So Many Outfits on ‘With Love, Meghan’
Breaking down the fashion — all 33 (!) looks — the Duchess of Sussex styled herself.
Have you finished With Love, Meghan yet? After a frenzied debut week, I wanted to take a beat and give everyone a moment to watch (including those who enjoy a slower pace). You can find all of my thoughts on each installment in our discussion threads for Episodes 1 to 4 and Episodes 5 to 8. Highly recommend reading the comments, too — thank you to everyone who shared their nuanced takes.
And now, as promised, a look at THE FASHION. By my count, the Duchess of Sussex wore 33 outfits in the first season of her Netflix series. That’s an average of four looks per episode, underscoring how she made sure fashion was a part of her food-centric project. As I compiled an episode-by-episode breakdown of the looks (which was immensely satisfying) a few overarching themes jumped out:
This is quintessential Meghan fashion. The duchess styled herself, I am told. Although there was wardrobe help on set, the looks were chosen by her — which we can clearly see in the signature combination of relaxed, sophisticated Southern California clothes. Meghan loves tailored separates and playing with volume; most pieces on the show were in neutral hues and easy fabrics, like linen and silk, or knits. Is this what one expects in terms of cooking attire? No. How she avoided spills and splatters, I shall never know! But it was deeply familiar in terms of Meghan’s style. Denim is in the mix, too, along with a few T-shirts. Shoes are optional, clogs are welcome. Many of these are repeats, which I found notable. She absolutely could have called in an entirely new wardrobe. To pull from her own closet was — and I hesitate to use this word because it has been so twisted in the conversations around the show — relatable. And she continued to share her style spotlight with small, female-founded brands like La Ligne, Anine Bing, and DÔEN.
The outfit changes served a purpose. This was a fashion feast, no doubt. And for good reason — akin to a new look on a royal tour to differentiate between engagements. With Love, Meghan was shot mostly in two kitchens at a rental home. The new looks were a welcome visual shift, signifying a new scene. With her guests, the duchess only changed if and when they changed, too (a wise move — switching looks if they hadn’t would have introduced a disconnect).
The duchess dressed for her guests. Meghan used her clothing to nod, sometimes ever so slightly, to those joining her. She dressed up a bit more for her girlfriends, kept it low-key with Roy Choi, and all but twinned with Alice Waters. It’s a very gracious thing to do, akin to how the royal family employs sartorial diplomacy when visiting a country or welcoming a foreign leader. And it was very much in line with the ethos of the show, all the thought and care she offers as a host. It also feels like something we can take notes on when planning what to wear this spring or summer. Say you’ve got a wedding and you know the bride or groom’s style or color palette, maybe try to work that into your outfit? Just a thought….
Below, an episode-by-episode overview of her looks. I’ve also linked to the relevant posts on What Meghan Wore, run by Susan Courter, for detailed credits. I am in awe of the work of both Susan and Mary of Meghan’s Closet Chronicles. Together, they have identified an impressive number of pieces we saw on screen. It’s a talent and a skill! Do yourself a favor and follow Susan on Instagram here and Mary here.
Did you have a favorite piece or outfit on With Love, Meghan? Click below to share in the comments.
Comments are open to paid subscribers — thank you so much for your support! You make it possible for me to do this work. If you haven’t already, please consider upgrading for $5 a month.
ICYMI: My earlier With Love newsletters — definitely dive into the comments, too, great discussions happening.
So Many Thoughts on ‘With Love, Meghan’ Fashion
(I say this every time but it’s especially true now: This newsletter will look best in your browser. Click here to see it there.)
Please note: I use affiliate links, which means if you click on something below I may get a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting SMT.
Before we dive in to the clothes, a quick note on the glam team. The credits of the show reveal Meghan’s make-up was done by Edwin Sandoval, aka Loft Jet, who the duchess has worked with before (including on her Cut cover). Her hair was done by Hector Garcia of Highbrow Hippie, who has also styled Meghan previously. On Instagram, Highbrow’s Kadi Lee congratulated Garcia, “who for months balanced the grueling load of a full atelier schedule and commuting to style hair for the show,” calling him “superhuman and super talented.” Both were flawless IMO!
