Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's Go-To Fashion Hacks Are Really, Really Smart
Women in the royal family are constantly in the spotlight, so naturally they've developed a repertoire of fashion and styling hacks to ensure all of their formal (or even non-formal) events run smoothly. No one wants to have a wardrobe malfunction when they're shaking hands with a foreign dignitary with hundreds of cameras around! Here's a comprehensive list of the genius wardrobe tricks that have helped Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Princess Diana pull off their chicest ensembles.
Princess Di used her clutches to cover her cleavage as she got out of cars. Why? It prevented any prying photographers from snapping a revealing pic of her.
Even her go-to handbag designer Anya Hindmarch famously called them "cleavage clutches."
It's no secret that part of royal protocol for women is to wear pantyhose, but the smooth material makes it way too easy for their feet to slide out of their heels.
Which is why Kate Middleton chooses tights that have silicone pads on the bottom so they stick to the inside of her high heels. Apparently, she's a fan of the brand John Lewis.
More formal public occasions sometimes call for hats, and I'm sure you've wondered at some point how they even stay on—especially the larger, wide-brimmed ones.
Reportedly, Princess Diana's had combs inside them that secured to her hair so they stayed put. Hidden but useful!
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If you're a fascinator-loving lady, these combs'll keep your headwear in place.
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These guys are also helpful if you want to keep your hair out of your face.
In this image, Kate makes a fashionable case for the chic hairnet. She often wears them when her hair is styled in more intricate updos—that way she doesn't have any rogue fly-aways.
Here, she wore one again over her low bun at the 2019 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
Another go-to fashion hack royals use to stop wardrobe malfunctions is adding weights to their skirts and dresses. Although it seems that this method isn't always used, as evidenced here by Kate's flying-skirt moment at Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018.
Stewart Parvin, one of Queen Elizabeth's couturiers, told the Daily Mail that he sews small lead weights (used for curtains!) into the hems of her clothes, which prevents her skirt from blowing up in the wind.
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Never have a Marilyn moment ever again with these small weighted stickies.
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Or you can DIY it like HRH, get these drapery weights, and attach them to your skirts.
Another way royals prevent their outfits from billowing in the wind is by choosing thicker fabrics and more fitted silhouettes, like Kate's tweed blazer-and-skirt set pictured here.
A-line silhouettes have a greater chance of flying up in the wind, but a sheath dress like this will prevent any breezy malfunction.
According to fashion expert Harriet Davey, going up a shoe size is a style hack employed by many celebrities. It looks like Meghan used this trick in this photo, as there's lots of room at her heel in these strappy Aquazzura pumps.
"Celebs often go a size up, or even two, in the shoe department when they're at an event or on the red carpet, and it's for one reason we can all relate to—to avoid blisters," she said in an interview with The Sun.
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Copy Meghan's kicks with these neutral heels that tie up the ankle.
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Or opt for some similar black pumps in a half-size or full-size up.
Meghan looked super fashion-forward (like she always does, TBH) when she stepped out in this Alexander McQueen suit in February 2018. But perhaps more notable than her chic pantsuit was the fact that her white blouse was actually a BODYSUIT (!!!) by the brand Tuxe.
It seems like Meg has actually worn the style on more than one occasion. She slipped into a sleeveless cashmere one by the same label to celebrate the publication of Together: Our Community Cookbook in September 2018.
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Leave tops that ride up in the dust and get this blousy bodysuit instead!
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Going for a more casual look? Snag this bodysuit with cute buttons down the front and pair it with jeans for the perfect dinner look.
Speaking of bodysuits, etiquette expert Myka Meier said in an interview with The Sun that Kate and Meghan often "wear bodysuits and clothes that actually increase static so it’s much hard[er] for something to fly up."
It achieves a similar result like weighted hems, but in a more wearable form. Although it's just a guess, it seems likely Meghan might have worn one underneath this breezy pleated Self-Portrait dress in April 2018.
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Hate it when your dress unexpectedly flies up? Nab this navy bodysuit.
Another speculation is that Meghan's signature low, messy bun makes it easier to wear her hair down for other events later in the day. Her loose updo doesn't cause those annoying hair "dents" like a tighter hairstyle would.
According to Byrdie UK, "a low bun is like a form of damage control. Markle can wear one all day and then quickly unwind it—letting her loose waves fall beyond her shoulders, ready for the evening's function."
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Similar to the hairnet, get yourself some pins that match your hair so they'll easily blend in.
Royal functions mean wearing fancy attire, and that usually means wearing heels for women. Kate Middleton spends a LOT of time in sky-high footwear.
This is why she's reportedly a fan of Alice Bow leather insoles, which add extra cushiony padding to any shoe. They come with double-sided sticky areas to really hold them in place.
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Make your feet happy with a pair of leather inserts that will ease the pain of heels.
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While these are super thin, it delivers on major cushion so your feet aren't aching by the end of the day.
Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton's Go-To Fashion Hacks Are Really, Really Smart
Women in the royal family are constantly in the spotlight, so naturally they've developed a repertoire of fashion and styling hacks to ensure all of their formal (or even non-formal) events run smoothly. No one wants to have a wardrobe malfunction when they're shaking hands with a foreign dignitary with hundreds of cameras around! Here's a comprehensive list of the genius wardrobe tricks that have helped Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Princess Diana pull off their chicest ensembles.
Women in the royal family live their lives in the spotlight, so it makes sense that they have go-to fashion tricks that they use for formal events—especially to avoid a dreaded wardrobe malfunction. Here, 11 genius fashion hacks that have helped Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Princess Diana pull off their stylish ensembles.
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