A royal copycat! Social media users joke Meghan Markle is 'cosplaying' Michelle Obama yet again in a $5840 Loro Piana berry cashmere coat, matching $1,685 pants and towering suede pumps for Harlem school visit
Meghan Markle took a page out of Michelle Obama's stylebook on Friday when she stepped out in New York in a monochromatic maroon suit — a look strikingly similar to the much-lauded outfit the former First Lady wore to President Joe Biden's inauguration.
The Duchess of Sussex, 40, donned a $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat, matching $1,685 wide-leg pants, and red Manolo Blahnik pointed-toe pumps while visiting Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school, despite the 71F temperature.
The Duchess re-wore some of her favorite accessories, including a $4,500 diamond ring by Birks, Princess Diana's $23,000 Cartier Tank watch, a $6,900 Cartier Love bracelet, a $3,000 Jennifer Meyer tennis bracelet, and her diamond engagement ring, which is estimated to be worth about $350,000 — totaling about $387,000 worth of jewels.
The designer outfit raised eyebrows given 94 per cent of children at the school they were visiting receive free meals.
Markle appeared to be channeling Obama, 57, in her berry-colored ensemble and Twitter users took notice, with one person joking that the royal was 'cosplaying Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day.'
Obama cut a stylish figure in a head-to-toe plum suit by Sergio Hudson when she watched Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris be sworn into office at the Capitol in January.
Meghan Markle, 40, is earning comparisons to Michelle Obama, 57, after stepping out in a monochromatic suit that looks quite similar to the former first lady's Inauguration Day outfit
Feeling the chill? The Duchess of Sussex, 40, wrapped up in a $5,840 Loro Piana cashmere coat, matching $1,685 wide-leg pants and red point toe Manolo Blahnik pumps for this morning's visit to Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school, despite the 71F day
Golden girl: Meghan re-wore some of the same jewelry as yesterday, including her $4,500 Birks band (worn alongside her engagement ring) and Diana's Cartier watch
The mother-of-two wore a floor-length coat over a form-fitting knit turtleneck and wide-leg pants — all in the same deep berry shade. She topped off the look with a matching belt featuring a large gold buckle that pulled the outfit together.
The choice of color was significant as purple is one of the official colors of the suffragist movement, as was her decision to promote Hudson, a young black designer.
Markle's version of the monochromatic suit was more relaxed, likely because she would be sitting down and reading her new children's book The Bench to second-graders.
Her reversible coat is made from double-faced cashmere, features hand-finished invisible seams, and comes complete with a ribbed, cashmere-knit, detachable collar.
The designer piece was baggier and far less structured than Obama's coat, and Markle wore her sleeves cuffed to show the fabric on the other side.
Another unique detail was its pockets, which were framed with a lighter shade of square-shaped lining.
Monochrome Meghan: The tonal outfit featured a cape and pants from the same brand. She finished the look with pumps in the same shade - but decided to go without a bag
Fashionable: The unlined cape is made from double-faced cashmere, featuring hand-finished invisible seams. Its draped cut is emphasized by extremely dropped armholes
A number of people took to Twitter on Friday to point out that the Duchess of Sussex's suit looked a lot like the one worn by Obama.
'This giving me Michelle Obama inauguration look,' one person wrote, adding: 'Very messy but the outfit looks similar to Michelle Obama’s inauguration 2021 look.'
'Madame Duchess maroon outfit and flowy hair is giving Michelle Obama at the Inauguration,' someone else agreed, while someone else added: 'Giving me Michelle Obama at the inauguration vibes!'
'She's giving Michelle at inauguration and I am here for it #flawless,' one fan tweeted.
Markle, who wore her hair in a sleek bun the day before, also seemed to take inspiration from Obama's Inauguration Day hairstyle
One person joked she was 'cosplaying' Obama, while another said the outfit was giving her 'Michelle Obama at the inauguration vibes'
Markle may very likely be finding inspiration in Obama's post-presidency style after she and her husband Prince Harry confirmed earlier this year that they would not be returning as working members of the royal family following their move to the U.S.
It comes after the Duchess wore two wool coats for her outings in the city on Thursday, prompting jokes from social media users who said she is 'dressing aggressively for fall'.
After sporting a strict updo yesterday, Meghan wore her brunette locks in loose waves for today's engagement and complimented her monochrome outfit with a slick of pink eyeshadow.
More bling: Meghan was also sporting a $3,000 gold tennis bracelet from designer Jennifer Meyer in addition to her Cartier pieces and rings
During the visit to the school, Meghan wore her book The Bench to students. Students showed the couple a brightly colored mural in the playground, while Meghan put her arms around some of the children and posed for photos.
Meghan's reversible coat is made from double-faced cashmere, featuring hand-finished invisible seams and comes complete with a ribbed, cashmere-knit, detachable collar.
