‘Style muse’: Meghan Markle’s rise to a royal fashionista

LONDON — Her jackets and jeans, bangles and bags can instantly send tongues wagging and designers’ sales soaring.

Since being catapulted into the global spotlight as Prince Harry’s girlfriend in 2016, Meghan Markle’s outfits have been scrutinised and copied, often crashing websites selling her apparel.

Fashion blogs and social media accounts dedicated to the American’s style have mushroomed, just as they sprang up for her sister-in-law Kate, Prince William’s wife, allowing followers to comment on her latest sleek looks usually in a monochrome palette.

“The Meghan effect is this economic phenomenon similar to the Kate effect... where if she wears it, it turns to gold,” said Christine Ross, co-editorial director of Meghan’s Mirror fashion blog, describing Markle’s style as “very on trend and modern”.

Almost everything she wears up to and around the $300 or £300-mark, a pretty high price point, sells out, she added.

Designer dresses, luxury handbags and stylish stilettos are the fashion dream of many women, but for a young royal they are the staple of an everyday wardrobe.

For her busy royal diary, the now duchess usually wears expensive labels, namely French couture house Givenchy, whose British artistic director Clare Waight Keller designed Markle’s wedding dress.

Dior, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta are among other formal and eveningwear go to brands. 

“Meghan’s wardrobe is really unique because there are so many bespoke pieces in it and we will really never know how much those cost,” Ross said.

She estimates her wardrobe at about £500,000 ($657,750) a year.

While becoming a trendsetter, Markle, named 2018’s best dressed woman by People magazine, has stayed loyal to smaller brands she wore before her global fame. 

The 37-year-old, who used to film drama “Suits” in Toronto, has worn Canadian labels Mackage, Aritzia and Line the Label. 

For casualwear, she has worn J.Crew and brands known for their environmental and social credentials: a Reformation dress, Veja sneakers, Outland Denim jeans and jewellery made from recycled metal.

“Meghan carved this niche for supporting these sustainable fashion brands,” Holly Rains, digital editor at magazine Marie Claire UK, said. “People are now going to Meghan as a style muse... She crashes sites.”

It is particularly her more affordable accessories that are snapped up by consumers.

“The jewellery, the bags, the belts is where we can dip in and get that kind of Meghan touch to our outfits,” Rains said.

Ross said Markle’s casual jean looks proved popular with readers. Her maternity wear as she awaits her first child is also eagerly followed.

“She has done a lot of bespoke pieces, a lot of customisation pieces that are not maternity at all and it is really been a difference,” Ross said.

Royal fashion expert Michael Talboys said he hoped to see Markle wear more British labels. She has worn items from UK brands Victoria Beckham, Strathberry, Marks & Spencer and her second wedding gown was a halterneck dress by Stella McCartney.

“She should, as an English duchess, really be patronising English designers and promoting them in the eyes of the world,” he said.

Kate frequently wears British high street dresses.

On the streets of London, student Savanah Edwards said Markle’s “classic” style was having an impact.

“I personally cannot afford anything that she wears but it does influence me to try new pieces,” she said.