The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has always favoured classic pieces with modern updates and silhouettes (before and after she became a member of the royal family). However, we're now watching her adapt her wardrobe for her new role, following protocol with nude tights and weights fixed in her hems.
However, she is putting her own spin on royal dressing, creating her own signature style that isn't simply a carbon copy of the duchess of Cambridge's distinctive aesthetic. She's worn an off-the-shoulder dress to her first Trooping the Colour, denim and regularly uses crossbody bags instead of the usual stiff top-handle totes favoured by the queen. For more formal occasions, Meghan favours elegant, conservative workwear—including pencil skirts, pointed court shoes, large structured totes and trouser suits with a polished look that is reminiscent of Claire Underwood in House of Cards.
Clare Waight Keller, Meghan's wedding dress designer at Givenchy, is set to play a significant role in her public life: Meghan has already turned to her on numerous occasions since the wedding. She wore Givenchy for her trip to Cheshire with the queen, to the Ascot and to the Trooping of the Colour. Keep scrolling to see her best looks to date and how her style has changed since becoming a duchess.
Style Notes: For the launch womenswear collection with not-for-profit organisation Smart Works, Meghan wore a pair of black trousers and a white shirt from the line. It was also her first public engagement since coming back from maternity leave.
Style Notes: To watch friend Serena Williams in the U.S. Open, Meghan wore a J.Crew denim shirtdress.
Style Notes: For the Wimbledon Women's Final, Meghan opted for a white shirt paired with a pleated skirt.
Style Notes: For dinner with the British ambassador for Morocco, the Duchess of Sussex wore a custom-made Dior gown.
Style Notes: For the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, Meghan decided to wear this dress from Victoria Beckham and wore it with a chic white coat and pillbox hat.
Style Notes: For the ANZAC war memorial day, Meghan wore a stunning all black dress by Emilia Wickstead.
Style Notes: In jeans by Mother and a white blazer by Altuzarra, the duchess looked casual but chic.
Style Notes: During the Australian and New Zealand tour last September, the duchess wore a navy blue dress.
Style Notes: For 2018's fashion awards, the duchess made a surprise appearance at the event wearing Givenchy.
Style Notes: Last November, Meghan Wore a peplum jacket with a matching skirt to Westminster Abbey marking the Centenary of WW1 Armistice.
Style Notes: For a visit to Casablanca airport in Morocco at the beginning of the year, the duchess wore a gorgeous Valentino dress that worked perfectly with a bump.
Style Notes: Again, the duchess wears an outfit from her favourite fashion house: Givenchy.
Style Notes: For a visit to the consular House in NukuÕalofa for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÕu, Meghan opted for a white dress by Irish designer Don O’Neill’s and his brand Theia.
Style Notes: As her first solo Royal engagement, the duchess wore Givenchy.
Style Notes: In a stunning Jason Wu blue dress, the duchess attends the 100 Days to Peace Gala at the Central Hall Westminster.
Style Notes: For the Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House Meghan wears British designer Erdem.
Style Notes: It's not always head-to-toe designer. For a visit to the Grenfell Hubb Community Kitchen, Meghan wore a Club Monaco coat.
Style Notes: For a more relaxed event, the Invictus Games 2018 wheelchair basketball final, the duchess wore a Meghan a burgundy wrap knit top by Australian designer Scanlan Theodore with black trousers and black heels.
Style Notes: Another high-street pick. This time, the black-and-white dress the duchess wore for a panel on International Women's Day was from Reiss.
Style Notes: For a gala performance of The Wider Earth at the Natural History Museum, Meghan opted for a super elegant full-white outfit by Calvin Klein.
Style Notes: For the Lion King premiere, the duchess wore a black gown by Jason Wu.
Style Notes: To watch Harry play in the polo, Meghan wore a belted midi dress in a dark indigo denim by House of Herrera, paired with a £44 clutch bag by J. Crew.
Style Notes: For the opening of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at the Southbank Centre, Meghan wore a sleeveless double-breasted trench coat dress that featured a belted waist and a flared skirt by Nonie. She paired it ith a matching blush clutch bag by Mulberry and neutral, pointed-toed court shoes by Dior.
Style Notes: On her visit to Ireland, Meghan wore a grey Roland Mouret dress with black courts and a Givenchy tote bag.
Style Notes: Meghan wears a forest green Givenchy pencil skirt with a matching top for her arrival in Ireland, and wore a handbag by one of her favourite labels, Strathberry.
Style Notes: Givenchy's logo belts are becoming a Meghan signature, and here she wore it with a black trouser suit in Ireland.
