Meghan Markle's Best Fashion Moments of All Time

Meghan Markle red dress tan dress — Simon Dawson / Max Mumby / Getty Images

Meghan Markle has lived seemingly a hundred lives—and so has her style. There was her sorority phase, chock-full of black turtlenecks and lacy frocks, the shiny mini dresses from her Deal or No Deal days, and the smart businesswear from her time on-screen as a paralegal-turned-associate (we see you, Rachel Zane fans). And then, of course, there's her Duchess era. Needless to say, Meghan’s fashion has evolved over the years—big time—with no period bringing bigger change than her time spent overseas with the royal family. While she certainly had plenty of inspo to draw upon for her sartorial take on life as a Duchess between Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth herself, Meghan still managed to hold her own, consistently making headlines for her crisp, chic silhouettes.

A little flashier than her British counterparts, she wasn’t afraid to break a few rules, making for a few of our all-time favorite royal style moments. Below, find 32 times Meghan knocked it out of the park with her ensembles—royal or otherwise.

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January 13, 2007: Making a Splash

Meghan Markle in a white and black frock — Amy Tierney / Getty Images

In her early days on the style scene, Meghan bucked the tailored silhouettes we've come to expect from the royals, opting instead for a strapless ABS bubble dress with a flirty bow while stepping out at the 2007 Golden Globe Suites.

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October 11, 2011: Tried-and-True

Meghan Markle shows off a plain LBD — Amanda Edwards / Getty Images

You really can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true LBD, and Meghan Markle’s early red carpet snaps are picture-proof.

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February 15, 2012: Lovely in Lace

Meghan Markles walks the grey carpet for USA — Paul Archuleta / Getty Images

While Meghan wasn't a fan of the lace DVF dress she strutted her stuff in at a USA Network event in 2012, we think she looked positively ravishing. Meghan, however, found the outfit less memorable, telling British Glamour, “I was going to this event and there was this DVF lace dress with a zipper up the back, and it was so fitted, and had tea-length sleeves...I bought one in navy and black. It was too tight, and too short, and my hair was too polished, and everything about it was trying too hard."

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June 12, 2012: Putting on the Glitz

meghan Markle looks radiant in a black sequined off-the-should numbe — Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Meghan didn't need any help catching the light at a Suits event in New York in 2012, rocking a shiny black beaded sequin LBD like nobody’s business.

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May 6, 2013: Short and Sweet

Meghan Markle stands in a short patterned shift dress — Jennifer Graylock / Getty Images

With its chic pattern and shift silhouette, this dress exuded easy elegance. Meghan wore it to an appearance at a USA Network event, tempered, of course, with a sassy pose.

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November 19, 2013: Next Level Couture

Meghan Markle wears a black wrap dress — Mike Marsland / Getty Images

The actress took her LBD game next level in 2013 with a strapless design that bunched into a side knot at the waist.

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September 5, 2014: Front Row Fashion

Meghan Markle wears a white-and-black piece — Paul Morigi / WireImage / Getty Images

Though she may not have been royalty in 2014, Meghan was still an A-lister in the world of fashion, taking her place in the front row at Peter Som’s show for MADE Fashion Week. She took full advantage of her prime spot, too, baring a sliver of stomach and a whole lot of couture in this voluminous tutu two-piece from the designer.

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January 20, 2016: Going for Bold

Meghan Markle wears a bold red dress — Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Dolce & Gabbana was behind the gorgeously bold brocade dress the Suits star stepped out in for Elle's Women in Television dinner in 2016. She expertly paired the look with a moody red lip.

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July 14, 2016: Cali Cool

Meghan Markle shows off her legs in a two-piece short suit — Ray Tamarra / GC Images / Getty Images

Meghan was the epitome of Cali cool in July 2016, leaving a taping of The TODAY Show in a striped two-piece suit that showed off her toned legs.

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November 27, 2018: A Big Announcement

Prince Harry stands with new fiancÃ©e Meghan Markle in a white coat — Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Cut to two years later, and Meghan had a new man in her life—and a shiny new ring on *that* finger. To announce her big news to the world, she was all smiles in a white LINE wrap coat that the company would later name “The Meghan.” She paired it with some nude Aquazzara Matilde heels featuring a crisscross style.

