Meghan Effect: How Banana Republic, J Crew and Zara outfits sold out after Meghan Markle wore them to Invictus Games
Meghan Markle sported nearly £300,000 worth of clothes and jewellery in less than a week at the Invictus Games.
Among her items, costing thousands, from the likes of Chanel, Givenchy, and Aquazzura, the Duchess of Sussex also opted for affordable items from J. Crew, Banana Republic, and Zara.
When Meghan was a member of the royal family, items she wore to public events would quickly sell out, in what was dubbed ‘the Meghan effect’.
And three years after quitting the Firm, it appears Meghan still has buying power, with many of the items she wore this week selling out.
Among those selling out including the £170 Staud shorts and her Nu Pieds 05 leather sandals from Yves Saint Laurent.
Among her items, costing thousands, from the likes of Chanel , Givenchy, and Aquazzura, the Duchess of Sussex also opted for affordable items from J. Crew (pictured) Banana Republic, and Zara
For her first appearance at the Invictus Games, Meghan donned a £112 Banana Republic dress – with nearly £200,000 worth of accessories
Meghan started the week by flying from LA to Dusseldorf, via London, in a £26,000 outfit
The Duchess of Sussex , 42, is known for her love of designer brands, expensive accessories and glittering jewels worth thousands of pounds. While opting for some mega expensive brands including Givenchy, Chanel and Hermes, Meghan also showcased a more low-key approach to dressing than many have been used to seeing
The Duchess donned a smart white Ralph Lauren sweater vest with a pair of matching jeans for the occasion
He Frama Le Color Crop trousers are also sold out in most sizes, while her £112 black pleated Banana Republic shirtdress sold out within hours of her appearance.
Meanwhile, after she wore the J Crew Cashmere crewneck, the whole website crashed with fans quickly trying to get hold of the look. When it came back, they cheekily added to the description of the outfit that it was ‘perfect for sporting events’.
Some of her more expensive items also sold out, including her Polo Pony-embroidered V.neck knitted vest.
While opting for some mega expensive brands including Givenchy, Chanel and Hermes, Meghan also showcased a more low-key approach to dressing than many have been used to seeing.
The royal mother-of-two looked to high street retailers like Zara, Banana Republic and J Crew for affordable fashionable pieces as well as mid-range designers like Ralph Lauren and Toteme.
However, racking up the majority of Meghan’s bill was her jewellery, which included Princess Diana ‘s £17,800 Cartier watch and added her £50,000 Lorraine Schwartz pinky ring made with ‘diamonds gifted from the Middle East’ as well as a £2260 1972 tennis pinky ring from Shiffon and Co.
While a working member of the royal family , the cost of Meghan’s clothes for work engagements was covered by then-Prince Charles through the budget he gave the couple from the Duchy of Cornwall.
But after the couple said they wanted to be financially independent, it is not clear who is picking up the bill for Meghan’s clothes, or whether the Duchess always pays full price for her clothing, or receives discounts from designers.
Throughout the competition, Meghan opted for beige and monochrome look before finally opting for colour at the closing ceremony in a £830 teal dress from Cult Gaia.
Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, put on a loved-up display as they entered the closing ceremony of the sixth Invictus Games, hand in hand.
The father-of-two, 39, looked dapper in a smart black suit, which he paired with a matching black shirt.
Harry kept the top buttons of his shirt undone, creating a more casual look for the closing ceremony.
While Meghan put on a cheery display while entering the games, Harry looked bold and determined, holding his fist in the air.
The Duke of Sussex continued to have his arm around his wife while enjoying the ceremony.
Elsewhere, Prince Harry became emotional during his moving speech at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, yesterday evening.