The same is true for Meghan’s jewelry (which could be its own post): Meghan wore many familiar pieces throughout the eight episodes, including her Cartier staples, as well as earrings by Anine Bing and styles by Lorraine Schwartz and Logan Hollowell.
Los Angeles-based Ariel Gordon was also featured — and the brand generously offered us a discount code. Use Elizabeth15 for 15% off sitewide. Meghan wears the brand’s royal signet studs, as well as the diamond hex tennis bracelet. You can see all of her faves from the brand here.
Episode 1: Hello, Honey
Guest: Daniel Martin
These four looks set the tone for the series in a notable way, introducing the world of With Love. Meghan is bringing us to Montecito with her. Here, everything is breezy; shoes are optional (hence all the easy-to-slip-off slides). Meghan’s neutral palette is very much in this zone. It’s recognizable to those who have followed her for a while now and, importantly, a relaxed counterpoint to what newcomers might think of “royal” style.
The episode opens with Meghan in a bee-keeping suit, which immediately places her in a hands-on role. The second look continues that idea, as we watch the duchess enter the kitchen in rolled-up jeans and an untucked button down, her sleeves rolled up. Later, for her time with Daniel Martin, a celebrity make-up artist, she is notably dressier. Still, though, it’s easy: a voluminous linen shirt and pleated shorts by Zimmermann. When the episode cuts to cake baking, we see her in a simple white T-shirt and striped trousers. Can you spot the similarities? Very slideshow-y. The brands are a mix of high-low, pairing Hermes slides with a Sézane shirt, for example. It’s a nice complement to what she is making, from a three-tiered honey and berry cake to re-bagging Trader Joe’s pretzels.
Standout style: La Ligne Molly high-rise straight jean. We see these throughout the show and each time I thought: What a perfect jean! The high rise, the relaxed fit, the slight crop. The style is no longer available in the “Walter” wash but I bought them in the lighter “Howard” version and will report back.
(Full list of Ep. 1 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 2: Welcome to the Party
Guest: Mindy Kaling
See the shift? Isn’t it fun? For the second episode, Meghan planned a children’s garden tea party with actress Mindy Kaling. While there were no kids on screen, I the influx of color and texture to fit the theme. The olive look jumped out, as Meghan just recently wore that same DÔEN sweater for story time with the children of athletes at the Invictus Games.
With Kaling, Meghan coordinated beautifully. Did you notice how the duchess wore chambray and a blue linen in solo appearances earlier in the episode? It gave a bit of visual continuity when Kaling later appeared in an all-denim look. (Kaling asked Salvador Perez, a costume designer, to help outfit her; Perez shared on Instagram it was “so fun” and that Kaling wore Valentino denim and Zimmermann.) The two bonded over style, with Kaling praising the duchess for her ability to sell-out pieces then inquiring over her “lewk.” That ensemble — Zara trousers paired with sweaters from Loro Piana and Jenni Kayne — was maybe the dressiest of the whole season? The updo and chunky earrings were a big part of that. But it kept pace, visually, with Kaling’s professionally styled outfit. Later, both women changed into pastel florals for the party, striking a festive note.
Standout style: J.Crew Garçon classic shirt in Baird McNutt Irish linen in french blue (updated version). This shirt is one of the go-to pieces in Meghan’s wardrobe, seen on many occasions. Hers is an older variation; here I am linking the latest release. I happened to have ordered this myself in navy before I saw the show. It’s a fantastic piece, a great starting point for this With Love look. The updated version has a bit more volume to it, and the linen is structured just enough to give it some shape.
(Full list of Ep. 2 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 3: Two Kids From LA
Guest: Roy Choi
And now we pare it back a little bit. Do you see the cadence here? Pacing is one of my favorite things when it comes to a series of looks. It can’t be all the same level of “fashion” all the time. The viewer’s eye needs a break (and I would imagine the wearer does, too). The shift suited her guest, Chef Roy Choi, who has a rather minimal style himself. For their scenes together, Meghan wore a cashmere gray T-shirt and black skinny jeans. To make him donuts in an earlier scene, the duchess chose a simple blue button down and her trusty La Ligne jeans. Later, while brining the chicken, Meghan opted for a past-season DÔEN striped shirt and the same denim.
