I'll be the first girl to admit that when I see a really great outfit — especially on the likes of a political leader or duchess — I stop and stare. It's not just about the pantsuit or dress; it's about the underlying knowledge that these women took all things into consideration when choosing their outfits, perhaps with the help of an attentive stylist [1]. Who will they be speaking to? Where will they be making an appearance, and does the designer they're wearing have any connection to that location? Is their clothing made sustainably? Is it affordable? Does it matter?
To Meghan Markle and Michelle Obama, the answer to each question is just as important as the one before. You see, Michelle has been in the public eye since 2008, and she has certainly set new standards for dressing the part. Throughout her time in the White House [2], Michelle championed budding, talented designers because she appreciated their craft and paid attention to their education.
"This gown is one of the most tangible things I have left to remember [the 2009 Inauguration]," Michelle said of her spectacular Jason Wu number [3], which was created for her only one year after Wu was nominated for the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund Award. "At the end of the day, today is about much more than this gown. It's also about how with enough focus and determination someone in this room can be the next Jason Wu. Someone can be the next Barack Obama . . . Something you create today can help teach the next generation in a way that nothing else can."
Michelle has continued to rally behind newcomers to the industry, while tapping iconic fashion houses for pieces at times of utmost significance. Meghan Markle has been following in her footsteps, sartorially speaking, since her wedding to Prince Harry [4] in May 2018, when she chose Clare Waight Keller to customize her gown [5], largely because of her accomplishments — she's the first female creative director of Givenchy, and she was also born in England.
That was only the start of Meghan's many sensible fashion moves. She wore the affordable Outland Denim [6] five times on her Australia tour, a brand with a mission to raise wages and improve training conditions in the garment industry. You won't be surprised to find then that there's a whole list of designers both Michelle and Meghan have in common. And you don't have to be a detective to know that they likely had the same reasons for wearing these brands at just the right moments in time.
J.Crew
In 2012, Michelle wore a full J.Crew look when she appeared on the talk show in California.
Michelle wore J.Crew's argyle jester sweater with pearls while working the cafeteria food line at an elementary school in Virginia in 2012.
At the DNC in 2012, Michelle completed her Tanya Taylor dress with J.Crew's Everly suede pumps in rhubarb.
Not many will forget the gemstone-encrusted J.Crew belt Michelle layered over her Thom Browne coat at Barack's Inauguration ceremony in 2013.
At the annual Phoenix Awards Dinner in 2013, Michelle pulled her go-to J.Crew belt from her wardrobe to finish off this plaid gown.
Michelle opted for a marigold blouse and cardigan combination from J.Crew to deliver a speech in the East Room of the White House in 2009, cinching her waist with a thick belt.
Meghan wore a lined J.Crew coat [7] over an AllSaints sweater and Alexander Wang pants on International Women's Day in 2018.
During her 2018 Australia tour [8], Meghan brought along these J.Crew ankle boots, which she styled with a Serena Williams Collection blazer [9].
Meghan accessorised her denim Carolina Herrera dress [10] with a raffia J.Crew clutch at the Sentebale Polo in Windsor in 2018.
Givenchy
Michelle slipped into this glittering Givenchy gown [11] for the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2016. The design featured a beaded overlay that brought attention to her stunning jewels.
For a visit to The Tonight Show in 2017, Michelle wore this zippered Givenchy dress [12] with a ruffled hemline. She played up the edgy details with metallic pumps.
Of course, Meghan's first big moment in Givenchy came on the day of her wedding to Prince Harry. For the very special occasion, the Duchess of Sussex wore a stunning gown by Clare Waight Keller [13], which featured an open bateau neckline and slim three-quarter sleeves.
Ever since her wedding day, Meghan has been showing her support for the Givenchy brand [14]. For a fun event alongside the Gaelic Athletic Association in Dublin in July 2018, the Duchess of Sussex wore a black Givenchy pantsuit [15] and relaxed white t-shirt.