Cost of Meghan Markle’s 2023 Invictus Games wardrobe
Tuesday September 12
Meghan started the week by flying from LA to Dusseldorf, via London, in a £26,000 outfit
- £961.14 Rayures d¿Ete Shawl from Hermes
- £2,122.65 Goyard ‘St. Louis PM’ tote bag
- £616.73 Valentino Garavani ‘Roman Stud’ mules in ivory calfskin
- £619.13 Ulla Johnson sailor-style Polina wide-legged trousers
- £20,824.70 Cartier yellow gold Tank Francaise watch
- £400.47 oversized ‘shiny black’ Triomphe Celine sunglasses
- £213.85 Janessa Leone ¿Michon¿ hat
OUTFIT TOTAL: £25,758.67
For her first appearance at the Invictus Games, Meghan donned a £112 Banana Republic dress – with nearly £200,000 worth of accessories
- £112.11 The Pleated Midi Shirt Dress from Banana Republic
- £565 Aquazzura ‘Purist’ pumps
- £156.12 Bottega Veneta ‘Intrecciato Weave’ skinny belt
- £595 Kimai Semi Hoop Earring with lab grown diamonds
- Princess Diana’s watch (previously worn)
- £140,000 Welsh Gold Wedding Band, Diamond Eternity Band
- £50,000 Lorraine Schwartz Emerald Cut Diamond Pinky Ring
OUTFIT TOTAL: £191,428.23
TUESDAY TOTAL: £267, 186.90
Wednesday, September 13
Meghan yet again mixed high street and high end in a J. Crew sweater blazer with a Givenchy belt and Chanel shoes
- £127 J. Crew Giselle V-neck sweater blazer with contrast trim
- £130 Staud Luisa short in Oat Milk
- £846 Chanel Goatskin & Grosgrain Beige & Black shoes
- £2000 Luna Skye earrings
- £365 Givenchy belt
- £5000 Cartier Love Bracelet
- Princess Diana’s watch (previously worn)
- Invictus beaded bracelet (gifted)
OUTFIT TOTAL: £8468
Later, Meghan changed into another cashmere jumper and Aquazzura pumps
Before then changing into some Hermes sneakers
- £80 J. Crew ¿ the cashmere crewneck shell
- £167 Frame Le Color Crop in Film Noir
- £510 Aquazzura Purist pump in black suede
- £600 Hermes sneaker
OUTFIT TOTAL: £1357
WEDNESDAY TOTAL: £9825
Thursday September 14
One of Meghan’s most expensive items of clothing was £1200 Gabriele Hearst Vargas trousers
- £511 Lagencefashion ¿Dani¿ Blouse in Fawn
- £1200 Gabriela Hearst ¿Vargas¿ Pleated Wool-Blend Wide-Leg Trousers in Camel
- £600 Manoloblahnik BB 105 Brown Suede Pumps
- £186 Miu Miu Artiste sunglasses
- £2200.86 Shiffon and Co pinky ring
- £17 Scout Curated earrings
OUTFIT TOTAL: £4714.86
The Duchess donned a smart white Ralph Lauren sweater vest with a pair of matching jeans for the occasion
- £130 Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cotton Sweater Vest in White
- £167 Frame le Skinny de Jeanne Skinny Crop Ankle Slit Jeans in Blanc
- £640 Aquazzura ¿Love Affair¿ Blsck Suede Flats
- £200 La ligne NYC ¿Mini Featherweight Rollneck¿ Sweater in Navy Stripe
OUTFIT TOTAL: £1137
DINNER IN DUSSELDORF
- £218 Doen ¿Hava¿ Top in Monaco Stripe
- £168 Frame le Skinny de Jeanne Skinny Crop Ankle Slit Jeans in Blanc
- £600 Manolo Blahnik ¿Ballerimu¿ Light Beige Suede Flat Mules
OUTFIT TOTAL: £986
THURSDAY TOTAL: £6837.86
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Meghan styled a £50 Zara playsuit with £595 YSL mules and £255 Sunglasses
- £1,350 2 Button Classic Blazer in Cream
- £50.00 Zara Belted Playsuit in Ecru
- £600 Cesta Crossover Bag in Olive Grove
- £595 YSL Tribute¿ Dark Green Smooth Leather Mules
- £255 Krewe Eyewear Black ‘Gravier’ Sunglasses
- £320 Bottega Veneta Chain Hoop Earrings
- £985 Brilliant Earth Leo Zodiac Diamond Pen
OUTFIT TOTAL: £4155
Later, she changed into a sleek black dress as she met a delegation for the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada. Meghan wore a £390 High-Neck Ribbed Wool-Blend Midi Dress in Grey from Toteme which she paired with £500 Dioressence 100¿ Black Leather Pumps
- £310 Toteme High-Neck Ribbed Wool-Blend Midi Dress in Grey
- £500 Dioressence 100¿ Black Leather Pumps
- £495 Pippa Small Jewellery Small Kyanite Stud Earrings
OUTFIT TOTAL: £1305
Later, Meghan changed into her third outfit opting for a £1033 Carolina Herrera denim panel dress while rewearing her Dior shoes
- £1033 Carolina Herrera denim panel dress
- Dioressence 100¿ Black Leather Pumps (repeat)
- Pippa Small earrings (repeat)
- £2062 Ariel Gordon Personalised Imperial Disc Pendant Necklace
OUTFIT TOTAL: £3095
FRIDAY TOTAL: £8155
SATURDAY, 16 September
The Duchess of Sussex , 42, who has worn black, white, beige and tan all week, decided to again sport a colourless look in a long beige trench coat with three-quarter length trousers and towering heels
