Deborah Chan
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, has received mixed reviews from the public. Some have described it as beautiful and stunning, while others have called it boring, ugly, and ill-fitting. The dress, which featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a nipped waist, was constructed in an exclusive double bonded silk cady with a soft matt lustre. Critics have noted similarities between Markle's dress and those worn by other royal brides, such as Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson. Some have also compared it to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public opinion | Mixed reviews, some saying it was "beautiful" and "stunning" while others described it as "boring", "ugly", "ill-fitting", "baggy", and "old ladyish" |
| Design | Unaccessorised, no lace, pearls, or taffeta bows, conservative cut along the bodice and sleeves, triple silk organza, exclusive double bonded silk cady, soft matt lustre, relaxed and sleek |
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Veil | Embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet |
| Comparison | Similar to dresses worn by Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, Audrey Hepburn, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy |
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What You'll Learn
- The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
- It received mixed reviews, with some calling it boring and ugly
- The dress was compared to those worn by Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson at their weddings
- It featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and nipped waist
- Meghan's hair and makeup were also criticised
The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
While some people thought Meghan Markle's wedding dress was boring, ugly, and unflattering, others disagree. Markle's dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, and it featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, a six-seamed line, and a nipped waist constructed in an exclusive double-bonded silk cady with a soft matte lustre. The triple silk organza used to make the underskirt was also notable.
Clare Waight Keller is a British stylist and fashion designer who has served as the artistic director for several luxury fashion houses, including Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy. She is known for her elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. In 2017, she became the first female artistic director of Givenchy in the fashion house's 66-year history.
Keller's first couture collection for Givenchy was critically acclaimed. Her designs are known for their innovative cuts and materials, as well as structured, asymmetrical silhouettes and luxurious yet minimalist elements. She has a long-standing commitment to fashion circularity and supports the rewearing of well-made garments.
Markle chose to work with Keller due to her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. The two have remained close friends, with Markle owning several of Keller's Uniqlo pieces.
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It received mixed reviews, with some calling it boring and ugly
Meghan Markle's wedding dress received mixed reviews, with some calling it boring and ugly. The dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, was described by some as "beautiful" and "stunning", while others found it "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting". The dress featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, a six-seamed line, and a nipped waist, constructed from "exclusive double bonded silk cady" and "triple silk organza".
Some critics felt the dress lacked structure and detailing, with one commentator calling it a "white silk potato sack". The cut and shape of the dress were also criticized, with some saying it was too conservative and others claiming it was ill-fitting. The matte satin fabric was also called into question, with some describing the finish as "dull". The veil, embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth and Markle's home state of California, was also mocked for its style and length, with comparisons being drawn to a CVS receipt.
Comparisons were made between Markle's dress and those worn by other notable women, including Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, Audrey Hepburn, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Some commentators suggested that Markle's choice to wear a white dress was unexpected, given that she had been married previously. The dress was also compared to designs by Inbal Dror, Erdem, Ralph & Russo, and Stewart Parvin, who were all rumoured to be contenders for designing Markle's wedding gown.
Despite the mixed reviews, some fashion experts noted that the silk cady fabric would have been challenging to move in if the dress had been more form-fitting. Markle and Waight Keller worked closely together on the design, aiming for a "timeless minimal elegance" that conveyed "modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts".
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The dress was compared to those worn by Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson at their weddings
Meghan Markle's wedding dress has been described as "boring, ugly, and unflattering". Some have said that the dress was inappropriate for a royal church wedding due to its simplicity. Markle's dress has been compared to the wedding dresses of Princess Angela of Liechtenstein and Mary Donaldson, now the Queen of Denmark.
Princess Angela wore an elegantly simple white dress of her own design, featuring a bateau neckline and long sleeves. Markle's dress had a similar silhouette, with long sleeves and a high neckline. This has led some to speculate that Markle was inspired by Princess Angela's wedding ensemble.
