I was listening to Royally Obsessed on my HGW this morning. The hosts invited a guest to the episode: Elizabeth Holmes, a royal fashion expert and author of "HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style." On September 28th's episode, they dive into the royals' fall fashion in their own take on the "September Issue." Royally Obsessed host Rachel Bowie started by bringing up different royal events from the month and asking Holmes' opinion. When they brought up Meghan Markle's style at the Invictus Games, I knew I had to put my two cents in.
Since Megxit, Markle's style remained royal, fancy, expensive, and high-end. Which is completely fine (most of the time) for a princess, but after she moved her family to California, I felt like she needed to move her wardrobe over, too.
This past month, Markle joined her husband, Prince Harry, in Germany for the Invictus Games. Holmes describes a drastic change in her fashion as a "consensus choice." And the Games is a perfect place to transition to more "accessible fashion."
Over the course of the Games, she donned a $70 dress by Banana Republic Factory, a J. Crew cardigan, and a Ralph Lauren sweater vest. While, yes, all of these brands lean more on the expensive side, they are not haute couture. I believe Markle walked the fine of refined, quite luxury, and accessible pieces very well. Holmes stated that she even purchased the J. Crew Cardigan, and Bowie shared that she ran to Banana Republic Factory to buy the shirt dress.
Holmes goes on to explain that Markle accessorized to perfection by having a mix of high heels and flat shoes and always wearing delicate and minimal jewelry. The former Duchess even did her own hair and make-up before making her inaugural speech at the games.
Most recently, Markle and her husband visited Marcy Lab School in Brooklyn. While on this visit, she rocked her favorite staple jeans by Frame and a varsity jacket that was a gift from Robert Clack Upper School students in London. Vogue's Elise Taylor describes her choice of jacket as a "sartorial symbol…a physical emblem of Markle's tangible and positive public service—suggests a return to what the couple aimed to do in the first place."
Earlier this week, she spoke on a panel for World Mental Health Day, where she wore an all-ivory look; Vogue's Daniel Rodgers explains that "there is an entire school of thought dedicated to the ivory-clad wardrobes of public figures who want to be seen as virtuous and honest."
I believe that Markle is trying to change her image slowly and subtly - speaking to the public's subconscious. As Holmes alluded to, wearing more accessible outfits makes you more relatable. Also, when the public can buy the same pieces, it builds a connection between the royal and the masses. As Taylor described, showing that you care for those you meet and hold onto gifts from the public reveals your true character. As Rodgers explained, wearing white/ivory symbolizes demureness and honesty. I believe her stylist and publicist are working overtime to conciliate her image, and I am entirely on board with how they creatively do so. I can't wait to keep following the transition.
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