It seems that a renowned sense of style is a prerequisite to becoming a Princess in the royal family! Princess Diana was one of the most photographed women in the world when she was a royal and she undeniably made a name for herself as a style icon with her demure tweed suits, elegant pencil skirts and luxurious gowns. Following suit, when Kate Middleton joined the royal family, she proved herself to have a similar elevated sense of style. Her movement towards achievable fashion sent swooning fans on a race to their closest Zara to pick up her latest piece which many have dubbed the “Kate Middleton effect” on fashion.
With this in mind, Prince Harry’s rumored soon-to-be fiance Meghan Markle has quite big shoes to fill when she becomes royalty herself! Luckily, Meghan has already proven herself to be quite the fashionista and has often been spotted rocking a more undone yet still highly polished take on Middleton’s classic and preppy style. Markle’s swoon-worthy casual looks are chic and feminine and her red carpet style is just as fabulous by featuring many silk cocktail dresses and jewel toned styles. Markle may not be a bonafide style icon yet like her predecessors, Diana and Kate, but she has definitely proved she’s well on her way! Follow along to vote on who wore the following classic looks best — reigning style icon Kate Middleton or newbie fashionista Meghan Markle?
12. The Crisp, Casual Look
Even Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have to be off-duty sometimes despite being associated with royalty and always on the go! These ladies are not only stunners at high-profile events, but also during their casual time. In June of this year, Kate Middleton stepped out at the 1851 Trust sailing roadshow wearing one of her classic casual looks. She rocked a crisp white blazer layered on top of a plain white tee which she paired with navy trousers. She kept the jewelry minimal and let her hair fall natural and loose.
Meghan Markle has a similar off-duty style, but her looks tend to be a little more edgy and undone. The Suits actress was recently spotted on the arm of boyfriend Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto and wore a crisp white button-up top tucked into distressed light wash jeans that were frayed along the ankle. She topped the look off with a camel-colored tote bag. Who does crisp, casual style better — Middleton or Markle?
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11. The Red Show Stopper
In 2016, Kate Middleton stunned in this ankle-length cherry red tea dress when she attended a reception at the Government House in British Columbia. Middleton chose to sweep her hair up in a structured updo to show off the asymmetrical neckline of the gown and topped the look with drop-style diamond earrings and a simple brooch. For accessories, she stayed true to an all-red color palette and opted for a crimson clutch and matching pointed toe pumps.
In July of 2016, Meghan Markle stepped out in a similar bright red ankle-length dress when she appeared on the Today show. Rather than a sleek updo like Middleton, Markle opted for side swept loose waves. The neckline of her dress was also a bit more low-cut than Middleton and, instead of all-red accessories, Markle opted for nude heels and a black tote bag. Who pulls off a classic red dress better?
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10. The Metallic Number
Metallic is a hard trend to pull off without looking tacky, especially when you’re someone as polished and put-together as a princess! In 2013, Kate Middleton stepped out to the Tusk foundation gala dinner at The Royal Society in London wearing this floor-length glittering gown designed by Jenny Packham. She paired the dazzling dress with a simple arm cuff and let her hair fall in voluminous layers framing her face.
In 2015, Markle attended the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards wearing a metallic number of her own! The short and sassy dress featured a plunging neckline, long sleeves and unique pocket detailing. She paired the high-shine garment with a trendy box clutch and left her hair wavy and loose. Markle kept her makeup natural, but went heavier on the eyes with a smokey gunmetal look. Who wore metallic better –Markle or Middleton?
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9. The Asymmetrical Gown
In 2012 Kate Middleton stepped out at UK’s Creative Industries Reception at the Royal Academy of Arts wearing a pale lilac dress that featured a modest asymmetrical neckline and waist-cinching pleated detail. She paired the flattering dress with a sleek updo, dainty hoop earrings and a tiny metallic clutch.
In 2013, Meghan Markle attended the 4th Annual UNICEF Masquerade Ball wearing her own asymmetrical number that featured a one-shoulder detail. Her dress was made of a luxurious silk fabric and featured an extravagant shoulder detailing that was quite avant-garde inspired. She tucked her dark tresses behind her ears and paired the look with a red mini-clutch. Who wore asymmetrical necklines better?
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8. The Navy Coat
Kate Middleton made fashionable outerwear the next must-have trend, but with all the cold winters working on Suits in Toronto, Meghan Markle has proved to have quite the impressive coat collection as well! Kate stepped out in 2016 to attend a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral wearing a trapeze-cut coat that cinched in at the waist to flatter her pregnant figure! The coat had structured, blazer-style lapels and she paired the look off with a beret, navy clutch and sleek low bun.
Markle took on an edgier vibe with her navy coat and paired it with leather leggings, a bold red pout and glossy side swept curls. The wrap-style coat featured a chunky belt detailing that flattered her waist and similar lapel detailing to Middleton’s navy garment. Who does navy outerwear better — Middleton or Markle?