Mary Donaldson's wedding dress was designed by Danish designer Uffe Frank and had a medieval look. The dress was made of ivory duchess satin and featured lily-shaped sleeves, an almost off-the-shoulder neckline, and panels opening out from the waist to reveal 100-year-old lace. The six-metre train, edged with Chantilly lace, provided a simple and elegant backdrop for the flowing Irish lace veil. While Markle's dress did not have the same dramatic features as Donaldson's, both dresses could be described as simple and elegant, with a focus on the use of lace.
The comparisons between Markle's dress and those of Princess Angela and Mary Donaldson may be due to the similar silhouettes and use of lace. All three dresses have long sleeves and high necklines, and could be described as simple and elegant. However, some people expected Markle's dress to be more detailed and structured, especially since she was marrying into the royal family.
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It featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and nipped waist
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, has received mixed reviews from the public. Some critics have described the dress as "boring", "ugly", "ill-fitting", and "old ladyish". The dress featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a nipped waist. It was constructed in an "exclusive double bonded silk cady" with a ""soft matt lustre". The silk cady fabric, chosen by Markle and Keller, was intended to allow the bride to move and breathe comfortably in the dress. The dress's three-quarter sleeves and nipped waist, in particular, contributed to its relaxed and sleek silhouette. This silhouette contrasted with the skin-tight, form-fitting styles often seen in royal wedding dresses, such as that of Princess Diana.
The bateau neckline of the dress gracefully framed Markle's collarbones and shoulders, providing a modest yet elegant touch. This style of neckline, which follows the curve of the collarbone, is often chosen for its flattering and classic appeal. It is named after the French word for "boat", as the shape resembles the flat bottom of a boat. A bateau neckline is also sometimes referred to as a "boatneck". This style of neckline has been popular for many decades and is often chosen for its versatility and ability to complement various body types.
The three-quarter sleeves of the dress extended below Markle's elbows, ending roughly halfway between her elbows and wrists. This sleeve length provided a balance between the coverage of long sleeves and the lightness of short sleeves. Three-quarter sleeves are often chosen for their elegance and practicality, as they offer a comfortable fit while still allowing for a full range of arm movement. They are also known for their versatility, as they can be worn in various settings, from formal occasions to casual gatherings.
The nipped waist of the dress emphasised Markle's natural waistline, creating a flattering silhouette. A nipped waist, also known as a "fitted waist" or "cinched waist", is a style feature that emphasises the narrowest part of the torso, creating a defined waistline. This design element is often used to create an hourglass figure or to add structure and shape to a garment. By accentuating the waist, the dress highlighted Markle's figure and created a timelessly feminine look.
Overall, while the dress has sparked debates about its level of excitement and modernity, the bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and nipped waist contributed to a classic and elegant silhouette. These design elements allowed for a combination of coverage and comfort, resulting in a dress that moved gracefully and provided a relaxed yet refined aesthetic for Markle's wedding to Prince Harry.
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Meghan's hair and makeup were also criticised
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, received mixed reviews from the public. Some described it as "beautiful", "stunning", and ""chic and modern", while others criticised it as "boring", "ugly", "ill-fitting", and "old ladyish".
Markle's signature hairstyle is a purposefully messy bun with devil-may-care tendrils and a fresh-from-yoga twist. For her wedding, she opted for a tamer version of this look. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a low chignon at the nape of her neck, with her tendrils tucked behind her ears for the ceremony.
Some people felt that Markle's overall styling choices, including her hair and makeup, were underwhelming. They had expected a more epic royal wedding dress and were let down by her super-simple gown and subdued beauty look.
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Frequently asked questions
There were mixed reviews of Meghan Markle's wedding dress. While some people found it "beautiful" and "stunning", others described it as "boring", "ugly", "ill-fitting", and "too big".
Some people thought the dress lacked tailoring on the sleeves and waist and that the finish was dull. The dress was also compared to those worn by Angela Brown and Mary Donaldson at their weddings, as well as a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy.
Yes, Meghan Markle worked closely with designer Clare Waight Keller to design the dress.
Meghan Markle's wedding veil was embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. A piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry was also stitched into the veil.
