We’re all familiar with the so-called Kate Middleton effect, which causes high-street and high end styles worn by the Duchess of Cambridge – and her two young children, George and Charlotte – to sell out within a matter of hours or even minutes of her being photographed in them. Just think back to the Reiss shift dress she wore to meet the Obamas, the purse-friendly pieces by Topshop and Glamorous which she chose for last year’s tour of India and Bhutan and, most famously, the blue Issa wrap dress that will forever be associated with Kate and William’s engagement photos. Now, as befits her new-found (if unofficial) status as a royal-to-be, Meghan Markle appears to have developed a similar ability to whip up a storm around a particular item of clothing.
While attending the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games over the weekend, just a few rows away from her boyfriend Prince Harry, the Suits star paid homage to her adopted city, Toronto, through her fashion choices. Opting for a tonal approach to occasion dressing, the actress wore two standout pieces from two Canadian brands, both in rich hues of burgundy: the ‘Beaune’ midi dress by Aritzia, with a crossover ‘V’ neckline and pleated skirt, and the ‘Baya’ leather jacket by Mackage, a classic biker style in a deeper maroon shade. Completing the purple-on-purple effect was a velvet clutch bag in a complementary shade.
Priced at $185, the Aritzia dress presents an affordable spin on occasion dressing for Meghan, who typically mixes low-key or ethically sourced fashion brands with high-end labels for public appearances (including a handful of British designers such as Erdem and Antonio Berardi). While the maroon version of the style has already sold out on the brand’s website, it is still available in a handful of colours including black, cobalt blue and a rosy pink. The Mackage jacket, priced at $690, is available too, but in limited stock.
Meghan has previously opted to wear Aritzia for another high-profile date. At the Audi polo challenge earlier this summer, the actress was photographed pairing a white blazer from the Canadian label with a black dress from London brand Antonio Berardi.
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