Meghan Markle Reveals She Shops at Uniqlo—Just for Clare Waight Keller's Designs

Meghan Markle sits onstage at South by Southwest wearing a button down shirt

(Image credit: Getty Images)

last updated 18 October 2024

When fashion fans around the world queued online for Clare Waight Keller's Uniqlo collaboration, Duchess Meghan Markle was apparently in line to shop with them.

In a New York Times profile of Clare Waight Keller published on Oct. 17, Meghan Markle is quoted as one of the biggest fans of Keller's pieces for the editor-favorite basics brand. The Duchess of Sussex told the outlet that she owns "several" of the Uniqlo pieces Keller released in her collaboration—a project so successful, it paved the way for Keller to lead the entire line.

Clare Waight Keller wears a Uniqlo coat and a black dress at a presentation of her brand

Clare Waight Keller became Uniqlo's first forward-facing creative director in September.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Markle said she owns a few of Clare Waight Keller's Uniqlo dresses, as well as a trench coat. (Alas, she didn't reveal exactly which ones.) "Her pieces for the brand have movement and modern grace," Markle added.

The Duchess's endorsement is the first by a major figure for Uniqlo's new design era. In September, Uniqlo announced that former Givenchy creative director—and recent Reformation jewelry collaborator–Clare Waight Keller would take the helm as its first forward-facing creative director. Keller, royal fans know, famously designed Markle's Givenchy wedding dress in 2018. The pair have reportedly stayed in close contact since then. Markle told the NYT they still share "a beautiful friendship."

Uniqlo is one of several middle-market fashion brands earning a coveted spot in Meghan Markle's post-royal wardrobe. She's worn everything from J.Crew button-down shirts and collarless jackets to Reformation dresses over the years, often mixed with luxury finds like her go-to Aquazzura pumps and Cartier necklace.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wearing J.Crew — Uniqlo is a new addition to Markle's stable of affordable brands. Here, she wears a J.Crew jacket that sold out after it was seen in her wardrobe.

Meghan Markle hasn't been photographed in Keller's Uniqlo designs—yet. Until she graces a step-and-repeat or polo green wearing the pieces she actually owns, I've taken the liberty of shopping out a few pieces I can imagine hanging in the Duchess's closet based on my years of following her style.

Trust that when she finally does wear Clare Waight Keller for Uniqlo in public, it will instantly sell out.

Shop Uniqlo Pieces Inspired by Meghan Markle

Uniqlo: C Trench Coat

Uniqlo:C Flare Dress

Uniqlo:C Merino Blend Ribbed Dress

Uniqlo:C Mix Yarn Polo Sweater

Uniqlo:C Pleated Wide Pants

Uniqlo:C Belted Shirt Dress

Uniqlo:C Merino Blend Ribbed Skirt

Uniqlo:C Cashmere Short Sweater

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Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.