A month since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry said ‘I do’ the couple found themselves once again attending a wedding, this time of Princess Diana’s niece Celia McCorquodale to George Woodhouse. While the Duchess of Sussex wasn’t walking down the aisle at this ceremony no less media attention has been paid to her attire.
To celebrate the nuptials on Saturday at St Andrew and St Mary’s Church in Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire, Markle wore a floral Oscar de La Renta shirtdress. Until now the Duchess has favoured more structured, solid coloured designs, making this piece an unlikely choice for the newlywed. Retailing at [£3922](https://www.modaoperandi.com/oscar-de-la-renta-r19/long-sleeve-cocktail-dressil-dress), this dress has divided opinions - Vogue called it ‘luxe bohemian’ while The Daily Mail’s style editor said it was ‘Too big and too Laura Ashley’ and one Twitter user wrote she ‘looks like she re-inacted the Gone with the Wind scene where Scarlett makes a dress from old curtains. Megan only had a M&S duvet to work with.’ The claws were out.
Though the dress has courted attention (and not always the most positive) her fascinator has flown under the radar. Again stepping out of her sartorial comfort zone, Markle eschewed her traditional structured headwear of a pillbox hat or beret for a more romantic choice. She picked a Marks and Spencer ruffled hat (priced at £29.50) for the occasion. Perhaps she is test driving a new look ahead of Ascot this week?
With a swirling straw bow and a pearlescent finish, this fascinator was a curious addition to the OdlR gown. Though fashion ‘rules’ are 90 per cent rubbish a simple rubric still stands when it comes to choosing headwear: for a tailored ensemble pick something softening and for a more whimsical fit consider a more structured choice. With a thin headband and a nest of net, this hat isn’t the most obvious accessories but, perhaps the Duchess was just following Marksandspencer.com’s styling advice: ‘Whether pairing with a floral dress or accenting a sleek tailored suit, this fascinator will be the perfect finishing touch to your look.'