During her trip to Ireland in July 2018, Meghan also paid tribute to the country by wearing a green ensemble by Givenchy [16]. She opted for a three-quarter-sleeved top with a matching midi skirt that featured pockets.
At the 2018 Royal Ascot, Meghan wore a white Givenchy shirt dress [17]. To accessorise her stunning outfit, Meghan opted for a black clutch, matching heels, and a black and white hat by Philip Treacy [18].
For her first official engagement with Queen Elizabeth in June 2018, Meghan wore a caped Givenchy design [19]. She simply accessorised her outfit with a chic black and gold belt and a matching clutch, pearl earrings [20], Sarah Flint pumps, and the all-important tights [21].
The Duchess of Sussex looked elegant at Princess Eugenie's October 2018 wedding wearing a Givenchy dress with a navy coat [22] and her trusty Manolo Blahnik heels. She accessorised the look with a bespoke hat by Noel Stewart [23].
On her first solo outing in September 2018, the Duchess of Sussex went to the opening of the "Oceania" exhibition at the Royal Academy [24]. She wore an elegant black dress with a slit and completed the look with her chic pair of Aquazzura bow pumps [25], a Givenchy clutch, and diamond earrings.
Jason Wu
Michelle wore a Jason Wu dress [26], Jimmy Choo shoes, and a ring by Kimberly McDonald for the inaugural ball in 2013.
For the Canada State Dinner in 2016, Michelle wore this gorgeous embroidered Jason Wu dress [27], equipped with a subtle slit to show off her metallic sandals.
Michelle wore this white-shoulder Jason Wu gown [28] with appliqué to the Inaugural Ball in 2009.
During her 2018 tour with Prince Harry, Meghan wore this emerald Jason Wu sheath dress [29] on a visit to Fiji, styled with Pippa Small earrings and Manolo Blahnik pumps.
In September 2018, Meghan accompanied Prince Harry for the 100 Days of Peace concert in London. She styled this Jason Wu midi [30] with Aquazzura heels and a Dior clutch.
Meghan joined Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Prince William in February 2018 for the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. She styled a navy Jason Wu trench [31] with black Aquazzura heels for the occasion.
Alexander McQueen
Michelle stunned in this red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen [32] at the state dinner for Chinese president Hu Jintao in January 2011.
Meghan arrived at the Endeavour Fund Awards [33] twinning with her fiancé in a sleek black pantsuit by Alexander McQueen [34]. The two looked like the ultimate power couple!
Carolina Herrera
Michelle wore this periwinkle and lace Carolina Herrera number [35] to a state dinner with French President Francois Hollande in 2014.
While on a trip to Cuba in 2016, Michelle opted for a Carolina Herrera number that featured red and blue pixelated flowers [36].
Meghan stunned in this sugar-pink Carolina Herrera off-the-shoulder dress [37] at Trooping the Colour in 2018, topped off with a Philip Treacy hat.
Meghan's denim Carolina Herrera dress [38], belted at the waist, made quite the statement at the 2018 Sentebale Polo. She styled the design with a J.Crew clutch, Aquazzura heels, and Tom Ford sunglasses.
Self-Portrait
Michelle made an appearance in NYC at Broadway's Jacobs Theatre in 2016, rocking a multi-patterned Self-Portrait fit-and-flare [39] with peep-toe Mary Janes.
Meghan showed off her growing baby bump during the 2018 tour in this bright red Self-Portrait number [40] when she touched down in Tonga with Prince Harry.
In April 2018, right before her wedding, Meghan coordinated a flirty Self-Portrait design [41] with a black Alexander McQueen blazer and Manolo Blahnik pumps for the Invictus Games Reception in London.
Burberry
Both Michelle Obama [42] and Meghan Markle [43] own Burberry's iconic outerwear. Michelle looked sophisticated in a Burberry trench coat while deplaning in Belfast in June 2013.
Meghan left her Burberry trench coat [44] undone in New Zealand in 2018, showing off a Brandon Maxwell sheath underneath, complete with Stuart Weitzman pumps.