A note on the styling, which I think makes even these more simple looks feel elevated. I love how she’s rolled her sleeves and kept the shirt unbuttoned down to nearly her bra line. Meghan is great at mixing in some (super) high-end pieces, whether it’s the Saint Laurent sneakers she wears with Choi or the Cartier Juste un Clou necklace for chicken prep. These are small details, to be sure, but it gives something to those of us looking closely.
Standout style: Co T-shirt in fine cashmere. Can I afford a $495 cashmere t-shirt? No, friends, I cannot. But I am into the idea of a boxier sweater T-shirt. All too often a short-sleeved crew-neck sweater can veer preppy or sweet in a more fitted form. Meghan’s has a bit of an edge to it, which sent me hunting for lower-price alternatives. J.Crew makes a good one, as does Tuckernuck. Madewell has a cotton t-shirt that is the same idea (part of a sitewide 25% off right now).
(Full list of Ep. 3 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 4: Love Is in the Details
Guest: Delfina Figueras
Fashion returns in the fourth installment, fitting for her guest. We have seen pictures of Meghan with Delfina Figueras, an Argentinian designer and landscape architect, on more than one polo field. The two have always coordinated nicely. By this point in the show, and the wardrobe, there is a clear formula: Knit top and easy pants or button-up shirt and jeans. The dress was a new, as was the hue, in that gorgeous deep cooper.
Meghan and Figueras each changed twice during shooting, from something more casual while prepping the focaccia to hiking attire and then breezy looks for their meal together. Meghan’s knit tank from J.Crew (still available in black in a few sizes here and on deep discount) reminded me, texture-wise, of the Loro Piana short-sleeve sweater from the Kaling episode, a nice basketweave callback. But the most relatable look for me were the hiking outfits. Neither woman looked “styled” in the fitness influencer sense. Meghan’s white sweatshirt, black leggings and hiking boots were so…normal??
Standout style: Meghan’s unidentified visor (similar from Anthropologie) and Figueras’s Best Hat by Abby Arad. HERE FOR SUN PROTECTION. As someone who had to deal with skin cancer on her forehead, I am a big fan of covering what you can. Kudos to both women for choosing toppers that shaded their entire face. I happen to have the hat Figueras wore and know the founder, too, which was so fun. (It is out of stock now but sign up for the waitlist, as Abby restocks often.)
PS: Don’t forget sunscreen, too. Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen now comes in SPF 50.
(Full list of Ep. 4 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 5: Surprise and Delight
Guests: Abigail Spencer and Kelly Zajfen
This might be my favorite combination of looks this entire season. It was technically three, but I collaged it above as four to give Meghan’s coat and sneakers a moment of their own. I love the color combination, the warmth of the caramel coat against the cool blue collarless shirt. The duchess opted for a slightly chunkier sneaker than we have seen before. Her New Balance color combo is no longer available but J.Crew has a very similar neutral. I have been eyeing these shoes ever since I saw my hair stylist wear them in navy. I just ordered the J.Crew-approved ones myself.
A note on the fit of Meghan’s two button up shirts (and add these to the shopping list with the linen version). The collarless blue one remains unidentified, but the striped is from Sézane. Both are big, blousy even — a helpful reminder when shopping to size up, perhaps? You can feel how easy it is for Meghan to move in them. When welcoming two friends, Abigail Spencer and Kelly Zajfen, to the show, Meghan changed into something a bit dressier. Still, all three women (have you ever seen better beach waves?) looked so relaxed.
Standout style: J.Crew cashmere crewneck sweater shell (updated version) and unidentified skirt. Meghan is always reminding me to look beyond dresses and consider separates. The texture combination here is particularly appealing to me, a nice slideshow to the olive outfit in Episode 2. I love the knit shell with the shimmer of the (silk? satin?) skirt.
PS: Check out J.Crew factory if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, they offer a similar shell and midi skirt in coordinating tan versions.
(Full list of Ep. 5 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 6: The Juice is Worth the Squeeze
Guests: Ramon Velazquez, Tracy Robbins, Victoria Jackson, Jennifer Rudolph Walsh
The episode opens with leggings, a white T-shirt, and cozy sweater as Meghan makes breakfast. It had the same spirit as the hiking look, a very human and grounding moment in the kitchen. For plantain chip making and fruit dehydrating, Meghan changed into a rust shirt dress by Sézane (it’s from a past season but the brand is offering it now in ivory). It was a welcome pop of color as well as a callback to the dress she wore with Figueras and a nice pairing with the next look, pleated shorts for Mahjong with friends.