- £580 Cuyana Silk Classic Trench in Sand
- £260 Cuyana Silk Paperbag Pant
- £1,165 Aquazzura Purist 105¿ Nude Nappa Leather Pump
- £295 Lanvin Gold Arpege Sleeper Earrings
OUTFIT TOTAL: £2300
Meghan finally opted for colour at the closing ceremony in a £830 Cult Gaia dress
- £830 dress from Cult Gaia
- £525.00 Aquazzura Purist 105mm leather pumps
- Kimai earrings (worn before)
OUTFIT TOTAL: £1355
SATURDAY TOTAL: £3655
TOTAL: £283,849.76
Advertisement
Upon arriving at the arena, Meghan put on a cheery display while Harry looked bold and determined, holding his fist in the air
Meghan chose to elevate her look with a pair of Aquazzura beige leather pumps, costing £525.00, which she has sported regularly in recent times
The former actress wore her thick brunette locks tucked away in her trademark bun to reveal her £595 Kimaï hoop earrings, which she also opted to wear at her first event of the games
Showing off her natural beauty, the royal sported a simple make-up look with a touch of eyeliner and mascara to amplify her features.
The father-of-two, 39, looked dapper in a smart black suit, which he paired with a matching black shirt
The royal’s five-minute speech saluted those who have taken part in the week-long games, which were founded in 2014 for veterans to represent their county and compete in.
Meghan Markle stood alongside her husband in a glowing green dress. During the ceremony she couldn’t hide her pride as she beamed at Team USA when they took their place for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
She looked on adoringly as the team walked on stage to Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA. Meghan clapped along to the song as it reverberated around the Merkur Spiel-Arena and blew kisses to the team.
Prince Harry also joined the applause from his front row seat – and took to the stage to thank people for coming.
Adding even more glamour to the look, the royal wore her $62,000 Lorraine Schwartz pinky ring made with ‘diamonds gifted from the Middle East’ along with her Cartier Love bracelet, costing £5,000
The royal watcher her husband’s five-minute speech, which saluted those who have taken part in the week-long games
Meghan and Prince Harry, 39, put on a loved-up display as they looked very close during the ceremony of the sixth Invictus Games
The Duchess kept her thick brown tresses tucked away in her trademark bun- which has made a comeback in recent days
Meghan was glowing during the event, and was photographed cheering the crowds in Germany
The Duke of Sussex delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 6th Invictus Games in Germany
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Rita Ora and Sam Ryder pose tonight before the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games
Meghan and Harry enjoying the closing ceremony at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf as they were photographed with wide grins across their faces
The couple chat as they watch the closing ceremony which celebrated the 6th Invictus Games in Dusseldorf
Meghan was glowing in an £830 Cult Gaia dress laser-cut with floral patterns, along with £525 leather pumps from Aquazzura
Meghan could be seen waving during the ceremony, which saw the US team enter the stage to Bruce Springsteen’s iconic hit Born In The USA
Dominic Reid, chief executive of the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Elke Bundenbender and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, president of Germany, at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Dusseldorf
Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Game in Dusseldorf hand-in-hand
The US team at the Invictus Games closing ceremony on Saturday. The team entered the stage to Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen – to the approval of the Duchess of Sussex
Prince Harry took to the stage to thank the athletes who took part in the games. He had opened the game by telling the audience: ‘Ich Bin ein Düsseldorfer’ – I am a Düsseldorfer
Thumping dance music greeted each of the teams as they took to the stage with the Ukrainian team given a standing ovation.
Harry and Meghan stood clapping each of the teams. He was sat next to Elke Budenbender the wife of the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
