We always knew that Meghan Markle‘s royal tour wardrobe was going to be good but we have been pleasantly surprised that in amongst her designer outfits, the Duchess has chosen to champion a worthwhile sartorial cause over the past two weeks.
Sustainable fashion is having more than a moment — increasingly brands are realising that consumers want to own pieces that are just as good for the environment and people as they are to their Instagram feeds. And the Duchess of Sussex has well and truly proved that this balance is possible via a string of pieces she’s worn recently. Here’s how…
First up, the white Karen Gee dress the Duchess wore to debut her baby bump is ethically made, with the brand certified by Ethical Clothing Australia meaning that its supply chains are legally above board and transparent to consumers.
On the second day of the tour, Meghan wore a pair of black Outland Denim jeans (which she has worn three times since). The Australian company was formed in 2011 and gives employment opportunities as seamstresses, pattern makers and cutters to human trafficking survivors in Cambodia to help them rebuild their lives.
The next day, Meghan was spotted wearing flats for the first time since becoming a royal, and, knowing full well that it would generate publicity, opted for a pair of black flats by American label Rothy’s, which are made entirely from plastic water bottles. Similarly, when the Duchess wore trainers for the first time publicly, they were from eco-friendly label Veja which makes it sneakers using raw and recycled materials and free from chemicals or polluting agents.
US brand Reformation, which is famed for its eco-friendly production and supply chain transparency, has also featured on the tour with Meghan choosing a linen sundress from the brand for her and Prince Harry’s day trip to Fraser Island.
Then, upon landing in New Zealand, Meghan attended a formal celebration last night to mark the work of the country’s suffragettes wearing a dress by New York-based designer Gabriela Hearst. Heart’s company operates on a zero-plastic policy and also produces limited quantities of each of its pieces to help reduce waste.
Meghan has also chosen Stella McCartney for the tour, rewearing the elegant navy blue cape dress for the Invictus Games opening ceremony as well as a pair of the designer’s newest sneakers for her Adidas collaboration, famously made with vegetarian leather, sported just today on an outing in New Zealand.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Meghan Markle royal tour wardrobe” rid=”6070″ order=”a_tstamp”}
It’s not the first time the royal family has championed such an important cause, with Meghan’s sister-in-law Kate Middleton launching the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange at Buckingham Palace earlier this year with a focus on sustainable materials.
Given the immense international spotlight Meghan has found herself in during this trip, it’s encouraging to see that the newest royal is using this attention to help bring attention to lesser known, ethical and sustainable brands, particularly given the proven influence she has on spending.
And if ethical fashion is royally-approved, there’s no reason we shouldn’t all also adopt it in our own lives. Here are six ethical brands to shop now.
