How to copy Meghan Markle’s style

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Since marrying Prince Harry, Meghan Markle hasn’t just become the British royal family’s newest duchess  — she’s also achieved global fashion icon status.

As with her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, nearly every outfit Markle has worn has caused a shopping frenzy. It doesn’t hurt that the Duchess of Sussex isn’t averse to taking an occasional fashion risk and skirting the Queen’s strong preference for pantyhose and long sleeves.

Luckily, you don’t have to be a royal in order to achieve Markle’s preppy, cool-girl style. Whether you’re looking to splurge or score a bargain, take a look at these Meghan Markle-inspired shopping finds from some of the most memorable outfits she’s worn as a royal.

A Summery Yellow Dress

For the “Your Commonwealth” Youth Challenge reception in July 2018, the Duchess broke away from her blush-hued frocks and opted to wear this cheerful canary-colored Brandon Maxwell dress.

(Perhaps Markle was inspired by the yellow dress that Amal Clooney wore to her wedding?) The summery, sleeveless dress also features a boatneck neckline, which some say is a signature part of Markle’s style.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

Although the Brandon Maxwell dress is now sold out, you can still recreate the Markle Sparkle with this Lafayette 148 sheath dress in a similar hue. On sale for $200, it has a shorter hemline than the original, while still boasting an elegant boatneck neckline and intricate stitching.

Nordstrom

Steal

On sale for $61.99, this Ann Taylor fresh citron sheath dress makes a statement and is the perfect outfit to wear to show off a special necklace or pair of earrings. And although the neckline is different than the original, we can’t help loving this look anyway.

Ann Taylor

A Sparkly Something Blue

At her Windsor Castle wedding reception, the newly minted Duchess of Sussex accessorized her Stella McCartney gown with something that was both borrowed and blue: an emerald cut aquamarine ring once owned by Princess Diana. It was said to be a gift from Prince Harry to his new bride. The ring’s large center stone is offset by smaller diamonds and set in yellow gold.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

You don’t need to get married in order to add a big, beautiful blue ring to your jewelry collection. A topaz — like the one in this over-7-carat $1,349 ring from Angara — is a more affordable gemstone than aquamarine but still offers a striking blue color. Set in 14K white gold, the topaz center stone of this ring is flanked by small round diamonds for extra sparkle.

Angara

Steal

Part of what makes the Princess Di aquamarine so eye-catching is its large size. Luckily, even if you don’t have a royal budget, you can still score this statement-making jewelry piece for an affordable price.

Etsy’s ShinyJungleJewellery has recreated the Duchess’ royal wedding bling for a little more than $200. The ring features a simulated 8-carat aquamarine and simulated diamond side stones set on a silver band.

ShinyJungleJewellery

An Audrey-Hepburn Inspired Black Dress

When Meghan Markle stepped out at a Royal Air Force event, she gave off some vintage Audrey Hepburn vibes with her choice of a black (or possibly dark navy) fit-and-flare Dior dress. Apparently, the silhouette is one that the Duchess is fond of, with some online fans noticing that it’s a similar style to her Givenchy wedding gown. She topped off the look with a perfect Stephen Jones headpiece.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

As Meghan Markle proved with this look, black dresses do not need to be little or overtly sexy to be stunning. In that spirit, this alice + olivia frock ($350) has a similar boatneck neckline like the original Dior dress. However, its mini length helps keep the look fresh and daytime-appropriate, preventing anyone from mistaking you for a funeral attendee.

ShopBop

Steal

With whimsical white polka dots, this ELLE fit & flare option from Kohl’s is a versatile dress you can wear to the office or to a cocktail party. And at $44.99, it doesn’t cost a king’s ransom to buy.

Kohl's

A Gigantic Tote Bag

Back when she was still just Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Meghan Markle made her first official appearance alongside the British royal at the 2017 Invictus Games while wearing this casual outfit. Her white button-up T-shirt and distressed blue jeans were merely window dressing for the outfit’s stand-out piece, an oversized Everlane tote bag. According to Vogue, Angelina Jolie also carries this same bag.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

For $175, you too can own the same leather Everlane tote as the Duchess of Sussex and Angelina Jolie. It’s handmade in Italy and comes in other colors too, if brown isn’t your style.

Everlane

Steal

This $40 faux-leather tote from Old Navy is very similar in design, with the same twin handles and oversized appearance.

