Franklin Dean
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller, received mixed reviews from the public and fashion critics. While some admired its timeless, simple, and elegant aesthetic, others criticised it as being boring, baggy, and ill-fitting. The debate centred around the dress's cut, shape, and fabric, with some speculating that it did not fit Markle perfectly. However, it was later suggested that the choice of a more conservative cut allowed the bride to move and breathe comfortably, avoiding the constraints of a skin-tight dress made from thick and stiff fabric.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Cost | £100,000 |
| Fabric | Thick, stiff triple silk organza |
| Fit | Loose-fitting to allow movement |
| Public opinion | Mixed reviews, some called it "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting" |
| Comparisons | Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, Audrey Hepburn, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Princess of Wales |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. Markle chose Keller due to her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture the dress and veil. Markle and Keller worked closely together on the design, which featured a bateau neckline, a fitted bodice, three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train. The dress was made of silk with an open boat neckline and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
The dress received mixed reviews from the public, with some describing it as "beautiful" and "stunning", while others called it "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting". Critics noted that the silk cady fabric would have been difficult to move in if the dress had been more form-fitting. The media also noted similarities between Markle's dress and those worn by other royal brides, including Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, and Audrey Hepburn in the film *Funny Face*.
Markle also wore a second dress to her wedding reception, designed by Stella McCartney. This dress featured a controversial halterneck and an open back that exposed her sculpted shoulders.
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The dress' thick fabric
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy's artistic director. The dress was hand-stitched and featured a bateau neckline, a fitted bodice, and three-quarter sleeves. The designer described the dress as "not overly feminine, but not really minimal either", capturing Markle's "effortless American style".
The dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its timelessness and simplicity, while others criticised it as being "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting". One of the main points of criticism was the thick, stiff fabric of the dress, which some believed did not allow for much stretch and contributed to a perception of ill-fitting.
Harper's Bazaar writer Mahalia Chang offered an explanation for the choice of fabric, suggesting that Markle and Keller opted for a cut that would allow the bride to move around comfortably without being restricted by the stiff fabric. The fabric's thickness and stiffness, along with the triple silk organza used for the underskirt, provided structure and shape to the dress while ensuring the bride's comfort and ease of movement.
The decision to prioritise comfort and mobility over a skin-tight fit reflects Markle's vision for a timeless and elegant wedding dress that allowed her to move freely and comfortably on her special day.
While the thick fabric of Meghan Markle's wedding dress sparked debates about its fit, it ultimately contributed to the overall design and comfort of the bride, showcasing the careful consideration that went into the creation of this iconic royal wedding dress
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The dress' fit and movement
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. Markle chose Keller due to her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was hand-stitched and made in Paris by a small team of ateliers. Markle and Keller worked closely together to design the dress, which they wanted to showcase "timeless minimal elegance".
The dress featured a bateau neckline, a fitted bodice, and three-quarter sleeves. According to some, the dress was "ill-fitting", "too big", and "baggy". However, Harper's Bazaar writer Mahalia Chang explained that the cut of the dress was chosen to allow Markle to move around comfortably. The fabric, triple silk organza, is thick and stiff, and does not allow for much stretch. As such, a more conservative cut along the bodice and sleeves was chosen to ensure Markle could move and breathe comfortably.
The dress was also designed to pay homage to the history of the Givenchy house, with sleek lines and sharp cuts conveying a sense of modernity. The dress has been compared to those worn by other royal brides, including Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. It has also been likened to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
Markle's wedding shoes were Givenchy pointed-toe heels, which she later swapped for bespoke Aquazzurra heels with a pale blue sole. For the evening reception, she changed into a halterneck dress by Stella McCartney, which featured an open back that exposed her sculpted shoulders.
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The veil
Meghan Markle's wedding veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, reflecting her and Prince Harry's interest in the work of the Commonwealth. The veil also featured Markle's two favourite flowers: wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, from her home state.
Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts, while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The designer also noted that the dress embodied Markle's "effortless American style".
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Comparisons to other royal wedding dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, has been compared to several other royal wedding dresses. One of the most notable comparisons is with the dress worn by Princess Angela of Liechtenstein (also known as Angela Gisela Brown) at her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000. Both dresses featured bateau necklines and a clean, modern aesthetic, although Markle's neckline was slightly wider. The two brides also accessorised their looks similarly, with tiaras, veils, and low buns.
Markle's dress has also been likened to that of Mary Donaldson, who married Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, in 2004. Additionally, there have been comparisons to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*. Emilia Wickstead claimed that Markle's dress was "identical" to one of her designs.
Some commentators also drew comparisons between Markle's dress and that of Catherine, Princess of Wales (then known as Kate Middleton). However, Catherine's dress was generally proclaimed the "victor" in these comparisons. Markle's dress was also said to be reminiscent of a formal dress worn by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, as well as her now-iconic wedding gown.
In contrast to these comparisons, Elizabeth Emanuel, who co-designed Princess Diana's wedding gown, thought that Markle's dress made a "really solid fashion statement" and that Waight Keller should be pleased with how "absolutely stunning and beautiful" Markle looked. Robin Givhan of *The Washington Post* also noted that the dress was "in service to the woman," rather than making a statement of its own.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress received mixed reviews, with some saying it was ''ill-fitting", "too big", and "baggy". Markle and designer Clare Waight Keller chose a cut that would allow Markle to move around comfortably, as the fabric was thick and stiff.
Meghan Markle and designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy worked closely together to design the dress, which shows a "timeless minimal elegance", according to a Kensington Palace announcement. The dress also embodied Markle's "effortless American style".
In December 2017, Israeli designer Inbal Dror was asked to submit designs for a wedding dress. It was rumoured that Erdem and Ralph & Russo were also contenders. By January 2018, British designer Stewart Parvin was the bookmakers' favourite.
