41 Photos That Show Meghan Markle's Dramatic Style Evolution

Meghan Markle's style evolution is one for the books. While she's always been fashion-forward and chic, she's now evolved into one of our generation's most influential dressers. From her "Suits" wardrobe to her entry into the royal family, Markle's outfits inspire plenty of admirers and imitators across the globe.

Back in 2006, Markle appeared on "Deal or No Deal" wearing minidresses with a body-con silhouette. What followed was seven seasons of "Suits," when the actress attended Hollywood and fashion parties alike, embracing the season's hottest trends, from bandage dresses to gladiator heeled sandals. When she began dating Prince Harry, her fashion sense changed most dramatically, as she mellowed her red carpet look a bit in favor of a more conservative aesthetic fit for a royal. With a wedding gown designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, Markle cemented her place in the pages of the fashion history books.

For the many official events that followed, she adhered to royal dressing protocol at times, but she also challenged it, embracing nail polish, off-the-shoulder necklines, and more. She also paid close attention to her color palette, staying away from bright colors in favor of neutral tones that wouldn't draw attention away from the more senior royals. As the end neared for her time as a working royal, Markle's style shifted yet again: her last formal royal appearances included vibrant hues like monochrome red and green.

Once Markle officially resumed life as a private citizen, her style changed again. To raise her two children in California, she curated a more casual but classic wardrobe of jeans and button-down shirts. For red carpet events, the mother of two embraces a bolder aesthetic, experimenting with everything from pink short suits to gold cutout dresses.

Ahead, check out Markle's style evolution — from body-con dresses to cape gowns and everything in between.

Meghan Markle Attends The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit in October 2023
Getty | Bryan Bedder

Meghan Markle Attends The Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit in October 2023

Meghan Markle Attends a Coach Party in August 2006
Getty | Patrick McMullan

Meghan Markle Attends a Coach Party in August 2006

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Greet Well-Wishers Outside Windsor Castle in September 2022
Getty | Chris Jackson

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Greet Well-Wishers Outside Windsor Castle in September 2022

Meghan Markle Attends the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in November 2015
Getty | Jim Spellman

Meghan Markle Attends the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in November 2015

Meghan Markle Poses For "Deal or No Deal" Promotional Photos in September 2006
Getty | NBC

Meghan Markle Poses For "Deal or No Deal" Promotional Photos in September 2006

Meghan Markle Visits Australia in October 2018
Getty | Pool/Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Visits Australia in October 2018

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2022
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2022

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in March 2020
Getty | Chris Jackson

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Endeavour Fund Awards in March 2020

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend "The Lion King" in July 2019
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend "The Lion King" in July 2019

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Australia in October 2018
Getty | Chris Jackson

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Australia in October 2018

Meghan Markle Visits Fiji in October 2018
Getty | Pool/Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Visits Fiji in October 2018

Meghan Markle Attends a "Suits" Event in June 2012
Getty | Theo Wargo

Meghan Markle Attends a "Suits" Event in June 2012

Meghan Markle Attends a Peter Som Fashion Show in September 2014
Getty | Paul Morigi

Meghan Markle Attends a Peter Som Fashion Show in September 2014

Meghan Markle Attends "Your Commonwealth" Youth Challenge Reception in July 2018
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Meghan Markle Attends "Your Commonwealth" Youth Challenge Reception in July 2018

Meghan Markle Attends an NBC Event in June 2015
Getty | Daniel Zuchnik

Meghan Markle Attends an NBC Event in June 2015

Meghan Markle Attends the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022

Meghan Markle Attends the Mountbatten Festival of Music in March 2020
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends the Mountbatten Festival of Music in March 2020

Meghan Markle Attends Wimbledon in July 2018
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends Wimbledon in July 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Their Wedding in May 2018
Getty | STEVE PARSONS

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Their Wedding in May 2018

Meghan Markle Attends the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Celebration in May 2018
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Meghan Markle Attends the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Celebration in May 2018

Meghan Markle Attends the Commonwealth Day Service in March 2020
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends the Commonwealth Day Service in March 2020

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in April 2022
Getty | Max Mumby/Indigo

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in April 2022

Meghan Markle Visits Australia in October 2018
Getty | Pool

Meghan Markle Visits Australia in October 2018

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2017
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2017

Meghan Markle Visits the World Trade Center in September 2021
Getty | Gotham

Meghan Markle Visits the World Trade Center in September 2021

Meghan Markle Visits Morocco in February 2019
Getty | Pool/Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Visits Morocco in February 2019

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Australia in October 2018
Getty | Ryan Pierse

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Australia in October 2018

Meghan Markle Visits the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in July 2018
Getty | Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Visits the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition in July 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Johannesburg in October 2019
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Visit Johannesburg in October 2019

Meghan Markle Visits Sussex in October 2018
Getty | Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Visits Sussex in October 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Announce Their Engagement in November 2016
Getty | Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Announce Their Engagement in November 2016

Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II Attend a Ceremony in Widnes, England, in June 2018
Getty | Max Mumby/Indigo

Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II Attend a Ceremony in Widnes, England, in June 2018

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Invictus Games in September 2023
Getty | Sascha Schuermann

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Invictus Games in September 2023

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2023
Getty | Jordan Pettitt - PA Images

Meghan Markle Attends the Invictus Games in September 2023

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Women of Vision Awards in May 2023
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the Women of Vision Awards in May 2023

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the 2022 Ripple of Hope Gala in December 2022
Getty | Mike Coppola

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Attend the 2022 Ripple of Hope Gala in December 2022