Meghan Markle Is The Perfect Style Inspo For Making Shorts Chic Over 40

Meghan Markle may have received criticism for her outfit choices when she was a working royal, but somehow, she still managed to come out on top. Not many people could make something as casual as shorts look undeniably chic, but in true royal fashion, she brought elegance and poise to an otherwise basic staple. Funnily enough, some of Meghan Markle's best outfits in her 40s have included more elevated takes on shorts, and we just had to take a second to appreciate that. Meghan has become known for her casual but elegant yacht-style of fashion over the years, wearing everything from maxi dresses and heeled sandals to tucked-in blouses and light, breezy sweaters. Shorts, however, have proven to be a standout for her.

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Both of the above photos of Meghan were taken in 2023 during the Invictus Games, and they're further proof that there's no better time than your 40s to don a pair. The look on the left feels extremely well put together, and Markle's white blazer with black trim perfectly complements her black top and white shorts. It's a well-balanced outfit colorwise but remains chic and simple. The look on the right is smart and casual, but at the same time, elegant. It's tough to make a romper look elevated enough for a royal, but pairing it with a cream blazer ties the whole look together. Each outfit is the perfect inspiration for a casual outdoor look if you don't want to dress overly basic.

Meghan Markle had plenty of standout looks while living in the U.K., where she showcased formal and traditional styles. However, Meghan Markle's post-royal fashion is a glimpse into her bright future. We've really seen her come into her own, fashion-wise, in her 40s. More recently, she was spotted in a 2025 Instagram post sporting this pair of white linen shorts, another beach-ready style. While she often still sticks to some of the styling guidelines she adopted as a working royal, she now wears laid-back items with ease, showing how comfortable she now is with herself and her style.

In a rare interview during her April 2026 Australian tour with Prince Harry, Meghan spoke to Australian Women's Weekly about why her sense of style is so important and proved that she's more confident than ever now that she's free from royal constraints. "Fashion is one of the most powerful industries," she noted. "It influences how we feel and what we project. And even if you don't say a word, you can convey something in what you wear." Needless to say, the duchess only has herself (and her favorite designers!) to thank for her endlessly evolving style in this decade of her life, and there's power in that. We can't wait to see what else she decides to wear in her post-royal era.