Meghan Markle delivers masterclass in styling slip dress in your 40s – with £15k Cartier jewels

Meghan shines in silky slip dress

Her 'Marion' dress by Heidi Merrick, identified by the Royal Fashion Police on Instagram, featured a deep V-shaped neckline, a shin-skimming skirt, and a beautiful black bow adorning each shoulder. 

In her choice of slip dress, Leanne Jones, a personal stylist who specialises in colour analysis, tells us that the duchess nails the lingerie-style trend for the season ahead. "SS26 is really coming to life now, with sheer fabrics and slip dresses like those we saw on the catwalks of Ferragamo, Chloe, and Rodarte making their way into everyday wardrobes, so it's great to see Meghan embracing that trend so effortlessly," she says.

How to wear a slip dress in your 40s

Meghan is in her 40s, but Leanne says the lingerie-inspired dress trend can work for women of any age if they know how to style it. 

"Satin and silk naturally drape differently on different figures, so thoughtful styling makes all the difference," Leanne tells us. "Pair it with heels to elongate the silhouette for a more formal feel, and layer with a jacket or shawl if you prefer extra coverage or want to discreetly accommodate straps. For a more relaxed approach, dress it down with trainers and a denim or lightweight jacket to make a slip dress work day to day."

Why does this colour work on Meghan?

© Getty Images

Leanne explains that the hue of Meghan's dress contributes to how well it flatters her: "Meghan understands that, as a deep autumn, rich wine and burgundy tones enhance her natural warmth and bring a real vibrancy to her overall look. 

© Getty Images

"Dark or neutral colours work really well with this style as the dress itself is so bold, it's best to moderate the volume with more muted tones." Leanne recommends high street stores like Next and M&S for comparable pieces. 

Meghan's £15k accessory

© Getty Images

As for her accessories, Meghan's shoes were not visible, but she made up for it with her luxurious jewellery. Prince Harry's wife added the 'Juste un Clou Small Necklace in Yellow Gold and Diamonds' by Cartier, which retails for a staggering £15,500, as well as her go-to Cartier 'Love' bracelet. 

© Billboard via Getty Images

Meghan's Cartier necklace is one of the most costly pieces in her collection, but she certainly gets wear out of it. She used the piece to elevate a far more casual outfit earlier this month when she stepped out with her husband to attend the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on 15 February.

© Getty Images

Meghan opted for the 'Beverly' flared jeans by Veronica Beard with a navy crew neck jumper by Brochu Walker. She also donned a pair of Aquazzura boots and used her Cartier jewels to add a refined touch to a simple jumper-denim pairing.