Old Navy

An Ultra-Sophisticated Denim Dress

Memo to Britney Spears — this is how you make a denim dress look classy! The Duchess wore a v-neck Carolina Herrera denim number to watch Prince Harry play polo in July 2018 and somehow still managed to look fancy. She paired the dress with a J.Crew clutch and some sleek sunnies.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

Like the original dress, this A-line denim dress from Co ($575) is midi length and has a belt. However, where it differs is the sleeveless design and feminine scoop neckline that helps keep it from feeling like an all-out Canadian tuxedo.

Bergdorf Goodman

Steal

Even if polo matches aren’t in your future plans, this sporty-yet-polished denim dress from ModCloth would also be perfect to wear to outdoor parties, end-of-summer BBQs and weekend brunch. And it’s only $49.99!

ModCloth

This Beret Hat Inspired By Princess Di

When Meghan Markle wore this white beret to the Commonwealth Day service in March 2018, some thought it was an homage to the late Princess Diana since Stephen Jones, the designer of the hat, had created berets for Prince Harry’s mother.

It’s also possible she just loved the French style. She is reportedly a big fan of the French fashion house Givenchy and even commissioned them to design her wedding gown.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

Although you could order a bespoke beret like the Duchess, it might be simpler to buy this soft, ivory-colored wool blend one from Halogen for $29. Bonus points will be awarded if you pair the hat with a crisp white coat like Markle did.

Nordstrom

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Another option? This Nasty Gal white beret hat that’s currently on sale for $15.

Nasty Gal

A Neutral Trench Coat Dress

The Duchess put her own spin on the class British trench coat with this blush-colored Nonie trench coat dress that she wore to visit the Nelson Mandela exhibit with Prince Harry in July 2018. Taking into consideration how warm summer temperatures can be, it seemed like the outfit struck the right balance of being both professional and lightweight. She accentuated the look with a neutral clutch and heels.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

For $1,085 Canadian, you can buy the same Nonie trench coat dress that Markle wore to this event. Alas, the blush color is no longer available, but you can still snap up the black version.

Nonie

Steal

Even more affordable is this breezy, oatmeal-colored trench coat dress from Brooks Brothers ($199). It is part of a collection by designer Zac Posen for the American fashion brand.

Brooks Brothers

Some Strappy Shoes For An Important Milestone

With a coat covering her dress, many fashion-watchers chose to zero in on Meghan Markle’s shoes during the engaged couple’s announcement photocall: a pair of nude, strappy Aquazzura heels. Markle isn’t the only member of the royal family to take a liking to these, either. The pumps have also been seen on Princess Eugenie.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

The nude version may be out of stock, but you can still buy these Aquazzura shoes in black suede leather for $695. (And besides, black might be a more versatile color, especially if you plan to wear these heels primarily at night.)

Aquazzura

Steal

However, if it’s the nude color you’re after, these faux suede Forever 21 heels are an open-toed alternative in the same color palette. And they’re less than $30 for the pair.

Forever 21

A Tuxedo Mini Dress

While she generally sticks to below-the-knee dresses and gowns, Meghan Markle chose to show off her legs in this Judith & Charles tuxedo mini dress for a gala performance of “Hamilton” with Prince Harry. She was also (gasp!) not wearing pantyhose. Some say she may have felt comfortable breaking the rules since it wasn’t an official royal event. The look might have also been an homage to Princess Diana’s fondness for tuxedos.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

While most of the Duchess’ outfits sell out quickly, this Judith & Charles tuxedo dress is still available for sale for $595. So while you likely won’t ever star on a TV show and then marry a prince, you can have the same tuxedo dress as someone who has.

Judith & Charles

Steal

Want a shinier, more glam version of the same look? Then you might love this Missguided tux dress ($64).

ASOS

A Gray Dress For A Visit To Ireland

Meghan Markle chose to wear this gray Roland Mouret dress during an official visit to Ireland with Prince Harry. However, not everyone was a fan of this look. Online critics questioned whether the Duchess seemed to be wearing the wrong type of bra and if the garment was a tad too small for her. (She seems to have opted for a strapless bra in order to avoid any straps jutting out of the elegant bateau neckline.) Still, even with the controversy surrounding her undergarments, the Duchess looked radiant.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

This draped wool Jason Wu dress ($1,077) offers a similar style to the Duchess’ original look with the advantage of an uncomplicated neckline. Plus, it has a flattering cinch at the waist. The interior lining is made of soft silk that makes it extra comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Net-A-Porter

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Whether you’re off to work or to a cocktail party, this versatile dark gray Von Ronen dress ($60) is also a flattering, Duchess-inspired choice to wear.

