Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has never been one to follow the fashion pack. Her bold sartorial choices land her in the print—and on Twitter—sometimes even before she takes the stage. She didn’t let her height keep her from making dangerously high heels like these gladiator heels her red carpet go to over the years. This style risk defined her unconventional look and still has people buzzing.
In November 2013, Markle attended the UK premiere of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” where she made a statement in lace-adorned gladiator heels paired with a merlot-hued ‘Barnabas’ dress designed by the evening’s host. This celebrated look was one of her earliest forays into cutting-edge, high-fashion footwear. It would soon be a foreboding aspect of her idiosyncratic craft.
A Bold Choice in Gladiator Heels
Once a veritable style staple, gladiator heels have been less common on Markle in recent years. She has avoided them ever since marrying into the royal family. On an official visit to Fraser Island in 2018, she paired a suit with the gladiator sandals that make clear her willingness to take risks. In September 2013, she stomped her gladiator heels on the runway at New York Fashion Week. This brave expression both cemented her role as a pioneer of fashion influence.
Markle’s ability to transform footwear into a fashion statement is evident in her choice of the Carolina Espinosa’s ‘Sari Gladiator Sandal’ with a knee-skimming black mini skirt and cropped sweater. The brash four-inch heel of these action sandals raised her beltway cred. It brought a modern edge to her look.
“Meghan Markle’s choice to pair a minimalist black knit and sleek A-line skirt with strappy gladiator heels is a calculated style risk that paid off,” – Angela Kyte
The Transformation of Fashion Choices
While Markle’s royal wardrobe has always turned heads, her style has undergone a notable transformation. Once entrenched in royal obligations, she went more in the direction of a breezy sartorial style that reflects her California roots and new role. Inexplicably, parts of her previous style still find a way to slip through the cracks. She found the perfect Reformation dress while wearing it out at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Instantly, she turned it into an overnight bestseller, proving her colossal might over the fashion world.
Her attendance at the debut of USA Network’s “Suits” season five in 2016 demonstrated yet another daringly different footwear statement. She paired them with beautiful laced heels, which matched her style at the Max Azria fashion show. Even during a private dinner at the Corkin Gallery in Toronto in 2016, honoring friend and designer Roland Mouret, Markle made headlines with her refined yet edgy style.
“It’s an unexpected twist that adds edge and personality to an otherwise classic look, proving she’s never been afraid to push the red-carpet rulebook in favour of something a little more modern and fashion-forward.” – Angela Kyte
A Lasting Impact on Fashion
Markle’s foray into fashion isn’t just limited to shoes—it just goes to show her knack for fusing unique, personal styles with what’s fresh and popular today. Sarah Flint’s ‘Grear’ sandals are the perfect match for this lime-green striped sundress from Reformation. She encourages her fans and fashionistas to express themselves freely and unapologetically through avant-garde looks.
Even as Markle finds her footing away from the royal spotlight, she continues to have a powerful influence on the space. Her selections reflect her diverse, individual sensibilities. What’s more, they spotlight the changing nature of fashion trends, ensuring that her legacy will be heard for years to come.
