Meghan Markle Is Still Taking Style Cues From Her "Suits" Character

Celebrity Images: USA Network | Getty / Chris Jackson
Photo Illustration: Michelle Alfonso
Celebrity Images: USA Network | Getty / Chris Jackson
Photo Illustration: Michelle Alfonso

As its streaming resurgence proves, "Suits" is a stellar show with its own merits — epic one-liners, a quick-witted and equally attractive cast of characters, and of course, the suits. It's also the legal drama that introduced many of us to Meghan Markle, as well as her character Rachel Zane's fabulous corporate fashion. While each Pearson Specter Litt lawyer has style worth admiring, Zane's in particular is striking, as much of her wardrobe mirrors Markle's ensembles in real life.

Markle's style has certainly evolved since she left the series in 2011, but remnants of her preppy "Suits" costumes remain present today. As both a working royal and private citizen, she embraced her now-signature styling cues like tonal dressing, a preppy pencil skirt combo, and affinity for a crisp button-down.

While her sartorial choices leaned more neutral and conservative while a royal — she's since spoken about sticking to muted tones like camel, beige, and white to avoid drawing attention to herself — her looks have been consistent. Even as she's adopted a more casual wardrobe living in California, the mom of two still has her go-to outfit formulas, perhaps influenced by her days as the paralegal-turned-attorney she played on "Suits."

In fact, recent rewatches of the show had us wondering whether Markle snagged a few pieces from Zane's closet when she moved to the UK and back to California. Among the many similarities, the former actor and her character both love a casual yet elevated look, usually consisting of a loose dress shirt and expert tailoring.

"Meghan and I loved Rachel's clothes," "Suits" costume designer Jolie Andreatta said in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK back in 2018. "We'd always say that, if we could, we would live in Rachel's clothes." While she might not be living in Zane's exact pieces, it's safe to say Markle may have drawn fashion inspiration from her character.

From chic monochrome outfits to double-breasted silhouettes, take a look at the key pieces and outfit formulas that define both the duchess and Zane's wardrobes.

Rachel Zane Wearing Tonal Outfits in "Suits"
USA Network

Rachel Zane Wearing Tonal Outfits in "Suits"

Throughout her seven-season run on "Suits," Zane mastered the art of monochrome dressing. The character layered different textures and tones to pull together the perfect neutral looks. In this case, she matched her satin rose-colored blouse with ruffles with a pale pink pencil skirt.

Everett Collection

Sticking to her neutral color palette, Zane tucked a pointelle cashmere sweater into her quintessential gray pencil skirt for a chat with her boss, Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres).

USA Network

Zane's fondness for tonal dressing — particularly with neutral colors like creams, nudes, and grays — started back in the early seasons, like when she wore this taupe ensemble.

Meghan Markle Wearing Tonal Outfits
Getty | picture alliance

Meghan Markle Wearing Tonal Outfits

Markle is also known to love a head-to-toe monochromatic look. Recently, she was spotted in this chic brown ensemble at the Invictus Games in September, pairing a silk chocolate blouse with camel-colored trousers.

Getty | Neil Mockford

Similarly, for a visit to the Canada House in 2020, she wore a fitted caramel turtleneck and a chocolate-brown satin skirt with matching suede pumps.

Getty | Mark Cuthbert

During another day at the Invictus Games earlier this month, Markle wore an belted ivory playsuit with an oversize cream blazer.

Rachel Zane Wearing Double-Breasted Jackets in "Suits"
USA Network

Rachel Zane Wearing Double-Breasted Jackets in "Suits"

In colder temperatures, the paralegal and law student often finished her elegant outfits with an equally stylish jacket, usually featuring a double-breasted cut.

USA Network

Zane was often seen in double-breasted coats outside of the office, like this gray military-style one.

Meghan Markle Wearing Double-Breasted Silhouettes
Getty | Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Wearing Double-Breasted Silhouettes

Markle also favors double-breasted silhouettes, particularly in blazer and dress form. At the Invictus Games in April 2022, she chose a structured white jacket with subtle button details and matching trousers.

