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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:
Thread gallery
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KeinLiebeslied54321 · 12/05/2024 08:07

Has Meghan "bashing for the sake of it' not gone out of fashion yet?

alsuoo · 12/05/2024 08:08

I can't ever get on board with a woman being forced to cover herself to be "modest", whatever that culture may be, it's always driven by misogyny. So no I couldn't get het up about this.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:09

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 12/05/2024 08:07

Has Meghan "bashing for the sake of it' not gone out of fashion yet?

Sorry this is perceived as Meghan bashing - I already asked Mumsnet to remove the thread for that reason.

I was hoping it would come across more as a fashion critique but evidently got it wrong.

OP posts:
Begsthequestion · 12/05/2024 08:09

I agree, bc while I think people are very accepting, if she wanted to make the best impression possible, she could have dressed more as you suggested.

The pics are quite jarring to me too esp the first one with the pale pink dress, she looks quite naked!

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:09

alsuoo · 12/05/2024 08:08

I can't ever get on board with a woman being forced to cover herself to be "modest", whatever that culture may be, it's always driven by misogyny. So no I couldn't get het up about this.

Nigerian men wear covered shoulders too. The modesty applies across the board.

OP posts:
Begsthequestion · 12/05/2024 08:10

alsuoo · 12/05/2024 08:08

I can't ever get on board with a woman being forced to cover herself to be "modest", whatever that culture may be, it's always driven by misogyny. So no I couldn't get het up about this.

No one is being forced to do anything?

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:11

And I'm fairly sure Harry is wearing neutrals... nobody has pointed out him wearing neutrals and looking scruffy with his shirt buttons undone , shirt untucked etc

Nobody has called for him to have a Nigerian stylist...

To think Meghan should have chosen a Nigerian stylist
Hereyoume · 12/05/2024 08:11

LateAF · 12/05/2024 07:41

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.

Show quote history

Appropriation is something which other people feel the need to complain about, not those who are the subject of the Appropriation.

H&M would have been ripped apart by the woke folk had she dared to try anything like that.

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:12

Begsthequestion · 12/05/2024 08:09

I agree, bc while I think people are very accepting, if she wanted to make the best impression possible, she could have dressed more as you suggested.

The pics are quite jarring to me too esp the first one with the pale pink dress, she looks quite naked!

Well, luckily she isn't representing anything except her husband who is representing a sports event. So it's not really important.

TrailOfTime · 12/05/2024 08:12

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

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

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:11

And I'm fairly sure Harry is wearing neutrals... nobody has pointed out him wearing neutrals and looking scruffy with his shirt buttons undone , shirt untucked etc

Nobody has called for him to have a Nigerian stylist...

He’s never been a fashion icon has he so it’s hardly the same? No one was waiting to see what Harry would wear. But his clothing has otherwise been culturally appropriate for men in terms of cut and fit.

OP posts:
WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:12

LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:12

He’s never been a fashion icon has he so it’s hardly the same? No one was waiting to see what Harry would wear. But his clothing has otherwise been culturally appropriate for men in terms of cut and fit.

Show quote history

Not really.

It's always the same, people focusing on a criticising what the women are wearing.

Begsthequestion · 12/05/2024 08:13

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:12

Well, luckily she isn't representing anything except her husband who is representing a sports event. So it's not really important.

Show quote history

I agree it's not important, and I don't care about the royals.

Personally though if I was attending fancy events in West Africa I would not wear what she's wearing.

StaySpicy · 12/05/2024 08:16

WittiestUsernameEver · 12/05/2024 08:11

And I'm fairly sure Harry is wearing neutrals... nobody has pointed out him wearing neutrals and looking scruffy with his shirt buttons undone , shirt untucked etc

Nobody has called for him to have a Nigerian stylist...

The lady behind Meghan in this photo has bare shoulders.

Is it culturally appropriate to cover shoulders or not?

Whenwillitgetwarm · 12/05/2024 08:17

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.

She’s supporting her husband in promoting the Invictus Games which is a very good and important event.

AutumnLeaves5 · 12/05/2024 08:18

I agree. When I’ve been on holiday to more conservative or Muslim countries, I’ve made an effort to keep my knees and shoulders covered. For me it’s about respect for other peoples customs and beliefs - I’m a guest in their country and wearing a Tshirt with sleeves or a longer skirt takes very little effort.

I also found it kept me much cooler and will now often wear maxi dresses or linen trousers when it’s hot.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:19

StaySpicy · 12/05/2024 08:16

The lady behind Meghan in this photo has bare shoulders.

Is it culturally appropriate to cover shoulders or not?

Show quote history

Yes she does and her dress is inappropriate. I hadn’t seen her but she’s the only one I’ve seen that it’s uncovered shoulders. The fact it’s a traditional dress does make it more formal though so very slightly lessens the faux pas compared to Meghan’s shoulderless western dresses.

OP posts:
PurplePansy05 · 12/05/2024 08:19

So many posters missing the point. It's irrelevant if Harry has his own dedicated fashion faux pas thread or whether other royals do/will do (although I am pretty sure there are plenty of such threads online). It doesn't have any bearing on Meghan's faux pas.

I personally like a lot of Meghan's clothes in general, but definitely not during this trip. They don't fit well, they look too long, creased and too tight even though she's absolutely tiny. It's just not flattering. I also agree they are too revealing.

There are circumstances which warrant certain style of clothing and she didn't get it right. It's clear the people welcoming both her and Harry went to greater lengths in terms of their outfits being more formal and it just looks odd for M&H to turn up in what essentially is slightly upgraded holiday wear. Both her and Harry got it wrong IMO.

alsuoo · 12/05/2024 08:19

Nigerian men wear covered shoulders too. The modesty applies across the board.

Yes I'm sure there would be exactly equal outrage. That's how it works with women's bodies doesn't it Hmm

HeadNorth · 12/05/2024 08:21

Meghan really can't do anything right, can she? The criticism she receives is relentless, it is quite disturbing.

Original poster
LateAF · 12/05/2024 08:21

alsuoo · 12/05/2024 08:19

Nigerian men wear covered shoulders too. The modesty applies across the board.

Yes I'm sure there would be exactly equal outrage. That's how it works with women's bodies doesn't it Hmm

I honestly cannot imagine my dad or any Nigerian man I know turning up with uncovered shoulders to a formal event. The fact I’ve never seen it but seen women do it on occasion (yes they get bitched about but risk it), means that for me it would be more outrageous to see a man wear a strap top to something like this.

OP posts:
Allthehorsesintheworld · 12/05/2024 08:22

I can understand that she and her advisors might have felt using Nigerian fabrics was inappropriate but she should have had her shoulders and upper arms covered. I have zero interest in royals but those dresses are really inappropriate.

SallyWD · 12/05/2024 08:24

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 12/05/2024 07:41

Your OP is just criticism with no purpose.

Exactly. Whatever she does seems to be wrong, it seems. It's getting tiresome.

OutlawZeroHours · 12/05/2024 08:24

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?

She didn't have to wear traditional Nigerian dress, just cover up a bit. Like the Royal women tend to do when they go to other countries with a strong Islamic community.

Higglings · 12/05/2024 08:25

It matters that one dresses approximately in the country they're visiting.

She's not Royal - she's just a US B Class actress, so I guess she felt it didn't matter if she was respectful or not.