The wide-leg trousers in the set have a similarly relaxed feel and come in the same deep hue.
The Sussexes are staying at the Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan's Upper East Side, where top-tier rooms cost up to $8,800 a night, and have made use of its swanky Bemelmans Bar.
Meghan and Harry, 37, have left children Archie, two, and Lilibet, three months, at home in California while they're in New York.
The visit, which will last at least three nights, mark the couple's longest time away from their daughter and their first official joint engagement since her birth.
Relaxed style: After sporting a strict updo yesterday, Meghan wore her brunette locks in loose waves for today's engagement and complimented her outfit with a slick of pink eyeshadow
Best foot forward: Meghan wore heels from Manolo Blahnik, one of her favorite brands
Touch of glamour: The Duchess re-wore some of her favorite accessories, including Princess Diana's Cartier watch, her Cartier Love bangle and a diamond ring by Birks
Stepping out: The duchess opted for a head to toe red number, with loose-fitting trousers, stiletto court shoes and coat. The prince chose beige chinos and a long-sleeve navy polo shirt
Stepping out in style: Meghan opted for the oversized, monochrome look for today's outing
They were spotted leaving the hotel with their beefed-up security this morning in gas-guzzling SUVs.
The couple kicked off the first day of their tour Thursday rubbing shoulders with New York lawmakers and UN officials as well as paying their respects to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero.
They also visited the offices of the World Health Organization (WHO) where they held a meeting with Chelsea Clinton, health officials and other experts to discuss vaccine equity - ahead of their appearance at Saturday's Global Citizen concert.
Meghan wrapped up in a black coat, polo neck and wide-legged trousers - despite the weather being a humid 80F in the city.
Social media users were left baffled by Meghan's wardrobe, with one writing: 'Does she never learn how to wear clothes that suit the occasion and weather?
'It's a hot and humid day in New York and she is wearing a high collar and coat.'
Storytime: Meghan read her children's book The Bench to a group of second-grade students (aged around seven) at the public school
Harry steps out of his gas-guzzling SUV to arrive at Harlem's PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school for Friday morning's visit
The Sussexes posed for photos with students at PS 123 Mahalia Jackson school as they showed the couple a mural in the yard
Later she switched into a camel coat by Max Mara, which she layered over a black dress.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the cosmetics expert noted that mother-of-two Meghan opted for an 'intense' smokey eye, enhanced brows and a glossy lip when arriving in the Big Apple.
Laura, Founder of Laura Kay London, said: 'Meghan’s choice of makeup is where her look really stands out and where she makes her mark.
'Being her first public appearance in almost two years she may have gone low key with her outfit but her makeup is more dramatic than what we have seen in recent pictures and videos.
The visit to the school marked the start of the second day of their three-day trip to the Big Apple in their first major public appearance since quitting the royal family
Meghan kneels down to chat to a little girl on the playground of the school in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City Friday
'She seems to be inspired by her old signature red carpet style and we are not used to seeing such a defined makeup look since she married Prince Harry.'
She explained: 'Her new “Hollywood” brows are much more defined and they are filled in with powder to enhance their presence. It is all about the brow with this look.
'Her eyes are smudgy and she looks to have applied eye shadow all over the lid, blending it to create a creamy "intense eye". Perfect for commanding attention as you are drawn to her eyes naturally with the use of clever makeup application tricks.
'In addition, for a softer finish she has used a highlighter to blend and intensify her facial features. The use of bronzer also tactfully emphasises her eyes and it is used to help contour her features without being overly out of place for the somber event.
'Her nude lip is a great choice as it catches the light by opting for a gloss finish which helps compliment her dewy complexion. The nude lip also goes perfectly with her smokey eyes and she has the balance just right.'
Meghan Markle visited the UN on Thursday in an unseasonably warm-looking camel-colored coat
Earlier on Thursday, she and Harry had visited One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center
Celebrity hairdresser Tom also suggested Meghan returned to her signature chic low bun, keeping her locks 'appropriately low key for this serious event'.
He said: 'Wearing a sharp centre parting and a sleek bun looks polished without seeming to try too hard or appearing too high maintenance. She seems to have opted for a subtle, almost subdued look, to make the focus not about her.
'It is a simple yet sophisticated style. It is world’s away from the TIME cover photoshoot where her long hair was full and centre stage.'
He continued: 'She also may be experiencing postpartum hair thinning which would explain the centre parting - thinning after pregnancy is most common around the temples and usually re-balances a few months after birth.
'The centre parting would conveniently cover the areas most likely to be effected by hair thinning after her pregnancy. Her hairdresser could have advised this style to prevent further damage and it is a clever trick to hide any visible damage.
'Her recent TIME cover featured an extreme amount of hair extensions which also leads me to believe she may be struggling with her natural hair density after the birth of her daughter Lilibet.'
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