Getty | Karwai Tang

She's also worn several button-down dresses over the years with the silhouette, like this sleeveless trench dress from Banana Republic.

Getty | Toby Melville

This similar gray coat from Smythe, which Markle wore for Anzac Day in 2018, is one of the many double-breasted coats she's sported for her outdoor appearances.

Rachel Zane Wearing Button-Down Shirts on "Suits"
USA Network

Rachel Zane Wearing Button-Down Shirts on "Suits"

One of Zane's key closet staples was a crisp, menswear-inspired button down, often worn with rolled up sleeves and a few buttons unbuttoned on top for a more relaxed look.

USA Network

The paralegal frequently paired her laid-back shirts with a pencil skirt at the office or casual jeans when in class or at home.

Meghan Markle Wearing Button-Down Shirts
Getty | Dominic Lipinski

Meghan Markle Wearing Button-Down Shirts

A classic white button-down has become Markle's signature — so much so that she created her own version with designer friend Misha Nonoo as part of a capsule collection with Smart Works.

Getty | Chris Jackson

Her penchant for the style dates back to her and Prince Harry's first public appearance as a couple at the Invictus Games in 2017, where she wore Misha's Husband Shirt with a pair of distressed skinny jeans. Since then, Markle has worn similar styles on numerous occasions, from casual outings to Zoom meetings.

Rachel Zane Wearing Sheer Panels in "Suits"
USA Network

Rachel Zane Wearing Sheer Panels in "Suits"

For special occasions on "Suits," Zane chose looks with some kind of sheer detail time an time again.

USA Network

Whether it was a black blouse with butterfly embroidery for an important client meeting or a gorgeous Burberry gown with panels to impress her boss at an event, Zane didn't mind showing a little bit of subtle skin.

USA Network

She also frequently paired transparent blouses, like this simple white one with a sheer neckline, with those fitted pencil skirts.

Meghan Markle Wearing Sheer Panels
Getty | Samir Hussein

Meghan Markle Wearing Sheer Panels

Markle, too, is a fan of sheer in real life — see-through sleeves in particular. She wore a sophisticated Givenchy dress with sheer panels and billowy sleeves for her first solo royal engagement at the opening of the "Oceania" art exhibit back in September 2018.

Getty | Max Mumby

For her first movie premiere as a royal, the former actor stunned in a long-sleeved LBD by Jason Wu with a sheer neckline and sleeves.

Getty | Chris Jackson

Markle looked elegant as ever in a similar, looser style at the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday celebration the year prior, where she wore a peachy-pink Goat dress featuring sheer sleeves with raw edges.

Rachel Zane Wearing Pencil Skirts in "Suits"
USA Network

Rachel Zane Wearing Pencil Skirts in "Suits"

The foundation of every Rachel Zane outfit was a flattering high-waisted pencil skirt, opting for either a pop of color or pattern, or sticking to a classic black.

USA Network

Zane usually paired her skirts with a relaxed, loose top, like her go-to white button-down or a silky fitted blouse.

Meghan Markle Wearing Pencil Skirts
Getty | Karwai Tang

Meghan Markle Wearing Pencil Skirts

Markle wore her character's familiar outfit formula to the Endeavour Fund Awards back in early 2019. The duchess, who was pregnant with Archie at the time, tucked a sleek white shirt into a high-waisted maxi skirt with a slit, both designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.

Getty | Samir Hussein

While her "Suits" character generally gravitated toward all-neutral looks, Markle doesn't shy away from bright colors. Back in 2018, she rocked a leather pencil skirt and loose silk blouse in the same hunter green shade for a royal appearance.

Getty | Jeremy Selwyn

During an outing in late 2019, the duchess paired the same leather skirt by Boss, this time in a striking burgundy, with a matching v-neck sweater and suede heels for a full cranberry-colored look.