Meghan Markle's Best Looks Ever Reveal Her Tried-and-True Style Formula

Meghan Markle has major changes ahead. As you may have heard, the former Suits actress will become English royalty when she marries Prince Harry in May 2018. (We can't wait to see what her dress will look like!) But, even as she prepares to join the highly traditional royal family, we have a hunch that the California native will stay true to her already developed sense of style. After all, why mess with a formula that really works? 

Markle has always been interested in fashion, and even helmed her own capsule collection for Canadian retailer Reitmans. Plus, Markle's best friend is stylist Jessica Mulroney. So, fashion advice is never far when she has to dress for an appearance. 

Through the years, Markle has favored well-tailored seperates, and she never shies away from borrowing from the boys. Apparently not one for bows, fluffy silhouettes, or too many embellishments, Prince Harry's love oftentimes eschews dresses in favor of suiting for the red carpet.

Markle also favors monochromatic looks, sticking to classic, neutral colors. And, the human-rights advocate is nothing if not loyal: if she finds a brand she likes, she'll wear it again and again. 

Take a look back at some of Markle's strongest style moments to date, and note how she's honed her signature look over the years. 

Years ago, the actress had already shown her allegiance to tailored separates in solid hues. The pussy-bow blouse, paired with a pencil skirt, is the kind of chic office attire that worked for Markle's sharp-as-a-tack Suits character, Rachel Zane. 

The actress, who's a fan of Canadian fashion brands, stepped out to view the Fall 2015 collections at Toronto's version of fashion week. The Pilates fanatic showed a slice of her toned abs in a cream ensemble by Mackage, a label that Markle champions to this day. 

At the 2015 event, the actress chose a mini-dress by designer Misha Nonoo, who is rumored to have introduced Markle to her future prince! This style of pointed-toe, black pumps may be starting to look familiar by now. (Missed it? Just scroll up.) Like her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton, Markle is known to repeat certain outfit items. 

Markle, an animal lover, once told Good Housekeeping: "Personally, I love cropped pants in vegan leather, a great fitted blazer, and a button-down." It seems that Markle won't have to give up her love for faux leather pants anytime soon: it's said that she'll have to follow fewer strict rules when it comes to fashion than Kate Middleton. (We'll see more evidence of this later.) Also, note Markle's strappy nude pumps: they'll show up again.

At an appearance for the beauty giant, Markle wore a monochrome look topped off with an edgy leather biker jacket. (Hello again, nude shoes!) 

The black pumps are back! At this Los Angeles event, Markle wore some of her other signature pieces, as well. The button-down shorts and fitted blazer are by American brand Veronica Beard. 

For the NYC appearance, Markle selected more pieces from Veronica Beard. Here, she wore the label's striped, bracelet-sleeve jacket and high-waist shorts. 

The leopard-spotted shoes in this photo are by designer Sarah Flint. (Shop the style here!) Markle is so devoted the brand, she owns several pairs of its flats, sandals, and pumps. 

Back at the Toronto spot where she met Prince Harry in 2016, Markle wore an aubergine dress by Aritizia, topped off with a matching moto jacket by Mackage. The Aritizia dress rang in at only $185, and sold out quickly. As you'll see, Markle tends to have that effect on fashion. 

At the third day of the games, Markle wore a crisp, button-down shirt paired with (gasp!) ripped jeans. The outing marked her first official appearance as the girlfriend of Prince Harry, so the casual style caused a bit of a stir. But as we noted, she won't be held to quite the same strict style standards as Kate Middleton is. By the way: those cute flats are by Sarah Flint. 

For the now iconic photo shoot, Markle wore a white coat by Canadian Label the the Line. So many people Googled the style that the Line's website crashed, and the style sold out in seconds. There goes Meghan, already breaking the Internet. The future royal also did something slightly rebellious, here: she decided to skip the hosiery.  

For her first official appearance with Harry after the engagement was announced, Markle paired a high-neck, knitted top with a long tan skirt and boots. (It's not shown here, but she also wore a coat by Mackage.) Many compared the look to an outfit that style icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy once wore, and that makes sense.

The Kennedy family is, after all, pretty much the American equivalent of royalty. And Bessette Kennedy had a sleek, classic sense of style that wasn't far off from Meghan's.