How clever Meghan fashionably kept ‘secret’ safe
FOR any excited mother-to-be, the early weeks of pregnancy can be a challenge, with morning sickness and tiredness both common problems.
And until you’ve had that crucial 12-week scan, your baby news is almost certainly something that you don’t yet want to share.
For Meghan, who has the eyes of the world on her every move, that means some clever fashion tricks to hide the fuller bust and thickening waist that are early giveaways of pregnancy. Here, Style Editor DINAH VAN TULLEKEN reveals how Meghan has successfully disguised her changing figure.
JULY 26: POLO CUP
With its bust-minimising V-neck and cap sleeves that broaden shoulders, this Carolina Herrera denim dress means that if Meghan is fuller across the chest (for many women, larger breasts are the first sign of pregnancy), no one will notice.
Side pockets and a wide belt encourage the fabric to pleat across the tummy — cleverly concealing any sign of a swollen stomach.
AUG 4: SOCIETY WEDDING
This Club Monaco dress with an accordian pleat skirt is ideal for hiding a pregnant figure. the pastel detail at the bottom of the skirt, rather than across the bust or stomach, focuses attention there. Meghan can use her clutch bag to shield her tummy, while her skyward-pointing hat draws the eye up.
AUG 29: WEST END GALA
The stretch wool tuxedo jacket dress from Judith & Charles is a clever and very chic choice. Black is famously forgiving to lumps and bumps, and the high hemline and killer heels show off Meghan’s fantastic legs — distracting attention from everywhere else.
SEPT 4: CHILDREN’S AWARDS
This Altuzarra one-button blazer nips in to accentuate her still-trim waist but it’s worn open so doesn’t pull across the stomach, and the loose-fitting Deitas Coco silk camisole disguises the figure beneath. A Stella McCartney bag with eye-catching gold chain trim can be used to distract attention.
SEPT 6: PEACE CONCERT
This Jason Wu dress is the first clue that Meghan might be expecting. the ruffled front adds bulk to her bust and stomach,
mimicking a pregnancy figure. Bright colours attract, rather than divert, attention too. She hasn’t worn anything so bold since.
SEPT 20: COOKBOOK LAUNCH
AN oversized Smythe coat draws attention to Meghan’s outer silhouette and makes it impossible to see any hint of a bump. But her body language, with a hand protectively shielding her stomach, tells another story.
SEPT 24: SPORTS AWARDS
The Duchess’s Oscar de la Renta draped top, with its asymmetric peplum waist, is the perfect piece to hide a small bump. It pulls in at the waist before kicking out over the tummy and the V-neck draws the eye upwards. Teamed with Altuzarra flared trousers that balance out Meghan’s figure.
SEPT 25: ROYAL ACADEMY
This black Givenchy midi dress has a deep ‘V’ insert in velvet which disguises a fuller bust, while the sheer sleeves take attention away from Meghan’s middle. The gold clasp on the high belt draws the eye up, too.
OCT 3: GRAND TOUR
FOR the Duke and Duchess’s visit to the county of Sussex, Meghan wore an oversized & Other Stories shirt, with a front placket to hide any possible gaping buttons over her bust. Meanwhile, her leather skirt from hugo Boss appears to be a size larger so it will sit loose on her waist.
OCT 12: ROYAL WEDDING
Meghan’S Givenchy coat skims her body and reveals nothing of her figure beneath — especially as only the top two buttons are done up, giving an A-line effect.
her bespoke hat from milliner Noel Stewart is a great distraction — as too are her trademark high heels, once again showing off her fantastic, slim legs.