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December 2017: A Cheeky Choice

Meghan Markle Prince Harry engagement photos — @kensingtonroyal / Twitter

The L.A. native went for an even bigger style splash with her official engagement photo look, opting for a Ralph & Russo couture ensemble with a sheer bodice that reportedly cost a staggering $75,000. According to photographer Alexi Lubormiski, the gown was chosen for its “comfort.” "To be honest, we tried on a couple of different things and that was just one that she felt comfortable in, so we weren’t really thinking, ‘Is it nude?’ or anything," he told Entertainment Tonight. "We just thought, 'Feel comfortable and let’s make some nice pictures.'"

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December 25, 2017: Knockout Neutrals

Meghan Markle wears a gorgeous tan wrap coat for Christmas — Chris Jackson / Getty Images

For her first Christmas service at Sandringham with Harry’s royal family, Meghan kept things classy with another gorgeous wrap coat—this time from Canadian brand Sentaler—which she accessorized with a dark tan beanie and a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots.

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March 12, 2018: Cream of the Crop

Meghan Markle looks incredibly chic in a cream coat and beret style hat — Chris Jackson / Getty Images

By March 2018, Meghan’s transformation into a sleek and chic royal was fully complete, and the proof was in this cream coat and navy gown (both by Amanda Wakeley). She paired the look with a matching custom hat from Stephen Jones and Manolo Blahnik heels on Commonwealth Day.

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April 19, 2018: Sleek and Chic

Meghan Markle stuns in a Black Halo LBD — Chris Jackson / Getty Images

One of our favorite looks from Meghan’s public life as a royal was the Black Halo midi-length gown with an über-unique neckline she wore to the Women’s Empowerment reception in April 2018. Aquazarra pumps and a Gucci clutch completed her elegant ensemble.

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May 19, 2018: Wedded Bliss

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand in front of a flower arch on their wedding day — Ben Stansall / Getty Images

Unlike Kate Middleton, who went for a fitted Victorian gown with a plunging neckline and a pretty lace overlay, Meghan kept things more demure, choosing a simple-yet-elegant design from Claire Waight Keller (aka the former artistic director of Givenchy). With a bateau neckline as its most standout feature, Keller noted on social media that “Purity and simplicity were the guiding principles” of the design. The veil, meanwhile, was chock-full of meaning, with flowers from the Commonwealth and her home state of California’s poppy all incorporated. She also wore a piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with the prince inside her gown.

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May 19, 2018: Reception-Ready

Meghan Markle wears a white halter gown on her wedding day — Steve Parsons / Getty Images

Meghan wore not one, but two jaw-dropping gowns on her wedding day, with the second appearing as the couple made their way to their reception at Frogmore House. With a halter neckline and a fishtail bottom, the Stella McCartney number was a head-turner, through and through.

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June 9, 2018: Royal Rebel

Meghan Markle arrives for Trooping the Colour — Max Mumby / Getty Images

Meghan broke royal protocol yet again in June 2018 when she opted for a shoulder-baring Carolina Herrara dress in a lovely shade of baby pink (complete with a matching topper) for her first Trooping the Colour experience. According to The Sun, the dress, while seemingly modest enough, went against tradition, which "usually dictates that royal women do not wear off-shoulder or other more revealing styles." We, however, think it just might have been her most fetching ensemble yet!

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June 14, 2018: An Old Favorite

Meghan Markle in a tan dress — Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images

For her solo outing with Queen Elizabeth in June of 2018, the When Sparks Fly star opted to turned to Givenchy once more. Her cream dress with a bateau capelet neckline and the black skinny belt she wrapped around her waist were both products of the Parisian fashion house.

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July 14, 2018: Winning at Wimbledon

Meghan Markle wears a striped blue and white button-down — Karwai Tang / Getty Images

Angelique Kerber wasn’t the only one winning at Wimbledom in 2018: The Duchess of Sussex, who was on hand to root for pal Serena Williams, proved she could pull of casual with the best of them in a striped Ralph Lauren button-down, Illesteva sunnies, and a Maison Michel Panama topper.

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July 17, 2018: Double Duty

Meghan Markle wears a trench-like dress — Max Mumby / Getty Images

The philanthropist took a play out of sister-in-law Kate Middleton’s style book in October, recycling a blush House of Nonie design that she had previous worn while en route to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in July.

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October 26, 2018: It's All in the Details

Meghan Markle wears an intricate black gown — Samir Hussein / Getty Images

The brunette bombshell brought out the fashion big guns onstage at the Australian Geographic Society Awards, where she commanded attention in an incredibly intricate Oscar de la Renta gown. While it was quite a departure from the family's typically streamlined looks, it was also one for the books.