Ralph Lauren
Michelle wore an off-the-shoulder Ralph Lauren gown [45] at a dinner at the Winfield House in London in 2011.
Meghan stepped out in a sophisticated olive Ralph Lauren dress [46] for Prince Louis's christening in July 2018. She wore a matching Stephen Jones hat and Manolo Blahnik suede pumps.
When Meghan attended the Wimbledon tennis championships in London in July 2018, she coordinated a striped Ralph Lauren shirt with chic white pants from the label [47], toting her Altuzarra bag.
Emilia Wickstead
On her book tour [48] in December 2018, Michelle worked an Emilia Wickstead Resort 2019 ensemble in crisp white.
During their Australia visit in 2018, Meghan and Harry visited the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park. While Prince Harry dressed in uniform, Meghan kept things tasteful in a button-front Emilia Wickstead midi [49], complete with her Aquazzura slingbacks and a Philip Treacy fascinator.
For a garden party in Dublin in July 2018, Meghan wore a black sleeveless dress by Emilia Wickstead [50]. She finished her look with a black clutch, pendant earrings, and gorgeous Aquazzura heels.
Meghan joined Prince Harry at the Anzac Day memorial in London in April 2018 wearing a custom skirt suit from Emilia Wickstead [51]. She paired it with a Phillip Treacy fascinator, simple black pumps, and a clutch.
Brandon Maxwell
Before dressing Michelle Obama [52], Brandon Maxwell's designs were seen on Lady Gaga [53]. For the 2016 White House State Dinner with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Michelle wore a sculptural column dress [54] by the designer.
Meghan wore this pleated Brandon Maxwell shirt dress [55] during her 2018 visit to Sydney, styling her look with neutral Tamara Mellon pumps for an afternoon reception at Admiralty House.
Meghan also wore this Brandon Maxwell sheath underneath her Burberry trench [56] during her 2018 visit to New Zealand.
Possibly shining brighter than the sun, Meghan stepped out for the Commonwealth youth reception [57] in July 2018 wearing a high-neck midi yellow Brandon Maxwell dress [58]. She completed her look with neutral heels and Adina Reyter earrings.
Stella McCartney
In September 2015, Michelle attended the "Let Girls Learn" Global Conversation at The Apollo Theatre in NYC. She styled a navy Stella McCartney dress with neutral-toned pumps and hoop earrings.
In April 2018, Meghan wore this simply stunning Stella McCartney cape dress [59] with a Naeem Khan zodiac clutch, Isabel Marant hoop earrings, and suede Manolo Blahnik pumps for a concert at Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the queen's 92nd birthday in London.
Of course, Meghan's most famous Stella McCartney look would be her reception gown [60], which she wore with Aquazzura heels and Princess Diana's Asprey gemstone ring [61].
Meghan stepped out in Cardiff, Wales [62], in yet another all-black outfit in January 2018. The then bride-to-be wore a fabulous belted Stella McCartney coat [63], a scarf, Huit Denim trousers, and velvet Tabitha Simmons boots. She finished off her look with a green DeMellier handbag.
Gucci
In 2016, Michelle Obama wore a sparkling jacquard Gucci gown [64] for the Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington, DC. She finished her look with Yoko London pearl drop earrings and more diamonds.
Meghan styled her red, white, and blue Gucci clutch [65] with a navy Dion Lee dress [66], Martin Grant trench coat, and Manolo Blahnik pumps during her 2018 visit to Australia.
Clearly a fan of Gucci accessories, Meghan coordinated this "Jackie O" Black Halo dress [67] with an elegant bag from the Milan based fashion house. She was attending the Women's Empowerment Reception in London in April 2018, right before her wedding.
Roksanda
While leaving Cambodia back in 2015, Michelle wore a colourblock dress by Roksanda.
Michelle paired a Roksanda Ilincic dress with a Narciso Rodriguez coat for a visit to 10 Downing Street during a state visit in May 2011.
For a 2018 reception in Melbourne, Meghan styled this colourblock fit-and-flare Roksanda dress [68] with Stuart Weitzman pumps and Birks jewellery.