Style Notes: For Prince Louis' christening Meghan wore a curveball colour — khaki. She wore a fitted dress with a bateau neckline by Ralph Lauren.
Style Notes: This sleeveless yellow dress by Brandon Maxwell is one of Meghan's most-loved outfits since becoming a Duchess.
Related: Everything Meghan Markle Has Stopped Wearing Since Becoming a Royal
Style Notes: At the Royal Ascot, Meghan wore a white button-front midi dress by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy with a black leather slim belt at the waist.
Style Notes: For the Trooping of the Colour, Meghan wore a pale pink off-the-shoulder dress by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Style Notes: On a solo trip with the queen to Cheshire, Meghan wore a classic Givenchy dress and black accessories.
Style Notes: For her first royal engagement after the wedding, Meghan looked regal in a Goat dress and coordinating hat at a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Style Notes: Meghan shows that she's still going to wear modern silhouettes, wearing a striped button-front pinafore dress.
On Meghan Markle: Amanda Wakeley Cream Sculpted Tailoring Coat (£895) and Springsteen Tailored Midi Dress (£495); Mulberry Darley Small Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag (£550); Manolo Blahnik BB 105 Suede Point Toe Pumps (£495)
Style Notes: Where better to glean some style advice from than your sister-in-law? The Duchess of Cambridge has been lauded for her own stylish looks, so it makes sense that Meghan looks to her for some outfit inspiration. Just check out the matching shoes.
Style Notes: Meghan sidestepped the anorak and opted for a classic mushroom-coloured trench paired with black flares.
Style Notes: Meghan's colour palette here looks elegant and expensive—we love the mix of browns and forest greens.
On Meghan Markle: Mackage coat; Wolford Colorado High-Neck Body (£140); Joseph skirt
Style Notes: Notice how the newly engaged couple have mirrored each other's outfits. From the blue coats to the black shoes, Harry's neutral scarf matches Meghan's skirt. Cute.
Related: Everyone Is Talking About Meghan's £44 Bag—But It's Her Dress I'm Really Into
On Meghan Markle: Sentaler Long Wide Collar Wrap Coat (£986, available for preorder); Chloé Small Pixie Bag (£1055); Stuart Weitzman The Highland Boot (£487)
Style Notes: Now that Meghan's joined the royal family, she has to get used to wearing a decent hat or two. Seen here on Christmas Day attending a church service, she subtly matches her Philip Treacy hat with a chic Chloé bag and Stuart Weitzman boots.
On Meghan Markle: Smythe Brando Coat (£731, available for preorder); Sarah Flint Tortoiseshell Heel Pumps (£480); Marks & Spencer jumper (sold out)
Style Notes: Just because the California-born actress knows the warmer climes of L.A. doesn't mean she's unaware of how cold the UK can get. Here, she gives us all a lesson in dressing perfectly for the grey weather with a chic coat and scarf.
On Meghan Markle: Burberry coat; Strathberry East/West bag; Veronica Beard trousers
Style Notes: To pull a whole look together without just wearing black, Meghan knows that matching your accessories to your coat is a nice touch.
On Meghan Markle: J.Crew coat; Alexander Wang trousers; All Saints jumper
Style Notes: The cropped trousers, white jumper and blue coat feel very European princess. Well played, Meghan.
Style Notes: How do you dress when your boyfriend is a prince but you're not in the family? Wear a chic dress, but keep it fresh and young with a matching leather jacket draped over the shoulders.
Related: 11 Times Kate Middleton Wore the Best Dress in the Room
Style Notes: Perhaps one of our favourite polished looks of Meghan Markle's is the white shirt–and–skinny jeans combo. Classic but with an edge, thanks to the ripped denim. 11/10.
Style Notes: Want a stunning dress that will make an impact? Go bold; just make sure it's a classic cut.
Style Notes: An all-white outfit can be seriously stylish, particularly when a basic tee is paired with wide-leg trousers.
Style Notes: Matching your accessories to your dress isn't done much anymore. But your lipstick? That's what you want to go for.
Style Notes: Struggling for a minimal outfit? Fall back on your basic black skinnies or leather trousers, and add a black jacket.
Style Notes: A simple blazer and a pair of jeans is always a great idea.
Style Notes: Block colours don't have to be boring. Opt for interesting necklines and hems such as this fishtail dress.
Style Notes: You'll always need a little shift dress in the back of your wardrobe.
Style Notes: The reason this works is because it matches Meghan's skin tone perfectly.
Style Notes: Want to invest in the crop-top trend? Take a tip from Meghan with this elegant take on the look.
Up next, see one editor's Meghan Markle capsule wardrobe.
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