Meghan Markle wears clothes from smaller brands that are “not possible to alter” and are “too controversial” for bigger fashion houses, experts say.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, has often opted for floor-length garments over the past six years, most recently when she sported a £360 pair of trousers at a business summit in the Hamptons over the weekend.
For the occasion, the mother of two, who is preparing to launch her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, paired the beige linen trousers with a matching single-breasted waistcoat, also from Australian label St Agni.
At one point, Meghan posed for photos with makeup mogul Bobbi Brown and fashion designer Misha Nonoo, and fans noticed that the duchess’ feet were totally hidden by her pants.
Speaking to FEMAIL, celebrity stylist Rochelle White claimed Meghan’s trousers were potentially a sample pair from St Agni and therefore not possible to tailor to her 5ft 5in frame – either because they needed to be returned or because they had been given to the stylist rather than directly to Meghan to keep.
Pictured: The Duchess of Sussex (with Misha Nonoo and Bobbi Brown) opted for a £700 beige linen ensemble by St Agni for the Hamptons business summit.
The expert said: ‘I know that long wide-leg trousers are in fashion and are a trending item at the moment. They have dominated Instagram and the catwalks, so I think she likes the style.
‘They’re great for cinching the waist, but they also add volume and depth to an outfit. They can also be flattering and comfortable and not so restrictive.
“But the Duchess could also be working with a designer, fashion house or stylist, and it wouldn’t be possible to make alterations to better fit her leg length. That’s why they’re longer now.”
What’s more, fashion expert Giorgina Ramazzotti also claimed that while Meghan has worn Dior and Givenchy in the past, she could be seen as too “controversial” a figure to be given free samples from some of the top fashion houses.
Giorgina said: ‘As a celebrity and actress before joining the royals, Meghan would have been very used to a world where everything is loaned out for photoshoots, an appearance or borrowed from the wardrobe as part of her character in Suits.
‘Celebrities rarely have to part with cash in exchange for fashion items. Often, items are given as gifts, loaned out for special events or stars are offered a big discount to buy from the brand and although Meghan was not a well-known actress before she met Prince Harry, she would still have received free items, albeit from smaller brands.
‘When she joined the royals, she quickly discovered that loans and gifts from designers were banned, and the star was no doubt given a clothing allowance – something I’m sure she was happy to throw out the window when she left the royal fold.
‘You can tell that Meghan rarely wears big designer brands like French fashion houses Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent, etc. These brands are very careful about their image and borrowing from them for minor or controversial stars (as Meghan, in some circles, now is) is like getting blood from a stone.’
Pictured: Meghan Markle wore another pair of long trousers to the Invictus Games in Germany in September 2023.
Meghan Markle wore long trousers to visit Edinburgh Castle during her first official joint visit to Scotland with Prince Harry in February 2018.
In June 2023, French fashion house Dior denied having signed a “megabucks” deal with the Duchess, who was rumored to become the face of the brand.
There had been speculation that any deal could be worth up to £15m to the couple.
What’s more, the stylist argued that the Duchess prefers floor-length trousers and skirts as she is trying to channel an “old money” aesthetic.
Giorgina explained: “Meghan tends to favour minimalist, understated luxury; simple pieces, neutral colours and classic tailoring – think Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with 21st century style – and her latest St. Agni look encompasses all of this perfectly.”
The expert says Meghan could be “creating her own version of ‘quiet luxury’, which has proven to be a popular trend in recent years and means favouring unbranded designer clothes in neutral colour palettes.”
Giorgina continued: ‘Larger-than-life amounts of fabric have long been a design of wealth, the epitome of the ‘old money style’ so prevalent among Gen Z and Millennials.
‘While high-street maxi dresses tend to be fitted and rarely hit below the calf, luxury stores’ summer dresses use much more fabric to create volume and length, and are often airy and floor-length. While lower-priced stores skimp on fabric, luxury brands know their customers want to look put together without cutting corners.’
Celebrity stylist Rochelle believes Meghan wears longer garments that cover her feet to make herself look taller than she is. Above: Meghan in September 2022, Germany
The Duchess of Sussex appears in a long ball gown at Variety Power of Women Los Angeles in November 2023.
Meghan Markle wears a long ruffled dress during her visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2024
But while some may mock the length of Meghan’s trousers and skirts, Giorgina says her style is always “chic and precise.”
Following Meghan and Harry’s tour of Nigeria in May, Rochelle argued that the duchess frequently wears floor-length garments to give the illusion of height.
She said: ‘Long dresses and trousers, depending on your body type, can help elongate your body and shape.
‘They can make you look taller and, depending on the style, can help define areas of the body that you want to highlight or cover.’
When the royal couple spent a week in Frankfurt last summer to attend the Invictus Games, Meghan wore an all-brown ensemble on a day when they both checked out events and attended a NATO meeting.
It was a chocolate-colored blouse and taupe-colored pants with pleats that reached the floor.
She was standing next to Prince Harry, who is a whopping 1.88m tall, and although she barely reached his shoulders, Rochelle says she looks taller due to her choice of outfit.
She said: ‘Looking at Meghan, I feel like these styles make her look taller and highlight her silhouette. I feel like they make her look taller.
“I feel like she knows her body and the things or elements that work best for her and she’s taking advantage of that through her appearance.”
In 2018, during Meghan’s trip to Edinburgh with Harry, she proudly sported a pair of long, flared black trousers that were too long for her despite wearing a pair of heels.
As the Duchess was busy greeting people who braved the unpredictable Scottish weather to see the former royals, the trousers were dragged across the wet concrete, collecting dirt at the bottom.
