Meghan Markle's Best Looks: Budget Edition
Bless the day Meghan Markle's style came into all of our lives. From the moment she went from a celebrity to full-blown potential royal, she's been dishing out looks that are absolutely stunning. The perfect mix of casual yet polished, sophisticated yet effortless, chic yet classic—it's all almost too much to handle.
So, it's no surprise that we've been trying to nail the Duchess's looks for a while now, and through all those outfit trials we've come up with more than one reason why Meghan is just so dang stylish. A few factors make Meghan's style as iconic as it is:
Her affinity for monochrome looks. It's common to spot the Duchess in outfits that feature different shades of the same hue in different fabric styles, a daring yet simple look that always comes off as sophisticated and stylish.
She knows the value of well-tailored pieces. This is something we can all take note of from Meghan, whether you're a fan of her style or not. Meghan's looks are usually slim-fitting, but not too tight, with hemlines that are modest (in keeping with the royal image) but still chic and on-trend. Occasionally she'll mix an oversized button-down with a more form-fitting skirt or jeans in her relaxed outfits.
She strays away from patterns. It's not often you'll see the Duchess sporting clothing with pattern, but she will occasionally. There's most likely one main reason for this—pattern doesn't photograph well. It's the reason you'll notice most royals sticking to solid-colored clothing. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but well-tailored, solid-colored pieces are typically timeless and classic and allow you to make the most out of your closet.
On closer look at Meghan's style, it's not necessarily that she picks the most unique pieces, but rather the effortlessness of knowing how to dress for her. She repeats the colors she feels most confident in. She knows the styles that accentuate her favorite features. She invests in pieces that fit her well and can be used in a multitude of outfits. Honestly, whether you like each individual outfit or not, these facts are ones we could all take into consideration when designing our own wardrobes.
With that being said, there's more than one of her outfits that have become beyond-enviable—and imitation-worthy. And, fortunately, it's 100% possible to get these looks at a reasonable price point—if you know where to look. Luckily for you, we've picked a few of the Duchess's top outfits and selected budget-friendly alternatives below. Just keep in mind the style factors we mentioned above and get shopping.
Invictus Games 2017 Day 3
Ah, yes, the Invictus Games of 2017, AKA the time when the future Duchess blessed us all with her amazing style for days on end. The couple still wasn't engaged, yet, but Meghan had captivated us all with her casual chic style and effortless grace. This is one of my absolute favorite looks of Meghan's because it's so laid back and easy to recreate. Honestly, it's the surprising effortlessness of the entire outfit that I believe draws so many people in—the ability to look incredibly chic without even trying.
Invictus Games 2018 Day 8
Just one year later and we see a slightly more put-together Meghan, right after she had officially entered the royal family. Her look is polished, yet approachable, and she traded in her loose, beachy waves for a half-up do. I'm channeling this energy for 2022 return to work and normalcy because even 4 years later it's just as good of a look as the day she wore it.
Visit to South Africa
I love this dress for one major reason: it's so versatile. The Duchess dressed it up here with black suede closed-toe heels, but it would be just as fashionable with a pair of ballet flats or sandals for a more casual look. In an age where so many celebrities refuse to be seen in the same outfit twice, it's refreshing to see how Meghan chooses pieces that are versatile closet staples.
Visit to Canada House
To say that this look is iconic is an understatement. It's one of the Duchess's most notable looks and showcases her ability to perfectly pair pieces in the same color family yet in different fabrics.
Visit to Sussex
Yet another monochrome look that the Duchess absolutely nails. This outfit is a little harder to perfectly recreate as finding shades of green that compliment each other when one is leather is tough, but it is possible. If you wanted to play it safe, you could opt for a satin green skirt with cotton shirt or a different color leather, instead.
Wimbledon 2018
So many of the photos from this event truly do not do Meghan's whole outfit justice because you can't see all of her trousers. I live for that striped shirt, but paired with the linen wide-leg trousers? It's absolutely incredible. The wide-leg gives the whole outfit such an elevated and polished feel that you just don't get seeing only the upper half.
Johannesburg 2019 Day 2
So many of Meghan's looks from their South African tour are incredibly copy-able. This is another dress that she made more polished and sophisticated by wearing heels, but it would look just as good with wedges or sandals.
Visit to Australia
I'm honestly amazed that the Duchess wore this outfit in 2018 because it's still relevant today—if not more so. The oversized blazer look is on-point and on-trend, layered on top of a fitted white button down, a staple we've seen Meghan wear time and time again.
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