Chronicling Meghan Markle's Essential Style Moments
From her first appearance alongside boyfriend Prince Harry in 2017 to the present day, we round up Meghan's fashion favorites.
When it comes to Meghan Markle's style, she has a distinct aesthetic: timeless, often minimalist, a good mix of high and low. That said, Meghan has lived many lives in the six years since we knew she was romantically involved with Prince Harry: a girlfriend turned fiancée turned wife as a working member of the royal family living in often chilly London, and then as someone no longer employed by the Firm living in often sunny California.
As a working royal, Meghan's coat game was impeccable, her outfits often neutral and muted in color, and she loved boat necks. Now, post-Firm, Meghan's look is significantly more California casual, with an affinity for button-downs, denim, and, lately, sweater vests. Across the years (and a whole lot of change), Meghan has still managed to stay true to herself, forever preferring and donning mostly solids, keeping it monochrome, blazers, Aquazzura and Manolo Blahnik heels, wide-leg trousers, skinny jeans, and pencil skirts (to name a few). She effortlessly mixes high and low and has a style that, while luxury, also feels attainable.
The great part about Meghan's style is that, well, it never really goes out of style, so looks even as far back as six years ago can still easily work today. We opted to not include the most formal of her royal looks (fascinators not included here), and hope we've captured the essence of a woman who very obviously knows fashion, studies it, and wows in it.
Ivory Separates for World Mental Health Day Event in New York City, October 10, 2023
Three years after its formation in 2020, Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation hosted its first in-person event, comprised of a panel of parents who shared the commonality of a tragic loss connected to their child's social media use. Held in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, the couple traveled to New York City for the event, and Meghan chose ivory separates from Altuzarra.
Cuyana Trench Coat and Pants on the Final Day of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 16, 2023
For the final day of the Invictus Games, Meghan took part in medal ceremonies and read to a group of children in Dusseldorf.
Black Turtleneck Dress for a Reception at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 15, 2023
For the Team Canada reception at the Invictus Games, Meghan paired a black turtleneck dress from Totome with matching black Dior Essence pumps. This reception was especially important because the next iteration of the Games will be held in Canada in 2025, and the day was made extra special because it marked Harry's thirty-ninth birthday.
Ivory Blazer and Jumpsuit for Competition at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 15, 2023
Meghan wowed in an ivory Celine Blazer, a Zara jumpsuit, and YSL sandals to take part in a medal ceremony and watch the sitting volleyball competition at the Invictus Games. During competition, Harry was serenaded by the crowd for a very special occasion: his thirty-ninth birthday.
Denim Dress for Competition at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 15, 2023
Meghan opted for a denim shirtdress from Carolina Herrera to take in sitting volleyball competition at the Invictus Games; this isn't the first time Meghan wore a denim dress by Carolina Herrera, as she wore the style in 2018 at the Sentebale Polo Cup.
Sweater Vest and Jeans for Competition at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 14, 2023
To take in competition at the Invictus Games, Meghan went all-white in a cotton V-neck sweater vest from Polo Ralph Lauren, Frame skinny jeans, and black Aquazzura flats.
Monochromatic for NATO Meeting at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 14, 2023
Meghan attended a meeting with representatives from NATO wearing a blouse from L'Agence, camel Gabriela Hearst trousers, and Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Sweater Blazer for Competition at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 13, 2023
To watch wheelchair basketball competition at the Games, Meghan likely had no idea that the V-neck J. Crew sweater blazer she chose would crash the brand's website. She paired the bestselling piece with Staud shorts and Chanel flats.
Black on Black for Competition at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 13, 2023
To watch swimming competition at the Games, Meghan went with an all-black ensemble: a J. Crew sleeveless top, Frame skinny jeans, and Aquazzura pumps. Earlier in the day, for a stop at the Kids' Zone, Meghan added an ivory Celine blazer.
Shirtdress for Arrival at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, September 12, 2023
Meghan arrived at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf wearing a black pleated shirtdress from Banana Republic; at a friends and family reception, she delivered off-the-cuff remarks alongside Harry, explaining why she arrived a few days late to the Games.
Pink Separates for a Lakers Game in Los Angeles, April 25, 2023
Meghan is known for going monochrome, which she did in a surprising pop of color (pink!) for a date night with Harry to a Lakers game. She wore head-to-toe Staud; both her jacket and shorts are from the brand. On her feet she wore her tried and true Aquazzura Purist 105 pumps in beige.
Halter Sweater and a Wide-Leg Pant for the Invictus Games One Year to Go Event in Dusseldorf, September 6, 2022
Meghan cut an impressive figure alongside Harry in Dusseldorf, where they stopped by to mark the Invictus Games' One Year to Go event in preparation for the 2023 Games. For the event, Meghan wore a sleeveless halter sweater from Anine Bing and Brandon Maxwell trousers.
Head-to-Toe Crimson for the One Young World Summit in Manchester, September 5, 2022
To keynote the One Young World Summit in Manchester, Meghan wore an all-crimson ensemble from Another Tomorrow (a long-sleeved silk blouse and pleated trousers), and paired it with strappy heels from one of her favorite shoe brands, Aquazzura. This was Meghan's first speech in the U.K. since stepping back as a working member of the royal family in January 2020, and also marked she and Harry's first joint engagement in the U.K. since the step back.
Pencil Skirt and Matching Top for Nelson Mandela Day in New York City, July 18, 2022
Meghan joined Harry as he addressed the United Nations in honor of Nelson Mandela Day wearing an all-black Givenchy patch pocket pencil skirt and top, identical to a green look she wore in Ireland four years prior in July 2018. She wore Manolo Blahnik BB pumps in black suede to complete the look.