Amazon

A Crisp Button-Down For Cheering

Alongside her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle applauded tennis players at Wimbledon wearing this striped blue Ralph Lauren blouse. She complemented the button-down with a pair of loose white pants and her trademark messy bun. This was reportedly not her first time at the tennis championships, either. She apparently attended in 2016, right around the time she met her now-husband Prince Harry.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

If you want to wear the exact same $590 Ralph Lauren blouse the Duchess wore to Wimbledon, you’re in luck! The relaxed fit cotton shirt is still available for sale online. And as both the model and Meghan Markle have demonstrated in photos, it looks great with a few buttons undone and tucked into a pair of crisp ivory trousers.

Ralph Lauren

Steal

You also can’t go wrong with this $60 J.Crew button shirt with a similar design and chunky blue-and-white stripe pattern.

J.Crew

This Pretty In (Prada) Pink Suit

At the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards Ceremony, the Duchess of Sussex donned a blush pink Prada two-piece suit skirt (although in this photo, it looks more taupe) with button detailing, a boatneck neckline and a thin belt. She paired the outfit with a dark clutch and matching pointy pumps, looking every inch the working royal or, as others thought, a young Jackie Kennedy.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

For occasions that call for power dressing, this white Michael Kors wool shift ($1,750) offers similar button and belted waist details as the original Prada suit skirt in a one-piece dress.

Saks 5th Avenue

Steal

For a similar but more relaxed look, this blush-colored, ruffle-sleeved Eliza J dress from Nordstrom channels the Duchess’ style and could be worn for work or leisure.

Nordstrom

 

A Relaxed Shirt Dress For The Royal Ascot

At the 2018 Royal Ascot, Meghan Markle wore a white Givenchy shirt dress that she dressed up with a belt, clutch and statement hat. However, there was one accessory she didn’t wear — her nametag, which all royals typically wear and that she can be seen carrying in the photo. (Meanwhile, Prince Harry pinned his to his lapel.)

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

Shirt dresses, like the one the Duchess wore or this G. Label one ($595), are chic and super-comfortable, especially for a long day spent outdoors. Unlike the original dress, however, the G. Label dress is 100 percent cotton and has a cinched design, so no belt is necessary.

Goop

Steal

Go for a more casual look (and save some dough!) with this short-sleeve version from Express ($69).

Express

 

A Rule-Breaking Cross Body Bag

Meghan Markle broke with royal tradition when she wore this Oroton cross body purse instead of a clutch purse while attending the Commonwealth Youth Forum with Prince Harry. However, the black and cream bag looked great slung over the shoulder of her more casual than usual strappy Brandon Maxwell dress. (She has since been spotted with clutch bags on more formal occasions.)

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

If you don’t mind waiting for delivery, you can purchase the exact same Avalon zip-top bag with leather exterior and gold-colored hardware from Australian fashion brand Oroton. It’s available for pre-order and priced at $221.

Oroton

Steal

Love the idea but don’t necessarily want to be the Duchess’ handbag twin? This striped handwoven bag with a leather strap from Mercado Global offers a similar look for $49.95.

Accompany

This Garden Party-Perfect Silk Pencil Dress

For her first official engagement as a duchess, Meghan Markle showed up to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday in a peach-colored dress from the British label Goat. She also carried a Wilbur and Gussie clutch and wore a custom Philip Treacy hat to the garden party event.

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How To Copy This Look

Splurge

When it comes to dressing for English garden parties, Victoria Beckham is no slouch. That’s why this pearl-colored shift dress ($790) from the Spice Girl-turned-designer is a lovely alternative to the original Goat dress. It features a conservative crew neck and long sleeve design that offsets the mini dress length.

Shopbop

Steal

This fun polka dot ASOS Parisian Mesh dress has sheer sleeves like the original dress but with a flirtier and shorter hemline and fun polka dot design. And at just $22, it’s a bargain.

ASOS

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About the Author
Margeaux Baulch Klein
Margeaux Baulch Klein is a freelance writer and digital strategist based in Los Angeles. She has written for publications like the Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Bustle, and HelloGiggles, among others.

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