Meghan Markle’s style evolution is one for the books. While she’s always been fashion-forward and chic, she’s now evolved into one of our generation’s most influential dressers. From her “Suits” wardrobe to her entry into the royal family, Markle‘s outfits inspire plenty of admirers and imitators across the globe.
Back in 2006, Markle appeared on “Deal or No Deal” wearing minidresses with a body-con silhouette. What followed was seven seasons of “Suits,” when the actress attended Hollywood and fashion parties alike, embracing the season’s hottest trends, from bandage dresses to gladiator heeled sandals. When she began dating Prince Harry, her fashion sense changed most dramatically, as she mellowed her red carpet look a bit in favor of a more conservative aesthetic fit for a royal. With a wedding gown designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, Markle cemented her place in the pages of the fashion history books.
For the many official events that followed, she adhered to royal dressing protocol at times, but she also challenged it, embracing nail polish, off-the-shoulder necklines, and more. She also paid close attention to her color palette, staying away from bright colors in favor of neutral tones that wouldn’t draw attention away from the more senior royals. As the end neared for her time as a working royal, Markle’s style shifted yet again: her last formal royal appearances included vibrant hues like monochrome red and green.
Once Markle officially resumed life as a private citizen, her style changed again. To raise her two children in California, she curated a more casual but classic wardrobe of jeans and button-down shirts. For red carpet events, the mother of two embraces a bolder aesthetic, experimenting with everything from pink short suits to gold cutout dresses.
Her latest public appearances have been at the sixth annual Invictus Games alongside Prince Harry, where she most recently stepped out in a sleeveless Polo Ralph Lauren cable-knit sweater vest teamed with Frame jeans and simple black ankle-strap flats, showcasing her preppy take on the quiet luxury trend.
Ahead, check out Markle’s style evolution — from body-con dresses to cape gowns and everything in between.