Fashion

5 Ways Meghan Markle's Style Has Changed Since Marrying Prince Harry

By Amy Lee‍ 6:01 AM PDT, May 18, 2019

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Meghan Markle's style has come a long way since her Hollywood days!

The 37-year-old former actress became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, and since then, Meghan's fashion and glam have received the royal treatment.

Not only does she have the most luxurious designer duds in rotation (Givenchy, Dior and Oscar de la Renta just to name a few), the Los Angeles native's wardrobe has transformed to become more polished and elevated from her red carpet past -- she's now a duchess, after all, and also has to follow certain rules for dressing.

Despite some changes, Meghan continues to bring modernity to royal style. Ahead of her one year wedding anniversary with Prince Harry, let's reflect back on Meghan's look and see how it has changed since she took on her duchess title.

Her Hemlines Have Gotten Longer

After becoming the Duchess of Sussex, the hemlines of Meghan's dress and skirts have become longer. She has traded in flirty cocktail dresses that graze the thigh for elevated, polished frocks that go to the knee or longer.

Meghan Markle in dresses — Left: at the CFDA/'Vogue' Fashion Fund Awards in New York City in November 2015. right: at the Royal Air Force 100 Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July 2018.
Andrew Toth/Getty Images, Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

She Shows Less Skin

In addition to longer hemlines, the former actress avoids revealing clothes entirely. Meghan, who once wore crop tops, strapless designs and cutout dresses, now doesn't show off much skin -- and if she does, it's only her shoulders via a bateau neckline. For formal events, she's often seen in elegant, full-length gowns.

Meghan Markle gown — Left: at the Herve Leger show during New York Fashion Week in September 2013, right: at the State Dinner in Fiji in October 2018.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014, Ian Vogler - Pool/Getty Images

She Wears Minimal Jewelry

Meghan often accessorized her red carpet looks with statement jewelry. She now opts for more minimal, everyday baubles -- delicate chain bracelets, necklaces and stud earrings.

Meghan Markle minimal jewelry — Left: at the Novak Djokovic Foundation New York Dinner in September 2013, right: visiting Sussex, England in October 2018.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Novak Djokovic Foundation, Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

She Doesn't Wear Blue Jeans Out

As a born-and-bred Cali girl, there's no doubt that a blue jean is a wardrobe staple for Meghan. She wore a distressed light wash by Mother (which, as a result, sold out multiple times) in September 2017 with Prince Harry. After becoming engaged however, we've no longer seen the duchess rocking the casual denim piece. If we do see her in skinny jeans, it's always a sleek, non-ripped black pair that looks more dressy than its blue counterpart.

Meghan Markle in skinny jeans — Left: at the Invictus Games with Prince Harry in September 2017, right: in Morocco with Prince Harry in February 2019.
Karwai Tang/WireImage, Samir Hussein/WireImage

She Opts For More Natural Glam

As a royal, Meghan's makeup and hair is much more understated than what she used to rock during her actress days. Rarely does she wear a bold lip color or smoky eyes now. Instead, her go-to glam is a glowy complexion with a nude pink pout, complemented by either an updo, messy bun or effortless waves.