with an ethos that align with their own messages.
Case in point? Markle has been wearing a pair of skinny jeans by sustainable denim brand Outland, a company created by an Australian couple who manufacture in Cambodia and provide support and a career path for women who have survived human trafficking. "I cannot think of a more suitable person to carry the Outland Denim brand. The duchess' advocacy for issues of social justice and women's rights completely aligns with the work that we do. We are absolutely thrilled that she chose to wear Outland Denim on this tour," says James Bartle, Founder of Outland Denim.
Aware that these pictures will go all over the world in mere minutes, the Duchess is cleverly using the "Meghan Effect" to grow the companies that will have a positive impact. She has worn brands with a sustainable stand point, such as Veja and Reformation.
We'll be bringing you all of Meghan Markle's outfits from the 76 engagements scheduled on this 16-day royal tour. Keep scrolling to see the first looks of many.
Style Notes: To visit Rainbow Springs to learn more about the centre’s kiwi breeding programme, Meghan reverted back to her wedding dress designer with a navy blue, pleated Givenchy midi dress.
Style Notes: In Wellington, Meghan Markle wore a pair of lace-up Stuart Weitzman boots and a trench coat by Club Monaco.
Style Notes: To meet with New Zealand's Prime Minister, Markle wore a black Gabriela Hearst dress with a very Audrey Hepburn silhouette and elegant capped sleeves.
Style Notes: Meghan arrived in New Zealand wearing a black £35 ASOS maternity dress and a Karen Walker checked trench coat.
Style Notes: The checked Karen Walker trench coat Meghan Markle wore to arrive in New Zealand.
Style Notes: At the airport leaving Australia for New Zealand, the duchess wore a belted dress by Hugo Boss with Aquazzura shoes and a bay by Cuyana.
Style Notes: Meghan wore a khaki green tuxedo-style Antonio Berardi dress at the closing of the Invictus Games.
Style Notes: At the Invictus Games in Sydney Meghan wore a red jacket by Australian label Scanlan Theodore with a pair of black skinny trousers.
Style Notes: At the Australian Geographic Society Awards, Meghan wore an exquisite princess dress by Oscar de la Renta dress which has a white tulle skirt adorned with delicate bird embellishments—the perfect nod to the event.
Style Notes: For their final engagement in Tonga, Meghan and Harry attended the unveiling of The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy at Tupou College. Meghan wore a dress by Veronica Beard, which is a remarkably similar colour to her Safyiaa ball gown (maybe a new fave for the duchess?). She accessorised the look with Banana Republic pumps.
Style Notes: To meet Tonga's Prime Minister, Meghan wore a khaki and white stripe Martin Grant shirt dress, which she paired with Prada's Bibliotheque Bag. With its nipped in waist and calf-skimming length, this outfit is quintessential Meghan.
Style Notes: During her flight to Tonga, Meghan Markle changed out of the green Jason Wu dress she wore in Fiji, instead opting for a bright red £400 Self-Portrait dress. The frock is actually a maxi dress, but it seems Meghan had it shortened, which is no surprise considering midi dresses have become something of a royal style uniform to the duchess. Remarkably, it's still available to buy on the Self-Portrait website, though we doubt it will be for much longer...
Style Notes: Before charting a flight from Fiji to Tonga, Meghan greeted crowds in a green Jason Wu dress, which she paired with her trusty black Manolo Blahnik courts. Simple, but so chic.
Style Notes: For her second day in Fiji and a visit to the University of the South Pacific, Meghan Markle wore a pink printed silk dress by Figue, which is available for £1250. She paired it with a pair of black Castañer wedges and a clutch she bought at the Suva Market.
Style Notes: For her first state dinner in Fiji, Meghan Markle wore a blue caped gown by London-based eveningwear designer Safiyaa.
Style Notes: Markle arrived in Fiji wearing a white sleeved dress by Australian designer Zimmermann and a matching hat by Stephen Jones.