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November 19, 2018: Date Night

Meghan Markle in a black-and-white tube top — Samir Hussein / Getty Images

Meghan offered up a fresh take on date night style with this Safiyaa halter top and maxi skirt combo for the evening she spent with her hubby at the Royal Variety Performance at London Palladium.

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December 10, 2018: A Fashion Icon

Megan Markle wears a simple one-shoulder gown — Jeff Spicer / Getty Images

Meghan was on-hand at the 2018 Fashion Awards to pay homage to Claire Waight Keller—the woman responsible for her iconic wedding gown. She wore a simple one-shoulder Givenchy number for the occasion with a slicked-back 'do and purple nail polish. Gold Tamara Mellon sandals and Pippa Small jewelry completed her sophisticated ensemble.

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January 14, 2019: Mix-and-Match

Meghan Markle wears a purple dress and a red coat — Neil Mockford / Getty Images

Meghan took a cue out of Princess Diana's fashion playbook by mixing contrasting colors purple and red (a favorite combo of the late royal's) in the form of a cherry Sentaler overcoat atop a violet Babaton frock, and bright red pumps to boot.

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February 12, 2019: Bright White Glow

A pregnant Meghan Markle wears an all-white uniform — Max Mumby / Getty Images

Meghan was glowing in more ways than one while taking in a gala performance of “The Wider Earth” in London. Not only was she roughly seven months pregnant at the time and looking radiant, she amped up the wattage with a white monochromatic look that married a Calvin Klein dress with the same Amanda Wakeley coat she wore back in March 2018.

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February 25, 2019: Letting Loose

Meghan Markle wears a flowing blue printed gown — Samir Hussein / Getty Images

Amid their three-day royal tour to Morocco, the Duchess had a chance to let her hair down a little, and she took full advantage. She met the country’s King, Mohammed VI of Morocco, in a loose-fitting blue printed Carolina Herrara gown that was custom made for her figure with ruffled sleeves and a flowing bottom.

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March 8, 2019: Posh Print

Meghan Markle in a black and white turtleneck dress — Karwai Tang / Getty Images

Meghan was the epitome of maternity chic in March 2019, when she turned up for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust panel discussion in a black-and-white printed Reiss turtleneck dress topped off with an elegant black blazer.

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May 6, 2019: The Big Reveal

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose with their newborn son. — Dominic Lipinski / Getty Images

Nearly one year to the date after the royal husband-and-wife duo tied the knot, they introduced the world to their firstborn son, Archibald Mountbatten-Windsor. Meghan looked picture-perfect for the big reveal, no doubt in large part thanks to her Grace Wales Bonner tux dress—an ideal backdrop for her shiny brown locks.

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March 7, 2020: A Dashing Design

Meghan Markle in a bright red gown with cape sleeves — Karwai Tang / Getty Images

We couldn't take our eyes off of the stunning Safiyaa cape dress the Duchess of Sussex turned up to the Mountbatten Festival of Music in. She paired the form-fitting number with a pair of Stuart Weitzman Leigh pumps and a pair of dangly Simone Rocha floral beaded earrings.

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March 9, 2020: Out With a Bang

Meghan Markle in a green jewel-tone gown — Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

For Meghan's last day of royal duties in the U.K. ahead of the couple's move to America, she went for the style gusto, wrapping herself in a gorgeous green Emilia Wickstead dress and a William Chambers hat.

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March 3, 2021: Dressing With Purpose

The garment Meghan chose to wear while giving her joint interview with Prince Harry to Oprah in March 2021 was far more than met the eye. According to People, the floral motif of the simple black silk Giorgio Armani frock was specifically chosen “because of the flower's symbolic association with rebirth, self-regeneration and spiritual enlightenment, and its ability to flourish despite seemingly challenging conditions." It wound up being such a hit with viewers that the Fashion Museum proclaimed it the “dress of the year” to be included in the museum’s exhibit.

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November 10, 2021: Girl on Fire

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk the red carpet — Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

Back in the states, the power couple slayed the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala red carpet, with Meghan, in particular, turning heads in a red hot Carolina Herrera creation that was designed especially for her by the brand’s own creative director, Wes Gordon.

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April 15, 2022: Power Suit

Meghan Markle wearing a powder wedding-worthy suit — Courtesy of Samir Hussein/Getty Images

For her first public appearance in Europe since March 2020, Markle made a splash, sporting an all-white Valentino power suit—paired with a Valentino handbag and Aquazzura shoes. The Duchess of Sussex's ensemble marked the return of her bold, but carefully thought-out, fashion choices.

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