Meghan Markle recently made a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital Gala, and the fashion world was left reeling from her choice of attire.
She chose to re-wear a red Carolina Herrera gown, a dress she had previously donned at a military gala in 2021—a gown that, frankly, should have stayed in the past. The dress, with its ill-fitting design, seems to have a universally unflattering effect. It’s almost as though it comes with an invisible label that reads, “Do not wear again.” Despite any changes in her physique, this dress remains a glaring misstep. One might even imagine the fashion gods shaking their heads, suggesting it be banished from the wardrobe entirely. Yet, here we are, forced to witness a repeat performance of a look that left much to be desired the first time around.
One would think that, after receiving ample fashion advice over the years, Meghan would know better than to step out in this gown. It's not just unflattering—it's downright confusing. Paired with her strikingly bold eyebrows, often dubbed the "eyebrows of doom," the entire ensemble comes off as a testament to her being out of touch with what suits her. Meghan’s fashion choices have always been a bit unpredictable, but the decision to recycle this particular dress raises eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. It’s almost baffling—how can someone so visible in the public eye be so disconnected from what works?
Then there’s the makeup. A tragic blend of poorly applied contour and a color palette that does her no favors, only accentuates the missteps in her appearance. As for her hair, it seems as though she grabbed a wig from the clearance bin, tossed it on, and hoped for the best. The loose, lifeless hairstyle appeared as if it could fly away with the gentlest of breezes. But perhaps the most bewildering aspect of the entire look is the neckline of the dress, which does absolutely nothing to flatter her figure. The cups of the dress seem so baggy they could easily land her a spot in the fashion faux pas hall of fame.
One has to wonder what prompted Meghan to re-wear this dress. She's often spoken about her commitment to sustainability, but this particular fashion choice feels more like desperation than eco-consciousness. It’s almost as if she was hoping for a dramatic, "Pretty Woman" moment—a scene-stealing, unforgettable look. But instead of Julia Roberts' iconic glamor, we got a dress that screams "Deal or No Deal," with none of the charm. The event was a charity gala, not an award show, making her attire feel wildly inappropriate for the occasion.
The whispers were inevitable—was she really so out of touch with reality? The irony here is palpable: a woman who prides herself on humanitarian efforts, yet all we see is a misguided attempt at grabbing the spotlight. If Meghan was hoping to make a powerful statement with this look, it fell flat. While some have drawn parallels to the famed “Revenge Dress” worn by Princess Diana, Meghan’s version feels more like a poorly executed parody. Diana’s dress was a bold, iconic moment; Meghan’s attempt at creating a similar narrative feels like a cheap knockoff.
Adding insult to injury, the entire look seemed to send subtle signals that her budget might not be what it once was. Her usual Cartier watch was notably absent, and her natural hair texture was on display—suggesting that perhaps she’s scaling back on her once-luxurious lifestyle. Even the event itself, which lacked the usual high-profile donors at her table, seemed to paint a picture of a woman whose star is fading. In a world where she could still command attention with her style, Meghan instead delivered a disappointing rerun of a dress that should never have made it out of her closet.
Ultimately, her decision to re-wear a gown that was already criticized the first time around speaks volumes about her desire for attention. It seems that if people can simply Google “Meghan Markle red dress,” that's enough validation for her. But in doing so, she’s dragged us all through yet another fashion misstep, one that highlights a desperation for relevance rather than a true commitment to elegance or style.
