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Meghan Markle wears clothing from smaller design houses that's 'not possible to alter' while being 'too controversial' for bigger fashion brands, experts claim
Meghan Markle wears clothing from smaller brands that is 'not possible to alter' and is 'too controversial' for bigger fashion houses, experts have claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, has often opted for floor-length garments over the past six years - most recently wearing a pair of £360 trousers to 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, which is also by the Australian brand St Agni.
At one point, Meghan posed for photos with makeup mogul Bobbi Brown and fashion designer Misha Nonoo - and fans noticed the Duchess' feet were totally obscured by her trousers.
Speaking to FEMAIL, celebrity stylist Rochelle White claimed Meghan's trousers were potentially a sample pair from St Agni and therefore not possible to alter to her 5ft 6in frame - either because they have to be returned or because they've been given to the stylist rather than directly to Meghan herself to keep.
Pictured: The Duchess of Sussex (with Misha Nonoo and Bobbi Brown) opted for a £700 beige linen co-ord set by St Agni for the Hamptons business summit
The expert said: 'I know that wide leg long trousers are in fashion and trend piece right now. They have been dominating instagram and runways, so I think she likes the style.
'They are great at cinching the waist but adding leg and depth to an outfit. They can also be flattering and comfortable and not so restrictive.
'But the Duchess could also be working with either a designer, fashion house, or stylist where it might not be possible to have alterations done so that they are more fitting to her leg length. So, as a result they are longer.'
What's more, fashion expert Giorgina Ramazzotti has also claimed that while Meghan has worn Dior and Givenchy in the past, she could be seen as too 'controversial' a figure to get free samples from some major fashion houses.
Giorgina said: 'As a celebrity and actress before joining the royals, Meghan would have been very used to a world in which everything is given on loan for photoshoots, an appearance or borrowed from wardrobe as part of her character in Suits.
'Celebrities rarely have to part with cold hard cash in exchange for fashion items. Often items are given as gifts, given on loan for special events, or the star is given a heavy discount to shop the brand, and whilst Meghan wasn’t a well-known actress before meeting Prince Harry, she would still have been given freebies – albeit from smaller brands.
'When she joined the royals, she quickly found out that loans and gifts from designers were forbidden, and the star was no doubt given an allowance to dress – something I’m sure she was glad to throw out of the window when she left the royal fold.
'It can be noted that Meghan rarely wears big designer brands such as the French fashion houses Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent etc. These brands are very careful with their image and getting loans from them for lesser or controversial stars (as Meghan, in some circles, now is) is like getting blood from a stone.'
Pictured: Meghan Markle wore another pair of floor-length trousers for the Invictus Games in Germany in September 2023
Meghan Markle wore floor-length 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 that they had signed a 'megabucks' deal with the Duchess, who was rumoured to become the face of the brand.
It had been speculated any deal could be worth as much as £15million to the couple.
What's more, the stylist argued that the Duchess favours 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 separates, neutral colours, and classic tailoring – think Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy meets 21st century style – and her latest look from St. Agni encompasses all this to a tee.'
The expert says Meghan could be 'carving out her own version of "quiet luxury", which has proven to be a popular trend over the past few years and means favouring unbranded designer clothing in neutral colour palettes.
Giorgina continued: 'Larger than life amounts of cloth has long been a design of wealth – the epitome of ‘old money style’ so prevalent with Gen Z and Millennials.
'Where a maxi dress on the high street usually clings and rarely reaches below the calf, in luxury stores their summer dresses use much more fabric to create volume and length – often billowing and reaching to the floor. Where lower price points scrimp on fabric, luxury brands know that their clients want to look put together with no corners cut.'
Celebrity stylist Rochelle thinks Meghan wears longer outfits that cover her feet to look taller than she is. Above: Meghan in September 2022, Germany
The Duchess of Sussex is pictured in a long ballgown at the Variety Power of Women Los Angeles in November 2023
Meghan Markle wears a long ruffled dress as she visits Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2024
But while Meghan's trouser and skirt lengths may be 'scoffed at' by some, Giorgina says her style is always 'chic and on point'.
Following Meghan and Harry's 'tour' of Nigeria in May, Rochelle argued that the Duchess frequently wears floor-length garments to give her the illusion of height.
She said: 'Long dresses and trousers, depending on body type, can help to elongate the body and shape.
'They can make you look taller and depending on the styles can help to define areas of the body you either want to highlight or cover up.'
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 that saw them both watching events and attending a NATO meeting.
This was made up of a chocolate-coloured blouse and creased taupe trousers that trailed along the floor.
She stood next to Prince Harry - who is a whopping 6ft 2inches in height - and although she barely came up to his shoulder, Rochelle says she appears taller because of her outfit choice.
She said: 'Looking at Meghan, I feel that these styles make her look taller and highlight her silhouette. I feel it makes her look taller.
'I feel that she knows her body and the things or items that work for her best and is tapping into that with her looks.'
In 2018, during Meghan's trip to Edinburgh with Harry, she proudly donned a pair of lengthy, flared black trousers which 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 slacks were pulled along the wet concrete, gathering dirt on the bottom of them.