Now residing in an enclave of Santa Barbara near the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean and the crystal sand beaches of Miramar, the Duchess of Sussex is embracing her California roots and cloaking herself in coastal casual. Gone are the days of fascinators and frilly dresses — in their place — West Coast wardrobe basics.
With a new climate, new home and new outlook — the Duchess of Sussex is thriving in her Pacific paradise.
Here are 10 of Meghan Markle’s Must Have California Wardrobe Basics:
- Linen Shirt
While watching her paramour Prince Harry play polo throughout the summer of 2022, Meghan was snapped wearing striped, white and chambray linen shirts on the sidelines. She’s also worn an Annie Bing Mika shirt on multiple occasions in her new hometown and recently paired the collared shirt with cocoa colored Reformation shorts. In addition, she donned a JCrew Irish linen shirt for a trip to the farmer’s market which she used as a coverup over a sleek olive tank dress.
2. Statement Scarf
Meghan was spotted last Thursday running errands in Montecito while Prince Harry was overseas playing polo in Tokyo. For the daytime jaunt, Meghan wore a blue Hermès Rayures D’Ete Shawl Scarf featuring various scenescapes — including an oyster farm village, a cafe terrace and Archaon Bay in France.
3. A Stretchy Strapless Dress
Clad in a striped black and bone figure hugging dress by Posse for her birthday dinner, Meghan was all smiles at an Italian dinner in Montecito. The stretchy jersey dress felt less royal, more relaxed.
4. Soft Separates
Reaching monochrome master super status, the duchess looked picture perfect in cozy camel pieces by Bleusalt for a congratulatory phone call to tech grant winners.
5. White Denim
On a recent outing in Montecito, Meghan paired her Max Mara Rispoli coat and cashmere Everlane oatmeal sweater with Le Frame white skinny Jeanne crop denim jeans. The crisp white jeans have a classic Hamptons ‘girls who brunch’ vibe and pair perfectly with camel, nautical stripes or simple cotton t-shirts.
6. A Fedora Straw Hat
Beachcomber meets Mom-About-Town — Meghan’s inclination towards straw hats with simple bands is what makes her a fashion trendsetter. She’s showed off her collection of Janessa Leone favorites — including a boater style with ribbon and packable beach straw hat — on various warm weather outings since arriving on the Central California Coast.
7. Ankle Slice Jeans
The duchess has worn multiple pairs of ankle slice jeans since returning stateside. She visited Clevr Blends in a Ralph Lauren button down shirt paired with Mother Denim Swooner Ankle Slice jeans. Recently, she wore white Le Frame ankle cut denim.
8. Linen Shorts
The duchess cheered on the LA Lakers in her California best — pink Staud separates in lightweight linen. Meghan wore the mid-weight Maxwell Blazer and paired it with the matching belted Eris shorts in rosebud.
9. Elastic Pants
Cool cotton pants are a must for the mild Mediterranean climate of Montecito — the duchess donned The Row ‘Mercedes’ Italian crafted pants with a comfy elastic waistband for an outing near her beach adjacent home.
10. Lightweight Rain Jacket
Stepping out in an Archewell baseball cap and unidentified wool sweater and jeans — Meghan was rocking the unofficial Cali uniform of breezy basics.
