(Culture)
Meghan Markle Ditched Her Heels For The Coolest $150 Sneakers
The Duchess of Sussex has already taken a handful of style risks during her and Prince Harry's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga. In addition to bending protocol with risky dresses and trying out a new hairstyle, the Duchess ditched her signature black pumps for a pair of sneakers. Not only do Meghan Markle's white sneakers mark the first time she's worn trainers as a royal, but they're also one of the most wallet-friendly pieces she's worn throughout the tour.
Anyone who keeps a close eye on Markle's style knows that the Duchess is notorious for wearing heels — it's very rare that she opts for any other shoe. On Sept. 24., Markle was even photographed playing basketball at the Coach Core Awards in a pair of black stilettos. The question of whether or not the actress-turned-Duchess even owned sneakers was definitely on everyone's mind until Sun.'s event.
On Oct. 21, Markle and Prince Harry attended a sailing event for day two of the Invictus Games in Sydney (where the couple made their official public debut in 2017). For the occasion, Markle and Harry both donned sporty-casual outfits. Harry wore blue trousers, a black windbreaker with the Invictus Game logo embroidered on the front, and gray-suede Adidas sneakers.
Markle's coordinating outfit consisted of black skinny jeans, a black turtleneck, and an Invictus Games windbreaker. She finished off her look with an unexpected — though nonetheless welcomed — pair of sneakers, which hail from French shoe and accessories brand Veja.
At $150, Markle's shoes are quite the steal, considering their timeless — and sustainable — design. According to Veja's wesbite, the brand creates eco-friendly sneakers out of raw materials from organic farming and ecological agriculture.
Markle isn't the only celebrity who has been spotted in these sustainably-crafted shoes. Veja already counts the likes of Emma Watson and French actor Marion Cotillard as fans, and that list will certainly continue to grow.
The power of a classic white sneaker lies in its versatility — you can pair them with just about everything in your wardrobe, whether that's with your favorite skinny jeans and sweater (as in Markle's case) or with a flouncy, floral-print midi skirt (an unexpected pairing that's been on the rise as of late). They're also the perfect way to dress down a blazer-and-trousers ensemble for a more daytime-friendly look.
Ahead, shop the exact pair of Veja sneakers spotted on the Duchess of Sussex (while they're still in stock), as well as The Zoe Report's favorites from the eco-friendly French brand.
