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Original poster

To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist

278 replies

LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:33

For her Nigerian tour. Whoever put the outfits together for her has no clue on culturally appropriate attire. When I was a child it was drummed into me to cover my shoulders- especially in formal settings. So far all her dresses have been strappy or shoulder less (even backless!), while all the women in the photos with her have their shoulders covered as is the norm.

Also the relentless neutrals are uninspiring in a country where colourful clothing is standard. There are many amazing Nigerian or west African designers she could have highlighted on this tour (one of the images is from Lagos fashion week).

Please this is NOT a Meghan bashing thread so take your nasty comments to the Royal Family board (hence why I didn’t post on there). I think she looks stunning and her hair and makeup have been spot on. I also like how welcoming the Nigerian community have been- and I know they will give her a pass for her outfits since she’s an outsider. Just wondering what the consensus is.

YABU- she’s a foreigner so can dress how she likes
YANBU- clothing on a “royal” tour should be culturally appropriate and tailored to that region

To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
OP posts:
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9
AliceKyteler · 12/05/2024 07:38

If she had though the Meghan haters would have accused her of cultural appropriation.
Not that they care about that sort of thing. She can't win though can she?

AliceKyteler · 12/05/2024 07:39

If she had though the Meghan haters would have accused her of cultural appropriation.
Not that they care about that sort of thing. She can't win though can she?

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 12/05/2024 07:41

None of the people she has met seem to mind.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:41

AliceKyteler · 12/05/2024 07:39

If she had though the Meghan haters would have accused her of cultural appropriation.
Not that they care about that sort of thing. She can't win though can she?

But Nigerians wouldn’t see it as cultural appropriation which is surely what matters. We would see it as a celebration of our culture. Kind of like wearing a sari to an Indian wedding or festival wear to carnival.

I agree with you that she can’t win in terms of criticism.

OP posts:
qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 12/05/2024 07:41

Your OP is just criticism with no purpose.

Willmafrockfit · 12/05/2024 07:43

perhaps the shoulders should have been covered
but the colour scheme is fine, she is not looking to blend in

Celticliving · 12/05/2024 07:43

What is it with women trying to tell other women what to wear?

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:44

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 12/05/2024 07:41

Your OP is just criticism with no purpose.

I guess it is criticism but I was hoping it would turn into a thread with outfits she could wear on African tours. But I agree with you- on reflection I already asked mumsnet for the thread to be removed as it is quite critical- but it comes from a place of disappointment as a Nigerian Brit who likes Meghan- I was quite excited for her outfits on this tour!

OP posts:
Pin0cchio · 12/05/2024 07:45

I don't think its up to her to promote Nigerian styles or designers. She's just an actress?

However if the culture is that its impolite to have shoulders uncovered, to the extent it would be mentioned in guidebooks etc, she should respect that.

Scarletttulips · 12/05/2024 07:46

It is critical. She can wear what she wants. Imagine a Britain where everyone had to stick to British dress? There would be uproar.

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 07:46

Wait... what's this... A woman telling another woman how crap her choice of clothes is... Shocking.
YABU to find criticism in what she is wearing.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 12/05/2024 07:47

Maybe she just packed things she already had and she didn't want to spend too much money on a trip.

Pin0cchio · 12/05/2024 07:47

But Nigerians wouldn’t see it as cultural appropriation which is surely what matters.

If she was white would you still be happy with her choosing to wear Nigerian style clothing?

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:51

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 07:46

Wait... what's this... A woman telling another woman how crap her choice of clothes is... Shocking.
YABU to find criticism in what she is wearing.

Is that wrong? I have spent the last week watching Met gala fashion reviews and blogs. Is that not just fashion culture? For celebrities like Meghan, Zendaya known and celebrated for their fashion choices - fashion critique is surely expected?

I agree it’s a critical post though and I didn’t highlight what I liked. The black and beige dress is stunning and the pattern a nod to west African fabrics - just wish it had shoulders. Also her accessory and earring choices are beautifully put together.

OP posts:
Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:51

Pin0cchio · 12/05/2024 07:47

But Nigerians wouldn’t see it as cultural appropriation which is surely what matters.

If she was white would you still be happy with her choosing to wear Nigerian style clothing?