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7. The Belted Look
Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are fans of belting their flowy dresses, but the question is — who styles a belt better? Back in 2015 Kate Middleton visited the Anna Freud Centre in London wearing a checkered knee length dress that buttoned down the front and added a thin leather belt to cinch in the waist. She paired the dress with black pumps and a matching clutch and topped the look off with dainty pearl earrings.
Meghan Markle is also a fan of belted dresses but opted for a much edgier version of this look with the chunky black belt layered on top of a brocade-style midi dress that featured pleats at the bottom. Markle sleeked back her hair in a polished updo and wore no jewelry to really show off the belt. Who wore the look better?
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6. The Neckline Embroidery
Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have rocked similar dresses that have neckline embellishments! Kate opted for a charcoal grey dress that hit her just above the knees and featured quarter-length sleeves and pleats along the skirt. She tied in the black neckline embroidery by pairing the dress with a black velvet clutch. She sleeked her hair back into a polished ponytail and topped the look with timeless pearl earrings.
Markle took an edgier approach to the neck embroidery trend and instead opted for a form fitting little black dress with a golden embellishment around the neckline! The dress featured full length long sleeves and a flirty ruffle around the hemline. Markle left her straight locks down and sleeked it behind her ears to show off her enviable cheekbones. Who wore embroidery better?
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5. The Lace Dress
Feminine lace is a staple in Kate Middleton’s wardrobe and seemingly in Meghan Markle’s as well! In 2015 Kate Middleton attended the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall wearing a knee length black dress that was completely covered in lace. The dress was reminiscent of her wedding gown with its completely sheer long sleeves and form-flattering shape. She kept the look all black with her accessories and left her chestnut hair fall in loose waves down her back.
In 2013 Meghan Markle attended the The Moth’s Storytelling Tour wearing a similar lace look to Middleton’s! Rather than black and knee-length, Markle instead opted for a softer shade of navy and a much shorter hemline. The dress featured a high neckline and sheer quarter length sleeves. She paired the look with one simple gold bangle and basic nude pumps. Who is the queen of lace — Middleton or Markle?
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4. The Teal Number
Both Kate and Meghan are not shy to rock a bold color like teal! In 2015, Kate Middleton visited “Action on Addiction” in Warminster wearing a structured teal dress that featured long sleeves and knee-length pleats. She paired the timeless teal dress with a simple diamond pendant and matching earrings while keeping her bag simple and black.
Meghan Markle wore a nearly identical shade of teal in 2015 when she attended the Elton John’s Aids Foundation event. The floor-length dress was super simple and had minimal embellishments to allow the mermaid shape of the dress to truly flatter her figure. She wore a few dainty bangles along her wrist and swept her hair into a whimsical and wispy updo. Who won the more fabulous teal dress – Middleton or Markle?
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3. The Tweed Suit
A tweed suit has been a classic in the royal family for ages, and luckily Meghan Markle has already proven that she has this look down pat! The real question is however, can she pull it off better than Kate Middleton? The Duchess of Cambridge opts for a tweed suit on a regular basis and this navy blazer and pencil skirt combo she wore to visit Ronald McDonald House is definitely one of her wardrobe staples. She swept her hair into a polished half-up hairstyle and paired the navy look with a black clutch.
Meghan Markle showed off her own take on the tweed suit while out and about in New York. She rocked a loose pair of tweed shorts and matching blazer that she kept undone. She layered a white button-up top underneath and left a few of the buttons at the top unbuttoned. She swept her loose waves over her shoulder and paired the look with a burgundy tote bag. Who does tweed better — Middleton or Markle?
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2. The Little Black Dress
The little black dress is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe and Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle’s closets are no different! Kate Middleton stepped out in 2016 wearing a black ankle-length dress when she attended the Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools Awards. The dress featured a flattering brooch detailing on the waist and she swept her hair back in a polished half-up hairstyle.
Meghan Markle took a similar approach to the little black dress and wore a garment that hit her just below the knee and featured a small slit detailing. The flattering dress featured cap sleeves and a v-neckline and she paired the look with strappy nude heels that matched with her leather crossbody bag. Markle left her hair loose and wispy falling over one shoulder. Who pulled off the LBD better?
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1. The Printed Mini Dress
Both Middleton and Markle are not shy to rock a bold print every once in a while! In 2015 Kate Middleton visited Harrow College wearing a knee-length dress that was covered with a checked, grey-tone print. The dress cinched in at the waist and featured short-sleeve detailing. She paired the look with a black clutch and left her hair down and voluminous.
In 2013, Meghan Markle attended the USA Upfront Presentation wearing a checked mini dress with a similar print! The dress was more of a swing-style and showed off her slender legs rather than her waist like Middleton’s. She paired the dress with a blue bangle and topped the style off with nude pumps and left her hair sideswept and flowy. Who did this checked print better — Middleton or Markle?
