One element of Meghan Markle’s style that has left fashionistas scratching their heads is her desire to throw on a warm coat no matter the weather.
Last week, the 42-year-old Duchess of Sussex opted for a £1,300 ($1,650) Max Mara wool coat for the outing, even though it was warm in Montecito that day.
Temperatures rose to 22.7C (73F) and did not fall below 18C (65F). And it is not the first time that the former actress opts for unusually warm clothing.
During a trip to New York in 2021, Meghan opted for some wool coats, despite mid-twenties temperatures with high humidity.
Speaking to FEMAIL, celebrity stylist Miranda Holder said Meghan probably chose the looks because coats “make her look more put together.”
She added that the Duchess may also use it as a “comfort blanket” to “protect herself.”
“Wearing a thick wool coat over an outfit, despite it being 22°C, is definitely a bit odd – even if the coat is a beautiful camel-colored Max Mara number, as we saw Meghan Markle wearing earlier this week,” Miranda said.
“There’s no question that a coat, especially an impeccably cut designer coat that Meghan has a penchant for, can help complete an outfit and make the whole ensemble feel more put together.”
She added that a coat can elevate a look, but it’s “unjudged” to do so in climates like Los Angeles.
Hailed as the essential “third piece” by fashionistas and stylists in the know, adding a jacket over, say, a simple t-shirt and jeans helps complete the outfit, adding much-needed shape, texture, and interest. add, but there are plenty of other ways to do that in the sultry California sun and not overheat – so it’s curious indeed that the Duchess has a habit of looking overdressed – both literally and figuratively speaking,’ she added.
Other possible explanations are that Meghan went somewhere with over-effective air conditioning and would spend time in arctic temperatures, but she could have just worn extra layers for this.
Another idea is that she tried to disguise herself by hiding from prying eyes and camera lenses between layers of thick fabric, but she was actually just drawing more attention to herself.
“In my opinion, it’s either a case of Meghan following ill-judged fashion advice, or the Duchess is literally using her wardrobe as a comfort blanket, shielding herself from the world and literally giving herself a very expensive sartorial hug, as she says about her business without Harry.’
In 2021, Meghan seemed to forget about the weather when she wore four thick coats on a September trip to New York, despite temperatures reaching 25C.
The former Suits star had joined her husband Prince Harry at the United Nations to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
She wore a £3,080 ($4,214) tobacco-colored cashmere Max Mara coat for the occasion, which she paired with wide-legs and stiletto heel pumps.
Meghan also wore a £4,274.03 ($5,840) Loro Piana cashmere coat and another coat from Max Mara, which she wore open but layered over a long-sleeved black turtleneck. She added a matching £2,447 ($3,350) Valextra bag.
