Meghan Markle recently visited Nottingham, choosing a wardrobe composed entirely of British labels. The Duchess of Sussex blended high-street accessibility with luxury design, most notably featuring a budget-friendly accessory from Marks & Spencer.
The £26 M&S belt that anchored Meghan Markle's Nottingham look
During her appearance in Nottingham on Thursday, Meghan Markle opted for a color palette dominated by burgundy, a shade traditionally associated with autumn. According to the report , the centerpiece of her relatable royal aesthetic was a £26 belt from the UK high-street giant Marks & Spencer (M&S). This choice signals a deliberate effort to mix accessible fashion with high-end luxury, a styling move that resonates with a broad audience of women who balance budget and brand.
To elevate the look, the Duchess of Sussex paired the M&S accessory with luxury footwear, specifically the 'Lorenzo 105' heels by Jennifer Chamandi. She further rounded out the ensemble with pieces from the brand Joseph. By blending a twenty-pound accessory with designer heels , Meghan Markle continues to refine a "high-low" dressing style that feels both aspirational and attainable.
How a Strathberry Midi Tote sold out in minutes during 2017
This recent appearance in Nottingham is not the first time the Duchess has influenced British retail trends in the city. As the report notes, during a 2017 visit to Nottingham, Meghan Markle wore a navy coat by the Canadian label Mackage and a camel midi skirt by Joseph. However, it was her choice of handbag—the Strathberry Midi Tote—that created a viral moment, selling out within minutes of the images being released to the public.
This phenomenon, often dubbed the "Meghan Effect," demonstrates the immense commercial power the Duchess wields over the fashion industry. For Pembece readers, this serves as a reminder of how a single royal endorsement can catapult a niche brand into the global spotlight. The Strathberry incident set a precedent for how Meghan Markle uses her wardrobe to support specific designers, turning a public appearance into a powerful marketing engine.
The 2019 Smart Works capsule collection and the M&S partnership
The Duchess's decision to wear Marks & Spencer this week is rooted in a long-standing relationship with the brand. In 2019, Meghan Markle partnered with the British retailer to launch a capsule collection for Smart Works, a charity that provides clothing and coaching to unemployed women to help them find work. this partnership highllighted her interest in using fashion as a tool for social empowerment rather than just a personal style statement.
Her history with the brand also includes a 2018 moment when she wore a £35 bell-sleeve navy jumper from M&S,which triggered a massive rush of shoppers to the stores. By consistently returning to M&S, the Duchess of Sussex maintains a connection to the British high street, ensuring her image remains grounded even as she navigates the complexities of international celebrity and royal life.
Which Joseph pieces completed the burgundy ensemble?
While the report confirms that Meghan Markle "completed the look with Joseph's," it leaves a few specific details open to interpretation. The exact garment from Joseph—whether it was a tailored blazer, a midi dress, or trousers—remains unverified in the source material. Additionally, while the report mentions her dinner date with Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai at Claridge's, it does not specify if the burgundy Nottingham outfit was the same attire worn for the dinner.
Furthermore, the source focuses heavily on the British nature of the wardrobe but does not provide a full breakdown of the cost of the luxury items, such as the Jennifer Chamandi heels or the Joseph pieces.. This leaves a gap in understanding the total price disparity between the £26 belt and the rest of the high-end ensemble.
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