Understated colors, long dresses, and modest necklines: since her marriage to Prince Harry in May, Meghan Markle has adopted the look of a duchess, without, however, losing a touch of whimsy that recalls her past as a fashionista.
It was a question many were asking before the wedding: would the former American actress, comfortable in miniskirts and sandals, conform to the royal family's mold and transform into a clone of Kate, the wife of her brother-in-law William, the embodiment of a conservative, quintessentially British elegance?
"Before the wedding, Meghan cultivated a relaxed Californian look, a nod to her upbringing in Los Angeles," explained Elizabeth Vollman of Meghan's Fashion, a website dedicated to the style of the Duchess of Sussex, the title given to Meghan upon joining the Windsors. The American woman confessed in 2017 that she loved nothing more than a pair of jeans with a nice top and a blazer, in an interview with Outnet.com.
Her fans remember her appearance in Toronto in September 2017, wearing a boyfriend shirt and ripped jeans. It was barely a year ago, but it seems like an eternity considering how much she's changed.
A dress below the knee, a hat, stockings, and a handbag...
"Since becoming a duchess, her style has had to evolve to suit her new role," notes Elizabeth Vollman. "She's abandoned the chic, effortless look in favor of a more understated, tailored style (...) and neutral tones," which was hinted at in the months leading up to her wedding. CMS-ContentHasMedia_ Because by marrying Prince Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan also married into an institution, the royal family, whose centuries-old traditions, with varying degrees of authority, govern the lives of its members, even down to their manner of dress. "The role she now assumes is very austere, very serious," stylist Stella McCartney, creator of a glamorous silk crepe dress that the Duchess wore on her wedding night, told the BBC. Her "last moment" of sartorial "joy," according to McCartney.
By becoming a duchess, Meghan said goodbye to a part of her freedom. Belonging to the Windsors means representing the monarchy at high-profile public events, a mission that allows for no extravagance.
Her first official engagement, on May 22, three days after her wedding, exemplifies the demands of the royal dress code. At a garden party in Buckingham Palace, Meghan wore a long, pale pink dress by Goat (New window), a British fashion house, and a hat. Her arms were covered, and she wore stockings. A dress below the knee, a hat, stockings, and a handbag: this is the quintessential uniform for women in the royal family.
A balance between her sense of style and royal formality.
Some, however, may have noticed a few quirks suggesting that Meghan hasn't completely abandoned her independence. She has "sometimes pushed the boundaries of the royal dress code, notably at the Trooping the Colour military ceremony where she appeared in a daring sleeveless, off-the-shoulder dress," notes Elizabeth Vollman. The dress was designed by Carolina Herrera, a Venezuelan-born designer.
Meghan also readily opts for French brands, such as Dior and Givenchy, a sign that she doesn't feel obligated to wear exclusively British-made clothing. Out of a spirit of rebellion? "I don't think so," says Elizabeth Vollman. "More likely to try and find a balance between her sense of style and royal formality." On the same topic, the Daily Mail points out that, lacking plunging necklines, Meghan has taken to wearing boat necks, to "look slightly revealing and sexy while remaining appropriate." However, according to the tabloid, her sartorial choices have caused "friction," and Meghan has reportedly been reprimanded by Harry. himself not to wear tuxedo trousers at official events.
