Society stylist Caroline Holden has dissected the Duchess of Sussex’s Colombia looks and says that although Meghan’s style was mostly on point she made one error on the first day by dressing like an “ironing board cover”.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mrs Holden, who used to dress Queen Camilla in her role working with designer Paddy Campbell and now styles high society names, says Meghan got most outfits right but made a second fashion faux pas by teaming brown with brown.
On the opening day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s quasi-royal tour of Colombia, the duchess wore a new cut-out dress by Johanna Ortiz – a Colombian designer she regularly favours – featuring a deep slit in the middle and Jimmy Choo’s Etana mules in tan.
“Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz is a favourite of Megan’s so it was nice to see her supporting local designers, but I think the Navajo weaver dress was one of the worst outfits she wore on the tour,” said Mrs Holden.
“The stiff heavy fabric falls flat and has no flow. The large bold print resembled an ironing board cover or carpet and flattened any shape she had.
“The cut out and high slit are great for a date night with Harry, but not very suitable for the occasion.”
Although Meghan received praise for her elegant brown ensemble on the opening day of the tour, consisting of Victoria Beckham’s silk shirt in brown and La Ligne’s Colby Pants in spice, Mrs Holden believes it was Meghan’s worst look.
“The brown combo is without doubt the worst look,” said Mrs Holden. “The two pieces clash in colour and texture. I love the Victoria Beckham shirt but it would look better with a straight cut cream trouser not lounge pants that are wrinkled and mis-matched.”
On day three, Meghan wore a bright cerulean Oscar de la Renta dress with a flowing cape-effect back. She paired the sleeveless gown with heels from Aquazurra and a necklace by Logan Howell.
“Meghan’s statement Oscar de la Renta dress was a beautiful colour, but the shape of the dress and dramatic train did nothing for her silhouette and she got lost in the fabric,” said Mrs. Holden.
However, there was one triumph for Mrs. Holden – Meghan’s navy Veronica Beard vest and trousers suit set with black Manolo Blahnik heels matched with a white Loro Piana handbag.
“Meghan’s arrival outfit was well put together framing her often hidden silhouette well. The tailored waistcoat trend was finished off beautifully at the hips with a flare complementing her broad toned shoulders,” said Mrs. Holden.
“My only complaint about the outfit was the white bulky bag thrown in, it doesn’t go with anything and looks like a quick afterthought.”
