Is Michelle Obama Meghan Markle’s muse? Duchess appears to mirror her fashion choices – but former First Lady might have echoed the royal’s too

Meghan Markle appears to have found an unexpected fashion muse in former US First Lady Michelle Obama. 

The Duchess of Sussex has sported a variety of outfits that closely mirror Michelle’s style.

They include a red Carolina Herrera gown, a turquoise Victoria Beckham dress and a canary yellow Brandon Maxwell number – with each echoing designs previously worn by the former First Lady. 

Interestingly, this style influence seems to have become a two-way exchange.

Michelle’s choice of outfit at the Democratic National Convention in Illinois last month was very similar to Meghan’s choice for an outing just five days earlier during her tour of Colombia with Prince Harry.

So although some of the matching outfits will be coincidences, the correlation is undeniable for any astute observer, as we explore further below. 

Yellow pencil dress  

In 2018, Meghan wore a canary yellow dress by Brandon Maxwell, which looked strikingly similar to a design worn by Michelle in 2009

Meghan occasionally incorporates vibrant hues into her wardrobe, as shown in 2018 during a visit to Marlborough House in London. 

She wore a canary yellow dress by Brandon Maxwell, which looked strikingly similar to a design worn by Michelle in 2009.

The then First Lady selected the flattering bateau neck dress for a meeting at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, ahead of the G8 Summit.

Tonal trouser suit

In 2021, Meghan wore a reversible cashmere cape by Loro Piana during her visit to Harlem, New York, pairing it with matching trousers from the same Italian brand.

Her coordinated look appeared to be inspired by Michelle’s outfit from Joe Biden’s inauguration eight months earlier.

Michelle’s plum-coloured ensemble by Sergio Hudson, comprising a knitted turtleneck, wide-leg trousers and wool coat, had received widespread acclaim.

In 2021, Meghan wore a reversible cashmere cape from Loro Piana during a visit to Harlem, New York, pairing it with matching trousers from the Italian brand. Her coordinated look appeared to be inspired by Michelle’s outfit from Joe Biden’s inauguration eight months earlier

One-shoulder black gown

At the 2018 Fashion Awards, Meghan presented the British Designer Womenswear award to Clare Waight Keller, who designed her wedding dress. 

For the occasion, the duchess wore a glamorous one-shoulder gown by Givenchy. 

Michelle had worn a nearly identical asymmetric dress while giving a speech at the Phoenix Dinner during the CBCF annual legislative conference in 2012.

At the 2018 Fashion Awards, the duchess wore a glamorous one-shoulder gown by Givenchy. Michelle had worn a nearly identical asymmetric dress while giving a speech at the Phoenix Dinner during the CBCF annual legislative conference in 2012

Turquoise sheath dress

Meghan dazzled in a turquoise sheath dress at the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards in London. 

The elegant wool design by Victoria Beckham featured a round neckline, fitted silhouette and mid-length cut. 

The vivid colour also echoed Michelle’s choice at a 2012 campaign rally, where she addressed supporters of her husband, President Barack Obama. 

Meghan dazzled in a turquoise sheath dress at the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards in London. It echoed Michelle’s choice at a 2012 campaign rally, where she addressed supporters of her husband, President Barack Obama

Draped navy dress 

In 2018, Meghan made a lasting impression in a Roland Mouret dress with an off-shoulder neckline and a draped skirt. 

However, Michelle had already worn a similar design three years prior during the Let Girls Learn global conversation in New York. 

Both dresses highlight timeless elegance and show how classic designs can suit different fashion icons. 

In 2018, Meghan made a lasting impression in a Roland Mouret dress with an off-shoulder neckline and a draped skirt. However, Michelle had already worn a nearly identical design three years prior during the Let Girls Learn global conversation in New York

Asymmetric black dress

Meghan took a page out of Michelle’s style book when she attended the Women’s Empowerment reception in 2018.

The American actress chose an asymmetric dress by Black Halo, elevated by sky-high heels from Aquazzura.

The previous year, Michelle attended the ESPN awards wearing a comparable cut-out dress and strappy heels.

Meghan took a page out of Michelle’s style book when she attended the Women’s Empowerment reception in 2018

White off-shoulder dress

Following Michelle’s lead, Meghan showcased her décolletage at the 2022 Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala.

Radiating elegance in a custom white dress by Louis Vuitton, paired with black accessories, Meghan opted for a shoulder-baring design with long sleeves and a wrap front, revealing just the right amount of skin. 

Michelle had previously worn a similar style onstage at the Black Girls Rock! BET Special in 2015. 

Following Michelle’s lead, Meghan showcased her décolletage at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala. Michelle had previously worn a similar style onstage at the Black Girls Rock! BET Special in 2015

Red Grecian gown

Attending the 2021 Salute To Freedom Gala in New York, Meghan oozed glamour as she graced the red carpet alongside Prince Harry. 

The Duchess’s dress, a bespoke design by Carolina Herrera, was reminiscent of one worn by Michelle at the 2013 Inaugural Ball in Washington.

It incorporated a plunging halterneck and thigh-high slit, creating a distinctive aesthetic. 

Meghan’s Carolina Herrera dress, showcased in 2021, was reminiscent of one worn by Michelle at the 2013 Inaugural Ball in Washington

White trouser suit

At the 2022 Invictus Games, Meghan sported a white Valentino suit, consisting of an oversized blazer and wide-leg trousers. 

The former First Lady had showcased a matching two-piece in 2018 during an appearance alongside Tracee Ellis Ross at Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama.

Her stylish outfit incorporated a longline blazer and wide-leg trousers, which were just as lengthy as Meghan’s.

At the 2022 Invictus Games, Meghan sported a white suit by Valentino, consisting of an oversized double-breasted blazer and wide-leg trousers. The former First Lady selected a similar two-piece in 2018 during an appearance alongside Tracee Ellis Ross at Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama

Striped dress 

For a walkabout in Fraser Island, Australia, with Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan chose a breezy dress from Reformation. 

The vertical cream and grey stripes were reminiscent of a style worn by Michelle during a visit to Madrid in 2016.

Both women added gold jewellery and neutral accessories. 

For a walkabout in Fraser Island, Australia, with Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan chose a breezy dress from Reformation. The vertical cream and grey stripes were reminiscent of a style worn by Michelle during a visit to Madrid in 2016

… but Michelle might have copied Meghan too

At the Democratic National Convention in Illinois last month, Michelle wore a sleeveless navy suit by Monse.

Just five days earlier, Meghan wore a similar two-piece by Veronica Beard during her trip to Colombia with Prince Harry.

Michelle was seen wearing a sleeveless navy suit by Monse at the Democratic National Convention in Illinois last month, just weeks after Meghan wore a similar two-piece by Veronica Beard during her trip to Colombia with Prince Harry