Yes if she’s on an official tour. Just like people do in the Middle East.

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Whenwillitgetwarm · 12/05/2024 07:51

I think it’s great her and Harry are there. Even if they’re no longer working royals, due to his lineage, they will always be royals so their presence there is a boost for the UK. It’s such a massive shame things turned out the way they did because they are hugely popular abroad and could be beneficial for the promotion of the UK post Brexit.

The Nigerians are loving having them there and Nigeria is a huge market for UK to export to. This not being an official royal tour is a big missed opportunity.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:54

Whenwillitgetwarm · 12/05/2024 07:51

I think it’s great her and Harry are there. Even if they’re no longer working royals, due to his lineage, they will always be royals so their presence there is a boost for the UK. It’s such a massive shame things turned out the way they did because they are hugely popular abroad and could be beneficial for the promotion of the UK post Brexit.

The Nigerians are loving having them there and Nigeria is a huge market for UK to export to. This not being an official royal tour is a big missed opportunity.

I agree with you- I’m glad they are there. They are hugely popular that side of the world so it’s a missed opportunity for the Royal family.

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LittleGreenDragons · 12/05/2024 07:55

One of the main points in a tour is to stand out from the crowd. Plain colours versus bright colours, all one colour versus lots, short dress versus floor length. This is why the late Queen wore very bright colours - to stand out and to be seen.

If bare shoulders was/is insulting then they should have been covered. Again, even the late Queen was careful not to insult the Pope and wore appropriate clothing for their meeting. Was it insulting or just not the norm?

Willmafrockfit · 12/05/2024 07:55

Pin0cchio · 12/05/2024 07:45

I don't think its up to her to promote Nigerian styles or designers. She's just an actress?

However if the culture is that its impolite to have shoulders uncovered, to the extent it would be mentioned in guidebooks etc, she should respect that.

i agree

Pickled21 · 12/05/2024 08:00

She lied about only wearing neutral colours so that she didn't stand out in the UK. Neutrals are her preferred pallette and whilst boring to me, absolutely do look good on her. Also here as many of the women are wearing brighter colours and patterns she is able to stand out.Geri Halliwell is another who does this although she sticks to white.

Also on one of the archetypes podcasts mentioned doing a genealogy test and she was 'a quarter nigerian' so even if people did bang on about her and cultural appropriation she could set the record straight.

Etiquette wise it's always nice to be respectful of the norms of the country you are visiting but she wants to stand out and often didn't follow those rules in the Royal family so maybe that sort of stuff doesn't register or isn't that important to her.

Blinkeredsoul34 · 12/05/2024 08:03

She’s not representing the royal family.

She’s a former actress.

She is visiting a warm country.

There is no script.

She is wearing what she wants to wear which is fine.

People should stop commenting on her clothes and her body.

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:05

LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:51

Is that wrong? I have spent the last week watching Met gala fashion reviews and blogs. Is that not just fashion culture? For celebrities like Meghan, Zendaya known and celebrated for their fashion choices - fashion critique is surely expected?

I agree it’s a critical post though and I didn’t highlight what I liked. The black and beige dress is stunning and the pattern a nod to west African fabrics - just wish it had shoulders. Also her accessory and earring choices are beautifully put together.

Show quote history

It's just it's ALWAYS women making comments about what other women are wearing... It's just so draining

PlumPeony · 12/05/2024 08:05

I'm sure OP has opened/ will open a similar thread when an actual British working royal has "style" faux pas 🙄

ZenNudist · 12/05/2024 08:06

I think you have a point but also think it's not a royal tour. Not sure what she is doing in Nigeria apart from the usual thing of playing at being a princess.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:07

Blinkeredsoul34 · 12/05/2024 08:03

She’s not representing the royal family.

She’s a former actress.

She is visiting a warm country.

There is no script.

She is wearing what she wants to wear which is fine.

People should stop commenting on her clothes and her body.

It’s not fine just because it’s a warm country- no one would wear those dresses while visiting Saudi Arabia would they?

Covered shoulders really is the etiquette in Nigeria and given it’s not just a visit- it’s an official tour at least on Nigeria’s side, she could have hired a stylist who would have known the etiquette of the country.

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