Meghan Markle’s style was revolutionised in 2019 in a number of key ways
MEGHAN MARKLE’s style changed drastically through the course of 2019, with the Duchess clearly developing her own signature style.
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This time last year the basic tenets of the Duchess of Sussex’s style began to emerge - one that radiated with elegance and flawlessness. Royal watchers soon learned that the ex-Hollywood actress would ditch the grand displays and adopt a more subtle way of presenting herself.
Delicate jewellery, neutral hues, bespoke garments with high-street fashion all featured in Meghan’s wardrobe, offering a glimpse at a more relatable royal than ever before.
A big part of the change saw her wearing outfits more than once.
This reuse, recycle attitude didn’t emerge until the later half of 2019.
It’s likely that the Duchess was waiting to amass an arsenal of royal clothes before she felt comfortable in being able to wear the same thing twice.
Yet, when the eco-friendly and purse-pinching style did emerge, it revealed that from now on her fashion would be a conscious endeavour.
Earlier this year, after Meghan had recycled several outfits during her visit to South Africa with Prince Harry, Christine Ross, a royal expert, explained to Town & Country magazine that royals rehear outfits when they want to make a statement.
She said: “They do it when they want to redirect the conversation, and it shifts that conversation from fashion to substance."
As well as this refreshing approach, Meghan rocked the maternity look while pregnant with baby Archie.
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She spent the first four months of 2019 readying for the birth of her first child.
The maternity style may, for many, be something that is dreaded.
The Duchess, however, embraced her bump, selection both tailored and flowing silhouettes.
What was interesting, say royal experts, was that Meghan rarely picked outfits from the maternity department.
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Instead, she regularly opted for looser fitting bespoke pieces - hinting at her passion for everything fashion.
Elizabeth Holmes, the journalist behind the popular #SoManyThoughts Instagram series about royal fashion, told Town & Country earlier this year: "I think what it comes down to is there is a mindset, especially among some in the fashion community, that maternity clothes can be frumpy or dowdy.
"And I do think that there is a certain kind of pride that some fashion people take in being able to just avoid maternity clothes all together."
Garments weren’t the only things that got seriously upgraded this year, with Meghan’s hand jewellery changing radically.
Back in 2017 she debuted her first engagement ring, a custom piece featuring one diamond originally from Botswana and two smaller stones from Princess Diana’s collection.
Prince Harry reportedly worked with Jeweller Lorraine Schwartz to make Meghan’s new eternity ring - a band with diamonds on all sides.
This was done alongside the resizing and resetting of her engagement ring with new stones.
Her ring was first debuted at the Trooping the Colour parade.
The Duchess has also proved that she chooses her designers carefully.
When visiting South Africa, she wore a dress ethical made in Malawi, and a charity bracelet that spelled “justice”.
She also wore plenty of off-the-rack clothing from Everlane and J.Crew.