Culture
The Best Meghan Markle Looks To Date Are On Par With Princess Diana's Style In The '90s
Being a member of the royal family comes with a host of duties — one of which is, dressing to impress. In the '90s, Princess Diana set the stage for a new millennium with one pristine ensemble after the next, mixing her own personal style with recommendations from the fabled royal stylist. The best Meghan Markle looks do just the same — and with some review, it quickly became evident that they have so much in common with Princess Diana's most-besotted styles.
This is hardly a coincidence. The royal aesthetic is one that's polished, powerful and timeless. Even after decades, the silhouettes and motifs that result from the three remain consistent — jewel neckline coats, vibrant colors, and spherical buttons, to name a few, have earned a permanent place in the family's fashion archives. The Duchess of Sussex has called on these more than once, executing contemporary looks that evoke all the nostalgia of '90s royal style.
Just ahead you'll find a curated list of all the greatest from both ruling ladies — including bespoke Prada double-breasted coats, pillbox hats, and red carpet gowns. All include scores of options available for purchase to create the look yourself, with something for every occasion.
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Forest Greens
One of the most traditional royal hues is forest green — which Markle just remixed by way of her side-swept cape. Princess Diana wore the hue so seamlessly, with a scarlet brooch to punctuate the look. For an additional high-neck take on the look, shop Reformation's 100% silk iteration for $300.
Forest Greens
Black And White Hats
There's something inherently summer-y about a crisp black-and-white hat — which is why both royals wore the style to sunshine-soaked horse races with matching frocks. Eric Javits has been the dominant milliner in the industry for decades on end, making his Sun Crest style the one to shop.
Black And White Hats
Blush Monochromatic Suits
This dress-jacket silhouette is a famous royal style, and its baby pink iteration is perfect for spring. Fleur Du Mal's blazer dress available on Shopbop.com turns the two-step outfit into one, with a sultry, yet professional take on the silhouette.
Blush Monochromatic Suits
Emerald Coats
For a deeper, darker take on the forest green style, royals often turn to emerald hues. These coats, with black buttons and embroidery, put a wicked spin on the look. Markle's original Erdem coat is sold out, but this style from the designer offers a similar feel.
Emerald Coats
Red-Carpet Reds
The Royals never shy away from a red gown on the red carpet. Alex Perry's structural frock evokes the same shapes called on in countless royal looks.
Red-Carpet Reds
Pillbox Hats
This tradition may seem reserved for royals exclusively, but it actually transfers well with any trench or coat-dress look.
Pillbox Hats
True Purples
Always making bold strokes, the Princess of Wales wore a Versace gown steeped in deep purple in 1996. Some 20 years later, Markle wore the same hue, by way of a $50 Aritzia dress which sold out instantly.
True Purples
Crisp Linens And Light-Wash Denim
If you don't already have a pair of classic light-wash jeans and a crisp button-down in your wardrobe, act fast. This is the less fussy of all the shared royal looks, and it can be styled differently for every season.
Crisp Linens And Light-Wash Denim
Rollneck Sweaters And Blazers
This double-breasted silhouette is taken a step further by the turtleneck, with contrasting colors making for an extra punchy look.
Rollneck Sweaters And Blazers
Headscarves
While in Lahore, Pakistan, Princess Diana sported a parchment-colored headscarf, which Markle donned years later to a mosque in Cape Town, South Africa. (Echo is the New York-based expert in scarves, all of which can be worn several different ways.)
Headscarves
Cream Skirt-Suits
In bespoke Prada, Markle evokes Princess Diana's cream-colored jewel neckline coat, a classic royal silhouette. Finish off with a string of pearls for a super nostalgic look (that happens to be going viral right now).
Cream Skirt-Suits
