Meghan Markle Clearly Knows The Power Of A Do-It-All Dress And So Should You

That’s that then. After 682 days, Meghan Markle has waved goodbye to life as a senior member of the Royal Family. Make no mistake, however, her exit bow had major wow: from the Victoria Beckham aquamarine dress that brought a blast of blue-sky optimism to a rainy day to the superwoman Safiyaa dress with caped detail. The takeaway? I’m not about to fade into the background.

But those headline-grabbing looks were only part of the story. In the last couple of days, we have been treated to a glimpse of some quieter – but no less impactful – looks from private events (via the @SussexRoyal Instagram account, Meghan is social media savvy). The first, a pleated caramel Preen dress worn to a filming engagement for the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust; the second, a navy crepe knit dress from Australian brand Scanlan Theodore, which she chose for a talk with students and academics who had won scholarships from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

The crux of Meghan’s fashion appeal has always been in its blend of aspirational and the attainable. These two dresses exemplify that perfectly: they are polished and poised, but also highly wearable. Although there is nothing difficult about either of the styles, don’t confuse basic with boring. Clever design details – the Preen’s asymmetric hem, the Scanlan Theodore’s self-tying neckline – elevates each piece into more interesting territory.

You can think of these dresses as a win for pragmatic dressing. It’s no stretch to imagine putting on either of them on one of those ‘five minutes to get ready! SOS!’ mornings and look and feel ready to take on the world. The do-it-all midi dress has become a wardrobe go-to for time strapped women who don’t want to scrimp on style. They’re a saviour for those of us who want to appear together, but don’t have the time (or inclination) to have to prep a great look with a fake wan/wax/hours of negotiation complicated underwear. Look for pared-back styles that allow you to have fun with the styling.

Do these dresses reveal a new style era for Meghan? Only time will tell. But their ultimate triumph – for royal life and real life alike – is that they are versatile enough to be returned to again and again, dressed up or down. Rewearing these would be a smart, stylish move. In today’s climate, it doesn’t always require a new dress to say something new.

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