Meghan Markle is the queen… of jeans: Whether it is cropped, ripped or boyfriend style, the Duchess of Sussex’s denim choices are ‘perfect’ for her ‘off-duty look’, expert says after her latest outing

Earlier this month, Meghan Markle again made jeans the star of her wardrobe when she stepped out with Mother of the Bride actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.

At the age of 43, Meghan was wearing what some might say are age appropriate denim for her lunch at an exclusive Italian restaurant near the home she shares with Prince Harry and their two children in Montecito, California. 

The Duchess of Sussex‘s love affair with jeans became evident shortly after her relationship with Prince Harry went public in 2017.  

For their first official appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Meghan’s ripped jeans by Mother Denim sent a clear message. 

Princess Diana equally used her style it to portray her feelings when she had no other way of communicating.

Giorgio Armani said that jeans ‘represent democracy in fashion’, and it is this sentiment that perfectly encapsulates Meghan’s sartorial strategy with her collection of denim – she uses it to project an image of approachable elegance.

‘Styling-wise, they’re perfect for that casual, off-duty look with easy tees or shirting, but the addition of a smart jacket or heel can really elevate a classic jean like this as well,’ says Lesley Torson, founder and buying director of denim specialist Trilogy about Meghan’s style.

Denim guru Donna Ida believes that Meghan turns to jeans because of her figure. ‘Meghan has an athletic shape and favours a cropped skinny or boyfriend style, these are her go-to shapes,’ she said. 

Below, we reveal the evolution of Meghan’s outings in denim – from her flares to her ‘mom jeans’.  

Meghan wearing her ripped jeans with her Misha Nonoo ‘Husband shirt’ at the Invictus Games in 2017. It was her first official appearance with Prince Harry

Bootcut flared jeans

The only time Meghan has been spotted in flares was in 2005, at a pre-Emmy event in California.

This was long before she married Prince Harry and she was then a relatively unknown actress. 

Super casual and dressed down, Meghan twinned denim that flattered her figure with a black t-shirt, baseball cap and sandals.

The only time Meghan has been spotted in flares was in 2005, at a pre-Emmy event in California. Above: Meghan was attending the Kari Feinstein Pre-Emmy Style Lounge

Skinny jeans 

Meghan Markle returned to the set of her hit TV show Suits in Toronto in 2016 after her swift stop-off in the UK with Prince Harry in the early days of their romance.

It appears she was already using fashion to signal an allegiance with Princess Diana, who often favoured oversized coats like Meghan’s Smythe one and skinny jeans with a baseball hat.

Meghan Markle returned to the Suits film set in Toronto in 2016 after her swift stop-off in the UK with Prince Harry in the early days of their romance. It appears she was already using fashion to signal an allegiance with Princess Diana, who often favoured oversized coats like Meghan’s Smythe one and skinny jeans with a baseball hat

Distressed denim 

For her final series of Suits, Meghan bid farewell to Rachel Zane dressed down in a white open collar shirt and skinny denim. 

Channeling Harry’s genes in Princess Diana’s jean style, this was the first time that her character dressed in such a casual outfit.

It was perhaps a sign of beginning of her new royal life.

For her final series of Suits, Meghan bid farewell to Rachel Zane dressed down in a white open collar shirt and skinny denim

Ripped jeans 

In 2017, Meghan joined Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto, in what was their first outing as a couple.  

Meghan’s loose white ‘Husband’ shirt by Misha Nonoo may have garnering the most attention.

But it was her ripped Mother jeans that perhaps showed how her identity within the royal family was going to be more rebellious.

In 2017, Meghan joined Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto, in what was their first outing as a couple. Her ripped Mother jeans perhaps showed how her identity within the royal family was going to be more rebellious

Boyfriend Jeans 

At the Invictus Games in 2022, Meghan again echoed Princess Diana when she didn’t play by the rules.  

She embraced luxe logos by wearing a black tweed jacket with gold buttons by Celine, classic Chanel ballet flats and Moussy denim jeans with the hems rolled up.

She added a bag that was also by Celine.

At the Invictus Games in 2022, Meghan again echoed Princess Diana when she didn’t play by the rules. She embraced luxe logos by wearing a black tweed jacket with gold buttons by Celine, classic Chanel ballet flats and Moussy denim jeans with the hems rolled up

Slim leg Jeans 

On day two of the Invictus Games in 2020, Meghan wore slim leg denim, a Brandon Maxwell blazer and heeled Manolo Blahnik pumps.

It was a more grown-up version of her original Invictus Games ensemble in 2017.  

Dressing in a more grown-up version of her original Invictus Games ensemble when Meghan officially confirmed her royal couple status, for 2022’s sporting event.

 The ripped Mother jeans were swapped for slim leg denim, the Misha Nonoo husband shirt for a Brandon Maxwell blazer and she added heeled Manolo Blahnik pumps. It’s a throwback and not a coincidence.

On day two of the Invictus Games in 2020, Meghan wore slim leg denim, a Brandon Maxwell blazer and heeled Manolo Blahnik pumps. It was a more grown-up version of her original Invictus Games ensemble in 2017

Mom Jeans 

In July this year, Meghan stepped out at the A-list Italian restaurant Tre Lune in Montecito wearing a white shirt by Scandinavian label Anine Bing.

It was tucked into a pair of light wash, straight-leg denim jeans.

To give her look an effortless dash of cool girl sophistication, she had turned the cuffs of her jeans up to show off her two-tone Chanel flats.

Lesley Torson said: ‘This relaxed pair features a subtle cuff and she often opts for a more relaxed silhouette over slender styles like a flare, but clever styling still creates an effortlessly feminine look.’ 

And Meghan again paid homage to Princess Diana with a Lady Dior handbag.

By choosing jeans for a rare public appearance, Markle sent a clear message, she is a modern royal who values comfort and accessibility just as much as style.

Unlike traditional royal fashion, which often leans towards the formal and the conservative, jeans represent a break from convention.

In July this year, Meghan stepped out at the A-list Italian restaurant Tre Lune in Montecito wearing a white shirt by Scandinavian label Anine Bing. It was tucked into a pair of light wash, straight-leg denim jeans