Meghan's secret style weapon: How the Duchess of Sussex relies on boat necklines to look 'slightly uncovered and sexy' – but still appropriate
- Meghan, 36, is a big fan of the neckline, wearing style on number of occasions
- This week, Duchess of Sussex wore three dresses with boat neck in three days
- Fashion experts say style allows her to show flesh, while covering her shoulders
- Searches for the term 'boat neck' have increased by 52% in two months
She may have only been a member of the royal family for a matter of months, but Meghan has already got a signature look.
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, is a big fan of the boat neckline, wearing the style on a number of occasions in the past few months.
Her love of the boat neck was particularly evident last week, when she wore three dresses featuring the neckline in the space of three days - including an olive green frock by Ralph Lauren at Prince Louis' christening and a grey Roland Mouret number in Dublin.
Fashion experts say that Meghan's choice of neckline allows her to respect royal protocol, while still looking 'a little sexy'.
Meghan has made the boat neck her signature style, wearing a grey dress by Roland Mouret featuring the neckline during her tour of Dublin on Wednesday
The Duchess of Sussex, 36, wore a Dior fit and flare dress featuring the same neckline at the RAF centenary celebrations on Tuesday
Stylist Lucas Armitage told FEMAIL: 'The boat neck is an often overlooked neckline in fashion, it’s safe to say it’s not one overlooked by Meghan.
'I think it’s her way of respecting royal tradition but wanting to appear slightly uncovered and still a little sexy.
'Royal protocol means necklines must be quite covered so a boat neckline is a clever way of being revealing but not actually showing any cleavage or arms.'
He added: 'It has become her signature look and one the shows her amazing figure off to perfection.'
Meghan also wore an olive green dress by Ralph Lauren featuring a bateau neckline at Prince Louis' christening
Meghan famously opted for a boat neckline on her wedding day, with her stunning £200,000 gown by Givenchy designer Clare Waight Keller.
She had previously worn a checked top by Theory featuring a bateau neckline during a visit to Cardiff in January.
However, it is in recent weeks that Meghan has really shown that the boat neck is her signature look.
The Duchess wore a pale pink dress by Prada featuring the neckline as she joined Prince Harry and the Queen at a Young Leaders reception at Buckingham Palace at the end of last month.
At Prince Louis' christening on Monday, she looked elegant in an olive green pencil dress by Ralph Lauren, again featuring the same neckline.
Meghan's wedding dress, a £200,000 gown by Givenchy, also featured a boat neckline
The former actress previously wore a checked top featuring a bateau neck during a visit to Cardiff in January
Meghan showed off dresses featuring the boat neck last Tuesday and Wednesday, firstly with her Dior fit and flare frock at the RAF centenary celebrations, and then a Roland Mouret dress in dove grey.
It comes after fashion search engine Lyst revealed that the Duchess has sparked a 52 per cent spike in searches for the term 'boat neck' over the past two months.
Stylist and brand consultant Alexandra Fullerton previously told FEMAIL: 'Meghan is putting her own "demure but modern" spin on the now ubiquitous Bardot neckline, which continues to dominate the high street.
'The shoulder is this year's hottest erogenous zone - thanks to the Bardot - and the Duchess of Sussex's adoption of the boat neckline cements this,' she said.
'It also feels a little bit sexy as there is more skin on show than a crew neck, and slightly subversive as it looks fresher than a V-neck, and reiterates her modern royal style.
'The actual shape makes her already elegant neck look positively swan-like, and puts the focus on her face.'
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