Meghan Markle wore a $3,103 denim dress — shop 10 dresses like hers for a lot less

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex attends the Sentebale Polo 2018 held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018. (Photo: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Meghan Markle attends the Sentebale Polo 2018 match held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018. (Photo: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

On Thursday, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cheered on her husband, Prince Harry, from the sidelines at the annual Sentebale polo cup in Berkshire, England.

The Sentebale polo match typically takes place elsewhere, around the world from Barbados to Palm Beach, Fla., but this year’s polo cup is close to home, not too far from where Meghan and Harry tied the knot at Windsor Castle. Sentebale was founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso during Harry’s time spent in Lesotho in 2004. The organization benefits children from Botswana and Lesotho who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

For the occasion, Meghan wore an elegant belted denim dress by American label Carolina Herrera. The dress is from the Resort 2019 collection, which is the debut collection from the label’s new creative director, Wes Gordon. This marks the second time the duchess has chosen to wear a Carolina Herrera design by Gordon to an event. The first occasion was for Trooping the Color, during which she wore a blush-pink two-piece set.

Meghan styled her daytime polo look with Tom Ford oversized cat’s-eye sunglasses, blush-colored Aquazzura heels, and an an affordable J.Crew straw clutch (which you can still buy in yellow for $60).

Meghan Markle wears a Carolina Herrera belted denim midi dress, Tom Ford sunglasses, J.Crew clutch, and Aquazzura heels at Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018. (
Meghan Markle wears a Carolina Herrera belted denim midi dress, Tom Ford sunglasses, J.Crew clutch, and Aquazzura heels at Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club on July 26, 2018. (Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

If you were skeptical about wearing a denim dress for formal occasions, Meghan breezily demonstrates that it’s all in choosing the silhouette that best complements your body and choosing the right accessories. If you’re slender like her, opt for a denim wrap dress that hits you at the midi length. If you’re a bit curvier, a peplum dress might be a better fit. If you’re feeling more risky, try a less conservative denim dress, like an off-the-shoulder version or a fun and flirty ruffle minidress.

One key style tip is to add a belt (if the dress doesn’t already include one). This will help accentuate your waist and show off your feminine curves. Top off your look with bold black shades, high heels, and an on-trend straw bag à la Meghan Markle. With that said, why not try a denim dress for your next summer wedding?

If you love the duchess’s royal polo look, shop eight similar fancy denim dresses below for less.

Off-the-shoulder denim dress.
Off-the-shoulder denim dress. (Photo: Lauren Ralph Lauren/Zappos)

Lauren Ralph Lauren Denim Fit-and-Flare Dress, $95, zappos.com

Sleeveless wrap tie dress.
Sleeveless wrap tie dress. (Photo: Anne Klein/Nordstrom)

Anne Klein Chambray Wrap Dress, $119, nordstrom.com

Denim wrap peplum dress.
Denim wrap peplum dress. (Photo: Eloquii)

Eloquii Denim Dress with Peplum Detail, $165, eloquii.com

Denim maxi peplum dress.
Denim maxi peplum dress. (Photo: Farrow/Need Supply)

Farrow Felix Dress, $23, needsupply.com

Bow strap denim dress.
Bow strap denim dress. (Photo: Ulla Johnson/Net-a-Porter)

Ulla Johnson Emory Bow-Detailed Denim Dress, $173, net-a-porter.com

Denim dress with shoulder frill. (
Denim dress with shoulder frill. (Photo: Rebecca Taylor)

Rebecca Taylor La Vie Smocked Tissue Denim Dress, $395, rebeccataylor.com

Denim maxi button down dress.
Denim maxi button-down dress. (Photo: & Other Stories)

& Other Stories fit and Flare Denim Dress, $115, stories.com

Short sleeve denim dress with pockets. (Photo: Brooks Brothers)
Short-sleeve denim dress with pockets. (Photo: Brooks Brothers)

Brooks Brothers Denim A-Line Dress, $99, brooksbrothers.com

Plus-size denim wrap maxi dress. (Photo: Standards and Practices/Nordstrom)
Plus-size denim wrap maxi dress. (Photo: Standards and Practices/Nordstrom)

Standards and Practices Jodi Wrap Maxi Dress, $109, Nordstrom.com

Dark denim off-the-shoulder dress. (Photo: Tibi/Matches Fashion)
Dark denim off-the-shoulder dress. (Photo: Tibi/Matches Fashion)

Tibi Off-the-Shoulder Tie-Cuff Denim Dress, $157, matchesfashion.com

Ruffle tier denim dress. (Photo: Michael Kors)
Ruffle tier denim dress. (Photo: Michael Kors)

Michael Michael Kors Ruffled Chambray Dress, $93, michaelkors.com

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