What Meghan Markle's Smart Works Capsule Collection Might Include

The Duchess of Sussex guest edits British Vogue

(Image credit: Handout)

published 22 August 2019

Yesterday, Meghan Markle paid a secret visit to Smart Works, one of the charities she's patron of. The Sussex Royals account subsequently shared an adorable video that details Meghan's work on the capsule collection she's creating to benefit the charity—Meghan is clearly delighted (as are the participants, who look like they might faint at the sight of a real princess who comes bounding up to hug them). Even better, thanks to some eagle-eyed fans who managed to get screenshots, we may know some of the items in the collection before anything is officially revealed. Speculation started months ago about what the collection could look like, but now we have firmer details.

everlane The Day Market Tote

There looks to be at least one tote (maybe two) that's very reminiscent of Meghan's much-loved Everlane day tote. One of the models is in a pretty black dress with 3/4 sleeves, and one of the photos from the collection shows a (potentially) collared shirt and black pants. Meghan's Mirror also spotted a black blazer in there, too. It looks like the absolutely perfect combination of outfits to get someone started with posh workwear—which of course is the point, as Smart Works is designed to support women into employment. Meghan said in the September British Vogue she guest-edited that she worked with "Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw and my friends, the designer Mischa Nonoo" on the collection.

Even better, it sounds like the shoppable collection will have a positive impact. "Taking the idea further, many of the brands agreed to use the one-for-one model: for each item purchased by a customer, one is donated to the charity. Not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story, it reminds us we are in it together."

As for her own outfit, Meghan was likely wearing some of her favorite rings, the Pippa Small "Durga" and maybe the "Herkimer." She also had on a casual, roomy blue and white linen shirt that, according to Meghan's Mirror, was the Frank and Eileen "Eileen" shirt, similar styles here and here (a cheaper version is available by With Nothing Underneath in select sizes, found by HELLO!).

Here's the sneak peek video from the Sussex Royal Instagram:

A post shared by HELLO! Magazine (@hellomag)
A photo posted by on

And here are some screenshots of the collection from that video.

What are the odds for there to be two of the same style bags at the photoshoot in two different colours... Unless they were featured *in* the photoshoot? Will have to wait and see, but a tote bag looks to be a solid bet for a piece in the @SmartWorksHQ collection! https://t.co/GHUDU9TreJAugust 21, 2019

And we're also guessing we'll see a black blazer, white dress shirt and black trousers based on this sublime capture of a still from the shoot. It really looks like it will be a great workwear capsule collection! (Thx @ufonomore for the screengrabs!) pic.twitter.com/cELWMXpLcdAugust 21, 2019

I love this ALMOST as much as Meghan.

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Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.

Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.