We are deep into the fall season, and with the change in weather, for most of us anyway, it means a great coat is a necessity.
Now living in Santa Barbara, Meghan might not need a coat as much as she once did in London. Thankfully, before she moved to a warmer climate, she had plenty of experience picking out chic coats – from her seven years in Toronto, Canada filming Suits to her three fall and winter seasons in the U.K., we have ample fashion inspiration to pull from.
A good coat is a solid investment – you really only need one or two for the entire season, so, in this fashion writer’s opinion, it’s worth paying a little more for than you normally would on other pieces, especially if you live in a climate where you’ll wear it frequently. Now, if you’re the Duchess of Sussex, you’ve definitely got more than one coat per season to choose from – but I see Meghan’s plethora of coats as a sampling of many options you can shop to make your fall look chic, elegant, and stylish, as most of the time, all others might see is your outerwear. And, if the coat is that great, you can recycle it for years to come.
We’ll start with a few of our favorite trench coat looks from Meghan:
In April 2018 Meghan wore an Aritzia Babaton trench coat, the ‘Lawson’ in Monterey green, $248, while attending the Invictus Games Try-outs in Bath, UK.
The open-front coat has a cascading lapel and is tailored with sustainable TENCEL™ Lyocell — a wood-based fibre produced through a closed-loop production process. If green isn’t your color, the coat comes in a variety of colorways (shown below) including Tawny (tan), Sage (light green), Smokey Blue (pale blue grey) and Truffle (a burgundy brown).
This trench tends to run large. It is designed to have a loose fit and feel. If you would like a more fitted look, Susan C. suggests ordering at least one size smaller.
In 2018 while on a walkabout in Auckland, New Zealand, Meghan wore this bishop-style sleeve trench from Burberry — the ‘Maythorne’ Belted Mulberry Silk trench coat in nude.
The puffed sleeved coat is tailored in a slubbed Italian mulberry silk fabric creating a softened military styling of an oversized wrap trench with heritage details.
We first caught a glimpse of Meghan wearing the coat in May 2017 at the Audi Polo Challenge when she was spotted wishing Harry good luck before the match.
These two trenches below are nice options if you favor the puff sleeve style. ASOS Design extreme sleeve trench coat in stone, $111 and the Camel Balloon Sleeve Maxi Pocket Front coat from PrettyLittleThing, $68.
Meghan’s most classic trench look was this Martin Grant Classic Cotton Straight Cut Trench Coat. The Duchess first wore the coat while in Sydney, Australia, October 2018.
Below is the updated version of the Martin Grant trench in Cotton-Gabberdine, $1665, which is available in most sizes.
Another iconic look from Meghan is when she wore the Line Margaux trench back in September 2017 at the Invictus Games Toronto closing ceremony events.
Try these styles for a classic trench look. From left to right, from Everlane, the Modern Trench Coat, $148, also from Everlane, the Drape Trench, $148, from J. Crew, the Women’s 2011 Icon trench, $228 (use code FAMILY for 45% off – $125), and last, from Madewell, Sedgwick Trench Coat, $168.
If the classic trench isn’t your style, these looks from Meghan are a great alternative. First up, back in March 2016, Meghan wore this navy blue trench by Theory — the Oaklane crepe trench.
Theory offers alternative versions of their trench – the Oaklane Relaxed Trench Coat in Silk Georgette, $297.50, a shorter version of their Oaklane trench, $148 and the Oaklane Crepe trench coat in black, $635.
While on the Royal Tour Australia, Meghan wore the Club Monaco ‘Ellayne’ trench in seaweed green.
While the trench is no longer available, here are two similar styles to try. From Banana Republic Factory, the Soft Trench Coat now on sale $70 and from Cuyana, the Classic Trench in olive, $395.
For a twist, Meghan wore this plaid Karen Walker trench, the ‘Banks’ George Suiting Trench Coat in Mocha.
Here are some alternative styles for the Karen Walker trench to get the look. From left to right, the Victoria Beckham plaid wool trench, $2,250, the ASOS check trench coat in brown, $103 and the Paco Rabanne plaid trench, on sale $664.
Next up in our Shop Meghan’s Coats series: Wrap Coats.
Amelie says
Thank you for the trench coat round up! I never realized how many Meghan has worn! A personal favorite is the Karen Walker trench, I think at the time I nicknamed it her “Sherlock Holmes” coat haha. I don’t know why I love it so much, but as it is a print and Meghan rarely wears prints, it stood out from the rest of her wrap coats. I also really like the gray one by Club Monaco.
Gail says
When are we getting part 2 of fashion round-up???
WhatMeghanWore says
Yes, we will be posting it this week. 🙂 – sorry for the slight delay – we’ve both had a busy weekend and start to the week! – Susan and Rachel
LadyLeah says
I love fashion posts with retrospective themes! Especially enjoyable during COVID, where people are not out and about as much.
Thank you for keeping this site active. I’m still very much interested in what Meghan wears!
WhatMeghanWore says
Thanks Leah! We appreciate your support. Susan and Rachel
Amy says
I really liked Meghan’s fashion sense – it was crisp and modern. But now there doesn’t seem to be the same reason to follow her. Will you keep the site up even as she’s a private citizen now?
WhatMeghanWore says
Hi Amy, Meghan and Harry are still a part of the royal family, they’ve only stepped down from being Senior Royals. We have every plan to keep the site going as we continue to see Meghan for engagements, just not in the capacity we’re used to because of the pandemic going on right now. Most of it has been video conference calls with glimpses of new pieces she’s wearing. I’m sure we will see a lot more of both Harry and Meghan in 2021. Thx, Susan C