A note on the camera framing: So much of With Love was shot from the waist/thighs up. (Netflix reps, if you are reading this, here is my desperate plea to include more full-length looks in the edit for Season 2). Meghan dressed with this in mind, mostly with accessories to add visual interest. This episode benefited from her clothing choices, too, with the pockets on the shirt dress as as well as the pair of belts and the square neckline of the black dress. And speaking of that dress…
Standout style: Posse Alice midi dress black linen. This LBD was a sleek addition in the softer With Love world Meghan fashioned. Living in Southern California myself, black is not the first color I reach for in the summer (although it was a staple in my NYC days). This was a reminder of the appeal, particularly in black linen with a square neckline and fitted bodice. The Posse dress is hard to find right now. Madewell has a similar take but with a fuller skirt on sale, while Aligne offers a drop-waist version.
(Full list of Ep. 6 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 7: Elevating the Everyday
Guest: Vicky Tsai
Sometimes it’s what someone is not wearing that makes the biggest statement. In that spirit, a minute for Barefoot Meghan. She has been shoe-less throughout the series while in the kitchen. But this episode opens with her barefoot IN THE GARDEN. It’s such a touch-grass vibe that makes me want to take my shoes off, too. Also, it’s the opposite of what we expect from royal style, which is too often about sky-high heels. Meghan picking lettuce on the dewy gravel? I can’t stop thinking about it.
The Northwestern sweatshirt offered another visual twist with its bold logo, doubling as a not-so-subtle reminder of Meghan’s university days. (Anyone else think of Diana’s memorable Northwestern sweatshirt?) The linen tank and wrap skirt are still unidentified; I’ve even gone searching for them with no luck. Hoping they surface, because that ease is #goals. Also, hell yeah to pairing something so relaxed with a sparkly necklace (Meghan’s is an investment piece from Logan Hollowell — Dorsey offers a lab-grown option while Madewell has a crystal style).
Standout style: Ralph Lauren Adrien relaxed fit linen-blend shirt and Evanne trousers (past season). Again, a reminder — even with monochrome dressing — to try separates. The single-color effect is amplified with this much fabric, particularly trousers. I have been wearing a dark green button-up shirt from Madewell and just ordered the coordinating pleated trousers (both come in a brighter blush, too, and are on sale). Something about the volume and the full-body color feels…bold? But also versatile, as the pieces stand on their own, too. Now I want the matching cropped vest, too…
(Full list of Ep. 7 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Episode 8: Feels like Home
Guest: Alice Waters, friends and family
Rewatching the last episode and chronicling all six (!) outfits Meghan wore felt a bit chaotic, to be honest. I struggle to see a cohesive style story here, the way we have in the other installments. Instead, it’s an outfit tailored to each scene — from a plucky polka dot while gift wrapping, to a nod to Alice Waters in a long linen skirt, then casual sweatshirt with clogs for collecting eggs. Then it was onto the brunch prep with menu writing in a T-shirt and trousers, cookie making in a floral dress, and toasting her new venture in a flowy gown.
The colors, textures, and silhouettes offer a real range — and maybe that’s the point? Much like what Meghan makes on the show, there is the overarching message that the host contains multitudes.
Standout style: Ulla Johnson Freesia gown. Of course I love the dusty blue hue of this silk dress, which is now sold out. (It also comes in a puff-sleeved midi length as well as a fabulous halter version; Meghan’s gown is still available in green.) Seeing this in the final scene was a welcome tieback, a bookend even, to the Netflix promo poster. This was among the first visuals we got of Meghan’s new project when it was announced back in January. I found it so satisfying to see the dress in action, to watch her move around the table — sprinkling sugar, pouring champagne — in this celebratory style.
(Full list of Ep. 8 credits via What Meghan Wore here)
Once again, I have lived up to the name of this newsletter. But also: So many outfits!
What was your favorite Meghan look? Is there a look you want to emulate? Let’s discuss it all in the comments.
All I want to wear are collared shirts — anyone else? 🙃 If you have recs you love, please share.
I loved it all🥰 My top two are the polka-dots dress (Carolina Herrera) and the blue dress (Ulla Johnson) she wore at her brunch party.