In Praise Of The Oversized Summer Dress, As Worn By Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex left her house yesterday and, right on cue, the internet lost its mind. Suddenly there were tweets and articles and long conversations concerned with how Meghan was holding the baby, whether or not Kate and Meghan were ignoring one another and various other conspiracy theories of a serious nature. And among them were those dissecting Meghan's outfit.

She wore an olive dress by Lisa Marie Fernandez, an American brand that specialises in breezy summer dresses and pretty separates that are crying out for an equally pretty holiday destination in which to be worn. The dress in question – the Rosetta, a V-neck linen number – is sold with a waist tie, which Meghan chose to forgo. As a result, she was wearing the dress oversized.

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because I thought she looked incredibly modern, at an event where most people were wearing fairly formal, mostly fitted, floral print dresses. She was the epitome of laid-back, California cool, which is actually much more difficult to execute than you might think. Lisa Marie Fernandez has nailed it, however, with her signature brand of summer dressing. She founded her eponymous label in 2009, starting with swimwear. Now, she's managed to navigate the tricky retail landscape to maintain a coveted brand that's managed to stay ahead of the curve. "The best asset I have is my instincts. I somehow always see things way before other people," she told Fashionista last year.

What I do find interesting is Meghan's choice of brands; they feel very conscious, very considered. From choosing Givenchy's very first female creative director – Clare Waight Keller – to create her wedding dress to buying jeans from the sustainable brand Outland, she is clearly aware of her influence and how she can possibly use it for good. Just last week, she attended Wimbledon carrying a tote bag from US label Cuyana, whose brand motto is "Fewer, better things." She was also wearing a blazer by L'Agence, which she has worn on previous occasions. She is, in many ways, the ultimate sustainable influencer.

Many have suggested her style is more casual since she had a baby, which is not exactly a groundbreaking assertion. What woman wants to force herself into tailoring six weeks after giving birth to a human being? I think it would be hard to wrestle me out of leggings. It also feels like maybe Meghan is staying true to her own style – she is from California, after all. And, while I'm loathe to admit it, I think I have fallen victim to the Meghan Effect or whatever the Daily Mail calls it. For the weather has been mostly overcast and humid recently, leading me to search my wardrobe desperately for pieces that will keep me cool but are still work appropriate. And perhaps the answer lies in an oversized silhouette. A breezy, linen dress that is low maintenance, still looks like you've vaguely tried and that will really last for summers to come.

Naturally, the LMF dress is sold out. But there are many brands capitalising on the appeal of an oversized dress for summer, meaning you too can channel the laid-back vibes of California. You may be in a beer garden in England, but nobody will know the difference.

SHOP: The Best Oversized Summer Dresses