Style Notes: For her visit to Fraser Island, Meghan Markle wore a now sold-out striped linen ankle-length dress from Reformation with a slide slit. She paired it with a pair of brown leather sandals with ankle straps by Sarah Flint.
Style Notes: Markle arrived at Fraser Island in a £89 red polka-dot midi dress by & Other Stories.
Style Notes: For a boat trip in Sydney, the duchess wore a pair of skinny black jeans and trainers by the French sustainable brand Veja. Meghan wore the brand's classic V10 Leather Trainers in black and white, which go for £110.
Style Notes: On day six of the tour, Meghan wore a blazer and skinny jeans again—this time wearing a cream pinstripe jacket by L'Agence with a roll-neck by Wolford.
Style Notes: For the Anzac Memorial service Meghan wore a black midi dress with buttons down the front by London-based designer Emilia Wickstead, paired with a black hat by Philip Treacy.
Style Notes: At the Invictus Games in Sydney Meghan wore a pair of black skinny jeans by Mother, a white blazer by Altuzarra and sunglasses by Ilvestra.
Style Notes: Meghan Markle wore a British designer for the first time on her tour in Australia, wearing a navy sleeveless dress with a powder blue hem by London Fashion Week designer Roksanda. It's currently still in stock and costs £1299.
Style Notes: The couple met with a surfing group in Bondi Beach, and Markle wore a striped maxi dress by Australian resort label Martin Grant. The dress is £1080 and is from the brand's upcoming spring/summer 2019 collection. The duchess paired her dress with black Castañer wedge espadrilles.
Style Notes: For day three of the royal tour, the couple headed down to a beach in Melbourne to learn about sustainability and waste. For the trip, Markle swapped out her navy dress and court shoes (gotta love a cheeky outfit change) for a slightly more beach-friendly outfit, which included a black dress by Club Monaco, a trench by Martin Grant and black flats by Rothy's. Very Audrey Hepburn.
Style Notes: Earlier in the day, Meghan opted for a classic tailored dress by Dion Lee to greet fans at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens before heading to a reception with local government. The Duchess paired the asymmetric number with her signature Manolo Blahnik pumps and minimal accessories.
Style Notes: For the second day of the royal tour, the couple visited Dubbo, New South Wales—an area that has been affected by a severe drought. Meghan opted for a more casual look, wearing a classic white shirt by Maison Kitsuné, a pair of dark wash skinny jeans by Outlander, black suede J.Crew ankle boots and a now sold-out £110 grey check blazer from her close friend Serena Williams' clothing line.
Style Notes: For an evening reception in Sydney on the first day of her royal tour, Markle wore a £1728 khaki shirtdress by American designer Brandon Maxwell with Princess Diana's jewellery.
Style Notes: For her first official royal tour look since becoming a duchess, Meghan Markle turned to Australian designer Karen Gee, and wore a white sleeveless £975 fitted dress with neutral suede pumps, a trench coat and jewellery from Princess Diana's collection (a bangle and a pair of butterfly stud earrings).
Next up, see all of the looks before and after Meghan Markle became a royal.
-
Amal Clooney Wore Controversial Boots to the Airport That'd Make TSA SquirmThey're not exactly travel friendly, but they are incredibly chic.
-
The Top 11 Celebrity Stylists Right Now and Who They're DressingThe best in the biz.
-
Lauren Chan's Collaboration With Universal Standard Is Redefining Luxury"People look like they feel powerful in these garments."
-
Dakota Johnson Wore the Fashion-Person Legging Outfit That's Perfect for FlightsLove a good legging outfit trend.
-
J.Lo Wore a Completely Sheer Top and Controversial Accessory for Her SNL ArrivalIn true J.Lo style.
-
These Are the Only Grammys After-Party Looks You Need to SeeFrom Sabrina Carpenter to Selena Gomez.
-
Mariah Carey Just Snuck Into the Grammys in a Hip-High-Slit Naked DressShe skipped the red carpet.
-
Miley Cyrus Wore a Level-10 Naked Dress Made of Safety Pins to the GrammysShe never misses.
