Was the outfit the result of Meghan doing mental gymnastics like, “I really want to go to the Jenner party, but I can’t risk looking too glam or like I’m having too much fun on Remembrance weekend”? So she defaulted to black and modest, then kept toning it down further and further until it no longer read as evening wear at all, but more like office attire?
I mean, the obvious first step - if you’re worried about bad optics, is simply not go! Or at least make sure you’re not papped and that there are strict no photos rules in place before you attend.
And then once the photos do come out, it’s the classic: “oh fuck, I’ve been caught out, just lay low until the news cycle moves on.” That’s basic never complain, never explain territory, but unfortunately it’s a royal lesson Harry and Meghan never really mastered.
If she genuinely wanted to tone things down, she could’ve worn a simple black gown and add a poppy broach to it. Plenty of Bond girls have worn black gowns (Vesper Lynd being the most iconic) and a black gown is always a safe choice. Something like what Catherine wore in 2011 would’ve been perfect (modest yet still glamorous).
I do sometimes wonder if Meghan just lives in her own head a bit too much and so focused on being “perfect” that she overthinks everything and ends up second guessing herself.