IN HER CIVVIES

Meghan Markle can return to bare legs and wearing favourite ripped jeans and leggings after stepping down as royal

Lauren Clark

Published: 12:00, 23 Jan 2020
Updated: 21:31, 23 Jan 2020

MEGHAN Markle has been enjoying her new life outside the royal spotlight in Canada since the news of Megxit broke.

And the low-key appearance by the Duchess of Sussex, 38, as she went on a hike earlier this week, may be indicative of a return of her stylish former wardrobe.

Meghan Markle opted for a more daring style before marrying Prince Harry (pictured in 2015)Credit: Getty - Contributor

Meghan Markle was spotted wearing chic athleisure-wear while walking through Horth Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island with eight-month-old son Archie.

It's a look that is far removed from the smarter ensembles she has stepped out in for official engagements over the past 18 months, and much more reminiscent of the get-ups she favoured while working as a Suits actress in Toronto.

Going forward, while Prince Harry's wife is certain to still attend lots of glamorous events and meet with charities on a regular basis, she may feel less pressure to conform to the strict dress code expected of royal women.

From ripped jeans to dark nail polish and low-cut necklines, here are all the ways her wardrobe is likely to change...

Out: Smart denim

The Duchess of Sussex has largely stuck to smarter denim as a royalCredit: Paul Edwards - The Sun

In: Ripped jeans

But she was a huge fan of ripped jeans before her weddingCredit: Getty - Contributor

When Meghan wore jeans to Wimbledon last year, there were still some who deemed her attire not appropriate - even though she was not sat in the Royal Box as she watched friend Serena Williams play.

However, compared to her pre-wedding denim choices, the indigo shade was still remarkably smart.

It is likely we will see a return of the duchess in the beloved distressed style she sported on her first public outing with Harry, 35, at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 and for a meeting with press secretary Christian Jones last year - and which the Queen is said to hate.

Whatever the style, she can single-highhandedly sell-out a denim product line - her favourite 'Looker Frayed-Ankle Jeans' by brand Mother flew off the shelves when she wore them before her wedding, and she sparked a three-month waiting list when she slipped on Hiut Denim's 'Diana' pair for a trip to Cardiff in 2018.

Out: Nude tights

Meghan wore nude tights to please the Queen for her first engagement as a royalCredit: Getty Images - Getty

In: Bare legs

For her last engagement before it was announced she was stepping back, she opted for her preferred bare legsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Royal fans were shocked when Meghan wore nude tights for her first engagement as a royal on a boiling hot day at Buckingham Palace.

But it soon transpired that for certain events the Queen requests her family cover their legs.

The duchess did so again that November at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall - leaving the internet divided over their shiny texture.

But while she is believed to be huge fan of Heist hosiery and slipped on an M&S pair for a Commonwealth Day event, it is clear she prefers going without.

Despite freezing temperatures, she opted for bare legs while visiting the Canadian embassy in London earlier this month - perhaps a sign that she was on her way out of royal life?

Out: Pink nail polish

The Queen has frequently worn an elegant pink shade since her engagement was announced at the end of 2017 Credit: Getty - Contributor

In: Dark varnish

However, it's likely to she may return to a darker manicureCredit: Getty - Contributor

It has long been reported that the Queen considers dark coloured nail varnish or fake nails to be "vulgar".

Her favoured share is said to be Essie's Nail Lacquer in Ballet Slippers, which she is believed to have worn since 1989.

Meghan chose a similar varnish when her engagement to Harry was announced in November 2017, and she was also seen wearing it during Archie's first photocall at Windsor Castle.

She erred slightly in December 2018 with a plum-coloured polish at the British Fashion Awards - similar to one she wore in 2015 for the red carpet - and it's likely she'll become more experimental again.

Out: Smart casual

Meghan has been forced to adopt a more formal look for outdoor engagementsCredit: Getty - Pool

In: Fully casual

However, it's clear she feels more at home in leggings and hiking bootsCredit: Splash News

For outdoor engagements, Meghan has had to retain a level of formality with her attire.

On tour in New Zealand, she wore a blazer jacket with wellington boots, and paired a quilted jacket with ballet flats.

However, since she has been in Canada, she has been able to re-embrace her more casual personal style.

When she lived in Toronto for seven years before marrying Harry she was regularly spotted wearing gym leggings, parka jackets, hiking boots, cardigans, trainers and beanie hats - usually while clutching a yoga mat.

Indeed, since she has returned to the country she has been spotted out and about in similar garb - including a pair of Le Chemeau boots.

Out: No cleavage

In: Plunging necklines

She previously favoured a plunging necklineCredit: Getty - Contributor

Since joining the royal family, Meghan has been careful to ensure she hasn't shown any inappropriate cleavage.

However, when she was an actress, a plunging neckline was one of her favoured looks.

Could the duchess go daring once more?