fashion

All the looks from Meghan Markle's royal tourdrobe.

Ah, Meghan. Our sustainable style queen. We’re updating this post with her latest looks as they happen – stay tuned for more from the royal couple and Archie’s 2019 tour of South Africa.

It’s hard enough packing for a holiday when you’re a normal person.

Seven black t-shirts should do it, right?

How about I pack these batik-print harem pants I’ve never worn in case I suddenly feel like it?

Where’s all my underwear?

We can only imagine how much the pressure intensifies when you’re Meghan Markle…on a royal tour with hubby and new baby in tow.

Last time we trailed Megs and Harry on holibobs (ok, their 2018 tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji) we were a little distracted given the couple chose that trip to announce their pregnancy and full on Royal Bump Watch ensued.

But her excellent vacay capsule wardrobe came a close second in racking up column inches (and stacking up our shopping carts.) Indeed, no item of clothing sells out faster than a Markle-endorsed one.

And for the couple’s nine day tour of South Africa, Meghan is cleverly using the attention on her wardrobe to shine a light on ethical and fair trade fashion labels, and making sustainable style choices by upcycling her favourite pieces.

So without further ado… see the fashion plate’s latest looks below.

Day five

On day five of the tour, Meghan visited Victoria Yards in Johannesburg, which is a redeveloped site for artists and craftspeople.

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The Duchess also spent time with the children and founders of Timbuktu in The Valley, which is a program for children’s development in South Africa.

For the visit, Meghan wore a navy Aritzia dress with red Everlane flats.

 

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A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on

 

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A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on

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Day four

On day four of the tour in Cape Town, the Duchess of Sussex held a private breakfast with a group of South African women who fight for gender equality, women’s rights, and education.

“In sitting down with these forward thinkers, it was abundantly clear – it is not enough to simply hope for a better future; the only way forward is “hope in action”, Meghan wrote on the official Sussex Instagram account.

“I’m eager to spend the next few days in South Africa continuing to learn, listen and absorb the resilience and optimism I’ve felt here.”

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For the breakfast meeting, Meghan wrote a J. Crew striped skirt and a sleeveless black top believed to be from Meghan’s friend, Misha Nonoo’s label and classic black pumps by Manolo Blahnik.

 

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Day three

On day three of the Cape Town leg of their tour, Meghan made a solo visit to mothers2mothers. The organisation has a mission to eliminate paediatric AIDS in Africa, and provides employment and training for women living with HIV as health workers. These ‘Mentor Mothers’ are employed in community healthcare centres to help educate and support women on their pregnancy and parenting journeys.

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For the visit, where she met a number of Mentor Mothers, Meghan wore a jumpsuit by ethical US brand Everlane. She finished the look with classic pumps by Manolo Blahnik.

Meghan Everlane
Meghan in an Everlane jumpsuit.
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Day two

For their second day of royal duties, Meghan and Harry visited Cape Town's Monwabisi Beach to greet the team at Waves for Change, a non-profit that uses surfing as a form of therapy for children and youth living in under-resourced communities.

Meghan went casual for the morning's activities in a Madewell denim jacket paired with a classic white shirt and jeans. Continuing her sustainable fashion crusade, she added leather loafers from Brother Vellies - a Mexican shoe label that creates jobs for local artisans across South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia.

megan markle denim
Meghan goes casual in a Madewell denim jacket. Image: Getty.
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Later in the day, while attending the Auwal Mosque, the Duchess donned a chic khaki maxi-dress by Staud. She paired the look with a headscarf and pointed flats by Sam Edelman.

 

Megan Staud dress
Meghan wears a Staud maxi-dress and Sam Edelman flats.

The couple then attended a reception for young people, community and civil society leaders at the Residence of the British High Commissioner. Meghan chose the function to repeat a favourite outfit from the royals' 2018 tour of Australia, a Martin Grant striped maxi-dress.

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Megan Martin Grant
The Duchess recycles a Martin Grant dress. Image: Getty Images.

Day one

For the couple's first appearance in Cape Town, The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in a black and white printed wrap dress by African fair-trade fashion label Mayamiko. It's sold out already (duh) but there are plenty more cool dresses on the brand's website, if you vibe.

Her favourite wedge espadrilles from Spanish shoe label Castaner were her (sensible) footwear of choice.

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Megan South Africa
Meghan wears Mayamiko dress and Castaner wedges. Image: Getty.

For their second appointment of the day, a visit to the District 6 Museum, Meghan wore a shirtdress that may also look familiar. She last wore this turquoise blue Veronica Beard number on an outing on the Tongan leg of the 2018 royal tour #thrifty.

Oh, and she wore those same wedges from earlier in the day because why bother changing shoes, amirite?

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Megan Veronica Beard dress
For outing #2, Meghan changed into a beloved Veronica Beard dress.

Meghan has long been vocal on the need for sustainability in an industry that largely profits on mass consumption and fast-fix trends.

In the September issue of British Vogue, which she guest-edited, the Duchess shared how she wished "to be part of fashion's push for something greater, kinder, more impactful."

We can already see her choices making a positive impact. Onya, Megs.