She couldn’t be prouder of the ripple effect she’s created.
Speaking on the Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about what’s become known as the “Meghan effect” – the unexpected boost that brands receive after she’s spotted wearing their products. And while the headlines usually focus on the style, Meghan says there’s a lot more going on behind those wardrobe choices.
“It makes me feel really great when, specifically, it can help uplift brands that have a great ethos and female founders,” she shared. One particular example? A small American jewellery brand whose $125 bracelet sold out in just four hours after Meghan wore it at the Invictus Games in Canada. No big promo, no big speech – just one well-chosen accessory at the right moment, reported GB News.
She explained how being out of the spotlight at times made her even more intentional with her clothing. “There was a long time where I wasn’t out talking, so if you couldn’t hear me, how could I be heard through what I was wearing if that’s what people were focusing on?” she said.
And it wasn’t just about looking good – it was about lifting others up in meaningful ways. Meghan recalled how even when she and Prince Harry were living in the UK, a small Scottish company was able to hire 50 extra employees after a piece she wore gained attention. She also mentioned helping businesses that support women who’ve been trafficked – simply by choosing to wear their jeans.
“By wearing those jeans, I knew it was going to allow them to save more women,” she said, clearly moved by the impact of those decisions. “All of those things end up becoming a touch point that’s really high value to me.”
She added that hearing back from these business owners, some of whom were on the verge of giving up, has been incredibly meaningful. “If I can come in with a little sprinkle of fairy dust, just by wearing a bracelet or doing something that changes the course of their business, that’s a huge honour.”
While most wouldn’t immediately link fashion to second chances and business survival, Meghan’s quietly proving that sometimes a carefully chosen outfit can be far more than just a style statement.