Does Meghan Markle have a new revenge wardrobe? Duchess adopts more revealing fashion choices that ‘reflect independence and freedom’

During a recent stream of public appearances, Meghan Markle has been wearing some increasingly racy outfits – prompting some to suggest that she has adopted a new ‘revenge wardrobe’ as she hits out at her critics in the wake of increasing pressure.

Her most recent skin-baring ensemble was a bold scarlet Carolina Herrera frock, with a plunging neckline, tight fit, and daring front slit, which she donned while posing on the green carpet at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala last weekend. It marked the second time she donned the gown, first stepping out in it to attend the Intrepid Museum’s Salute To Freedom Gala in New York in November 2021 with Prince Harry.

However, the first time she wore it, it featured a large bell skirt and train, giving it a less racy look. And the 43-year-old’s style ‘has most definitely evolved as she is now showcasing more daring and casual looks (like she used to) that reflect her independence and newfound freedom from her previous royal protocols’.

That is according to Hope Flynn, founder of female empowerment and community So What?. Hope also told MailOnline: ‘Meghan’s new revenge wardrobe is all about showing that she is free, in control of her narrative and completely over all of the drama. She is showing the world (especially the critics) that she is doing just fine – in fact, better than ever since stepping away from her royal duties.’

While the Sussexes have faced criticism since stepping away from the Royal Family to pursue commercial endeavours in the US, the couple has been under additional strain in recent months. 

Some royal watchers have noted that Megan Markle (pictured on the green carpet at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala on October 5) appears to have adopted a more bold, skin-baring style in recent times

While visiting Colombia this Summer, Meghan wore outfits that showed off more skin and were less conservative than the ensembles she opted for as a working royal (pictured L-R: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seen visiting the Delia Zapata National Arts Center in Bogota on August 15)

Among some of the negative reporting around the duchess was an  article published in the September 11 edition of respected trade outlet the Hollywood Reporter, which said that she and husband Prince Harry, 40, had ‘chewed up yet another American adviser’ after their Chief of Staff Josh Kettler left their employment after just three months in the role.

The report added that staff said the former Suits actress ‘terrifies’ and ‘belittles’ people. It also described the couple as ‘both poor decision-makers’ who ‘change their minds frequently’ – with Harry dubbed ‘a very, very charming person’ and yet ‘very much an enabler’.

Additional allegations in the article include that she is ‘absolutely relentless’ and that ‘she marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders’. One source told the outlet: ‘I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears’.

Josh Kettler’s resignation meant he joined a reported 18 people who have quit working for the couple over the past few years.  

The report was particularly damning as it followed 2018 claims that Meghan had created a toxic and hostile work environment at Kensington Palace while she and Harry were working senior royals.

Despite Meghan branding the claims at the time as a ‘calculated smear campaign’, and others suggesting that her way of working with her British staff was simply different because she is American, the Hollywood Reporter’s article undermined this rationale, as some of its anonymous sources were allegedly US staff who are currently working for the couple.

And, of course, the couple has been the target of multiple other criticisms, including from those who are unhappy about how the Sussexes have talked about the Royal Family since moving away from the UK.

In their professional lives, the couple has also faced backlash from Hollywood insiders as well as royal watchers over their lack of productivity when it comes to their deals with Spotify and Netflix.

While visiting Colombia this Summer, Meghan opted for some style features rarely – if ever – worn by the working members of the Royal Family during official engagements. These include low-cut necklines and spaghetti straps among others (pictured L-R: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Cartagena on August 17)

Many royal watchers have also asked questions about the couple’s recent visits this year to Nigeria and Colombia, accusing them of trying to imitate royal tours, and questioning the efficacy of their philanthropy.  

Could these growing criticisms have played into any of Meghan’s choices to opt for more bold, skin-baring outfits over recent months, with the mother-of-two trying to hit back at critics with a ‘revenge wardrobe’?   

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told MailOnline that a ‘revenge outfit’ can be a ‘powerful thing’.   

‘Clothes can say a lot without saying anything and how that is interpreted is down to individuals,’ she continued. ‘Many things can be misunderstood, taken out of context and over analysed. 

‘What Megan is rocking these days could well be a sign of revenge to everyone including the ones who criticise her the most.’ 

Some have placed significance on her opting to re-wear the Carolina Herrera red frock, as she hit the green carpet alone last weekend. Its first outing came as she donned it for her and Prince Harry’s first public appearance after leaving The Firm. 