Off-the-Shoulder Bodysuit for the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in The Hague, April 16, 2022
As she took the stage to give a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Invictus Games, Meghan wore an off-the-shoulder bodysuit and black pants, both by Khaite.
Statement Jacket and Distressed Jeans for Invictus Games Competition in The Hague, April 16, 2022
As the Invictus Games began in The Hague, Meghan wore a black Celine jacket and a pair of distressed Moussy jeans to the Jaguar Land Rover Challenge at Invictus Games Park.
Bold Pop of Color for the Endeavour Fund Awards in London, March 5, 2020
For one of her last engagements as a working member of the royal family Meghan, typically outfitted in neutrals, wore a bold pop of color to the Endeavour Fund Awards, wearing a turquoise Victoria Beckham dress and Manolo Blahnik BB pumps in navy suede.
Neutral Overcoat for a Visit to Canada House in London, January 7, 2020
For a visit to Canada House, Meghan wore a Reiss Sabel Wool Blend Overcoat over a turtleneck and skirt, paired with Jimmy Choo pumps. Little did we know that the next day, Harry and Meghan would announce their step back as working members of the royal family.
Solid Purple for the One Young World Summit Opening Ceremony in London, October 22, 2019
Meghan paired a solid, bold color (purple Aritzia, in this case) with her ever-beloved Manolo Blanhniks for the One Young World Summit opening ceremony at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Sleeveless Trench Style Dress for the South African Royal Tour in Johannesburg, October 2, 2019
As she and Harry's tour of South Africa was drawing to a close, Meghan rewore a Nonie sleeveless trench style dress. She first wore the look in July 2018, to an opening of an exhibition on Nelson Mandela.
Casual Workwear for the Launch of The Smart Set in London, September 12, 2019
Meghan launched her capsule collection, The Smart Set, for her first official visit after returning from maternity leave following the birth of Prince Archie on May 6. The capsule collection was launched to benefit Smart Works, one of Meghan's royal patronages at the time; she is wearing a Misha Nonoo shirt from the collection and Jigsaw trousers, also from the collection, alongside Manolo Blahnik pumps.
White and Black Contrast for the Invictus Games Opening Reception in Sydney, October 20, 2018
While on a royal tour in Australia, Meghan attended the Invictus Games' opening reception in Sydney wearing a white L'Agence double breasted blazer, paired with a black turtleneck, black pants, and black Aquazzura bow pumps.
Neutral Trench Over a Sleeveless Dress for Engagements in Sydney, October 16, 2018
For the first day of she and Harry's Australian royal tour (and her first day of engagements after announcing she was pregnant with her first child), Meghan paired one of her favorite looks, a neutral trench coat (this one by Martin Grant), with a white Karen Gee dress. Both designers are Australian, proving Meghan had already mastered the art of diplomatic dressing for her first royal tour.
Green on Green for Engagements in Sussex, October 3, 2018
The Duchess of Sussex took on Sussex in a green Hugo Boss pencil skirt and a matching silk blouse by & Other Stories.
Royal Blue for the 100 Days to Peace Concert in London, September 6, 2018
Meghan wowed in royal blue Jason Wu for the 100 Days to Peace concert, marking the anniversary of the final 100 days of World War I.
Workwear Chic for Engagements in Dublin, July 11, 2018
For a day full of engagements in Dublin, Meghan returned to her wedding dress designer two months after her wedding in head-to-toe black and white Givenchy.
Dress with Draping and a Boat Neck for Engagements in Dublin, July 11, 2018
Though still in solids (a signature of Meghan's), this Roland Mouret dress features some excitement in the form of waterfall draping and a boat neck, which was Meghan's total style go to in 2018 (not the least of which was her Givenchy wedding gown, worn two months prior).
Sunny Standout for a Commonwealth event in London, July 5, 2018
This look, worn to a Commonwealth reception in London, was a mix of something we were used to seeing Meghan in (a boat neck) and something we really were not (a vibrant pop of color). The look is by Brandon Maxwell and was paired with her signature Manolo Blahnik pumps.
Tartan Coat for Engagements in Edinburgh, February 13, 2018
For Harry and Meghan's first official visit to Scotland, Meghan appropriately chose tartan, wearing Burberry for the occasion.
Black Blazer and Trousers and White Bodysuit for the Endeavour Fund Awards in London, February 1, 2018
Though Alexander McQueen is perhaps best associated with Kate Middleton, Meghan wore the brand for an event three months before her wedding to Harry. Underneath her black McQueen blazer and trousers, Meghan wore a white bodysuit; mixing black and white for workwear looks became a staple of Meghan's, as did the Manolo Blahnik pumps she wore this night (and many, many nights after, in a variety of colorways).
Trench Coat for an Engagement in Nottingham, December 1, 2017
Not so much anymore (she does live in California, after all), but there was a time where Meghan's coat game was fantastic. Case in point: her first royal engagement, held just four days after she and Harry announced their engagement, and five months before they were married. Meghan especially favored trench coats, like this navy blue wool coat from Mackage.
The Coat that Started it All for Her Engagement Announcement in London, November 27, 2017
And it was then we knew we had a fashion icon on our hands: Harry and Meghan announced their engagement on a chilly November day in London, Meghan donning a white wool Line the Label coat that made waves globally and Aquazzura heels, a label Meghan has worn frequently. From then on out, the Meghan Markle effect has firmly been in place.
Casual for the Invictus Games in Toronto, September 25, 2017
It was on this day that Harry and Meghan officially confirmed their romantic relationship (though they'd been together for over a year by this point) and also the day that Meghan cemented herself as a key fashion player in our hearts and minds. She wore friend Misha Nonoo's Husband Shirt (perhaps foretelling the near future) and Mother jeans to Harry's beloved Invictus Games in her then-hometown of Toronto.
