Meghan debuts a punchy new look – inspired by the Princess of Wales
After a string of solo appearances from her husband Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex made one of her own on Saturday night, at the 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles gala.
Her vibrant red gown was by Carolina Herrera from the label’s pre-fall 2022 collection. Featuring a deep, U-shaped neckline and thigh-high slit, it couldn’t be further from the more reserved looks Meghan was required to wear as a working royal. Clearly, she’s still relishing the sartorial freedom she’s enjoyed since moving to the US.
If you think the dress looks familiar, it is: Meghan wore it for the first time in November 2021 at the Salute to Freedom gala. The gown has undergone a significant transformation since then: the full, fairytale overskirt of the 2021 outing has been removed, leaving just the sleek, minimal column dress that had been underneath.
Getting an old evening gown altered to look more current is a style strategy for which Meghan’s sister-in-law, the Princess of Wales, has become famous. Catherine’s attendance at Trooping the Colour in June was a case in point – the sash of her Jenny Packham dress was updated with a stripe, and a black-and-white striped bow added to the collar.
Over the years, Catherine has also had the sleeves of three different Alexander McQueen evening gowns altered ahead of the Baftas, which requests that guests “keep sustainability in mind” when choosing their outfits. Meghan may not appreciate the comparison, but evidence that she has adopted the same practice with one of her own go-to labels can only be a good thing.
Image consultant Annabel Hodin agrees – and believes it’s an improvement on the original dress, too. “The overskirt was rather matronly,” she says. “There will have been a fitting for the removal of the skirt top layer and [a number of alteration] options considered, but there was no surplus material to create a flattering drape. There is nowhere to put a dart or a ruche and the fabric has no stretch.”
It’s worth noting that the Duchess has been criticised in the past for wearing poorly fitting or creased clothes, but the slight volume at the hips in this case appears to be intentional – it’s a clever way to create the illusion of a smaller waist, while also allowing a little more freedom of movement.
“This more streamlined look with a front slit could not easily be tighter as it would pull when walking or bending over,” Hodin explains. However, she gives the look her seal of approval: “Meghan has an incredible eye for stylish dressing and would not make the mistake of an ill-fitting dress.”
Meghan debuted a new hair look on Saturday too. Usually, she prefers a low bun, or loose, straightened hair, so these glossy curls with a centre parting are a departure from what we’ve seen in the past. “It’s a totally different look for her,” says Zoe Irwin, creative director at John Frieda Salons. “What struck me the most is how young she looks all of a sudden.”
It’s a trend Irwin has already identified as the next big thing. “We’re calling this ‘La Belle Boheme’, she says. “I always like this kind of hair juxtaposed against the minimalist silhouette of the dress.”
This look is nothing like the beachy, boho waves we aspired to in the early 2000s though. It’s sleeker, with far less volume. It’s inspired by the modern boho look spearheaded by new Chloé creative director Chemena Kamali. The key ingredient, Irwin says, is gloss.
“The reason it’s of-the-moment is the high amount of shine in the hair,” she says. “You need to use a very lightweight oil through the hair when you’re blow drying it.”
Nor do you even need curling tongs: “What makes this really groomed is when you do it with a straightener – you get a lot of polish when you’re curling it with a straightening iron.”
The overall verdict? She looks great – although it’s probably not the easiest dress in which to sit down, and those Aquazzura sandals are not the easiest shoes in which to stand for a long period of time. But as a red carpet moment on its own, she’s nailed it.