Re-wearing the colourful gown admit the current wave of criticism faced by the couple, could be deliberate, according to several commentators, including US Weekly.

The outlet noted that according to the Duchess, speaking in the 2021 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, since stepping away from royal duties, she had made a proactive decision to make bright colours.

She claimed that in the UK, she ‘rarely wore colour’, as she was told she could not wear the same colour as the late Queen Elizabeth II, or any other more senior member of the royal family.

The mother-of-two said that she primarily wore neutrals in a bid not to stand out, saying: ‘Most of the time that I was in the UK, I rarely wore colour […] There was thought in that […] I’m not trying to stand out here. So, there’s no version of me joining this family and trying not to do everything I could to fit in.’

Despite this, it has been noted that both before and after her time in The Firm, Meghan has often favoured neural clothing, regularly donning hues like beige.

However, Rochelle told MailOnline that there could be multiple reasons for the change that she ‘has noticed’ in the duchess’ style recently.

The stylist explained: ‘I feel like with most people and mothers, she is getting back to herself – but in a different era of fashion and life. 

‘She has had her children, and with stepping away from royal duties and […] rules [I think] she is getting back to herself and sense of style.’

Rochelle continued: ‘In the past, she has been compared to other royals. Although the criticism hasn’t lessoned, I think she is comfortable [enough] in her skin to start to be herself and [be comfortable with] the choices she makes within fashion.’ 

While in Colombia this Summer, several commentators noted how the Duchess’ style seemed removed from the clothing she wore during her short time as a working royal.

Mother-of two Meghan was snapped wearing a daringly short hemline while attending the George Zajfen Tennis Tournament in Los Angeles on September 14 (pictured L-R: Meghan Markle; Kelly McKee Zajfen; her daughter Lily; her husband Julian; and Prince Harry)

For example, during the trip, on which they were invited by the country’s vice president Francia Márquez, she opted for outfits with lower cut necklines, spaghetti straps, and flat sandals – features working royals like Queen Camilla, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, rarely, if ever, wear during engagements.

The idea of ‘revenge’ outfits is not new to the Royal Family: Diana, Princess of Wales, famously made a meaningful fashion statement by wearing an eye-catching little black dress while attending an event which took place on the same night an interview with the then-Prince Charles was broadcast – during which he confessed to his affair with Camilla.

On June 29, 1994, while the nation watched the future king make his confession to presenter Jonathan Dimbleby, his estranged wife attended a glitzy fundraising dinner at the Serpentine gallery in London.

There, she was photographed sporting a Christina Stambolian black silk crepe cocktail gown with an asymmetric ruched bodice and side sash, paired with her sapphire, pearl, and diamond choker – which matched her engagement ring – and scarlet nails.

Everyone was wowed by the bold ensemble, notably the £900 frock, which Stambolian has said Diana nearly didn’t buy over fears it was too risqué. On the night, it has been claimed, she opted for the dress in a fit of pique after rival designer Valentino leaked that she was going to wear one of his creations.

One press report described the gown as ‘the pièce de résistance…the brave, wicked, historic little Serpentine Cocktail possibly the most strategic dress ever worn by a woman in modern times’.

ORIGINAL REVENGE DRESS: Diana, Princess of Wales wore what was described as ‘possibly the most strategic dress ever worn by a woman in modern times’ when she donned this black Christina Stambolian cocktail gown to attend an event on the same night that an interview with the then-Prince Charles, who admitted to his affair with Camilla, was aired (pictured: Diana, Princess of Wales at the Serpentine Gallery in London on June 29, 1994)

‘This was the devastating wisp of black chiffon with which Diana flipped her husband clean off the front pages the morning after his damaging televised interview,’ it said.

‘This is a dress that shows Diana, Princess of Wales, fully in command of a sense of her own value.’

Referring to Meghan’s recent change in style, Rochelle remarked: ‘I would say she is saying something without saying [it explicitly]. She knows that eyes are on her all the time and no matter what she does or wears, there will be people saying something and criticising her. 

‘I think this is a sign/ nod to her old life, but with a refreshed approach.’ 

Hope Flynn concluded: ‘Meghan is using fashion to reclaim her power, to express her confidence and individuality, it’s her way of signalling that she is not bound by any royal expectations.’